As MLB’s regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Bart to be re-evaluated:
Giants catcher Joey Bart exited last night’s game against the Cardinals after the seventh inning due to groin tightness, telling reporters (including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle) that he hopes to miss just a few days but will be re-evaluated today. Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, meaning the club will need to make space on the 40-man roster for another catcher should Bart require a stint on the injured list.
In the event that Bart misses time, that would seem to pave the way for veteran catcher Gary Sanchez to join the major league roster after signing with the Giants on a minor league deal at the beginning of the season. Sanchez has scuffled to begin the season in Triple-A, slashing just .146/.327/.171. He has an opt-out date in his minor league contract on May 1.
2. Busch could make big league debut:
With infielder Max Muncy headed to the paternity list and a dearth of infielders available that has already forced Mookie Betts to spend time in the infield in recent days, the Dodgers are reportedly poised to promote top prospect Michael Busch ahead of today’s game against the Pirates. Busch was added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason, so there won’t be a need for a corresponding 40-man move to call Busch up to the majors today.
A first-round pick by the Dodgers in 2019, the 25-year-old Busch is a consensus top-100 prospect in the game. Busch tore up the Double-A level to open the 2022 season and ended up promoted after just 31 games at the level, during which he posted a 1.112 OPS. Since his promotion to Triple-A early last season, Busch has slashed .277/.363/.484, a solid slash line that includes a fantastic .337/.461/.506 slash in 21 games to start the 2023 season.
3. MLBTR Chat today:
We’re now around 15% of the way through the 2023 regular season, with plenty of interesting early season trends to discuss. If the beginning of this season has spurred any questions in your mind about your favorite team or the league as a whole, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
Joey just can’t catch a break… he was batting .300 and had a productive bat leading to Giants’ first run last night in the 7th.
Hopefully this is minor
As the great philosopher Archie Bunker once said,”he pulled a groan.”
Giants would probably be better looking at Patrick Bailey as a catching option before Sanchez, unless they would be ok with bringing Sanchez up then DFA him when not needed. Here’s hoping Joey could just do with a day or 2 rest
Dylan Mulvaney whole-heartedly endorses the Busch promotion.
Friendly reminder that Travis Jankowski is playing regularly for the Rangers and hitting .325/.413/.450
He’s been on the bench 3 of the past 4 days. Is that playing regularly? Taveras is back so Travis isn’t going to play as much, barring injury.
Rest Bart for a few days and he should be good to go back and mash against the Dodgers.
2023 vs. Dodgers:
AVG:.375
OBP: .375
SLG: .375
OPS: 750
wRC+ 110
Old, I like Bart and he was playing well–especially on D. But your numbers are 3 singles in 8 abs. I’m guessing you’re being facetious so I’ll remove the hook from my cheek.
BART needs to back home to Homer Simpson, he’s just not it!
Barts career is a frustrating watch. A non stop 1 step forward, 2 steps back kind of ride. Here’s hoping this is not 2 steps, but just a slight pause in forward progress.
It is nice to know that Joey can handle the position defensively, but despite his early good fortune at the plate, he still strikes out way too much and hasn’t hit for power. I’m rooting for him, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Patrick Bailey get some ABs.
Forget Gary Sanchez.
He does. I’m no tactics guru but a steady diet of off speed seems to be a battle for him.
Also looks like Sabol has a down and in issue that’s being exposed.
I don’t mind either way on the possible replacement. Interesting thing to see either way.
Yeah, I really like Sabol but his LH bat at catcher can’t keep him on the roster if he doesn’t cut down on the Ks..
Sanchez will not be opting out on 5/1. You can take that to the bank.