Marlins prospect Tyler Kolek is heading for a medical check-up after suffering an elbow injury and experiencing continued discomfort, MiLB.com’s Michael Leboff reports. That’s a disappointing turn of events for the 20-year-old, who scuffled in his first full professional season last year and was hoping to make strides in 2016. It’s important to note that it’s not yet clear whether Kolek will need any kind of surgery. The righty is still working to harness his high-powered fastball, and is obviously a long-term asset, but as things stand it certainly stings that Miami bypassed the promising Carlos Rodon — who’s already entrenched in a major league rotation — to take a shot on Kolek.
Here’s more from the NL East:
- The Nationals made a variety of roster moves today, as Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com was among those to report. Top infield prospect Trea Turner was sent down, thus ending any speculation that he might crack the Opening Day roster. Likewise, a series of veterans were moved to minor league camp, including infielder Scott Sizemore and bullpen candidates Aaron Laffey and Nick Masset. As Zuckerman explains, that appears to clarify the remaining battles in those areas, though there are still multiple possibilities for the remaining bench and pen spots.
- Nationals righty Bronson Arroyo is planning to rehab his ailing shoulder and could return to the hill as soon as June, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson (via TwitLonger). That’s certainly a better outlook than once had been feared, and it seems possible that Arroyo could provide rotation depth down the line if he can get back to full health.
- The Phillies appear to have stopped their search for outfield depth after adding Will Venable, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Philadelphia had been inquiring about a number of possibilities, but rival executives tell Stark that the sense is those efforts have been halted.
- Meanwhile, the Phillies appear to be leaning toward keeping Rule 5 pick Daniel Stumpf in the major league pen, manager Pete Mackanin tells Stark (Twitter link). The newly-extended skipper adds that Edward Mujica is “still in the mix,” but seemingly did not commit to handing him an Opening Day roster spot.
My best guess for the Phillies BP: Andrew Bailey (CL), David Hernandez, Dailer Hinojosa, James Russell, Daniel Stumpf, Jeanmar Gomez, Brett Oberholtzer
It’s a shame that LaFromboise probably won’t get a shot– he pitched very well this spring and has had success in the past.
Mujica pitched well, and if Stumpf wasn’t a Rule V, Mujica would’ve made it over him, however I do like Stumpf and I think he can stick.
I’d flip Bailey for Mujica.
Bailey got lit up in his last 2 appearances, and should start the year in AAA continuing to rebuild arm strength.
CL: Hernandez
SU: Hinojosa
7th: Mujica
LOOGY: Russell
mop up: Stumpf
Longman: Oberholtzer
If Mujica, Hinojosa or Hernandez falter, you have Gomez, who was the 7th inning guy for most of last year
Mujica was released
Bigpapiforever sucks along with the redsox
When the hell is Lincecum gonna sign?
When he gets healthy?
Who the hell cares?
Arroyo is an XX-B Free Agent, if he doesn’t make the opening day roster he’ gets a retention bonus. There is no reason why WSH shouldn’t release him by today’s noon deadline.
I realize that Rodon and Sale are a good head to any rotation.
But Rodon and Fernandez would be neat as well (along with Stanton)
If you had to choose, which 2 pitchers would you prefer for your team if you were GM.
Stanton doesn’t pitch. He’s an outfielder.