Braves manager Brian Snitker provided updates to reporters (including The Athletic’s David O’Brien) on outfielder Michael Harris II and right-hander Collin McHugh, both of whom went on the injured-list recently. Harris, who is struggling with back tightness, is steadily improving, though he wouldn’t be back in games yet even if he was on the active roster. Harris won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2022 after slashing an excellent .297/.339/.514 in 114 games while playing excellent defense in center field, but was injured seven games into the season when he banged his back against the outfield wall making a catch against the Padres last week. The club has relied on Sam Hilliard in center while Harris is on the shelf.
Meanwhile, McHugh went on the injured list with shoulder inflammation on Thursday, but has resumed throwing and expects to be back with the Braves after a minimum 15-day stint on the IL. After a long stint as a swingman for the Astros, McHugh opted out of the shortened 2020 campaign before re-emerging as a dominant reliever for the Rays in 2021. His dominance continued in 2022 with the Braves as he posted a combined 2.09 ERA in 133 1/3 innings of work across those two seasons. When McHugh returns from the IL, he figures to key piece in the back of the Braves’ bullpen alongside A.J. Minter.
More from around the NL East…
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Mets could explore the market for additional catching options following a Omar Narvaez’s recent injury. Top prospect Francisco Alvarez was called up to replace Narvaez on the roster, and the club has expressed confidence in his ability to fill in for the next two months while Narvaez is expected to be out. Nonetheless, Sherman notes that the club is keeping an eye out for upgrades over their current depth options at catcher, Michael Perez and Nick Meyer. Robinson Chirinos and Austin Romine are among the catchers currently unsigned on the free agent market, though the Mets could certainly also explore the trade market if they’re interested in adding catching depth.
- Despite previous indications that Kody Clemens would take most of the reps at first base following Darick Hall’s thumb surgery, it would appear that the Phillies are now planning on shifting third baseman Alec Bohm over to first base in order to give utilityman Edmundo Sosa a run as the everyday third baseman. As noted by Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, manager Rob Thomson seems interested in what Sosa can do with an everyday opportunity, telling reporters that “we’re going to see what he’s going to do against right-handed pitching.” Sosa got his first extended playing time with the Cardinals in 2021, posting a solid wRC+ of 104 while covering shortstop in addition to second base, third base, and even center field. He struggled mightily in 2022, however, posting just a 49 wRC+ in 53 games with St. Louis prior to being traded to Philadelphia, where he excelled down the stretch in 59 plate appearances that came primarily against southpaws.
The BBRef pictures of the Mets depth options and the unsigned free agent catchers looks like they could be your local contractor’s crew in anytown USA. Which is pretty cool.
Although, Nick Meyer looks like a creepy youth pastor that’s out on parole.
Mothers, overwhelmingly, are the primary abusers of children according to every DHHS Child Maltreatment report ever published, with a prevalence at or greater than the comparative time they spend with children.
It’s important, particularly on a site where intellectual and statistical rigor are prized, to not fall into lazy stereotypes. Cheers,
Found the creepy youth pastor.
Sean Murphy update: 3-for-18 (.167) with a .622 OPS
Technically he’s 0-2 tonight so really up to the minute stats are 3-20 (.158) with a .596 OPS
Other updates:
Ozuna – 0.080 average (yes not a typo) and .553 OPS
Rosario – .174 average and .425 OPS
Love our new catcher acquisition and love our decision to totally ignore our corner outfield spot for a second straight offseason!!!!
Bonus update:
William Contreras is hitting .308
Rare AA miss.
ur calling trading for Sean Murphy a miss… on April 9th?
Yes, because they traded the better player to MIL.
Contreras is good but Murphy is better. Sometimes players need some time to adjust to the new setting. I’m a Mets fan and I think you’re being ungrateful and Of course, I hope he struggles the whole entire season.
I love Contreras but he’s not better than Murphy. He has a slightly better bat but Murphy’s defense is leaps and bounds better. In a perfect world, Contreras would be their DH and Murphy the starting catcher with Ozuna getting the DFA. Either way, Murphy will be fine.
Took a while for Olsen to get going last year, too. Same with Murphy this year. New team, new pitchers to catch, new league, moving cross country etc. Come season’s end, Murphy will provide his usual GG catching with decent offense. Maybe something like .255 18 70.
You and mj-2 should go on a date.
Honestly, no one on here cares about your opinions.
You speak for everyone now, Sid?
That TR badge go to your head?
He actually does. We all took a vote in 2020.
Sorry, bronxmac77 it was vote or die back then, and it appears you didn’t vote.
Heh heh heh heh…
HEH HEH HEHEHE HEH!
I didn’t vote. Didn’t die, thank God.
Uses batting average on April 9 to prove one player is better than the other. Mutes that simpleton.
He gets that a lot. I bet the echo in his chamber is deafening.
Bone your own updates.
So is Acuña a Wins BELOW Replacement player?
What a terrible take. Nevermind part of why Murphy hasn’t found his groove is bc Snit has been playing the hot hand, d’Arnaud, until he got injured. Don’t note that Rosario was solid in ST/WBC and hit the ball hard, despite the results (bad luck) or Ozuna was great in ST, fwiw. Also, nevermind we are 9 games into the season…or 5% done. lol
mj-2 gave you the finger, Run. Figuratively of course. Thoughts?
