As the month of April approaches its close, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Dodgers roster moves incoming:
The Dodgers are expected to make a handful of roster moves in the near future, with infielder Max Muncy and reliever Brusdar Graterol likely set to come off the paternity list. It’s possible that catcher Will Smith will also be activated from the 7-day concussion IL, but it seems as though he isn’t expected to return to work behind the plate just yet. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic) that if J.D. Martinez, who hasn’t played in a few days due to back soreness, requires an IL stint of his own, Smith could be an option at DH while Martinez is on the shelf. Each of Muncy, Graterol, and Smith will require a corresponding move to clear space on the active roster, though if Martinez does hit in the injured list that would clear one spot.
2. Injuries to watch this weekend:
Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez (neck discomfort) and Giants catcher Joey Bart (groin tightness) have both missed three games due to injury at this point. Given stints on the IL can only be backdated a maximum of three days, it seems likely that each player will be re-evaluated by their club today to determine if they need to make a trip to the IL. Other injury situations to keep an eye on are those of AL MVP Aaron Judge, who left yesterday’s game with right hip discomfort but expects to only be sidelined for a few days, and Twins right-hander Tyler Mahle, who left yesterday’s game with elbow soreness. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters (including The Athletic’s Dan Hayes), Mahle is day-to-day, but was unsure if Mahle would require an MRI.
3. 2022 World Series rematch series:
The Phillies are headed to Minute Maid Park for a rematch of the 2022 World Series against the world champion Astros, with the series set to kick off tonight at 7:10pm CT. Both teams struggled to open the season, spending most of the month under .500. Both now appear to be finding their footing, with the Astros pulling into a first place tie with the Rangers in the AL West while the Phillies rebounded from a 5-10 record to win seven of their last ten, returning the club to an even record. The teams will match up this weekend in Houston, with left-hander Framber Valdez squaring off against right-hander Aaron Nola to kick the series off tonight at 7:10 CT.
First
Was Abner Doubleday non-binary?
That was strikingly off base. Even though you had a ball writing it, I wouldn’t balk at crying foul.
The Dodgers’ time as a dominant (regular season) team is over. Everyone who’s in the know, knows. They didn’t even get a single legitimate World Series title out of it and the fact that the Rays kept on going right along (and actually got better) after Friedman left further proves that Friedman was a product of the Rays system, and not the other way around. Urias is gone from the Dodgers after this season and that will be another huge loss for them. They have also been trying to resign Buehler yet he has shown no interest. Clayton Chokeshaw (a horrible choker when it actually matters but still a good regular season pitcher) could also retire/leave at any time.
Who is “everyone”?
Well the Rays don’t have a banner, legitimate or not. So there is that
Who hurt you as a child?
The Dodgers are likely to replace Urias and/or Kershaw with Shohei Ohtani next winter (which would probably entice Kershaw to stay at least another year). While this years team is definitely not as dominant or as deep in years past every streak comes to an end
My thoughts exactly Rsox. It’s good to see the Dodgers mortal again, makes you appreciate how good they were. They have a ton of prospects they’ll be good sooner than later.
Waiting on Ohtani.
It’s clear you dislike the Dodgers but your complete ignorance about the team, and the fact you believe anything you hear or read renders your comment irrelevant.
Dodgers are just trash this year. They lost 2 of 3 to the Pirates and almost got swept out of town, as the Pirates made that game a close game.
Also, nice to see other teams at the top of their division. I now it’s early but I hope some of them can stay up there and get into the playoffs. I’d love to watch a Pirates-Rays World Series.
The Pirates have been fun to watch so far this season (sans the sweep of the Sox in Fenway). Not sure if it is sustainable over the whole season but you cannot underestimate the power of bringing in guys like Rich Hill and Carlos Santana that have been to the World Series or bringing back a franchise icon like Andrew McCutchen can have on a young team
When you’re batting Jason Heyward third in the lineup, you know you’re in trouble.
The Dodgers got swept at home by the Pirates in a series last year. Anything can happen in three games.
The Astros have never been “world champion” of anything other than Murica, F@&k Yeah! Japan is the world champion by result of winning this year’s World Baseball Classic.
These times demand accuracy!
MLB has teams throughout the globe, with the league’s 30 franchises based in multiple countries — such as the Kansas City Royals (USA) and Toronto Blue Jays (Canada).
yes, Houston has truly conquered the world
Astros cheat