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Archives for June 2021

Rays’ Chaz Roe Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

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Rays right-hander Chaz Roe has undergone surgery to correct a posterior labrum tear in his throwing shoulder, the team announced.  The procedure will end Roe’s 2021 campaign, as manager Kevin Cash told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times and other reporters that the aim is to have the righty back in action for 2022.

Roe tossed only two-thirds of an inning in a single appearance for Tampa this season, before suffering a shoulder strain and then biceps tendinitis.  It marks the second straight abbreviated season for Roe, since elbow soreness limited him to 10 games and 9 1/3 innings.

Despite that injury, the Rays brought Roe back on a one-year, $1.15MM free agent contract that unfortunately is now a wash.  It wouldn’t be surprising to see Roe return for what would be a sixth season in Tampa Bay, however, if the club re-signed him on a minor league deal this winter.

Initially acquired from the Braves back in July 2017, Roe has posted some solid numbers for the Rays, including a 3.82 ERA over 101 1/3 relief innings in 2018-19.  That roughly matches the 3.89 ERA posted by the 34-year-old over parts of nine MLB seasons for five different teams.  While walks have been something of a nagging issue throughout Roe’s career, he has balanced those free passes with a good amount of missed bats (26.4% strikeout rate) and he has done a solid job of keeping the ball on the ground (48.9% grounder rate).

Jared Porter Placed On Ineligible List

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In January of this year, revelations about Jared Porter’s harassment of a female reporter surfaced not long after he was hired as the Mets general manager. The news brought issues of sexual harassment in baseball into the spotlight, prompting questions not only about the Mets’ hiring process, but about accountability throughout baseball — a process that is still very much in the beginning stages. Once Porter’s sexual misconduct was made public, he was fired by the Mets, just weeks after his hiring date.

Major League Baseball began an investigation into the case at that time, and today announced that Porter has been placed on the league’s ineligible list. Porter will be eligible to apply for reinstatement following the 2022 season. Those are, of course, the official terms; it would seem highly unlikely that Porter has much of a future in baseball, even if he is eventually reinstated.

Commissioner Rob Manfred released the following statement: “My office has completed its investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct by Jared Porter.  Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Porter violated MLB’s policies, and that placement on the Ineligible List is warranted.  We are committed to providing an appropriate work environment consistent with our values for all those involved in our game.“

Roster Notes: Mariners, Tigers, Indians, Rockies, Mets

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The Mariners have reinstated Marco Gonzales from the paternity list, the team announced. Donovan Walton has been optioned to Triple-A to create the roster spot. Gonzalez was gone for just a couple of days, and he’ll step right back into his rotation spot. Walton, meanwhile, has appeared in 21 games and posted a .205/.254/.365 line.

Let’s make the rounds and check in on some roster moves and injury updates…

  • The Tigers and Indians will play a doubleheader today, meaning both teams get to add a 27th man for the day. The Indians have brought up infielder Owen Miller, per Mandy Bell (via Twitter). The Tigers, meanwhile, will add Derek Hill, who only recently has been healthy enough to return from the injured list.
  • Ryan Castellani has cleared waivers and been assigned outright to Triple-A, the Rockies announced. Castellani made one start for the Rockies this year, tossing 3 1/3 innings and allowing two earned runs. The 25-year-old will look to put together more productive outings in Triple-A where he owns a 7.82 ERA across 35 2/3 innings.
  • Mets infielders Jonathan Villar and J.D. Davis will both begin rehab assignments with the Syracuse Mets today, tweets Tim Britton of The Athletic. What began as a hand contusion has ended up keeping Davis out for all but 14 games of the season thus far. Villar filled in ably for much of the year, but he, too, went down with a calf strain. Both now appear to be on the mend.

Dodgers Claim Bobby Wahl Off Waivers

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2:15 PM: The Dodgers have claimed Wahl off waivers, per Jorge Castillo of the LA Times (via Twitter). To make room on the 40-man roster, they moved Corey Seager to the 60-day injured list. He will not, therefore, return to the team before July 15.

11:08 AM: As expected, the Brewers have selected the contract of Aaron Ashby to make his Major League debut in today’s game against the Cubs. Pablo Reyes was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the active roster, and Bobby Wahl was designated for assignment, the team announced. The latter move was necessary to add Ashby to the 40-man roster.

