The Rockies have already burned through much of their rotation depth, Nick Groke and Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post write. Injuries, poor performance, and roster pressures have conspired to leave the club scrambling for arms despite seemingly entering the year with plenty of volume (to go with plenty of questions, of course). It remains to be seen whether former top prospect Eddie Butler will get a crack at a starting gig, as he’s slated for pen duty initially, but he’ll be one of several arms that the Rockies will need to contribute if the club is to stay in contention.
Here’s more from out west:
- Dodgers right-hander Yimi Garcia still hasn’t picked up a baseball since landing on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis this past weekend, tweets J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group. While Garcia has yet to undergo an MRI, that’ll be the next step for him if he doesn’t improve in the relatively near future. The 25-year-old Garcia has a surrendered three runs through 8 1/3 innings this season, though he’s struck out just four batters after whiffing 68 men in 56 2/3 innings last season.
- The Athletics have been rewarded handsomely thus far for their roll of the dice on veteran journeyman Rich Hill, and ESPN.com’s David Schoenfield believes that Oakland will continue to receive good work from the lefty. As Schoenfield explains, Hill has continued to show elite swing-and-miss numbers with his fastball, which he pairs with a frequently used curve. Indeed, Hill has picked up right where he left off last year: though his walks have crept up a bit, he is striking out 12.8 batters per nine and inducing grounders on more than half of the balls put in play against him, with metrics supporting his 2.42 ERA in 26 frames.
- Meanwhile, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney wonders whether there could be a “perfect storm” that allows the Athletics to cash in on ace Sonny Gray. It’s looking like a seller’s market, both at the deadline and next winter, and Gray could stand out. It’s far from clear whether the A’s will have strong interest in striking a trade, of course, but it’s easy to imagine widespread demand. And as Olney notes, this summer could well prove a high-water mark for the righty’s value.
Relevant to the NL west…I noticed Fernandez is pitching the Dodger game with a Dodger blue glove? Is that his usual glove, or is he trying to send the message: trade for me, and this is what you will get?
I think he normally wears a marlins orange glove
I had completely forgotten about Hill. I’m incredibly happy to see he’s thriving in his return.
Shut up Buster, the A’s are not trading Gray in 2016.
Every time Buster Olney writes/says something I cringe. Same goes for most of ESPN
Here we go again with a Gray trade rumors. The only way the A’s trade Gray is if they are completely over whelmed with players. Would mean 3 to 4 top prospects by that all in the top 100 prospect list. Of course some fans we say trading their #5 starter and some utility prospect would get it done. NOT.
Hey Dodgers GM promote Rob Segedin to replace Howie Kendrick the team need ofense.