Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez tested positive for the coronavirus July 7, but he returned to the club over the weekend and detailed his serious bout with the illness. Rodriguez told Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe he has never been sicker, saying he felt “100 years old” and was concerned he wouldn’t “make it to the season.” Fortunately, Boston’s No. 1 starter will pitch this year, though it’s going to take time for him to ramp up before he makes his 2020 debut. Rodriguez took an encouraging step Saturday when he came out of a 25-pitch bullpen session feeling fine.
- Like Rodriguez, Angels righty Julio Teheran will miss the start of the season because of a positive COVID-19 test. Teheran began feeling sick in late June, but he explained (via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times) that he was more concerned about the illness affecting those around him. Teheran’s parents are at high risk of catching the virus, and two other members of his family – his wife and 4-year-old son – as well as their nanny tested positive. Teheran’s wife and son were asymptomatic, but he and the family nanny were not. All of them seem to be doing OK now, luckily. Teheran’s Angels debut will be delayed, but the former Brave informed DiGiovanna he’s only “about a week behind.”
- Brewers slugger Ryan Braun is dealing with “nagging” back, oblique and neck issues, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel relays (Twitter links). It’s unclear whether those problems will jeopardize his Opening Day chances, but it’s worth noting that they have prevented Braun from playing in Summer Camp. Meanwhile, teammate and southpaw Eric Lauer will miss the start of the season “by a little bit,” manager Craig Counsell revealed. Lauer is behind schedule because he was exposed to someone with the coronavirus, but he is healthy. The 25-year-old was a key offseason pickup for Milwaukee, which landed him in a four-player trade with San Diego. Lauer tossed 149 2/3 innings of 4.45 ERA/4.23 FIP ball with 8.3 K/9 and 3.07 BB/9 a season ago.
- It’s in question whether Rockies right-hander Scott Oberg will be available when their season starts Friday, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Oberg has battled a back strain, but he threw his first intrasquad game Sunday and indicated afterward he has made progress in the past week. Manager Bud Black is also encouraged, though he expects a decision on Oberg to “go down to the wire.” Considering Wade Davis’ recent struggles, Oberg looks like unquestionably the Rockies’ best reliever. The 30-year-old put up his second straight impressive season in 2019, logging a 2.25 ERA/3.54 FIP with 9.32 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 56 innings.
- Rangers left-hander Brett Martin has been cleared for Summer Camp following a positive COVID test. Manager Chris Woodward told MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan and other media members Sunday that Martin will still begin the season on the injured list since “he’s not there yet. So we’re going to keep monitoring him, have him throw bullpens and maybe some live [batting practices] to get him ready.” Martin posted a 4.76 ERA, 3.44 K/BB rate, 53.8% grounder rate, and 8.95 K/9 over 62 1/3 innings in 2019, his debut season in the big leagues.
- Right-handed pitching prospect Wil Crowe is at the Nationals’ minor league training camp after being in COVID quarantine for several weeks, Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post reports (Twitter link). The Nats’ second-round pick in the 2017 draft, Crowe is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the fourth-best prospect in Washington’s farm system. Crowe has a 4.03 ERA, 2.41 K/BB rate, and 7.5 K/9 over 290 minor league innings, and while reached Triple-A last season, his 6.17 ERA over 54 Triple-A innings indicates that he might yet need some more seasoning before receiving a Major League promotion. The Nationals did include Crowe on their initial 60-man player pool at the start of Summer Camp.
Can’t wait to see Trout and Rendon plus Ohtani. This only time I’d be ecstatic if they win only 50 games
LOL! Dodgers and Yankees fans should be pretty excited if they winning 50 games..this year. =D
Dodgers are loaded. They should do well.
The Angels could win 50 games.
They won a few in spring training. They are winning every inter-squad game. They might be half way there already.
Rendon is injured and hopefully will be in the line up in a week
He tweeted today. He’s fine.
No reason to play if you have a tight ab.
I’d say this will easily be the most challenging season ever for any MLB manager… Not only the adjusted schedule and all, but almost complete uncertainty as to who will be available to you on a day to day (or at least certainly series by series) basis.
And, what’s the ceiling for the managers ? Even if they do a great job massaging an ever-changing roster to a title, a lot of people will never recognize it as a ‘real’ WS win.
Very true. But at the same time, it’ll be really easy to give managers a pass this season.
Angels vs San Diego tonight at 6:10 PDT with our old friend Garrett Richards on the mound for the Pads. Anxious to see the Angels take the field again. Hope Garrett can stay healthy.
Maybe Garrett will come back for 2021
I would love for Richards to come back.
I’ve kind of become a quasi Angels fan because two of their players, Simmons & Teheran, were both Braves I enjoyed watching. I wouldn’t bet money on the Angels winning the division or even the first wild card slot but a season like this we could ALL be very wrong in our expectations.
S.C.M. Over 60 games, any one of a couple dozen teams can make the playoffs.
It will be entertaining.
Been meaning to ask you. Is Halo in your name also a reference to the GAME Halo as well or just to the Angels? Or maybe you are going to go and shock me and say that you aren’t an Angels fan at all? =}
Halo for Angels.
