Buster Posey Exits Game Due To Thumb Contusion
11:17PM: Manager Gabe Kapler confirmed that Posey wouldn’t be starting Monday’s game, but told reporters (including Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area) that Posey might be available off the bench.
11:01PM: Giants catcher Buster Posey left tonight’s game with a left thumb contusion after he was struck by a foul ball from the Diamondbacks’ Daulton Varsho. Posey stayed in the game for the remainder of Varsho’s at-bat but was then replaced behind the plate by backup Curt Casali.
X-rays were negative on Posey’s thumb, as reported by The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly (Twitter links) and other journalists following the game. This is undoubtedly a huge sign of relief for the team and San Francisco fans, given how a more severe injury could have threatened to derail both the Giants’ dream season and Posey’s big comeback year. The veteran is hitting .328/.421/.547 with 12 home runs through 233 plate appearances, and is on pace for his best season since his MVP campaign in 2012.
Posey’s resurgence earned him a well-deserved starting slot on the NL All-Star team, though his participation in his seventh Midsummer Classic might now be up in the air if the Giants want him to take it easy in the wake of this injury. An injured list visit might not be entirely out of the question, though Baggarly notes that Posey was already scheduled to sit during tomorrow’s game with the Cardinals. The Giants also have an off-day on Thursday, so this rest might be enough for Posey to avoid the IL.
Casali has posted some decent numbers during his career but hasn’t produced much in 2021, hitting only .192/.298/.313 in 114 PA. He could handle the starting duties in the event of a brief Posey IL stint, and Chadwick Tromp would likely be called up from Triple-A for backup duty. Top prospect Joey Bart is demolishing pitching at Triple-A, though Bart is himself dealing with an injury after being hit by a pitch on his foot during Friday’s game.
Angels Injury Notes: Rendon, Ward, Upton
The Angels moved back over the .500 mark with today’s 6-5 walkoff victory over the Orioles, though it may have been a costly win as both Anthony Rendon (left hamstring tightness) and Taylor Ward (right index index finger) made early exits due to potential injuries. The early word from the team training staff is that neither injury seems particularly serious, manager Joe Maddon told The Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris and other reporters. Rendon and Ward are both questionable for Monday’s game with the Red Sox, but any absence “should not be something elongated. That’s the original diagnosis I’ve been given,” Maddon said.
Rendon has already missed a little over three weeks due to two separate IL stints earlier this season, and also been bothered by a triceps strain. It’s safe to assume these issues have been a factor in Rendon’s underwhelming .240/.329/.382 slash line, though the third baseman has been heating up over the last week. Rendon’s hamstring problem forced him out of the game in the sixth inning, Maddon said, after Rendon attempted to field an infield single from Baltimore’s Austin Hays.
Ward suffered a jammed finger while diving back to a base, according to Maddon. The Angels’ outfield injuries have results in quite a bit of playing time for Ward this season, who has embraced the opportunity by hitting a solid .247/.333/.437 (113 wRC+) with seven homers over 199 PA. The 27-year-old was originally called up from Triple-A on May 5 as part of a series of roster moves that included Rendon’s second IL placement.
The team can hardly afford to be short any more position players, as Justin Upton‘s sore back will keep him on the injured list beyond the 10-day minimum. Upton was eligible to be activated today, though Maddon said before the game (to The Orange County Register’s Jeff Fletcher and other reporters) that Upton is “still not quite ready….So we’re just gonna have to make sure that he gets all the proper work in before he gets out there. We need to get him out there, do some defensive work running a little bit, etc.” The Halos manager doesn’t think Upton’s absence will last through the week and into the All-Star break, as Maddon believes Upton could be ready to play “any day now.”
Blue Jays Submit Proposal To Return To Toronto By July 30
The Blue Jays are hoping to receive approval from the Canadian government to return to Toronto for a homestand that begins on July 30, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi writes. The team submitted their proposal “in recent weeks,” and officials from both the city of Toronto and the province of Ontario have okayed the concept.
Canada’s restrictions regarding COVID-19 quarantines will be eased (though not eliminated) on July 5 for Canadian citizens who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and are returning across the border. As Davidi notes, non-vaccinated players on the Jays and other teams could potentially face some type of modified quarantine situation — likely some type of a bubble environment limiting them to traveling to and from Rogers Centre and the team hotel.
