The Braves placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. on the injured list Saturday (retroactive to Aug. 12) because of left wrist inflammation, and the team’s hope then was that Acuna would be back by the upcoming weekend. However, there’s still no timetable for the superstar’s return, per The Athletic’s David O’Brien, who reports he’s continuing to battle soreness in his wrist. Meanwhile, second baseman Ozzie Albies – whom the Braves put on the IL on Aug. 5 with a bone contusion in his right wrist – is progressing but still has a ways to go, according to O’Brien.
- Mets starters David Peterson and Jacob deGrom will take the ball as scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, Tim Healey of Newsday relays. Peterson had to leave his previous start last Thursday against the Nationals with left shoulder fatigue, while the club scratched deGrom on Friday because of a stiff neck. They’ve been the two best members of the rotation this year for the struggling Mets, as Peterson has performed like one of the game’s top rookies and the back-to-back Cy Young winner deGrom has continued to shine.
- Cardinals righty Carlos Martinez and infielder Edmundo Sosa have been cleared to resume baseball activities, manager Mike Shildt announced to Mark Saxon of The Athletic and other reporters. They’re two of the many Cardinals who recently tested positive for the coronavirus. It’s not clear when either could return, as Shildt noted they’ll need time to build themselves back up. Martinez, long a key part of the Cardinals’ pitching staff, made one very rocky appearance earlier this season. Sosa hasn’t played in the majors this year.
- Giants righty Jeff Samardzija will begin a throwing program Wednesday, according to the club (via Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle). Samardzija went on the injured list Aug. 8 with a shoulder impingement, which came after he opened the season with three rough performances. The pending free agent, 35, owns a ghastly 9.88 ERA across 13 2/3 innings, has already given up 18 hits and six home runs, and has only struck out five hitters.
- The Padres placed catcher Francisco Mejia on the IL on Monday with a thumb bruise, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets. With him and outfielder Tommy Pham (previously reported) headed to the shelf, the Padres recalled backstop Luis Torrens and utility player Ty France. Prior to going on the IL, Mejia got off to a woeful start this year with an .079/.146/.184 line in 41 plate appearances. He and fellow Padres catcher Austin Hedges have combined for a disastrous minus-1 wRC+ over 79 trips to the plate thus far.
- The Dodgers announced that they’ve placed infielder Edwin Rios on the IL with a left hamstring strain and recalled lefty Adam Kolarek. The Rios injury is a blow to the Dodgers’ offense, as even though he’s just a part-time player, the 26-year-old has done nothing but hit since debuting last season. So far in 2020, Rios has slashed .276/.323/.690 with three home runs in 31 plate appearances.
Padres catchers, can the pitcher hit for them?
What’s crazy is back in 2017 when Luis Torrens was getting stashed as a Rule V guy on the roster who had never played above A ball and had zero business playing in the majors, he had a higher OPS (.446) than either Mejia (.331) or Hedges (.384) currently have.
.446 was still very very bad, but I have to assume that with 2018 and 2019 to develop and make improvements and with a .873 OPS in AA last year that he can produce more than the current guys.
I read something recently about Preller trying to pry Salvador Perez loose from the Royals. They’d probably want the farm for that to happen.
I am glad BVW is the GM. Can you imagine if all the people who wanted Cano gone made the decisions? The bull pen is deep and potentially really good. If Alonso can catch fire and McNeil get in the groove this team can still do damage.
Yeah but with our pitchers hurt or not playing it’s going to be hard.
Met fans enjoy complaining about the Mets losing. I would not the Mets to disappoint them with winning.
The Mets are 10-14 with a -14 run differential, but hope springs eternal because the NL East stinks or is real banged up right now.
The rub difference is only bc of two really bad games the Mets have pitched with matz.. it’s not really a good stat for 20 something games. Also the only reason why we are 10-14 is bc Degrom missed a start and stro and thor haven’t pitched the whole year.
I love your optimism, but the Mets have only won series against the Marlins and struggling Nationals. They are about to get to the hardest part of their schedule. Of course you’re right about the pitching injuries, but excuses don’t make the 2020 Mets a good team. Like I said the only reason the Mets are still alive is because the division stinks.
Lol this isn’t it. Name me 5 teams that could survive their 2-3-4 starter going down and their ace missing his last game. It’s a good excuse. Mets would easily be in first rn. The fact that the Nats and Phillies are even close to us is sad.
The Braves literally lost the very same starters and tgeir star player. They are in 1st place.
The only Braves starter they lost who is even good is Soroka.. you think losing Felix or Hamels is hurting them???i would love the Mets to face those pitchers. This isnt even the same thing. It’s easier to replace hitting than pitching. We would be fine if we lost Alonso and McNeil for a week. Mets went from Syndergaard and stroman to Lockett and gsellman
disagree and also think you over value Stroman and Noah. I get it. The Mets are hurtm But they aren’t getting thpse guys back this year. Don’t see them competing. That’s just me.
