Overnight, we took a look at the latest on some notable Astros players and checked in on Rangers lefty Drew Smyly. Now let’s cover the latest roster developments for the three other AL West clubs:
- The ailing back of Angels starter Matt Harvey seems to be mended, as he tells reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic; Twitter link) that he has been symptom-free since hitting the IL recently. Skipper Brad Ausmus says that Harvey will face live hitters and then likely undertake a rehab assignment of unknown duration. The larger question is what, if anything, Harvey can do to emerge from his malaise on the mound. Fellow one-year free agent signee Trevor Cahill has also struggled badly. Otherwise, the Halos rotation may finally be rounding into form with Andrew Heaney’s return, the emergence of Griffin Canning, ongoing solid work from Felix Pena, and good health for Tyler Skaggs.
- It looks like Athletics hurler Paul Blackburn will get his first shot at MLB action this year, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that he’s likely to come onto the roster to pitch this weekend. Blackburn, 25, has pitched to a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts over the prior two seasons but has remained on optional assignment at Triple-A to begin the present campaign. He carries a 4.55 ERA in 57 1/3 innings there, recording a 45:18 K/BB ratio and surrendering ten long balls.
- Mariners righty Gerson Bautista seems ready to return from the injured list, as Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports on Twitter. The 24-year-old has been sidelined with a pec strain. He has already thrown a dozen innings on an extended rehab assignment and now has a locker waiting for him in Seattle, which certainly suggests an imminent activation. Bautista struggled in a brief debut showing last year with the Mets and ended up being dealt to Seattle as a part of a significant multi-player swap. While he didn’t mow down opposing MLB hitters in his first attempt, Bautista did show off a 97 mph heater and posted strong strikeout numbers last year in the upper minors. Because Bautista had been moved to the 60-day IL, his activation will require both a 40-man and active roster move. [UPDATE: The Mariners announced that Bautista has been activated from the IL, with right-hander Andrew Moore heading to Double-A to create roster space.]
Are the bar tables lower in Orange County than Queens? If Harvey’s back issues are because he bends down to drink, this could be a problem.
Love this comment at least us Mets fans can now enjoy the struggles of Matt Harvey
Why would you enjoy the struggles of a Pitcher? You’re not a fan, you’re an idiot.
Depends on who it is.
If it’s the struggles of doyuers pitchers when they play my team more power to it. If they are successful and beating other teams in the west? More power to them.
Interesting that the Reds were able to get something out of him.
Pretty clear that the guy just doesn’t care. Giving him a multi-year in SoCal was prob the worst way to go.
Whoops. Not multi-year. They just paid him double what he’s worth for 1 year.
I believe he is only on a one year deal
Who gave him a multi year in SoCal?
Paying someone double for one year is 10 times better than overpaying for mutiple years.
I think you should workshop this joke, it’s too long and also bad.
He’s just another rich dude at Gulfstream or Billy’s. Actually,he’s in over his head.
With the struggle of the Angels blowpen, Harvey and Cahill might be better options in the pen. That would allow the Angels, to move Anderson down. To work on his comand.
Their bullpen has been mostly good, and their recent struggles are because of overuse due to this guy and Cahill.
RyAn W Krol
Over use do to the fact that, Canning is the only starter to go at least 6 innings three times this season. By moving Cahill and Harvey to the bullpen, it allows the Angels to keep Canning and Suarez in the starting rotation.
I see what you mean. But even with the opener, Harvey and Cahill have struggled. They should just throw them into the bullpen and give Suarez a chance. They also have JC coming back. All kinds of durable relief options.