The Angels appear likely to activate left fielder Justin Upton sometime during their upcoming road trip from June 13-23, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register suggests. Upton, out all season because of a toe injury, began a rehab assignment last Friday. Meanwhile, injured shortstop Andrelton Simmons is “progressing quickly” and may start taking live at-bats soon, per Fletcher. Simmons hasn’t played since May 20 because of a Grade 3 left ankle sprain.
- The Mariners activated second baseman Dee Gordon from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, the team announced. They optioned righty Matt Festa to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move. Gordon’s back after missing 19 games with a right wrist contusion. The 31-year-old trade candidate is off to a .280/.309/.366 start (85 wRC+) with three home runs and 12 steals on 14 attempts across 177 plate appearances.
- Brewers right-hander Jhoulys Chacin is on track to return during their series in San Diego, which runs from June 17-19, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Chacin has been on the IL since June 2 with a lower back strain. Before that, he struggled to build on last season’s quality performance, logging 58 innings of 5.74 ERA/5.75 FIP ball with 6.83 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9.
- Mets minor league outfielder Matt Kemp is dealing with lingering effects of a broken rib he suffered in April, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The Mets placed Kemp on the minor league IL as a result. The 34-year-old Kemp settled for a minors pact with the Mets on May 24, three weeks after Cincinnati released him. Kemp slashed a brutal .200/.210/.283 (23 wRC+) in 62 plate appearances with Cincy and hasn’t been much better as a member of the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse. So far, Kemp has hit .235/.278/.324 (52 wRC+) in 36 tries at the minors’ top level.
- Reds righty reliever Robert Stephenson began a Triple-A rehab stint Tuesday, according to the team. Stephenson went to the IL on May 31 with a cervical strain. Once a well-regarded starting pitching prospect, Stephenson looked as if he was emerging as a credible reliever before his injury. In his first full-time look out of the bullpen, the 26-year-old has notched a 3.96 ERA/2.58 FIP with 12.6 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 across 25 innings.
Welcome back Justin. Goodwin’s been good, but not the force Upton is near the top of the lineup.
Getting one of the best shortstops back in Simmons is great.
Now if one or both could start on the mound once in while, well……
The Halos are a solid 3rd place team.
Oakland and Texas are better. Both have better pitching of course, and their lineups are more balanced.
There’s upside for 2nd. We’ve been without significant contributors all year and are still right in the mix for a WC spot. Upton & Simba returns give us a pretty deep group of position players. Pitching is mediocre at best but we can expect reinforcements there too in Keynan Middleton and JC Ramirez. Time will tell
The Brewers need to send Aguilar, Barnes, Peralta and Anderson down they all have options except Aguilar and if they trade him they trade him. He isnt doing anything. Chacin back from IL , then bring up Huira, Devin Williams and Oslzack. Then go with Shaw, Huira, Arcia and Moose in the infield. Heck I would even go as far as releasing Thames and bring Dubon up too.
Why Anderson? He’s been pitching well and his velocity os back into mid 90’s. Also, Peralta needs to go back to the long relief role. I agree something needs to be done with Aguilar, but you seem to have way to much faith in unproven prospects.
Yeah I do or atleast bring them up and see what you got before the trade deadline. I honestly dont think you will see Dubon in a Brewer uniform wouldnt mind seeing him in a package of Dubon, Derby and Taylor for Will Smith. I also wouldnt mind the Brewers trade for Brauns replacement for next year. Let him platoon between first and left field with keeping Gamel as your fourth outfielder. Then having Gamel and Perezas your main bench. I mean would Dickerson work? Just a curious thought .
Dubon, Derby, and Taylor for Will Smith is laughably bad. If they are going to ship Dubon its going to be as a second piece in a larger deal, or not at all.
Chacin is part of the group that has really let the Brewers down this year. Aguilar, Burnes, Shaw also huge disappointments. It’s Still difficult to understand why the Brewers GM did not address the starting pitching depth for this season? They sure could use one more stud for the second half. Won’t be surprised if Brewers don’t get into playoffs.
Don’t go Chacin waterfalls. Stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to.
Nice
Because he thinks that offense wins championships. Look at when he traded for Schoop, instead of pitching. David Sterns is an idiot.
Stearns
I won’t be shocked if the brewers trade for jose abreu
I dont think they would do that just because they can move Shaw to first. Yes it helps them this year if you make the trade but then it creates a mess for next year. Moose is free agent and cant let Shaw sit around the rest of the year plus Erceg hasnt yet proven that they need to find him a place yet either. Brewers need to start having some more young players to start contributing cause salaries are starting to climb out of reach
Any word on the phenomenon from Georgia Tech – Connor Justus?