Wahl, 29, will be exposed to waiver claim by any of the game’s other 29 teams. He made three appearances for the Brewers last season, but Wall has yet to appear in a game at the big-league level this season. He’s appeared in 13 games at Triple-A, however, struggling to a 9.58 ERA over that span. He has, at least, flashed some strikeout ability, striking out 18 over 10 1/3 innings. The Brewers acquired from the Mets in 2019 as part of the Keon Broxton trade.

As for Reyes, the 27-year-old infielder/outfielder has slashed .224/.240/.265 line in 50 plate appearances. The former Pirate has fared much better in 49 trips in Triple-A, with a triple slash line of .350/.449/.600. The Brewers will be down to a four-man bench for today, so Reyes could return shortly.

Quick Hits: Sticky Stuff Crackdown, Cardinals, Verlander

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As we approach trade season, teams are burdened with the overwhelming task of re-evaluating the league in the wake of the crackdown on illegal substances. Broad strokes, evaluators will be more trusting of pitchers who rely on two-seamers and sinkers, writes ESPN’s Buster Olney. Unsurprisingly, those pitchers who have taken to the recent trend of high-velocity heaters up in the zone and wicked curveballs diving away will be watched more closely. The next month will obviously provide important data points for potential buyers, but looking at how players have struggled and/or succeeded in the first few months of the year will also be heavily scrutinized by teams looking to find players on the rebound. In other MLB news….

  • The Cardinals are doing their best to patch together a rotation in the wake of Jack Flaherty’s extended absence, but they’re also exploring their options outside the organization. They have reached out to the Twins about Jose Berrios and the Rangers for Kyle Gibson, but the price for Berrios was “high,” and presumably, the same will be true of Gibson, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. With very few difference-making arms likely to be available, Berrios and Gibson are sure to be in high demand. President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak spoke of the Cardinals’ desire to win, but “not at the cost of our future.” While that’s a reasonable mode of thinking, such a mind-set isn’t likely to procure an arm like Berrios or Gibson.
  • Justin Verlander hasn’t rule out the possibility of returning to the Detroit Tigers before his career runs out, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Of course, Verlander needs to get healthy first. He will be a free agent at the end of the season, however, free to pursue a return to Detroit, should that be his desire. Verlander played in Detroit for 13 seasons. He ranks 2nd in Tigers’ history for rWAR among pitchers, 2.7 rWAR behind Hal Newhouser. He is fifth in Tigers’ history in games started with 380 and 2nd in total strikeouts with 2,373.

Braves Reinstate Max Fried, Option Sean Newcomb

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The Braves have reinstated Max Fried from the injured list and optioned Sean Newcomb to Triple-A, the team announced.

It’s been a season of false starts so far for Fried, whose has twice been on the injured list, once with a hamstring strain and more recently with a blister. Nevertheless, he’s managed to make 11 starts, pitching to a 4.21 ERA/3.89 FIP across 57 2/3 innings. The Braves’ rotation has been a strength, tying for the Majors’ lead in fWAR this month with 3.1 fWAR.

He will not, unfortunately, help the offense. In the past month, the Braves’ bats rank 20th with a 95 wRC+. Despite their struggles the Braves are just 5 1/2 games behind the Mets in the NL East. With Fried alongside Charlie Morton, Drew Smyly, Kyle Muller, and Ian Anderson, the rotation will look to lead the Braves until their offense finds its way.

As for Newcomb, the 28-year-old hasn’t had the bottom line results he desires with a 5.82 ERA in 21 2/3 innings, though a 3.98 FIP suggests there could be smoother sailing ahead. Fact is, Newcomb needs to find his command after posting a far-too-high 18.5 percent walk rate.

Cubs Place Jose Lobaton On 60-Day Injured List, Recall Taylor Gushue

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The Cubs’ rotating cadre of backup catchers turns again today, as Jose Lobaton lands on the 60-day injured list after spraining his shoulder at the end of last night’s ballgame. Taylor Gushue has been recalled to take his roster spot, per The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma (via Twitter).

Backing up Willson Contreras has proved to be one of the game’s more dangerous professions this year, with Lobaton joining P.J. Higgins and Austin Romine on the 60-day injured list. Tony Wolters actually opened the season as the backup, but he was designated for assignment. Lobaton managed to make it into just six games without recording a hit in 13 plate appearances.