Team president Mark Shapiro has said that the organization would require about three weeks to fully move operations from Buffalo to Toronto, though there is some flexibility within that timeframe. The Blue Jays are either on the road or off for much of the rest of July, with a six-game homestand in Buffalo from July 16-21 representing their only home dates until the 30th.
Needless to say, the organization and its players would immensely welcome a return to Rogers Centre after over one and a half seasons of nomadic baseball. The Blue Jays played home games in Buffalo during the abbreviated 2020 season, then used Dunedin as their home base in April and May of this season before returning to Buffalo on June 1. If approval isn’t granted in time for the July 30-August 8 homestand, the Blue Jays don’t have another home date scheduled until August 20, when a seven-game stint against the Tigers and White Sox will run until August 26.
Should the earlier approval become a reality, however, July 30 will suddenly stand out as one of the more notable days in Jays history. Not only will they finally be back in their home ballpark, but the trade deadline falls on that same day, and the Jays have all the makings of a team looking to buy. It’s fair to assume that the Blue Jays will take an aggressive approach to the deadline with or without a Rogers Centre return slated for July 30, though landing a big acquisition would be the icing on the cake for what would be a celebratory day for Toronto fans.
MLBTR Chat Transcript
Click here to read the transcript of tonight’s live baseball chat…
Injured List Returns: Hoerner, Benintendi, Villar, Snell
The Cubs activated Nico Hoerner off the 10-day injured list prior to today’s 3-2 loss to the Reds, with infielder Sergio Alcantara optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move. Hoerner has been out of action since May 26 due to a left hamstring strain, and that was after already missing time earlier in May with a left forearm strain. Since Hoerner wasn’t called up from the alternate training site until April 22, today marked only the 22nd game of the season for the former top prospect.
Hoerner only showed flashes of his promise during the 2019-20 seasons, but was off to a strong start this year, hitting .338/.405/.432 in his first 84 plate appearances of the 2021 campaign. The Cubs are desperate for any sort of reinforcements, as a nine-game losing streak has sent them spiraling down the NL Central standings and down to an even 42-42 record.
More on some notable names returning to action today…
- Andrew Benintendi was activated off the Royals‘ 10-day IL prior to the team’s 6-2 loss to the Twins. A right rib fracture sent Benintendi to the IL on June 14, and the relatively quick return is a particularly good sign considering that rib injuries essentially ruined the outfielder’s 2020 season. Benintendi had done a good job of bouncing back from that down year, hitting .283/.340/.429 with eight home runs over 241 plate appearances. The Royals optioned Edward Olivares to Triple-A to make room for Benintendi’s activation.
- In between games of their doubleheader with the Yankees, the Mets activated infielder Jonathan Villar off the 10-day IL, with outfielder Albert Almora Jr. going down to Triple-A. Villar had a retroactive placement of June 22 with a right calf strain, so he’ll miss only slightly beyond the 10-day minimum. Amidst multiple injuries within the Mets’ infield this season, Villar has ended up being a major contributor, hitting .246/.333/.410 with six homers in 208 PA while seeing the bulk of action as New York’s starting third baseman.
- Blake Snell tossed four shutout innings in the Padres‘ 11-1 rout of the Phillies today, as Snell was activated off the injured list in time for the start. Snell was technically placed on the COVID-related IL while battling a case of food poisoning, which is why he was able to be activated today despite landing on the injured list on June 30. (Snell tested negative for COVID-19.) While Snell has a 4.99 ERA for the season, he has now tossed nine scoreless innings over his last two outings, hinting at a potential turnaround for the lefty’s first season in San Diego. Right-hander Mason Thompson was optioned to Triple-A to create roster space for Snell.
MLB Announces All-Star Rosters
With the starters in this year’s All-Star Game already revealed, the remainder of the American League and National League rosters were revealed this evening. Some adjustments are guaranteed to take place, of course, since some players won’t be participating due to injury or other reasons. The Midsummer Classic will take place on July 13 at Coors Field in Denver.
