The Mariners were hopeful that reigning Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis would begin a rehab assignment on Friday, but those plans were dashed by soreness in his surgically-repaired right knee, per The Athletic’s Corey Brock. Lewis went under the knife in June after just 147 plate appearances. His offense was down a little to a .246/.333/.392 triple slash line, but even ignoring the small sample caveat, that’s still good for a 107 wRC+.
Lewis’ delay is unfortunate, especially given the struggles of Jarred Kelenic in center. Jake Fraley and Taylor Trammell have helped out in center as well, but Fraley is on the injured list and Trammell is in Triple-A. Somewhat improbably in the playoff hunt, the Mariners could certainly use better than the 50 wRC+ that Kelenic is providing, but given this latest setback for Lewis, any improvement will likely have to come from Kelenic himself. In other news…
- The Mariners expect bullpen reinforcements soon. Diego Castillo and Anthony Misiewicz are on their way back from the injured list, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). Misiewicz has been one of their more reliable relievers on the season, and Castillo was intended to take over the closer role when he was acquired at the deadline. Paul Sewald has claimed that job for now, so it will be worth watching where manager Scott Servais chooses to work Castillo back into the mix. [UPDATE: the Mariners have officially reinstated Castillo and Misiewicz from the IL.]
- Lucas Giolito’s hamstring strain may ultimately be a good thing for the White Sox righty. A short stint on the injured list will allow him to reset and adjust some of his mechanics, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. On finishing his delivery, Giolito said, “When my finish gets violent, I am recoiling on the pitch and my leg stiffens out. It’s almost like I am falling backwards. I don’t want to be there. It’s a bad habit. When I am strong on my front leg, even with a little bend, it allows me to get through the pitch, which leads to more extension going forward. I feel I am more consistent when I am more athletic and stronger through my finish.”
Wasn’t everyone crying about Kelenic service time being manipulated?
Didn’t do himself any favors lol
Giolito better get things right. Would really be painful for them to have to pitch Keuchel in a playoff game. Remember when Keuchel called out Eloy Jimenez for a bad At Bat!!! I hope Eloy is now calling out ol Dallas every time he has a bad inning. It’d only be 3 or 4 times a game, cause Keuchel is lucky to get to the 4th these days.
Yeah, Keuchel is toast. He should be removed from the rotation.
@Dogbone
Hmmm, Giolito, Lynn, Rodon, and Cease for the playoffs…it looks like the rotation’s in pretty good shape.
Boy, getting Cease and Eloy for Q, what an incredible return that was. You agree, don’t you, Dogbone?
Your right 83, it was incredible.
Dallas is a pro. He’ll figure it out. we’re paying him anyway, so let him work on it. (But not in a game!)
Nothing to “figure” out. He’s got nothing at this point; no movement, no control, and no velocity to speak of. And the whole ground ball inducement thing hasn’t worked in a long time. I hope they cut bait in the offseason and trade him.
He looks done. Odd for a guy who should be the prototypical “crafty lefty” pitching till he is 40. He has certainly pitched himself out of a postseason start and, with Lopez pitching well, maybe off the postseason roster. Even if a starter is hurt, tough to throw him out there to start a game.
Sticky substance issue?
Maybe the crackdown by MLB is impacting certain pitchers’ performances.
No. Dallas is done for the season. He only made about 12 starts in 2019, 2020. He is there and gassed. See you next year. Enjoy October on your couch.
Keuchel looks done. Odd for a guy who should be the prototypical “crafty lefty” pitching till he is 40. He has certainly pitched himself out of a postseason start and, with Lopez pitching well, maybe off the postseason roster. Even if a starter is hurt, tough to throw him out there to start a game.
I’m a Cubs fan that is appreciating what the Sox are doing. I will be watching in October
Keuchel has pitched himself out of a rotation spot in the playoffs. I’d far rather start Cease or ReyLo at this point. I’m not convinced he is beyond repair, but I wouldn’t trust him this year.
@hyraxwithaflamethrower
I agree.
Though, I would still have him on the postseason roster regardless of whether or not he figures anything out by Oct. He may prove useful if a game gets away from the Sox early (ex. giving up 7 or 8 runs in the first couple of innings), I’d stick him in there to soak up 5 innings to save the pen. The last thing you want in a playoff game is to burn 5 or 6 relievers needlessly.
The other option for the last bullpen spot is either Foster or Burr. In this case I’d rather have the innings eater, just in case.
I think it does not matter who is pitching and who is in the lineup. This Sox team has still failed to show me that they can compete against the big boys. I see playoff bound teams winning tough games and convincingly beating the doormats of the league, and I see this Sox team not being able to win 2 against the lowly Royals in the past series (and their pitching getting lit up to add insult to injury).