RunDMC says your take sucks sour buttermilk (paraphrasing slightly).
Thoughts?
RunDMC right on cue with all the excuses in the book.
Might want to slow down though. Like you said we’re only 5% through the season. Don’t want you running out of excuses halfway through or else you might have to start finally admitting the massive mistake it was to trade Contreras for Murphy while totally ignoring the corner OF again.
Imagine pointing to the WBC and ST as your evidence why things will turn for Rosario or Ozuna though… lmao! The desperation is very real. You sure they weren’t red hot during batting practice too?
Also is there some reason Murphy is sitting so much for the hot hand D’Arnaud? Last I checked according to all of you Murphy was brought in for his defense while also being a plus offensive weapon. And I believe there’s this thing called DH where the hot hand could have been exercised for D’Arnaud.l while taking advantage of Murphy’s defense (with the occasional off day).
Or were those ST results from Ozuna just too tempting to pass up lol
We’re not even at the bottom yet sadly, because Arcia has still been riding hot himself and will undoubtedly come back down to Earth too. This is what happens when total neglect of a lineup occurs.
He says he mutes you. That’s a figurative ‘talk-to-the-hand” move.
Thoughts?
@mj2; LF hasn’t been ignored by the Braves FO. You just conveniently ignore the salary commitments to Ozuna ($16,250M for both 2023/24) and Rosario ($9M 2023 w/2024 option) as if they don’t exist. Pillar, White, and Hilliard also draw another $4.5M between them. Braves were lucky to dump Ludlow’s $1.4M on the Jays to lessen the over pay. What did you want the Braves to do about left field? Did you expect them to tie up another $25-30M on the position? They were already on the hook for more total 2023 salary to LF than they’re paying any other position player BEFORE adding FOUR low cost options in the off season. You should also consider the fact that Murphy provides a huge defensive upgrade over Contreras. While you’re at it, take a look at the poor performance of the Brewers pitchers w/Contreras so far. W/the new rule changes, handling pitchers, throwing out sb attempts, and overall catcher defense is more important. Did you ever notice the many times Braves pitchers shook off Contreras last season, how they had to change pitch locations/reduce and alter pitch selection because he couldn’t block pitches, or the way opposing baserunners ran at will on him? Wright in particular should benefit greatly from a better defensive catcher. Btw—big deal on Contreras .308 ba. What about his 98 OPS+ w/no homers yet this season. Citing 20 Sean Murphy ab’s and 26 Contreras ab’s aren’t nearly a large enough sample size to grade their offensive performance. Brewer fans might like Contreras bat (if he starts to show any power) but they’re going to wince at his defense.
Yikes—-what’s up w/the site posting my reply to mj2 3 times?
I’ve already deleted one comment 6 times and have to click OK twice to do so—the final insult!!
@NashvilleJeff Point to salary committed violates the Sunk Cost Fallacy unless other factors play in==which they don’t appear to.
If you’re flushed $16m down the toilet on Ozuna, why increase the insult by insisting he take the field? He’s been sub-replacement level since the end of 2020. Can the Braves really find no 0.0 WAR LFers with a little bit of upside for a few bucks? Do they really want Ozuna to cost them a division title by a game b/c they dug in and said ‘by god, we’re paying you a fortune, so we’re going to sink right along with you’?
I thought AA was much, much smarter than that.
Sunk Cost Fallacy definitely applies to the Braves LF situation. Other factors? As I mentioned, Ozuna’s $16M and Rosario’s $9M add up to the largest amount allocated to any position on the roster. AA did target and add low cost options in Jordan Luplow $1.4M, Eli White $714K, Sam Hilliard $714K, and Kevin Pillar $3M. Luplow was waived and claimed by the Jays last week. Braves pundits are claiming that Ozuna is being heavily used in April (and maybe into May) in an attempt to let him regain value. Good inputs, bad results so far. White, Hilliard, and Pillar have been getting playing time along w/Ozuna/Rosario (mostly due to Michael Harris II’s injury). I expect them to be Rosario’s 3-headed platoon partner in LF when the Braves dfa Ozuna. Rosario’s on pretty thin ice himself, but it seems he’ll get a longer leash than Ozuna—again, according to pundits.
Should have been clearer by saying that as a result of the amount already allocated to LF, AA did add 4 low cost options in Luplow, White, Hilliard, and Pillar.
Baseball is a marathon. Not a Sprint. Let’s compare stats in August. Nevermind Sean Murphy’s above average defensive prowess
What’s the Sean Murphy update? This is why you don’t pretend to be smart and say moronic things. Players make you sound dumb quickly
Where’s that Sean Murphy update?? Thanks for the win, mj-2!
Can I get an update on Sean Murphy?
Thompson may be feeling the heat? Seems like he’s done a bit of overthinking so far?
He brought in Kimbrel in the 8th (it “seems”) to prove a point that there is “no” official closer….
