Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano departed in the third inning Sunday after taking a pitch off the right hand from Tigers starter Blaine Hardy, Greg Johns of MLB.com was among those to report. Seattle’s left to hope this isn’t a serious injury for Cano, who has slashed a robust .287/.381/.441 over the first 168 plate appearances of his age-35 campaign. Thanks in part to Cano’s efforts, the Mariners have jumped out to an encouraging 22-16 start as they attempt to break a league-worst 16-year playoff drought. The club replaced Cano on Sunday with utilityman Andrew Romine.
More from the AL…
- With second baseman Dustin Pedroia nearing a return from offseason knee surgery and knuckleballer Steven Wright set to come back Monday from a 15-game suspension for a violation of the league’s domestic violence policy, the Red Sox have some difficult roster questions looming, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic observes (subscription required). Pedroia’s return looks likely to force a choice between Brock Holt and Blake Swihart for Boston’s utility infielder spot. Holt’s better suited for that, even though he has an option left and Swihart doesn’t, McCaffrey argues. On the pitching side, the Red Sox may have to select between sending down righty Hector Velazquez (who does have an option left) or losing the out-of-options lefty Brian Johnson once Wright’s back. Alternatively, the Red Sox could keep those two and jettison Wright, who’s also out of options, McCaffrey notes. Wright’s only two years removed from earning an All-Star nod, but injury issues – including season-ending left knee surgery last May – have helped derail him since then. He hasn’t made a big league appearance since April 29, 2017.
- Rays two-way prospect Brendan McKay, the fourth pick in last year’s draft, is inching closer to the majors. The Rays have moved him from Single-A to High-A, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Prior to his promotion, the left-handed McKay, 22, opened the year with a 1.09 ERA and 14.59 K/9 against .73 BB/9 in 24 2/3 innings. He also held his own as a hitter, albeit not quite as much, with a .254/.484/.333 line in 91 PAs. Rays senior VP Chaim Bloom told Topkin that McKay “has been exceptional,” adding: “The results we’ve seen (as a pitcher) have been so phenomenal that he would be really hard-pressed to match that as a hitter. But he’s shown such as advanced approach at the plate, in fact to the point it felt at time he was being pitched around at that level.”
- Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario was out of the starting lineup Sunday with a left wrist problem. The issue has bothered the 24-year-old “off and on” throughout his career, notes MLB.com’s Jason Beck, who adds that Candelario will undergo an MRI (Twitter links). Despite his balky wrist, the switch-hitting Candelario has gotten off to a terrific start this year with a .272/.359/.497 line and five home runs in 167 trips to the plate. Meanwhile, teammate Jordan Zimmermann won’t come off the disabled list to make his scheduled start Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com tweets. The right-hander isn’t ready to return from the shoulder impingement that shelved him earlier this week.
Gotta think at this point that the players with options left will be the move… obviously Nunez will get the utility spot so it’s really a no brainer ..still pending no further injuries
Not really. Based on how little Swihart has played, it seems likely he’ll be dealt barring another injury.
For a PTBNL
Being reported that Cano broke his 5th metacarpal bone. That’s a tough break, no pun intended. Hope he heals up well, and quickly. He’s a good ball player and have a lot of respect for him.
Brock has been useless. Guys like him are a dime a dozen. Send him down.
Totally disagree. Holt was their all star rep when the team was lousy but it shows he is valuable if healthy. Swihart
also should net a decent prospect back. He won’t replenish their system but he’ll add something back. That or someone suggested packaging him and Moreland for Abreu. I doubt Chicago will trade Abreu but you get the idea. I love what MM brings ?especially that glove with Devers at third) but despite his hot hitting of late, his upside seems valuable but limited.
His OPS was .727 over 500 ABs that year. Hardly all-star worthy. His career OPS is .696. I just think he is easily replaceable.