American League
- Angels: Shohei Ohtani (starting DH, and also named to the team as a pitcher), Mike Trout (starting OF), Jared Walsh
- Astros: Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, Carlos Correa, Ryan Pressly
- Athletics: Matt Olson
- Blue Jays: Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (starting 1B), Teoscar Hernandez (starting OF), Marcus Semien (starting 2B)
- Indians: Shane Bieber, Jose Ramirez
- Mariners: Yusei Kikuchi
- Orioles: Cedric Mullins
- Rangers: Joey Gallo, Adolis Garcia, Kyle Gibson
- Rays: Mike Zunino
- Red Sox: Matt Barnes, Xander Bogaerts (starting SS), Rafael Devers (starting 3B), Nathan Eovaldi, J.D. Martinez
- Royals: Salvador Perez (starting C)
- Tigers: Gregory Soto
- Twins: Nelson Cruz
- White Sox: Liam Hendriks, Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon
- Yankees: Aroldis Chapman, Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge (starting OF)
National League
- Braves: Ronald Acuna Jr. (starting OF), Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman (starting 1B)
- Brewers: Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, Brandon Woodruff
- Cardinals: Nolan Arenado (starting 3B), Alex Reyes
- Cubs: Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel
- Diamondbacks: Eduardo Escobar
- Dodgers: Mookie Betts, Max Muncy (presumptive starting DH), Chris Taylor
- Giants: Brandon Crawford, Kevin Gausman, Buster Posey (starting C)
- Marlins: Trevor Rogers
- Mets: Jacob deGrom
- Nationals: Kyle Schwarber, Juan Soto, Trea Turner
- Padres: Jake Cronenworth, Yu Darvish, Mark Melancon, Fernando Tatis Jr. (starting SS)
- Phillies: J.T. Realmuto, Zack Wheeler
- Pirates: Adam Frazier (starting 2B), Bryan Reynolds
- Reds: Nick Castellanos (starting OF), Jesse Winker (starting OF)
- Rockies: German Marquez
Brewers Acquire Kevin Kramer From Pirates
The Brewers and Pirates have swung an inter-division trade, with utilityman Kevin Kramer going to Milwaukee. In return, Pittsburgh will receive left-hander Nathan Kirby.
Though it’s usually rare for division rivals to combine on trades, the Pirates and Brewers have been relatively frequent trade partners in recent years, and in fact just completed another deal of minor leaguers just a little over a week ago. Today’s trade sees the two clubs swap a pair of fairly high picks from the 2015 amateur draft.
Kramer has 43 games’ worth of big league experience, all coming with the Pirates during the 2018-19 seasons, and he produced only a .387 OPS over 90 career plate appearances. A second-round pick for the Bucs in the 2015 draft, Kramer posted considerably better numbers during his minor league career, though he also struggled at Triple-A Indianapolis this season, hitting .196/.318/.296 over 214 PA. The 2020 season was a complete wash for Kramer due to hip surgery in May 2020.
The 27-year-old Kramer will provide the Brew Crew with some farm system depth, and he also fits Milwaukee’s preferred model of a multi-positional player. Most of Kramer’s pro career has been spent as a second baseman, but he has also seen quite a bit of time at shortstop, third base, and both corner outfield slots.
While Kramer was chosen 62nd overall in 2015, Kirby went even higher, taken 40th overall as the Brewers’ pick in Competitive Balance Round A. Since being drafted, however, Kirby’s pro career has still almost barely begun, with just 102 1/3 total innings pitched (71 coming in the 2018 season). The southpaw has been ravaged by injuries, including both a Tommy John surgery and a thoracic outlet syndrome procedure.
Kirby finally got back on the mound this season for the first time since 2018, and he has a 1.93 ERA, 23.17% strikeout rate, and a troublingly high 15.85% walk rate in 18 2/3 bullpen innings for Double-A Biloxi. Kirby is still only 27 years old, so the Pirates are taking a flier to see if Kirby has a second act to his career, and if he can perhaps eventually reach the majors as a reliever.
Mets Interested In Asdrubal Cabrera
The Mets have been scouting Diamondbacks infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports. Cabrera would be a pure rental pickup for New York, as the veteran signed a one-year, $1.75MM contract with the D’Backs last winter.
