Let’s grab an update on a couple of players who might returning to NL East action…
- Todd Frazier has a good chance of making his season debut later this week, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo (via Twitter). The Mets third baseman missed the first couple weeks of the 2019 season with a left oblique injury, but he’s on the return trail and could join the team in Philadelphia. J.D. Davis has had his share of moments while playing third in Frazier’s stead, batting .242/.375/.485, including a home run on April 6th – with an exit velocity of 114.6 mph – that was the fourth hardest-hit HR by a Mets player since Statcast started tracking the data in 2015. Both of his home runs this season came in that April 6th contest against the Nationals until he hit his third tonight against the Braves. Given the way Pete Alonso has played at first base, the Mets will face a roster crunch when Frazier does return. Dominic Smith, Luis Guillorme and Davis all have options remaining, making them notably vulnerable.
- Braves righty Mike Foltynewicz will make his final scheduled rehab start this week before likely joining the Braves rotation for his 2019 debut, per The Athletic’s David O’Brien (via Twitter). Folty enjoyed a breakout 4.2 rWAR 2018, going 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA over a career high 31 starts. The stellar results were driven by year-over-year improvements in strikeouts per nine innings (from 8.4 K/9 to 9.9 K/9) and home runs allowed per nine (from 1.2 HR/9 to 0.8 HR/9). Both his fastball and sinker gained a full mph or more from 2017 to 2018, while he also relied more heavily on his slider, which excelled as a wipe out pitch (36.8 Whiff%, 42.4 K%). Sean Newcomb’s recent demotion opens up a spot in the rotation, as Monday’s day off will allow a four-man rotation until Folty is likely to return.
JD Davis also has a home run tonight. I don’t remember the exit velocity stated though.
And local sources have been hinting at Guillorme being the “front runner” for a demotion once Frazier comes back.
I agree. I also think they should let him start a game or two before he is demoted so Rosario can get some kind of rest as the options behind him are not really geared for SS once Guillorme gets demoted.
Smith probably goes down as both Frazier and Davis can play first to rest Alonso and Davis can play OF, Smith cannot. Guillorme goes down when Lowrie comes back.
If they feel McNeil can play SS once every week or two weeks they probably won’t care. That way they can keep Davis and Smith’s bat around. It’s not as if Rosario sits very often.
Looked up Dominic Smith he’s listed a 6’0” almost 240 pounds. Either the guys hitting the gym or fistfuls of cheeseburgers.
Have you seen him? The kid is looking VERY fit, probably about 200, if that. He has been way down from 240 since last March. Frazier won’t be healthy or productive for long and Rosario is workhorse. I think you will see Davis sent down, but primarily to work on his defense and get regular at bats. He looks good at the plate but rusty at 3b and should be recalled as soon as Frazier hits his usual .210 after a short hot streak.
Really happy to have Folty back. Rotation starting to look solid with Teheran definitely earning his spot. Ugly era is only from 1 real bad in in Colorado, otherwise he’s been terrific.
Soroka likely waiting if Touki struggles too as insurance.
Release Vargas , sign Keuchel, extend Wheeler, Lets Go Mets ! Please let’s act and manage this team like big market performers like they are supposed to be.
I agree with this. Let Lugo start for a few weeks and back him up with Gsellman. Those two can easily give you 6 or 7 between them. Pederson is also a starter and can go multiple innings. Time to start paying attention to what the Rays are doing. When Vargas pitches Calloway has to use 5 or 6 relievers anyway, so why not just plan for it on the 5th day?
If I’m the Mets, I don’t want Todd back lol
There is no room for Frazier, trade him
That Dude has no trade value at all. He sucks and no one wants him