A look around the majors’ East divisions…
- Nationals ace Max Scherzer came out of a 32-pitch sim game Tuesday feeling “really good,” Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com relays. If all goes well over the next few days, Scherzer could throw a bullpen session Thursday and then either make a rehab start or return to the Nationals’ rotation Sunday. The three-time Cy Young winner has started just twice for the team over the past month and a half – his most recent outing came on July 25 – because of back problems. Should he return this weekend, he’d be on a limited pitch count, according to manager Dave Martinez.
- Injured Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is “up to 75 or 85 percent,” according to manager Aaron Boone (via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). It’s unclear how close Stanton is to returning, though. The former NL MVP has been on the shelf since late July with a knee injury, and he only took 38 plate appearances before then. Somehow, though, the Yankees have thrived this season with basically no contributions from Stanton. Just about every outfielder they’ve plugged in has succeeded, including formerly unspectacular-looking pickups Mike Tauchman and Cameron Maybin.
- The Blue Jays recalled first baseman Rowdy Tellez from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday. The 24-year-old forced his way back by mauling pitchers at the Triple-A level, where he slashed .366/.450/.688 with seven home runs in 109 plate appearances. Tellez wasn’t nearly that good this year in the majors before a mid-July demotion, as he hit .227/.280/.436 with 14 HRs over 286 PA. However, considering they’re looking toward the future, the rebuilding Blue Jays want to see if Tellez can continue his minor league brilliance in their uniform. His promotion could spell bad news for veteran first baseman Justin Smoak, who’s likely to lose playing time to Tellez, manager Charlie Montoyo said Tuesday (via Scott Mitchell of TSN). That doesn’t seem to bode well for the Toronto future of Smoak, a pending free agent.
- Mets righty Jacob Rhame has undergone ulnar nerve transposition surgery and will miss the rest of the season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com tweets. The 26-year-old only threw 27 innings between the majors and minors this season, six of which came as a member of the Mets.
Smoak is leaving so glad Scherzer is almost back
Maybe Smoak gets DFA.
A la Galvis
Smoak may see the same fate as Galvis, although the latter was the more valuable of the two and also the cheapest.
Why doesn’t Stanton just retire already!!??
Because he’s owed literally all of the money. Would you leave that on the table?
Including this year he’s owed $260 million I think. With a club option for another $25 million in 2028. I personally wouldn’t hang them up just yet.
I’m not sure I’d toss in the towel on a guy with his track record yet either. The guy can mash. Give his injury plagues a little more time before suggesting the big R
Why won’t you retire from posting garbage!!??
Because he is 28 years old and in the prime of his career lol
@jorge78 Why would he retire? Where not talking about a David Wright type of chronic ailment? Just wrap him in bubble wrap and let him DH.
Baseball players today are a bunch of pansies! Blisters on fingers, concussions…… man the old tough it out grinders like Cal Ripken Jr and Pete Rose must just shake their heads at the players of today!!
I really hope Tellez isn’t a AAAA player. It would be nice if he could be penciled in as part of the future.
Hes a weak fielding, line-drive 1st baseman. If he can upgrade his defensive ability he can be a piece but I don’t think many people project him to ever be an all star. Hope I’m wrong, hes got a great attitude and very likeable.
I agree I’m not very high on him. But if he finds away to translate his minors numbers to the majors, he’s found money.
Rowdy’s back! Someone guard the post game buffet!
Who crushes more food…Rowdy or Vlad?
Tellez needs to drop about 15 lbs. The reason he’s demolishing AAA pitching and struggling in the bigs is because he’s too damn top heavy. He needs to work on plyometrics and core training so that his power and bat speed can adjust to the top level.
Do you have a business card?
Lol worked for Big Papi. Mass moves mass
Not all mass is created equal.
Remember when tigers fans said Boyd was an ace? That aged well
Teams should always sell high while they can.
Trade vlad jr?
I honestly don’t have the slightest idea how to predict the future on players today. Even the ones I thought for sure I could count on have fallen well short. Boyd could have continued his pace for years to come or fell off as he has. That’s why teams are becoming more weary of handing out contracts and making a large trade. So easy to completely whiff. I grew up in steroids era so that’s part of it those guys never slowed down even into their late 30’s but still it seems like even young guys and guys who aren’t relying on power are unpredictable.
Jays are absolutely being negatively impacted by the new 1 tradeline system. Both Galvis and Smoak would have been claimed and the Jays would have at least got something back other than salary payment relief thru the waiver claim process. I wonder how many other teams will be twisting in the wind because of the change especially as injuries are bound to happen before sept 1.
if they could have gotten anything other than salary relief from galvis and smoak then they could have and would have traded them 2 weeks ago. maybe you can say that with the Giants but the jays were obvious sellers so they probably tried to,trade their guys but nobody bit
I bet the trade deadline moves to August 15 next year.
Great idea to move the trade deadline. I like it.
Won’t happen.
Watched Freddy play in Philly for a number of years. Very popular player with the fans, and a guy who could play all over the infield. . Seems to have settled in as a .260ish hitter with 20 HR pop. That works when the glove is solid gold.
I like Tellez, and I think he’ll be good at 1st base. He needs regular playing time and good coaching and time. Remember Bautista was a back-up fielder with the Pirates who developed once he got the chance to play every day.
The big question is at what point do does management make their projected moves. Right now these kids are hitting and playing great and what the team needs is good pitching. But the pitching market is weak in 2020 and I think you need to see if what the kids are doing is a flash in the pan or are they going to repeat.
If Buchholz can remain healthy and Shoemaker can return to what he was at the beginning of the season before the injury, it will take some pressure off the rookie pitchers and give them another year to develop.