Let Kimbrel get the “easy” saves, it’s kinda what he’s wired for…..Seranthony has his $, let him do what he’s good at…
Hope I am wrong…but as a lifelong Philly (of any sport) maybe I am wired too tight?
Kimbrel isn’t wired to do anything but suck. He shouldn’t be above anyone in the BP pecking order than Vasuqez and Moore (i.e. a guy who shouldn’t be here and a guy with 0 career appearances). OFC, the bigger issue is DD in giving that man a contract. He’s HORRIBLE.
Kimbrel will be fine- The Phillies can’t blow late leads to teamss- – especially not teams such ad Cin- one of the worst teams in MLB!.The Phils are dealing w/ an awful lot of injuries already with Harper out til ?? Hoskins is out for the season, Darick Hall is out for a while,and his LH power was going to be counted on in place of Hoskins.
They also have Ranger + Painter out + need to get back ASAP. Today VS. Alcantara I’d like to see a lineuo like SS Turner 2B Stott 1B Bohm LF Schwarber DH JT RF Castellanos CF Marsh C Stubbs 3B Sosa . Hopefully the team can take at least 5 W’S from the 6 games vs MIA (3) and @CIN (3)
Should have kept David Robertson and Brad Hand. Both did reasonably well last year in Philly. Really didn’t get the Kimbrel signing.
Brad Hand sucked
Kimbrel has not looked good in the early going. Almost gave away Tuesday night’s win in NY and crumbled with two outs on the 8th to give the Reds life Sunday, I a game they grabbed an inning later.
Braves are getting absolutely smashed (suh-MASHED) by the Padres.
Thoughts?
Ha-Seong Kim and Happy Easter!
Happy Easter, my friend.
You must be Gwynning from ear to ear.
I’ll spare the finer details, but Ha-Seong’s homer off Rosario’s glove won me both my opening Fantasy match-up and an absolutely HUGE personal bet for a hot date! Clutch gains, I’m so stoked! Cheers amigos
You play Fantasy Baseball for hot dates! Man, I gotta move out west. We only play for beer money. BTW, we expect a full report on that date.
Eh, sounds better your way, Backup… but it was two separate things entirely. The hot date comes off a sidebet with a sizzling hot ATL fan… and the kicker is she gets to pay for the dinner! I’m counting my blessings today, mate. Go Pads =)
Rookie pitcher’s 2nd start (1st at home/1st national TV) vs. one of MLB’s best lineups.
mj-2 says you’re an excuse machine. Paraphrasing of course. Thoughts?
Context isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Sorry, didn’t see mj-2’s muted comments. Not missing anything.
I get you. I mute quite a few myself.
Thoughts? Hmm, I’d say my thought is ATL won the WS a couple seasons ago and SD hasn’t ever won anything.
Ancient history, Nicky.
But thanks for the snow sled all those years ago.
Whatever you say bud. Your teams trophy case is empty. Have fun with that.
Your team is getting pantsed and pink-hineyed in public, Nicky. Right now. Today! National TV! But let’s raise a glass of spiked eggnog to better days! Salut!
I’ll raise a glass to you being a troll. Go dust that trophy case pinky.
Heyyyyyyy…
What’s with all the animus, Nicky?
No trolling here. Everyone gets their ashcan handed to them once in a while. If I’m gonna dust off any trophies though, those 1996 & 1999 World Series trophies by the NYY still look great.
Remember Mark WHOA-lers?
All the best, Saint Nick.
Who’s on the sled ride now? 😉
The Padres were today, big guy.
Braves look like they got run over by Rudolph and his seven buddies. Not to worry. Sun doesn’t shine on the same dog’s ass every day.
Here’s to better times.
10-1, 6th. Maybe a Manfred Mercy Rule coming next year?
The reign of Edmundo Sosa begins! Excellent decision Phils!
San Diego can’t get out of town too soon!!
Bring on those Redlegs!
I watched Francisco Alvarez Mets prospect Catcher today. My evaluation is he is not what he is hyped to be. Wild swinger at the plate 2 SOs in clutch spots, looks to have power but he can be pitched to. Defensively 5 SBs against with a throwing error Mets 1st of Season.
Mets are in trouble with aging SP Carrasco is cooked 90 MPH heater tired by the 5th inning. No power in lineup after Alonso, dead weight Escobar at 3B and no starting catcher, no DH. Marte may be injured with his head first slide into 3B.
Rough debut?
Bronxmac77,
Alvarez reminds me of Gary Sanchez
Gary actually hit 60 bombs in his first 162 games. He once hit an intentional ball to the CF warning track. I think it was a sac fly. Somehow he ran off the rails.
Well he has trouble with the slider and he’ll K a ton but so did Alonso at first
Wow. The Braves got THUMPED.
I mean to tell ya.
Lots of injuries in the NL East and we’re only in mid April. Makes you appreciate the depth acquisitions that teams make. You know, the ones that everyone on here loves to make fun of.
Good grief. I replied to mj2 and the site repeated my comments a half dozen times. Ugh. Tried to delete the extras, but it wouldn’t let me.
He should have just barreled into him and broke the rule rather than trying to slide
This is more fake news. The Mets would just go to Michael Perez if they want a catcher