Injured Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez continues to make progress in his recovery from the right shoulder surgery he underwent in January, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com relays. Manager David Bell announced that Suarez will make his spring training debut Friday. Suarez won’t play the field in that game, but optimism continues to build that the slugger will be ready for Opening Day.
Now for the latest on a few other clubs…
- Athletics hurler A.J. Puk has been down with a mild shoulder strain for a week, but the left-hander said Monday that he expects to resume throwing Tuesday (Twitter links via Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle). While Puk’s still hopeful that he’ll be set to go for the beginning of the regular season, he added that he doesn’t “want to rush anything. It’s a long season and I’d rather be feeling healthy down the stretch.” The promising Puk, 24, hasn’t experienced a healthy big league season yet. He missed 2018 because of Tommy John surgery and then combined for fewer than 40 professional innings last year as he worked his way back. However, he did toss 11 1/3 quality frames from the A’s bullpen late in the season. If Puk’s health holds up in 2020, he could emerge as a key member of Oakland’s rotation.
- Although he hasn’t played above the Double-A level yet, Padres outfield prospect Taylor Trammell remains in consideration for a major league roster spot, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. It’s a long shot that Trammell will actually begin the year in the majors, according to Cassavell, but manager Jayce Tingler noted that the 22-year-old is “playing really well” and has had “a great experience” in spring training. Trammell, whom the Padres acquired from Cincy in a blockbuster trade last summer, has gone 9-for-23 with three doubles and a triple this spring.
- Lefty A.J. Minter and righty Chad Sobotka’s bids to earn season-opening roster spots with the Braves have already ended. The team optioned the pair Monday, leaving it with 52 players on its camp roster, David O’Brien of The Athletic tweets. Neither pitcher performed well for the Braves last year. Minter walked a little over seven hitters per nine, contributing heavily to a hideous 7.06 ERA in 29 1/3 innings. Sobotka wasn’t much better over his 29 frames, in which he logged a 6.21 ERA with 5.9 walks per nine and an HR/9 of 1.86.
Minter was supposed to be the Braves closer of the future. I suppose he still could be but last year was rough.
A minor car accident did damage to his throwing shoulder that made him miss spring training last year and he never got back on track, not unlike similar issues that delayed Folty’s ST last year, also (different injury). With the new rule, ATL isn’t pushed for a LH RP besides Will Smith because they have Chris Martin and another good against RH hitters.
So what’s the rexcuse on Minter this time? He can’t cut it nfi either can willson wished they zBraves would cut and run from these two duds already
the “excuse” on Minter this time is that our bullpen is loaded and there’s just no room for him
Minter only pitched in one spring game and didnt allow a run. So it wasn’t his spring performance. The pen is just too loaded. This is the excuse.
Hopefully you typed this on a phone while on a roller coaster.
How amazing did braves system look 2 seasons ago ?!? Getting prospects to pan out is a rough business
@Chesterfield.. I’m not too sure you know what you’re talking about. Most of them have panned out so far.. Albies, Acuna, Soroka, Fried, Folty, Newcomb and Dansby have all developed into part of their core (more or less in that order). Riley, Wright, Pache etc are still tbd but for the most part their farm system has rewarded them with the makings of a team that can not only win now but will likely provide a lot of W’s over the next half decade.
Everybody is saying minter is a bust after one season and this spring training. Some fans are just so stupid
Trammel looks amazing, anyone see him play? A mix between Tatis, and Gwynn.
As a padres fan…. I beg you to reconsider that statement
Laughable guy was terrible in AA
He’s a future corner outfielder who lacks power. That doesn’t seem to play well in SD but we shall see
No way. Maybe a lefty version of Jerald Clark.
Chris Gwynn
How about he doesn’t get outmatched at AA first. And no spring training doesn’t make him Tony Gwynm
what’s the opposite of a hot take? I’m going to call that a meatball take
@freezingcoldtakes
A year ago Jays fans were clamoring for Anthony Alford to make the team and play CF because he hit a couple 92 mph heaters to deep left. It’s spring. Trammell still needs some time in the minors riding the buses.
Tony Gwynn Jr. or Chris?
Nobody knows what kind of player Trammell will be yet. He weighs 215 pounds. He is explosive. He has plenty of power. He has plenty of speed. He gets on base. He was a top 30 prospect last year and he is hitting very well right now. He has tons of ability but nobody knows how he will turn out yet. He could be Melvin Nieves or he could be Ketel Marte.
Well said.
He could have a zit. Consider that..:
Right. He could be good or he could be not good.
I thought Sobotka was gonna be a flame throwing set up man. Still a chance I guess but I would like to see Weigel get a shot for a BP job