Michael Pineda’s stint on the disabled list may be shorter than expected, writes Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Pineda is slated to make a rehab start for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate on Sunday, and while he’s only scheduled to throw 45 pitches, he could rejoin the big league rotation five or six days after that start. When Pineda initially landed on the disabled list with a flexor strain in his right forearm, it was feared that he’d be out until sometime in September.
More news from the AL East as the weekend looms…
- For all the focus on the Red Sox’ need for pitching, the hole at first base will be a significant need that must be addressed in the offseason, writes WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. Boston has at least had internal discussions about moving Hanley Ramirez or Pablo Sandoval to first base, but neither player has been approached by the team yet, Bradford continues. Bradford handicaps the six likeliest scenarios for first base in 2016, with Ramirez leading the way, followed by a trade acquisition. As he notes, Allen Craig’s light hitting even at Triple-A has probably removed him from the equation.
- The Orioles will call up both catcher Steve Clevenger and outfielder Henry Urrutia today, reports MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko, but the corresponding 25-roster moves remain unknown. Kubatko notes that ailing backstop Matt Wieters could yet avoid the disabled list, however. Kubatko also spoke to GM Dan Duquette about the acquisitions of minor league right-handers Matt Buschmann and Jason Stoffel, noting that Stoffel in particular has a chance to impact the Orioles’ big league bullpen at some point. Buschmann, Duquette explained, is a veteran Triple-A arm brought in to help the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate, which is currently in contention.
- MLB Network’s Peter Gammons recalls speaking with Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos last year about the measures Anthopoulos would take to improve the team. His top priority, according to Gammons, was to get more consistent by improving the club’s defense. As Gammons notes, while much is made of Toronto’s slugging lineup, Anthopoulos deserves credit for the equally impressive run-prevention makeover the team has undergone. By bringing in Josh Donaldson and Russell Martin in the offseason, trading for Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Revere, and giving the everyday center field role to Kevin Pillar, the Blue Jays have transformed into an outstanding defensive unit that complements a much-improved pitching staff.
When Sandoval played first for the Giants, he stretched out for a ball and pulled a hammy which I think sent him to the DL. The Giants never played him there again. It would be overreacting to suggest that the experiment should never be tried again but honestly, does one not cringe every time you see Sandoval stretch out for a force play at third? Leg out in infield hit or try to take an extra base? I think the fact that he is constantly out of shape lends himself more to a DH role than 1B or 3B.
I genuinely thought Boston would get maybe 2 years out of Sandoval at 3B before they needed to DH him. But based on the shape he showed up in this year, it might be sooner than that. Of course there’s always a chance that Sandoval has a huge wake up call this offseason and works his butt off to get in better shape and reduce the risk of injury and improve his defensive range. But I guess we will see, the East Coast has REALLY good pizza and I’d find it hard to stay in shape over there!
Still better than Hanley who belongs at DH now.
Considering that the 1B handles the ball more then any player other then the P and C, I constantly wonder why fans think anyone can go over to 1B and play the position.
Here’s an example – James Loney is the best 1B in the AL along with Hosmer. Asdrubal Cabrera signed with the Jays to play SS. In 2014 with the Indians where he had a terrible 1B, Asdrubal had 14 errors in 92 games at SS with the team, and was having other problems playing the position that weren tallied. He was then traded to the Nationals where he played 2B and had one error in 48 games playing 2B with LaRoche – a good 1B – playing there. Playing with the Rays and Loney in 2015, Asdrubal has 4 errors in 95 games, and is doing OK at SS even though his range continues to diminish.
If the Red Sox are looking at putting one of 2 guys over to play 1B because they want their bat in the mine-up, then expect the 2016 2B, 3B and SS to have defensive problems. I saw a stat the other day on the 3 team leaders in unearned runs in the AL – in order – A’s, Indians, Red Sox. Some organizations just never learn. They keep shortcutting things year after year and is shows in the W-L column…….especially in one run games.
(On days when LaRoche is playing 1B for the White Sox rather then Abreu, there is a noticeable difference in the way the team plays D that day.)
I am not so sure that I would judge a first basemen’s entire D on his hands alone..
I assume you mean Yunel Escobar played for the Jays and went to Washington, Asdrubal Cabrera has never played for the Blue Jays and hasnt played for Washington.. Yunel Escobar has never played for the Indians. Not sure what youre talking about
Teixeira is better than Loney IMO
I know Hanley doesn’t want to change positions again but man is it painful watching him in the outfield. Although he has no real experience at 1B so that might not be the most fun to watch either x_x
As much as it terrifies me, they have to try it. If they could do it for at least the last two weeks of the season, they’d know where they stand for next year. Unless they’re hiding a third baseman somewhere Sandoval stays there for now. The best thing they could do this offseason is undo everything Cherington did in the last offseason. But since that’s not going to happen, at least they could try to minimize the damage Sandoval and Ramirez can do when they do play.
Yes, that is the pressing concern. Who will be the Red Sox first baseman in 2016. Forget the bullpen and the starting rotation. it’s all about the first baseman. Or moreover where can we hide last year’s mistakes?
The Sox seem to be afraid to ask any of the older players to do anything. Why not just tell Ramirez he’s the new first baseman?
Hanley at 3B with Panda at 1B make the most sense to me.
I know Hanley doesn’t want to play 3B but no one wants to see him embarrass himself in LF anymore.
While the Jays are far better defensively, they still have a way to go.
I can’t wait for the playoffs to see how they do when they have to play some small ball. That should be interesting.
why would they need to play small ball in October?
In terms of the farm system, Sam Travis could be the eventual answer at 1B. Hitting really well in Portland