Gushue now steps into the opportunity, prepared to make his Major League debut. The Cubs are Gushue’s third organization after Pittsburgh and Washington. The switch-hitting catcher has played well in his first bit of action with the Cubs, slashing .272/.328/.440 in 137 plate appearances as the primary catcher for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.

Rays Place Ryan Thompson On 10-Day Injured List, Recall Ryan Sherriff

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The Rays announced a pair of corresponding roster moves, with Ryan Thompson heading for the 10-day injured list because of right shoulder inflammation and Ryan Sherriff returning from Triple-A.

Thompson’s IL placement is retroactive to June 28th, the day after his last appearance. That outing was Thompson’s first in 36 appearances this year in which he allowed multiple earned runs. On the whole, the 29-year-old right-hander has been stellar with a 2.38 ERA/3.09 FIP in 34 innings.

The Rays are very familiar with Sherriff, who has been up and down the past two seasons, though with limited mound work. Including his four outings this season, Sherriff has 14 appearances covering 13 innings for Tampa since 2020. He allowed just one earned run on 11 hits and three walks while striking out five. Though he’s typically been unhittable against lefties, same-handed hitters have gone 3-for-6 with a walk against him this season.

Royals Place Wade Davis On 10-Day Injured List, Recall Richard Lovelady

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The Royals placed Wade Davis on the 10-day injured list yesterday with a right forearm strain. Southpaw Richard Lovelady was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take his spot in the Royals’ bullpen, per the team transactions log on MLB.com.

The Royals are scuffling. They earned pats on the back from many around the game for their aggressive offseason, and when they jumped out to a 15-9 start in April, the idea of Mike Matheny’s club making a run seemed like it might have legs. But they tumbled to an 11-17 record in May, and fell even further in June, entering play on Wednesday with a 7-19 record for the month. Now losers of seven straight, the Royals have fallen behind the Twins for last place in the AL Central.

Pitching has been a particular challenge for the Royals this month. With a team ERA of 5.97, they have produced -0.7 fWAR this month, tied with the Diamondbacks for the worst mark in the Majors. Davis has, unfortunately, been no small part of their struggles, as the Royals’ legend has given up 11 earned runs on 14 hits and and five walks while serving up five home runs in 9 1/3 innings this month. For the year now, Davis has a 8.06 ERA/6.50 FIP.

His control issues of the past couple seasons have settled down to a not-horrible 9.2 percent walk rate, but the trouble stems largely from the fact that, at 35 years old, Davis simply isn’t missing bats anymore. His four-seamer velocity is down to an average of 92.6 mph, which lands in just the 16th percentile league-wide. His O-Swing%, the percent of pitches batters swing at outside the zone, is down to 23.9 percent, quite a bit below the 30.6 percent average for relievers. Overall, his 18.5 percent strikeout rate is a good tick below average as well.

Lovelady, 25, will make his first appearance of the season and try to provide some support to the Royals’ pen. Lovelady relies mostly on a fastball/slider combo, though he’s worked to add a change-up to his arsenal as well. He has 26 career appearances, all but one coming back in 2019 when he logged 20 innings with a 7.65 ERA/4.16 FIP while posting walk and strikeout rates of 8.3 percent and 17.7 percent, respectively.

Yankees Option Albert Abreu, Reinstate Justin Wilson

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9:40 AM: The Yankees have announced the corresponding roster move, with Justin Wilson being activated from the injured list. Wilson last appeared almost exactly a month ago on May 28th. He owns a 6.08 ERA across 13 1/3 innings so far this season, though he was attempting to pitch through discomfort.

7:38 AM: The Yankees optioned right-hander Albert Abreu to Triple-A following last night’s defeat of the Angels. An additional roster move is likely to follow sometime before today’s 7:05 PM start.

This was already Abreu’s sixth different stint with the big-league club this year, though not every time on the roster has resulted in mound work for the 25 year old. He tossed two scoreless innings yesterday in his sixth appearance of the year. Though used sparingly, he’s been effective as a multi-inning reliever for manager Aaron Boone.

The one-time starter has been used in a similar capacity in Triple-A, tossing 15 2/3 innings in nine appearances with a 4.02 ERA. He has allowed 10 walks in that time, but he’s also proved an effective strikeout artist, recording 29 strikeouts for a robust 43 percent strikeout rate.

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