Cardinals manager Mike Matheny suggested Friday that Jhonny Peralta, not Jedd Gyorko, will win the team’s third base job, according to Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “He’s looked as good as we had hoped,” Matheny said of the 34-year-old Peralta, who dealt with a thumb injury last season and slashed a modest .260/.307/.408 in 313 plate appearances. Gyorko posted far superior production last year, when he hit .243/.306/.495 with a team-high 30 home runs in 438 PAs. Nevertheless, it appears he’ll open 2017 as a frequently used utilityman — a role he’s better suited for than Peralta.
Here’s more on some roster situations around the National League:
- It seems that Erick Aybar currently holds the inside track to the Padres’ starting shortstop job, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets. Aybar hasn’t hit much this spring — he’s slashing .273/.319/.318 through 16 games — but seems to be the logical solution barring a trade. Luis Sardinas, meanwhile, is competing for a spot as a utility player, per manager Andy Green. He has spent some time in left field in a bid to enhance his versatility, and will seemingly be jockeying with options such as Cory Spangenberg and Rule 5 pick Allen Cordoba.
- Meanwhile, the Padres are still sorting through a variety of bullpen options, as AJ Cassavell of MLB.com writes. Rule 5’er Miguel Diaz seems to be well-positioned, while either Trevor Cahill or Jarred Cosart will also likely crack the pen if either fails to make the rotation. (The odds of both functioning as starters increased, it seems, with an injury to Christian Friedrich.) Veterans Craig Stammen, Carter Capps, and Kevin Quackenbush are among the notable names also in the running. Capps seems unlikely to be ready in time, per Cassavell, while Quackenbush’s poor showing in camp could result in an assignment to Triple-A.
- The division-rival Diamondbacks have settled on their own starting five, as MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert reports. That grouping — Zack Greinke, Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray, Shelby Miller, and Patrick Corbin — contains no surprises, but manager Torey Lovullo did note an interesting decision on another hurler. Former top prospect Archie Bradley will open the year in the major league bullpen. The 24-year-old has struggled in his MLB opportunities over the past two seasons and has allowed 13 earned runs on 23 hits over 14 2/3 innings this spring. While he could still factor as a long-term rotation possibility — Bradley has produced quality results of late at Triple-A — the club will see whether the move to a relief role helps spur some positive momentum.
- When the Phillies optioned outfielder Tyler Goeddel to minor league camp Friday, they informed him he’d likely start 2017 at the Double-A level, writes Matt Breen of Philly.com. Considering he spent all of last season in the majors, Goeddel isn’t thrilled with his multi-level demotion. “I’m not too happy about that but you can’t control it,” said Goeddel, who hit a meager .192/.258/.291 in 234 PAs as a Rule 5 pick in 2016. With Nick Williams, Roman Quinn and Dylan Cozens set to comprise the Phillies’ Triple-A outfield, there aren’t any openings for Goeddel at that level. Regarding those three, Goeddel stated: “I know who’s at Triple-A with Cozens, Williams and Quinn. But I was still surprised. They hadn’t really told me anything so it was definitely surprising.”
- A neck issue has kept Brewers catcher Andrew Susac out of action for the past week-plus, but an MRI on Friday revealed no structural damage to his trapezius, tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Susac will be able to ramp up his rehab as a result, though he’ll still start the year on the disabled list. Milwaukee will open with Jett Bandy and Manny Pina as its top options behind the plate.
Sardines needs a dfa
Eric aybar is good
Lol. When?
Aside from hitting the ball, fielding the ball, throwing the ball and running the bases, he’s pretty good at baseball relative to other big leaguers.
But does he draw rave reviews for his hitting, fielding, throwing, and baserunning?
So glad matheny is sticking with his guys!!!!!! Who cares about the good of the team right?!?
MM is a complete moron. If he really wants Peralta in there that badly then put Gyrko at 2nd and put the Wonger on the pine. No clue what he has done from his garbage season last year to now to all of a sudden be a starting everyday 2nd baseman. I just don’t get it.
Mike Matheny has won more games than any other Manager in baseball since he was hired. Should have been named Manager if the year twice but it’s all political evidently. Never gets the credit he deserves. Thank god you people don’t make the decisions!
“I am a major cardinals homer” – oh gotcha.
Gotta love chesteraarthur, you make my days in here better. That comment was hilarious.
I’m a Cards fan. MM is a good players manager. But his in game planning and management is one of the worst in the league.
He definitely favors certain players to a fault.
And to say he’s won the most games. Come on. He inherited a team that had just won a WS and is working for a top 5 GM in the game.
This isn’t all Matheny. I like him as a player guy. But I wish someone would teach him game theory and basic platoon stats (along with sample size information). Being 2 for 4 off a guy in your career doesn’t mean you should suddenly start against him.
I’m sure the homers are the ones that bang Matheny the most. Name me a manager that has more wins than Matheny since 2012? He must be doing something right. How bout we leave things to the professionals instead of the wannabes.
The Phillies also have Cam Perkins, who was one of the top hitters for Lehigh Valley last season, in their AAA outfield. Goeddel going to AA allows him to play every day & get at-bats. The move makes complete sense
Agreed. Plus Goeddel should stop whining and start hitting.
Did he really look around this spring and think “I’m better than these 8 outfielders, so I’m either in majors or maybe aaa!”
you accidentally linked to the wrong Nick Williams
Relying on Aybar………….yeeeeesh
Can’t be much worse than relying on Sardinas.
The Cards are better if Peralta is the everyday 3B and Gyroko gives the entire infield regular rest.
With Carp also able to play third
Adams to play plenty of first with Carp at third or a day off
Diaz at short sitting for Gyroko sometimes or Peralta at short with Carp at third and Adams at first
And Wong and Gyroko platooning at second
Makes the entire team way better.
I don’t know why they don’t have Carpenter play the fifth outfielder though, able to play both corners with Adams starting some at first.
peralta left todays game. injured knee
Yeah and X-Rays were negative. He’ll be just fine