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Latest On A’s A.J. Puk

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The Athletics’ A.J. Puk’s injury woes continued this week when the club placed the left-hander on the IL to start the season because of shoulder inflammation. While Puk is on track to begin throwing again, his 2020 debut still appears to be pretty far off, manager Bob Melvin revealed (via Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle).

“It’s going to be at least a couple of weeks of just playing catch — and not too far out,” Melvin said. “We’re a ways off before we have an update on him.”

Puk’s a former first-round pick (No. 6 in 2016) who has remained a standout prospect as he has climbed up the minor league ranks. He held his own in his major league debut in 2019 with 11 1/3 innings of 10-hit, four-run ball with 13 strikeouts against five walks. But Oakland’s goal isn’t for Puk to emerge as a key reliever – rather, the team’s hoping he will emerge as a front-line starter. Unfortunately, arm problems have been a regular occurrence for Puk, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2018 and has dealt with shoulder issues during the past several months. He still hasn’t made a major league start as a result.

Injuries in its pitching staff are nothing new for Oakland, which overcame a litany of health troubles from 2018-19 en route to back-to-back 97-win seasons and playoff berths. The A’s once again look like serious contenders as this season gets underway, but they’ve begun with a shorthanded rotation because of the absences of Puk and fellow star lefty prospect Jesus Luzardo. They opened the campaign with a rotation consisting of Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, Mike Fiers, Chris Bassitt and Daniel Mengden.

Marcus Stroman Hoping For Quick Return

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Mets righty Marcus Stroman is hoping for a quick bounceback, as Tim Healey of Newsday reports. The starter has been slowed by a calf injury.

Stroman provided some further background on the injury. He says it looks worse on an MRI than it feels. Per Stroman, it was “shocking” to learn that he had suffered what he alternately labeled as a “tear” or “slight strain.”

While the 29-year-old says he expects to recover swiftly, he acknowledged the need to exercise care. “I don’t have trouble recovering or coming back,” says Stroman, “but this is something that needs to feel 100% before I can go back and move full speed.”

Fortunately, Stroman is still able to work off of the mound. That should help him stay stretched out while he awaits a clean MRI. Given the short length of the season, it’ll obviously be important both to get back as soon as possible and to avoid a setback that leads to a lengthier absence.

Predict The AL Central Division Winner

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With final roster decisions in the books and the 2020 season underway at long last, it’s time to make some predictions. We’ll poll the MLBTR readership on each of the game’s six divisions — though plenty more teams will crack the postseason under the rather inclusive new playoff qualification system.

There’s rather an interesting dynamic in the American League Central division this year. The Twins stepped up in 2019 and have added Josh Donaldson to an already potent lineup. They’ll try to hold off the Indians, who had previously enjoyed a stranglehold on the division and have some of the best core talent around. There’s no denying the immense potential that resides on the White Sox roster, which features both elite youngsters and newly inked quality veterans. The Royals feel they’ve got quick bounceback potential after a few down seasons; if a few players hit their ceilings, perhaps they could surprise. It’s harder to see a path for the Tigers, but they’ve also got a load of elite young hurlers pushing into the majors and will enter the season determined to make strides.

Which team do you think is the best of the bunch? (Poll link for app users.)

Predict The 2020 A.L. Central Division Winner
Twins 56.74% (5,134 votes)
Indians 18.94% (1,714 votes)
White Sox 16.00% (1,448 votes)
Tigers 5.02% (454 votes)
Royals 3.30% (299 votes)
Total Votes: 9,049

Clayton Kershaw Expects To Make 2020 Debut Soon

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Just hours before their season began Thursday, the Dodgers unexpectedly placed left-handed ace Clayton Kershaw on the injured list because of back stiffness. Fortunately for Los Angeles, though, it doesn’t appear Kershaw will be out for long. The 32-year-old threw from 90 feet Friday and offered a positive update on his status, telling Ken Gurnick of MLB.com and other reporters he’s optimistic that he’ll return soon.

With Kershaw down for Thursday’s opener against the archrival Giants, the loaded Dodgers turned to right-hander Dustin May as their starter. The hard-throwing 22-year-old proceeded to turn in an effective performance with 4 1/3 innings of seven-hit, one-run ball, adding four strikeouts against zero walks in an 8-1 Dodgers romp.

Of course, even though the Dodgers’ first game went well in Kershaw’s absence, there’s no question they’re a better team with the eight-time All-Star and three-time National League Cy Young winner in their rotation. Kershaw wasn’t at peak form last year, yet he still notched 178 1/3 innings of 3.03 ERA/3.86 FIP pitching with 9.54 K/9 and 2.07 BB/9.