11 for Jim Fregosi. My childhood hero.
I’ve never played Halo, that never occurred to me. That’s a shoot-em-up game… right? If it’s against aliens, that might be fun, but I don’t like people killing people games.
I’m not a gamer at all. I only know about it because Im a restaurant manager which means I work with a lot of young people. I’m pretty sure it’s against aliens but I imagine there are plenty of posters who aren’t in there early 40’s like me that could clarify this for us. =D.
Nice story behind your name though.
Jim Fregosi is my boyhood hero, so how old am I?
My son was into Fort Nite, but moved on.
The 1967 season ended well from the Red Sox on a ground ball to Fregosi. He and Knopp were a great double play tandem. In APBA, Fregosi was a 10 and Knopp a 9 for their fielding, rarely seen highest possible values. Plus, Fregosi got the Angels Nolan Ryan from the Mets. Terrible trade but I always rooted for both of those guys. Good times.
Dick McAuliffe, the only DP he grounded into all year.
Bill James has Fregosi as the best SS eligible for the Hall of Fame who isn’t in the Hall of Fame. I’m not saying he should be, but he was great.
According to WAR, in 1964 the second best player in the AL next to Mantle. In 1970, the second best player in the AL next to Yaz.
From 1964 to 1970. He was 10th in WAR and he and Dick Allen are the only two on the list not in the Hall of Fame.
Jim Fregosi, Wally Moon, the big guy on first base etc. Exciting team back them.
Wally Moon? Never an Angel. And Fregosi and Big Klu played only a handful of games together.
Don Mincher? Between baseball cards, APBA and being a stat geek, I knew a lot of players when my mind wasn’t cluttered as much with stuff.
Maybe you are thinking of Joe Adcock.
But if you are thinking 67 or later then Mincher.
If of the Angels win the WS,fans in here will be dumping on the Angels because it was a 60 game season. Unlike if the Dodgers or Yankees were to win it. That’s just the cold reality of it all in 2020.
Any team that wins it, fans will be dumping. But in reality, this is no different than 1981. The Dodgers won based on a 57 game season.
Ya you’re right. It’s really unfortunate too because I’m actually pretty excited about this season BECAUSE of how different it will be. If the Yankees, Dodgers or to a lesser extent, the Astros, Athletics, Devil Rays or Braves win, it was expected. The asterisk next to those teams won’t be so large.
Dodgers are loaded. They should do well.
Agree that the Dodgers are loaded. And they will continue to be loaded for the next several years. Friedman is one of the top three GMs in MLB if not the best.
It helps when you have and spend $200M+ a season
That’s not how the Dodgers are loading up. Their drafting and player development these last few years is second to no one.
I have a feeling the angels will do well this season too. They don’t have an ace but they brought in two pitchers that are a hell of a lot better than the Cahill/Harvey etc. mess they had last year. Plus Ohtani will provide them with some quality innings hopefully. They also brought in a defensive minded catcher that works well with pitchers. They also signed that rendon guy too.
I think Ohtani struggles mightily this year-
I dont think you can count him as a + on the mound this year
The Human Rain Delay
Does that go for every pitcher coming off major injury? Does that go for every A’s pitcher? Severino? Houston pitchers? Along with a dozen others. What makes Ohtani special?
based on…? i get saying he wolnt be reliable, but i don’t think expecting him to be downright terrible makes sense
Darkside, I have no issue with someone who says every pitcher coming off a major injury is more likely to be mediocre than not. But be consistent, why single out Ohtani?
I’m a big Ohtani fan. And given my name a big Angels fan, as well. Having said that, Ohtani may need 2020 to get back to his old self on the mound as he has only thrown 75 innings total the past three years; 2017-25, 2018-50 and 2019-0.
Again, I’m a big fan. And I’m expecting Ohtani to be excellent. I’m just concerned he may be a little rusty.
Not singling out Ohtani at all. He’s a fascinating player and one of the most exciting players in all of Mlb –
Hes so far behind right now on the mound (Strength, control, feel, stamina, actual game expierence ) that its hard to see him being much of a positive on the mound this year (And thats before really accounting he will prolly only pitch 9 games avg 5 inns (45 inns) into account-
Nice post Angels and Nl West- That was my gist as well
I aint bashing, dudes a baller, but it takes some rose colored glasses to say he’s going to make a real impact on the mound this year. He will ofc be mashing in that new-found 400 obp Rendon w/ Trout quite and Bit this year with the bat
One of these years you guys might actually have 2 10 war players
The composite for Ohtani between Zips Steamer ATC The Bat and Rotochamp has Ohtani on the mound at
40 inns 3.83 era 1.25 whip. …. Not horrible, but very limited/not ghuuddd
I honestly think thats being nice as well, he could beat it no doubt but I think theres a much higher range it all goes completely sideways . I think he will be fine 2021 btw
Most plus starters are estimated for 70+inns in the composite
Strength- control -stamina -feel- game exp
Yea…hes not going to be a + this year
But I will predict again- He gets an OUT next time !!!