Not really sure how being an “all star rep when the team was lousy” shows that someone is valuable…
And Swihart won’t bring back a decent prospect. On top of that, Swihart/Moreland is not even close to getting you Abreu…
I agree on the Abreu issue. A writer mentioned some type of combo and my reference was just an example. Sox problem is their system went from top five to barren due to promotions, trades and their recent inability to sign international players. Hopefully they use their international money wisely. Give the Yankees credit for being in a position to win both now and later. I just question their starting staff after Severino. Many questions. If they stay healthy, they can win it all. Same can be said of Boston, Houston and Cleveland. Four teams. Different to be sure but pretty equal overall which perhaps takes away from how good each really is. Any one of the four in my view would favorably compare to the 86 Mets or 92 Jay’s teams. Sorry for the obscure comparisons but for some reason, they stick out to me. 86 especially. The Mets won and their never quit toughness sticks out. Boston had a miracle of their own to get to the WS. That said, no one remembers how good Houston and the Angels were that year. Any of the four was good enough to win
Summary: Trader Dave emptied the farm system and stuck the team with bloated overpaid players. If you think the season is bad, just wait til 2019. When they try to re-up the true producing players the exit door will be their best move.
Watch Sale say sayonara looking at Price’s albatross. Hanley will play just well enough this year to qualify for next year and then his attitude and in shape condition will go directly south.
Kimbrel will go to the highest bidder—can you blame him? And the rest of the bullpen is mediocre at best.
Trader Dave will be tossed by ASG 2019.
@mikeyank55 typical response from a Yankees fan.
I try to remain objective…
Boston will never get Abreu for just Holt and Moreland. You’re dreaming that Fenway dream.
I’m not a big Holt fan, but let’s be fair and accurate. He’s hitting .321 with an .859 OPS and is a much better defensive player than Nunez (read: not awful). They really should have used this time to figure out if Swihart could be a viable super utility player like they said they were going to do.
I think for the team this year as they are in win now mode, they believe Holt is better suited as that jack of all trades bench player. Given his minimal salary and younger age, Sweihart has a higher trade value.
his stats are decent now, check back in a month
Disagreements are what makes this site interesting. What in my view makes Holt valuable is his ability to play anywhere but catcher and not embarrassment the team. In today’s game where team’s bench is four deep, such shouldn’t be fluffed off.
With Red Sox relief pitcher Brian Johnson and catcher Blake Swihart out of options, the Sox should trade them along with Sam Travis, 1st baseman and Bobby Dalec, 3rd baseman to the Marlins. All four prospects would cost the Marlins a total of just over two million in salaries.
Marlins send Realmuto, who wants out of Miami anyway.
Marlins would hang up on that offer in 1.3 seconds.
They might hang up, but Boston shouldn’t consider substantially more. Maybe substitute JBJ for Johnson and Dalbec. Johnson might do well in FL but really adds nothing to a trade package. JBJ would then be flipped for other prospects.
That’s not enough for Realmuto. Just cause those prospects haven’t panned you can’t expect anyone to send anything of real value back.
Actually, give FL their choice of a catcher, Travis who is a solid but not a superstar prospect, JBJ and Velasquez. More than enough in my opinion.
Marlins would be looking for high end prospects the Red Sox no longer have. JBJ not a chance they have Brinson, they already have a 1B so Travis is out, and those catching choices are very anemic. Red Sox don’t matchup like teams such as the Nationals.
Probably right. I was just responding to another poster. Truth is outside of Sanchez, no catcher today is worth the haul being tossed around (again in my limited view).
Pretty much every team in the league could beat that offer with ease…
Oh, so we get it….you get an Allstar catcher and Boston gets rid of their excess garbage! You’re also dreaming that Fenway dream!
Sure. Derek is just waiting for you to personally call him on his iPhone.
McKay has a >20% walk rate, that’s insanity.
I am as big a fan of Swihart as anyone but it’s obvious that someone in the Red Sox organization does not trust him as a catcher and he won’t get a fair shake until he is with another org. at this point. I hate to see him go but it’s useless to have a catcher that your team doesn’t trust. I’m just not real sure what they can get for him at this point.
DFA Johnson
My take as a Sox fan:
DD has waited , perhaps , too long on the management of the players out of options.
I think Swihart will be dealt to the A’s after this weeks series. Perhaps a Jed Lowrie return to the Sox may be in order. Maybe Swihart, Velazquez/ Johnson, JBJ, and a Minor League
pitching prospect.
I like Holt but I like Johnson and Velazquez more. If Nunez goes on the DL when Pedroia returns, by the end of May, they have Lin as a versatile infield back-up.
I like Devers–but he’s undisciplined at the plate and his fielding concerns me. I would like him with the PawSox to get those things in order. That move could also buy some time. to work out a deal. Insert Lowrie @ 3 B. while Devers works on things.
Agree on Devers who should only DH at this point while on the ML roster. Disagree on emptying your excess as mentioned. Jed is hitting but also injury prone.