The Opener: Prospect Debuts, IL Activations, MLBTR Chat

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. Prospects to watch:

A’s right-hander Luis Medina, who came over from the Yankees as part of the Frankie Montas trade at the deadline last year, is expected to make his major league debut today after the club added him to the active roster yesterday. Medina, 24 next week, is known for his power arsenal (including a triple digit fastball) but has struggled badly with command to this point in his career, as evidenced by a career walk rate north of 15% in the minor leagues.

Medina may not be the only prospect who will debut today, however, as The Athletic’s Zack Meisel notes the Guardians are considering promoting right-hander Tanner Bibee for today’s start against the Rockies. Bibee, who was selected by Cleveland in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, made his professional debut just last year but has rapidly ascended through the minor leagues, starting the 2023 season at Triple-A after posting a sterling 1.83 ERA in 73 2/3 innings at the Double-A level last year. Bibee’s hot start to his career has continued in the early going so far this season, with a 1.76 ERA in three starts (15 1/3 innings) for the Guardians’ affiliate in Columbus.

2. Gonsolin, Marquez to be activated:

A pair of starters are set to return to action in the NL West today, as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) that right-hander Tony Gonsolin will be activated from the injured list to make today’s start against the Pirates. Gonsolin, who posted an excellent 2.14 ERA (192 ERA+) in 130 1/3 innings of work last season, will likely go no longer than four innings in his season debut according to Roberts.

Meanwhile, the Rockies are expected to reinstate right-hander German Marquez from the injured list today to start against the Guardians. Marquez, who went on the IL with forearm tightness earlier in the season, has posted a 4.41 ERA in 16 1/3 innings across the three starts he’s made in 2023. The Dodgers will need to make space on the active roster for Gonsolin ahead of today’s game, but there’s no such need for Marquez, as the Rockies designated right-hander Jose Urena for assignment last night.

3. MLBTR chat today:

Yesterday, MLBTR’s Steve Adams fielded questions during yesterday’s live chat, the transcript of which can be found here. If you still have unanswered questions about the beginnings of the 2023 season, you’re in luck, as MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be hosting a live chat of his own today at 5pm CT. You can submit a question in advance here, and you can use the same link to check back in this evening and participate live once the chat begins.