Cool he is still not worth Kelenic. The Mets best players were all there before Brodie.
In a short season, a good couple of weeks can put you right back in the middle of things.
Where’s my little B?
Does that imply that Sosa and CMart are the first ones to test positive, and most likely to be the culprits of bringing it into the clubhouse?
JFactor!!! Where have you been?!?! I’ve missed reading your player break downs. You’ve been the most insightful commenter I have read from MLBTR and that means something because there are several commenters that are very knowledgeable.
Thanks 🙂 just been out of town a lot this summer. That was kind of you.
All that implies is that they have had two consecutive negative tests. Some people have proven to be able to kick the virus faster than others.
Kenny Lofton should be in the Hall Of Fame
He only got 3.2% of the vote in his only year eligible.
He wouldn’t be the worst HoFer, but he would definitely be below average, at least according to the usual metrics.
Gabe Kapler for Manager of the year!
At least it’s a shortened season as Kapler bumbles his way thru it. Imagine if we had to watch this performance for 162 games!
Yea, but we have another two years with this nonsense, unless Zaidi realizes his mistake and makes a change. Highly doubtful considering he hired him knowing his drama with the Dodgers minor league squad. What a mess….
The Phillies are not too much better without him, and the Giants aren’t too much worse with him – can’t do much if you have lousy payers.
I’d say he was a pretty average manager.
I think Wotus deserved a shot and would have preferred Matheny (a former Giant) as the second choice. Certainly glad Harper chose Philly. Lotta money for a 270ish hitter.
Can someone tell me what his obsession is with Gott?
The Giants should be 3-1 in their last 4, but he loves Gott for some unknown reason.
Gott needs to go…and he can take Kapler with him. Ron Wotus should have been given the manager job, maybe Zaidi can fix his hiring mistake.
yeah I have no idea I mean the guy performed ok last year but never showed closer stuff – I have no idea why they decided to put him or anyone else in that role since the only one who has really looked dominant at times is rogers but when they tried to have him close he got blown up.
Okay, look, Gott dominated prior to this crap stretch. 4 for 4. He’s new at it. ANY manager allows one maybe two blown saves. As a manager you really have to show confidence. But these aren’t just typical blown saves (control issues, location issues, bad luck, etc). These are getting LIT UP blown saves. It should have been obvious to kapler that in the last A’s game Gott showed visible emotion. A true closer usually just tries to show composure. So to me that’s the giveaway that gotts not ready.
I’m not as quick to hang the manager. But to use Gott again last night was a mistake. I think Jarlin Garcia could be a closer. He seems to have good stuff.
Don’t be surprised if Gausman becomes the closer. My prediction. My comments above are opinions and I know I’ll get grief but they’re just opinions SO moving on, do you guys like the idea of Gausman closing. He can be nasty and if he’s successful he could get something good in a trade. Especially young pitching for the future.
This post group seems full of good giants fans. Not bandwagon fans. Heck, there’s a SoCal giants fan. Can’t complain about a SoCal giants fan
PABLO FOR CLOSER !!
I don’t care what Kapler does going forward, he still will be the worst manager in 132 years of Giants baseball !!!
Bring back Bochy ASAP !!
What a disaster! I didn’t expect this team to win the World Series, but you have to win the games you fought to win. The players are starting to show their frustration (watch Yaz’ reaction as the ball clears the fence) and Kapler will soon lose the team.
I like Gausman, but I think he will be dealt at the deadline. In the meantime, I think they should give Anderson a shot until Moranta is ready to throw. Or, maybe a closer by committee.
He WILL be dealt. My point is if he closes, even with 13 days left, and dominates then I think he’d get more in a trade. Relievers are usually in high demand, especially this year. Kimbrell and some other closer types are failing.
Got it. What’s your thoughts on S. Anderson as the closer? He closed out today’s game? Can’t be any worse at this point. They can have Gott as the 7 inning, Watson as the 8th inning/set up, and Anderson close.
Funny you ask. There was a stretch last year where he got some saves and I remember saying here’s our closer (it was after Will Smith trade). I mean he looked fantastic. Then he got hurt or something.
So to answer ur question, I definitely like the idea. It looks like Gausman is starting still so my idea is out. Heck ya, Anderson. Jarlin has been good too, so ur idea of closer by committee is good as well. I wanna see Gott get back to form but setup!!! not closer
all things considered and at 8-16, the Giants are over-achieving…
Yup, I saved money in not betting the over in wins (24).
Worst part is the Giants have 6 blown saves. They win all those games or even 4 of the 6 and they’re at .500, and could be higher. Offense is definitely overachieving which is nice to see but it makes me, all the field players, and I’m sure every Giants fan wanna rip our hair out when the bullpen is almost guaranteed to squander the lead.
Remind you of the Torture from the Championship runs? Lol