Yankees infield prospect Sandy Acevedo was killed in a car accident Saturday night, the team announced. Acevedo was 18 years old. The native of the Dominican Republic signed with the Yankees last year as an international free agent. MLBTR extends its condolences to Acevedo’s family and friends.
In lighter news from around the American League…
- Indians star left fielder Michael Brantley will rejoin the team Monday, manager Terry Francona said Sunday, and stands a good chance to be activated then, reports Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The club could option outfielder Tyler Naquin to Triple-A in a corresponding move when it activates Brantley, per Bastian. Brantley has been working his way back from November right shoulder surgery and has played seven minor league rehab games since April 12. The 28-year-old’s return will be a significant boon to the Indians, as he emerged as one of the majors’ most dangerous offensive threats during the previous two seasons.
- Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times believes the Rays should consider trading for Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy if they plan on contending, even if it means parting with a couple of their top prospects. So far this season, the Rays have gotten almost no offensive production from backstops Curt Casali and Hank Conger. Moreover, base stealers have gone 15 of 15 against the duo. Conger has thrown out just one of 54 runners dating back to last season. Lucroy, on the other hand, has established himself as one of the sport’s premier two-way catchers. The 29-year-old is playing this season on an eminently reasonable $4MM salary and is under team control through 2017 with a $5.25MM club option.
- In the wake of Yovani Gallardo’s shoulder injury, right-hander Tyler Wilson will stay in the Orioles’ rotation for at least another start, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com was among those to report (on Twitter). As a result, Vance Worley will remain in a relief role, as Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun pointed out (Twitter link). Wilson was working out of the Orioles’ bullpen before they started him in their 8-3 win over the Royals on Saturday. The 26-year-old allowed three runs on six hits in five innings. He made five big league starts last season and put up a 4.32 ERA/4.05 FIP/5.01 xFIP in 25 frames.
Trading for Lucroy would make a ton of sense. Rays need to make this happen. A starting pitcher prospect other than Snell plus some complimentary pieces should get it done.
I was not impressed with Worley, and if I have to have him on the roster I’d rather it be in the bullpen than in the rotation. Wilson pitched well last night and only came out of the game because he had been in the bullpen all year and wasn’t stretched out. He only threw 70 pitches in 5 innings plus a batter, probably the most pitch efficient an O’s starter has been all year. I trust him as much as any starter we have.
Honeywell would be a good place to start in a trade for Lucroy
He’d likely be on the same level as Snell. Would think Faria could be possibility with a B level prospect…sounds like it’d be less than 2 years of Lucroy control, right?
I can guarantee the Rays have already rejected offers from Milwaukee concerning Lucroy. Lucroy presents a salary that will only rise which completely negates the FO’s philosophy of playing cheap.
It looks like that Casali will now get the majority of the work including handling Archer since the noise is Conger and Archer are not on the same page.