The Dodgers will be glad to welcome Kershaw back when he’s ready, but there’s no timeline for his return as of now. For the time being, then, May will continue to complement budding ace Walker Buehler, Ross Stripling, Julio Urias and Alex Wood in the Dodgers’ rotation.

Latest On Padres’ Jorge Mateo

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Padres infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo, who tested positive for the coronavirus July 8, has been cleared to return, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets. Mateo worked out Friday, per Acee, though he’ll begin the season on the COVID-19 injured list. It’s unknown when he’ll be ready to make his 2020 debut.

Mateo was formerly a top 100 prospect with both the Yankees and Athletics, but after back-to-back underwhelming showings in Triple-A over the previous two seasons, the A’s shipped the 25-year-old to the Padres in June for a player to be named later. Mateo has amassed 1,076 plate appearances at the minors’ highest level and slashed a below-average .261/.306/.433 with 22 home runs and 49 stolen bases.

San Diego acquired the out-of-options Mateo knowing he’d either have to make its season-opening roster or be designated for assignment. If healthy, Mateo may have been a candidate for significant reps at second base, and that could still be the case when he’s able to take the field. In the meantime, the Padres will primarily go with Jurickson Profar at the keystone, while Ty France, Greg Garcia and Jake Cronenworth could serve as fallback options.

Marlins Place Jorge Alfaro On IL, Select Sean Rodriguez

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The Marlins announced that they’ve placed catcher Jorge Alfaro on the injured list, meaning he’s out of action for Opening Day. A reason was not given for the surprise move.

Replacing him on the active roster will be veteran utilityman Sean Rodriguez, whose contract was selected. The Fish also announced the signing of outfielder Travis Snider to a minor-league pact. He’ll head to the team’s alternate training site.

It’s obviously disappointing to see Alfaro hit the shelf right at the start of the season. The 27-year-old has established himself as a solid MLB backstop, though he’s hoping to take another step forward after posting consecutive 95 OPS+ efforts at the plate. Alfaro is also playing to set himself up for his first run at the arbitration process.

Braves To Acquire Scott Schebler

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2:03pm: This deal is now official. Cash considerations will go to Cincinnati in return.

12:47pm: The Braves have struck a deal to acquire outfielder Scott Schebler, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes reports on Twitter. Schebler had been designated for assignment by the Reds.

This’ll give the Atlanta organization another potential power bat to add to the mix. Schebler will take a spot on the team’s 40-man roster and 60-man player pool. Since he’s out of options, he’ll also have to be added to the active roster.

Schebler will rejoin former outfield mate Adam Duvall as depth options. The Braves have now added several power-oriented players in recent days, with Schebler joining Matt Adams as lefty bench bats.

Though he popped thirty long balls in 2017, Schebler has generally failed to reach base at a sufficient clip to feature as an above-average hitter. He owns a .240/.318/.443 lifetime batting line through five MLB campaigns.

Last year was a particularly rough one for Schebler, who scuffled badly through 30 MLB games. Things weren’t much better at Triple-A, where he limped to a .216/.274/.325 slash over 212 trips to the plate.

Schebler was likely hampered by a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. He’s now back to full strength and ready to take a crack at reestablishing himself in the majors.

Orioles Outright Hector Velazquez

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The Orioles announced today that they have outrighted righty Hector Velazquez. He has already cleared waivers.

This move removes a player from the Baltimore 60-man player pool, leaving five openings to work with. The O’s clearly did not believe that Velazquez would be an option in the majors this year.

The 31-year-old hurler had been a useful swingman for the division-rival Red Sox, though he scuffled in 2019. Given the Orioles’ pitching needs, it seemed he had a good shot at carving out a role. Instead, he’ll be stashed on the Baltimore minor-league roster without a chance to play this season.

Rangers Release Cody Allen, Add John King To 60-Man Pool

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The Rangers announced today that they have released veteran reliever Cody Allen. His spot in the 60-man player pool will go to lefty John King.

Allen, 31, has had a rough go of things since he hit a wall in the 2018 season. His effort to bounce back last year with the Angels fell short and he’s now struggling to earn his way back to the majors.

The 25-year-old King is now in a position to clamor for his first call to the majors. He still hasn’t appeared above the High-A level, but was quite effective there last year. Over 71 frames, the former tenth-round pick turned in a 2.03 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9.

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