Astros center fielder Carlos Gomez “very likely could join” the team during its next series, which begins Monday in Arizona, manager A.J. Hinch said (via Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle). That would mark a quick return for Gomez, who landed on the disabled list May 17 with a bruised left rib cage and is currently on a Double-A rehab assignment. Gomez was unexpectedly among the worst players in baseball this year before his placement on the DL, hitting a toothless .182/.238/.248 without a home run in 132 plate appearances. “I think he’s feeling a lot better, which is the number one priority. Getting production out of him is the second phase of this,” stated Hinch.
In other American League news…
- The Red Sox are considering removing Brock Holt from the everyday left field job when he returns from a concussion and shifting him back to a super-utility role, writes Ian Browne of MLB.com. Whether that happens will depend on how catcher/outfielder Blake Swihart fares in Holt’s place, said manager John Farrell – who’s encouraged by Swihart’s defensive work. “If [Blake] swings the bat, we could find Brock in more of a utility role and move him around. When Brock has been getting fairly regular at-bats, he’s been a very productive offensive player. That’s going to determine it,” commented Farrell. Swihart has collected just nine hits in 50 plate appearances this season, though he did have a two-triple performance Wednesday. Holt, who spent time at eight different positions in 2015 and made the All-Star team, got off to a slow start this season prior to his injury and hasn’t played since May 17.
- The White Sox were confident right-hander Miguel Gonzalez would help them when they signed him as a free agent shortly before the season, and the move has so far paid off, writes Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com. Gonzalez overcame a below-average strikeout rate to record a 3.49 ERA with the Orioles from 2012-14, but that number rose to an ugly 4.91 last season and the O’s then released him after his velocity dropped in spring training. Gonzalez’s velo is back to its previous level, though, and he gave up a respectable nine earned runs in 22 2/3 May innings. “Every time he pitches, it seems like we have a chance to win that game,” manager Robin Ventura said of Gonzalez. With the Sox in talks to acquire James Shields from the Padres, either Gonzalez or Mat Latos could soon be the odd man out of Chicago’s rotation. Gonzalez and Latos are trending in opposite directions at the moment, so it seems the latter would get a demotion as of now.
- Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild didn’t rule out temporarily removing Michael Pineda from the team’s rotation when asked Saturday, but manager Joe Girardi said today that it hasn’t been considered (via Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media). Although the right-hander allowed six earned runs in a loss to the Rays on Saturday to increase his ERA to a league-worst 6.92, he’ll start Thursday against Detroit.
- As was reported earlier today, Angels southpaw C.J. Wilson had a setback in his recovery from a shoulder injury. The 35-year-old has since opened up about it, telling reporters – including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register (Twitter link) – that he felt “awful” during his Saturday bullpen session. Wilson will next undergo an MRI, per Fletcher.
CJ you quit during the playoffs two years ago, and quit down the stretch last year. What does feeling “awful” mean? You still mad at Arte for trading away your meal buddy, Josh Hamilton? Pure quitter. Can’t wait to see you go.
Come on, the guy is injured, and you criticize him for being honest about it to the media.
Not for being honest, but for being a quitter. He’s taken some hits in the clubhouse for his lack of grit the last few years. Even the Angel’s broadcasters have discussed this on the air.
“Grit” means he should pitch through an injury and actively hurt his team? That’s preposterous. How many times has a guy tried to play through injury and had it be anything but a detriment to a team? Pitchers shoulders are notoriously difficult to fix and Wilson isn’t young. He quite probably has nothing left. Throwing a baseball hard for 20 years isn’t going to end well for your arm.
Angels fans on the comments here are brutally clueless….
Yeah, you’re right. That 5 year $77.5M contract has really paid off for the organization, especially the $20M he’s getting this year. There’s a difference between playing hurt and playing injured. The question has come up within the organization on several occasions about his level of commitment to play thru being hurt. Nobody advocates playing injured. Big difference.
5 years, $77 million is chump change for a starting pitcher. CJ has pitched while injured several times with the Angels, especially in 2012. The so-called ‘question’ you’re referring to is just another media narrative that Angels are always falling for.
Man, your attitude is terrible, bud.
Not chump change if he doesn’t pitch, especially when Arte is reticent to exceed the CBT.
“playing through being hurt” generally doesn’t help the team at all and eventually turns into “being injured.” While Wilson is old in baseball years, he’s still a young man and I bet he’d love to be able to walk away from the game with his arm intact. Shoulder injuries are pretty hard to fix.
Probably the toughest fan base to have an intelligent baseball conversation with.
Really?! Read many posts on this sight? Hilarious
Wait, the Angels have fans?
Agreed. Can’t wait to see him sign somewhere else
This is just dumb. Maybe you’re the one who needs to go.
Don’t worry. Have between 6 to 9 months to live. Won’t be on here long.
Remember when the Sox wouldn’t trade Swihart or Owens for Cole Hamels? Woops.
It was more like Swihart/Owens PLUS 3 or 4 other players. Swihart was just a piece of the puzzle. They would probably move him tomorrow if they could get a pitcher for him.
Actually the original demand was for Mookie Betts and Swihart. I’d say that one worked out well for the Sox.
With the white sox, nothing matters if Ventura is managing and Williams is running the team. Fans used to appreciate and like Ventura for his play on the field. Now many fans hate him for his lack of managing skills and his four year losing record. Williams has no balls to fire him because he needed a yes man. Reinsdorf must not be alive anymore because he wouldn’t put up with this failure.
Reinsdorf wouldn’t put up with this failure? Reinsdorf stands by his guys no matter what. Why do you think that dope hawk harrelson still has a job? One word: Reinsdorf
Yeah, how long was Jerry Krause employed after he screwed the Bulls up?
The White Sox need to trade for Braun/Lucroy instead of Shields if they are willing to add $20+ million in salary.
Got any relievers you wanna throw in too? That’d be the biggest help right now.
loved the Miguel Gonzalez move when it happened for us. Glad he’s starting to pay off. I wish Latos would turn it around.
We REALLY need some help in the pen right now. Jeremy Jeffress, Andrew Bailey, David Hernandez, JJ Hoover. Some, if not all of these guys will be available… I wanna see my Sox make a move to get one of these guys, not James Shields.
You have to wonder if Girardi is included in any of the clubs planning.
How does any professional organization have the worst performer in the industry and not even discuss or consider other options?
Link is to the wrong Miguel Gonzalez. This is the one you want (and the one the O’s might want back): baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzami03.shtml
Rufus Krol the Angels apologist! He knows everything about the Angels and is always right. Lol
CJ had three very productive years for LAA. he’s been hurt. The notion he is shutting down to punish the Angels for Josh is absurd. CJ is a FA after this season. He would want to be putting together a great year to go back out on the market. As it stands right now, any place he goes will be on a make-good contract.