This has been a trade-filled day across Major League Basbeall, leaving plenty of smaller moves somewhat unnoticed. Here’s a look at the DFAs, contract selections and other 40-man transactions that came along with today’s action…
- The Blue Jays have claimed right-hander Brock Stewart off waivers from the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Once a well-regarded prospect, the 27-year-old Stewart has only managed a 5.46 ERA/5.71 FIP in 84 innings since he debuted in the majors in 2016. Stewart has also experienced a nightmarish 2019 at the Triple-A level, where he has mustered a 7.34 ERA/7.22 FIP with 7.93 K/9 and 4.74 BB/9 in 76 innings.
- The Nationals announced that they’ve designated righties Javy Guerra and Michael Blazek for assignment. The 33-year-old Guerra has divided the season between Washington and Toronto, combining for a 4.50 ERA/3.86 FIP with 7.36 K/9 and 3.07 BB/9 across 44 innings. Blazek, 30, threw just five innings for the Nationals before his designation. Prior to his addition to the Nats’ roster, Blazek recorded a 5.54 ERA/4.91 FIP with 9.69 K/9 and 3.46 BB/9 in 26 Triple-A innings.
- The Athletics have designated righty Andrew Triggs and outrighted fellow righty Brian Schlitter to Triple-A Las Vegas, the club announced. The 30-year-old Triggs was a promising piece for the Athletics a couple seasons ago, but health issues – including September 2018 thoracic outlet syndrome surgery – have prevented him from making an impact of late. He hasn’t pitched in the majors at all this season. Schlitter, meanwhile, lost his briefly held 40-man spot with the A’s when they designated him Monday.
- The Indians have designated infielder Eric Stamets, who opened the season as their starting shortstop on account of Francisco Lindor’s calf strain. Stamets, 27, struggled to a hideous .049/.149/.073 line in 48 plate appearances while filling in for the great Lindor. He has been better – albeit far from spectacular – at the Triple-A level, where he has hit .232/.313/.378 with six HRs and 12 steals in 262 PA this season.
- The Brewers have designated left-hander Donnie Hart, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com tweets. The 28-year-old has thrown 6 2/3 scoreless innings with the Brew Crew this season, though he has totaled more walks (four) than strikeouts (three). Hart has enjoyed a relatively productive campaign at the Triple-A level, where he has posted a 4.10 ERA/4.28 FIP with 7.23 K/9, 3.13 BB/9 and a 55.4 percent groundball rate in 37 1/3 innings.
- The Mariners have selected righty Zac Grotz from Double-A Arkansas, the team announced. The 26-year-old Grotz, whom the Mariners signed to a minor league deal in the offseason, has registered a strong 2.51 ERA/2.74 FIP with 10.83 K/9, 1.73 BB/9 and a 57.9 percent groundball rate in 57 1/3 Double-A innings in 2019.
- The Cubs have designated righty Oscar De La Cruz, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic relays. The 24-year-old De La Cruz entered the season as the Cubs’ 15th-ranked prospect, per FanGraphs, and has since pitched to a 3.89 ERA with 9.4 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 81 innings divided between the High-A and Double-A levels.
- The Diamondbacks have designated righty Joey Krehbiel, who had a brief MLB debut with the club last season. The 26-year-old has stumbled to an 8.25 ERA/7.25 FIP and notched 8.6 K/9 against 7.05 BB/9 in 52 1/3 Triple-A innings in 2019.
- More on the Diamondbacks, who have transferred utilityman Blake Swihart to the 60-day injured list. Swihart has been on the IL with an oblique injury since the start of June, so this is just a procedural move on the D-backs’ part.
I would think that the A’s are outrighting Schlitter to Las Vegas since the AAA affiliate in Sacramento belongs to the Giants
Yep, thanks. Forgive me – it’s been a long day.
Crazy day for sure!
don’t you love July 31? maybe when it’s over.
You might have been reading twitter. Now that the A’s Triple A team is popping again the River Cats would drop the Giants like a bad habit. At least, that’s been fan speculation.
For Red Sox fans this whole day has gone down the Schlitter…
Red Sox fans are probably still trying to trade Swihart.
Why is De La Cruz being designated?? I thought the Cubs were high on him and it looks like he’s pitched okay this year.
I really liked Cozens when Phillies drafted him but they DFA today. I hope he finds it, I really like his talent. Just needs some work
yeah, dont see why they didn’t just 60-day him.
Watch Mariners’ Zac Grotz from here on. He will be their eventual CL.
More dumpster diving by the Jays.
Was on the same HS team as Zac Grotz. Congrats!
Blanton? Is that you?
I called the Stamets one yesterday. Then again, some things are brutally obvious.
There are plenty of bullpen arms in Buffalo worth of a 40-man spot and a chance to pitch for a rebuilding Blue Jays. Ty Tice, Taylor Saucedo, Zach Jackson, Kirby Snead. All performing well and none are thought of by the “brilliant” Blue Jays front office.
Triggs has been on my radar as a DFA candidate for a 40 man slot for a while. I haven’t heard a single update about him, positive or negative, which is strange.
Oscar del a cruz to mariners for ptbnl
Wow, usually Shatkins would trade away some players on the major league roster to get a castoff like Brock Stewart.
Shhhh…us Jays fans are supposed to be happy with these types. Ridiculous.