If Minor and Lynn have as decent a season as they did last year, plus the addition of Kluber, if he stays healthy, the Rangers have a pretty good starting rotation. Hitting is hardly ever a problem with them. Bullpen may be questionable though.
That’s the think with most pitching staffs, you’re always saying “if”.
If you are a fan of the team, then you are optimistic, if you don’t like the team, you’ll be pessimistic.
I honestly can’t say I’m any different. I think Lynn, Minor and Kluber will be pretty mediocre. If they are, Texas doesn’t have the players to be very good.
I live in Texas, the DFW to be exact, and I am a Yankees fan. Having said that, the RANGERS are a better team (on paper) than the Angels. I see it as Astros, Athletics, Rangers, Angels, Mariners.
The Angels starting nine are much better than the Rangers, its not remotely close. So if the Rangers are better, those three will have to pitch really really well.
I am a Rangers fan, Season Ticket Holder actually, and they typically come out if the gate fast, then tend to fade late. In a shortened season, I give them a decent chance.
I give most teams a decent chance.
I wouldn’t rule out the Rangers. Also, you have to go back to 2014 to find the A’s winning as many as 32 of their first 60 games.
It doesn’t take much of an imagination to find a way for Texas to win 33 or so games.
I rule out the Ms, Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Pirates. That’s about it.
Who have the Angels got in the outfield this year, other than Trout of course?
I rule out the Red Sox. I am hoping for a Tampa Bay championship just so yankee fans can cry that it doesn’t count. The Angels would be cool to win if my nephew makes it to the majors. He’s home collecting unemployment. Recovered from TJ and kind of an outside shot, but he’s living the dream. He’s only pitched rookie so far so it’s a bit of a journey.
Upton. Who was hurt all of last year. Twenty Third in wRC+ the previous two yeas.
Adell, top five prospect, or Goodwinn, And Marsh. Top fifty prospect.
Just to be able to throw the ball in the 90s would be worth having TJ surgery.
I’ve been in a home stat-league for 35 years. One of the ex members has a nephew in the big leagues, You may have heard of him Lucas Giolito.
Buyem?
The Rangers starters may be a little under the radar, but they could be deceptively good – Minor, Lynn, Kluber, Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles. Assuming everyone is healthy, that’s a good looking staff.
Except for the Astros, I don’t like dissing other teams and I wont do it on their threads. But if Kluber was any good, why would the Indians trade him and why did they get so little for him.
I can’t believe the Indians and other teams, are that dumb.
I don’t want to take anything from what Lance Lynn did. By measurement of WAR, IP, K/9 and WHIP he had his best season and Minors season was also pretty surprising. I think you are expecting a lot if fans think those two pitchers will reproduce those seasons again though and who knows what you are going to get with Kluber.
The Rangers rotation DOES have a lot of upside but I also see them being very combustible. If Minor doesn’t stay healthy, if Lynn goes back to normal and Kluber starts to show his age, we will see the Rangers place right about where we all expect them too; a 4th place finish with around 26 wins.
You can’t take anything away from them, he did it. But in 1980 Steve Stone won the Cy Young award. It doesn’t mean he was any good, he just had a good year.
At 32 years old, Lance Lynn had his best season. At 32 Steve Stone had his best season.
It happens.
Braun should never stopped juicing. Has he had a full, injury-less season in the last 5 seasons?
Braun is a POS.
It was bad enough he juiced, but he threw the collector under the bus with false accusations.
Rox need Oberg healthy if for no other reason to keep Wade Davis from finishing enough games for his vesting option to kick in.
Otherwise maybe Jairo Diaz gets a look at closer, or Carlos Estevez.
Rodriguez told Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe he has never been sicker, saying he felt “100 years old.” He then announced his intention to run for president.
Brewers will be glad to see the backside of Braun at the end of the season. They will be happy to give him his 4 million dollar walk money.
But what will all the high and mighty commentors on here talk about? Its been a decade since the “juicing” and nobody can let it go.
Oh, except the guy whose life he supposedly ruined. He did. But he’s also the one everyone keeps bringing up as to why braun should still be hated by everyone, including stand up guys like Sosa, McGuire, Bonds and Alex Rodriguez…
Sorry if you misunderstood my comment re: Braun. It really had nothing to do with his past drug use. My comment was coming from him being another athlete that is will be paid top money way beyond the value period of his professional career. If they pick up his contract next year, and they won’t, they would have to paid him 15 million dollars for a 265-275 hitter with fading defensive abilities. My guess is that the Brewers can’t wait to shed that money and move on. Don’t know the guy personally, so I do not have an opinion on him as a person.
My comment was a statement of what seems to be a majority of commentors on here, not you specifically.
As for Braun’s defensive abilities, for the most part I agree. He CAN still perform at a high enough level, but but it seems the injury risk is now too high to put him out there. I suspect if there’s mutual interest between the club and braun, he could be paid the $4 mil buyout then sign for a much lower amount..but I only see that if he’s going to be a DH and puts on a good show in the shortened 2020 season.
Mookie Betts, 365 for 12.. Which means 36 million when he is 39…. What do I know…. The trolley dodgers must be printing money!
Time for Angels baseball!
It’s good to see Richards back on the mound.