This lack of long-term control makes Cabrera one of the likelier players to be dealt prior to the July 30 trade deadline, as the Diamondbacks are clearly in seller mode and are willing to move (almost) anyone on the roster. Cabrera is also a known quantity for the Mets, having played in Queens from 2016 until July 2018, when he was sent to the Phillies as part of another deadline swap.
Cabrera enjoyed a lot of success in his previous stint in a Mets uniform, and he has continued to be an above-average player even in his age-35 season, despite missing three weeks due to a hamstring strain. Entering today’s action, Cabrera has hit .251/.348/.402 with five homers over 210 plate appearances, good for a 106 wRC+ and OPS+.
However, the Statcast numbers are less appealing, as Cabrera isn’t making much hard contact and he has only a .304 xwOBA, well below his .322 wOBA. Cabrera’s 12.4% walk rate is the largest of his 15-year MLB career, though that might have more to do with pitchers avoiding Cabrera within a lackluster D’Backs lineup than any particular newfound patience at the plate.
The Mets wouldn’t necessarily need Cabrera to be an everyday contributor, as their troubled third base picture will eventually start to get more clarity once Jonathan Villar and J.D. Davis return from the injured list. Villar is expected to be activated tonight and Davis is on a minor league rehab assignment, though since Davis is a defensive question mark at best at third base, the Mets could prefer to deploy him in the outfield. This would open the door for Cabrera and Villar to share time as a switch-hitting platoon at third base, and provide depth all over the infield. A shortstop for much of his career, Cabrera has played all three other infield spots almost exclusively since the start of the 2019 season.
Mariners Sign Shane Carle
The Mariners have signed reliever Shane Carle to a minor league contract, per Mike Curto, broadcaster for Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. The 29-year-old has been assigned to the Rainiers.
Carle signed a minors pact with the Reds in February. He spent the entire season with Cincinnati’s top farm team in Louisville, working to a 3.45 ERA with decent strikeout and walk rates (21.7% and 7.2%, respectively). Despite the solid performance, Cincinnati released Carle earlier this week rather than add him to the big league roster.
The right-hander appeared in the majors with the Rockies and Braves between 2017-19. The overwhelming majority of his playing time came with Atlanta in 2018, when Carle worked to a 2.86 ERA over 63 frames. His peripherals never supported that run prevention level, though. Carle only struck out 16.6% of batters faced that year while walking an average 10.4% of opponents, contributing to a less inspiring 4.59 SIERA.
Carle got off to a bad start the following season, allowing ten runs on eleven hits and nine walks while striking out six. The Braves designated him for assignment after just six appearances, and he didn’t return to the majors after being acquired by the Rangers. Nevertheless, there’s no harm for the Mariners in brining him aboard as high minors depth, particularly given his solid numbers with Louisville this year.
Yankees Release Robinson Chirinos, Nick Goody
The Yankees have released catcher Robinson Chirinos and right-hander Nick Goody from their minor league deals, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com (Twitter link). As expected, utilityman Derek Dietrich has also been let go after triggering his opt-out clause.
Chirinos signed with the Yankees over the winter. He was hit by a pitch in Spring Training, though, fracturing his right wrist. That injury required surgery, delaying the veteran’s debut with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Chirinos ultimately appeared in just thirteen games with the RailRiders. He mashed at a .278/.422/.556 clip but also struck out in 16 of his 45 plate appearances. With the Yankees catching duo of Gary Sánchez and Kyle Higashioka set, Chirinos will look for another opportunity elsewhere. The 37-year-old has appeared in parts of nine major league seasons, compiling a .231/.325/.431 line.
Goody, like Chirinos, signed with New York last offseason. It was his second stint in the organization, as the 29-year-old began his MLB career with the Yankees in 2015. The 29-year-old has pitched to a 2.86 ERA with an elite 36.5% strikeout rate and a lower than average 8.2% walk percentage with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. That wasn’t enough to earn a place in a crowded Yankee bullpen, but it should draw the attention of other clubs with more glaring relief needs. Goody has a 4.19 ERA/3.84 SIERA in parts of six big league seasons.