The Brewers are down to 24 players after demoting relievers Tyler Cravy and Rob Scahill on Saturday, but general manager David Stearns declined to address whether he’ll add a player from outside the organization, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Both Cravy and Scahill are unhappy that they didn’t earn the 25th spot, per Haudricourt, with Cravy claiming he could seek “a 9 to 5 job where I get treated like a human, at this point.” Continued the 27-year-old: “It would just be nice to have the honesty straight up front instead of, ‘Hey, you’re competing for a job,’ then literally out-compete everyone and be told, ‘Sorry, we have other plans.’ “It says a lot about the integrity, or lack thereof, of the guys running the show, but what are you going to do?”
While Cravy isn’t sure if he’s willing “to play for guys who treat you like this,” Stearns seemed to chalk the right-hander’s comments up to frustration. “Tyler, in particular, went through this last year,” said Stearns. “He made the trip with us (to play Class AA) Biloxi and was sent out at Biloxi. Dealing with this two years in a row is not a pleasant experience. We’re sensitive to that.”
More of the latest roster news:
- Mets righty Seth Lugo will begin the season on the 10-day disabled list with a tired arm, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Lugo doesn’t have any structural damage, relays DiComo, who notes that Rafael Montero will claim a spot in the bullpen for as long as he’s out. Lugo spent most of the spring vying for one of the two vacancies in the Mets’ rotation, but the team chose Robert Gsellman and Zack Wheeler over him Thursday.
- The Royals have optioned infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield to Triple-A, meaning Christian Colon has won a bench job in Kansas City. Merrifield was easily the better of the two last season, having hit .283/.323/.392 to Colon’s .231/.294/.293, but the latter is out of options and could have ended up with another organization had KC demoted him.
- With Josh Rutledge on the shelf because of a hamstring injury, the Red Sox have tabbed first baseman/outfielder Steve Selsky for a reserve job. As a right-handed hitter, Selsky is a better fit for the role than the lefty-swinging Marco Hernandez, whom the Red Sox optioned to Triple-A. Selsky, a January waiver claim from the Reds, is likely to platoon at first with the left-handed Mitch Moreland, as Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) still isn’t healthy enough to play the field.
- Righty Mike Hauschild has made the Rangers’ Opening Day roster, according to TR Sullivan of MLB.com. The Rangers took Hauschild from the AL West rival Astros in December’s Rule 5 draft. The 27-year-old is now in line to make his major league debut, having spent the previous five years in the minors after going to Houston in Round 33 of the 2012 amateur draft. He worked exclusively as a starter at Triple-A over the past two seasons and posted a 3.33 ERA, 7.9 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 227 1/3 innings.
Nice to see Selsky get a chance. I think he could be a solid major leaguer given the opportunity. Maybe not starting caliber, but I definitely think he could be successful in a platoon
Makes me happy. I think he’ll be solid. Had a good showing in ST
He’ll be back in AAA by May
Agree with all of the above. Sympathize with Marco however who just hits left handed and who’s better in the infield everywhere but 1st. Brock Holt’s true value to the team is he can play anywhere but catcher. The game has changed with so many pitchers on the roster. How about baseball’s roster be like hockey’s. 27 travel, each day you dress 25 with a maximum of 11 pitchers. Needs some tinkering to prevent yesterday’s starter from being sat but the framework is there. in that scenario, both Selsky and Hernandez have value and strategy returns to late inning American League games. Too many pitching options is what is ruining the game.
I like that suggestion a lot
If they did the 27-man travel thing, with 25 eligible to play each day, there would have to be a rule requiring all 5 starting pitchers to be included in that 25, instead of just limiting to 11 pitchers. Otherwise, teams would manipulate the rules and carry 10 relievers and one starter. Teams don’t need more relievers than they already have, because we already have enough pitching changes as is.
Absolutely it needs fine tuning to prevent deviating from the spirit. I would also suggest the luxury tax threshold be increased by $1M. Thus the MLBPA couldn’t complain and the extra players would likely not be “stars” on big market clubs.
Texas may have found a gem in Hauschild for their pen. Another sinker baller.
Just keep taking these rule 5’s from HOU
Rafael Montero is definitely the “cat with nine-lives” in the Mets system. Guy should have been DFA’d a long time ago, but here he is on the opening day roster.
Three years ago when he was a top prospect in our system, if he can re-learn how to throw strikes he may have a chance to succeed up here.
I agree
If he can keep his head straight he could contribute. I’m not getting my hopes up though because he seems to struggle when it matters.
I think Scahill earned a job. Cravy has an option left so he needs to deal with it, he’s a taxi guy for now- but Scahill was with the team most of last season, has exhausted all of his options, paid his dues and found success. No reason that he was left out.
Scahill was excellent after joining the Brewers last year. For the three-and-a-half years prior to that, he was anywhere between mediocre and terrible. On a team like Milwaukee, he’s a nice depth resource to have, but someone you should always be looking to upgrade from. One question: since Scahill doesn’t have any options left, did he already clear waivers before being demoted? As for Cravy, it’s one thing to be frustrated, it’s another thing to question the intergrity of your employer. Like Phillies2017 said, he should just deal with it (and also keep quiet), or pick another line of work.
They can trade him for Joltin’ Kolten Wong.
Schall was not on the 40 man. He had been waived and re-signed.
Tired arm in April? That’s not a good sign.
It’s probably one of those “phantom injuries” that will become increasingly common with the new 10-day DL. That may not actually be true in Lugo’s case, I don’t know. But I do know that “phantom injuries” will definitely be more common, especially for pitchers, this year.
why would they do that in this case? Unless you think that montero is for some reason a better alternative to have in the pen than lugo is for these 10 days?
I’m a bit unfamiliar with the status of Lugo and Montero, but if either of them were out of options, that would most likely be the reason they would do that. If not, I’m not sure why they would do it in this case, unless they are planning on inserting Lugo into the rotation after Wheeler makes 1-2 starts, and moving Wheeler to the bullpen.
Overuse in the WBC.
Yes. Pitched heavily for Puerto Rico. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them stretch out Montero when Lugo comes back. If he keeps up his renaissance, they might flip him when he’s hot. Then again, with Matz down and already using Gsellman with Wheeler and only Lugo as a 6th starter, maybe Montero sees some time.
If the Mets get to Montero in the big league rotation though, then that will mean we are in trouble.
And since the WBC, under “TC’s” watch here is pitcher #2 on the DL.
Let’s start an over/under on Mets’ pitcher number 3 on the DL…
It’s opening day and the disappointment hasn’t begun to set in yet. Tomorrow’s another day in Flushing…starters and relievers begin to look over their shoulder. Trouble is just a moment away
Cravy has to realize that you aren’t treated like a human because just because you have a 9 to 5 position. Also, do any 9 to 5 positions exist anymore. If I were him, I would enjoy the ride, because one day you aren’t going to be wanted in baseball anymore.
Get over it Cravy and use it as motivation. Good luck!