Archives for May 2023

Darin Ruf Elects Free Agency

By Mark Polishuk | May 13, 2023 at 7:13pm CDT

The Giants announced that Darin Ruf has cleared waivers, and elected to become a free agent rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A (hat tip to MLB.com’s Maria I. Guardado). Ruf was designated for assignment earlier this week, and due to his Major League service time, he was eligible to reject the outright assignment and re-enter the open market.

Ruf’s second stint in San Francisco began when the Mets released him in early April, and Ruf rejoined the Giants on a minor league deal. While he was pretty quickly selected onto their big league roster, Ruf only appeared in nine games before being placed on the 10-day injured list due to right wrist inflammation. The Giants activated him from the injured list on the same day of his DFA.

Though in a brief sample size of 27 plate appearances, Ruf hit a respectable .261/.370/.348, mostly in his usual role against left-handed pitching. Ruf has mashed southpaws for most of his nine MLB seasons, so between these splits and his ability to chip in as a first baseman and corner outfielder, there stands a pretty good chance that Ruf can catch on with another team. Even with the Giants’ love of platooning and matchups, their roster is crowded enough that Ruf apparently didn’t want to wait in Triple-A for another opportunity to open up in San Francisco.

Ruf’s return to free agency doesn’t impact his salary, as the Mets are still responsible for the bulk of the $3.5MM he is owed for the 2023 season. A new team will only have to pay Ruf the prorated portion of the minimum Major League salary, as the Giants did during his short time on their roster.

AL West Notes: McCullers, Brown, Smith

By Mark Polishuk | May 13, 2023 at 6:27pm CDT

Rotation depth has become a big story in Houston, as the Astros have lost Jose Urquidy until roughly the All-Star break due to shoulder discomfort and Luis Garcia for the whole season due to Tommy John surgery. This makes Lance McCullers Jr.’s recovery from a forearm strain all the more important to the Astros’ plans, yet it still isn’t clear exactly when the right-hander might be able to return. Manager Dusty Baker told the Houston Chronicle’s Danielle Lerner and other reporters that he is “not sure exactly when” McCullers might face live batters as part of his rehab, “but we just hope he doesn’t have any setbacks that would take him backwards.”

Because McCullers’ injury took place so early in Spring Training, it’s been a long process for the righty in both getting healthy and then rebuilding his arm strength. McCullers told Lerner and company that he threw around 35 pitches as part of a bullpen session today, tossing three different pitches with plans to add a cutter during his next bullpen, tentatively slated for Tuesday. McCullers has yet to throw any off-speed pitchers off a mound, but that next step might come next weekend, as he is already throwing his off-speed repertoire while working on flat ground. Though the Astros can retroactively shift McCullers to the 60-day injured list if necessary, his initial placement on the 15-day IL provided an early indication that the club hopes he can return before the end of May.

Latest On TJ Friedl

By Darragh McDonald | May 13, 2023 at 5:29pm CDT

TODAY: Reds manager David Bell gave the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith (Twitter links) and other reporters a positive update on Friedl, saying that the MRI result revealed only “mild” damage. However, “the area it’s in, you have to stay cautious….In the next 48 hours, we’ll decide if he goes to the IL or not.” Even if Friedl does need to visit the injured list, Bell expressed hope that Friedl might only take a relatively minimal absence, since “he’s feeling pretty good. Some guys can be out 3-to-6 weeks. I don’t think it’s that type of situation.“

MAY 11: Reds outfielder TJ Friedl left today’s game due to soreness in his side and will be undergoing an MRI, reports Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

To this point, it’s unclear if Friedly is facing any sort of serious issue, with the imaging sure to provide more clarity. But if he did end up having to miss some time, it would be a disappointing development with Friedl being one of the bright spots on a rebuilding Reds club this year.

The 27-year-old has taken 138 trips to the plate in 2023 and is hitting .306/.351/.468 in that time for a wRC+ of 115, indicating he’s been 15% better than the league average hitter. He won’t be able to maintain a .376 batting average on balls in play for the entire season but he’s long had strong bat-to-ball skills. His 21% strikeout rate so far this year would be higher than any of his previous stops in his career, majors or minors, but is still a bit below the 22.7% league average for major leaguers in 2023.

Friedl was given negative grades for his defense in his first couple of seasons but has seemingly made some strides here in 2023. He has a +4 from Defensive Runs Saved, +1 Outs Above Average and a grade of 1.9 from Ultimate Zone Rating. He also has four stolen bases and his sprint speed is considered by Statcast to be in the 85th percentile. When combined with his solid work at the plate, he’s produced 1.3 wins above replacement already this year in the eyes of FanGraphs, enough to give him the team lead.

If Friedl were to require a stint on the injured list, the club would have to come up with a plan for center field. Friedl had been sharing the position with Nick Senzel, but the latter has been playing more third base of late, kicking Spencer Steer over to first. Perhaps they could move Steer back over to the hot corner and Senzel to center, but they might also look to other options if they are happy with how things have been going of late. Jose Barrero has been primarily a shortstop, splitting that spot with Kevin Newman, but also has a handful of starts in center and could perhaps get some more time there.

The Reds will likely be hoping they don’t have to consider such contingency plans with the ideal outcome being that Friedl’s MRI doesn’t find anything concerning. He came into this season with less than a year of service time and could be a long-term part of the club’s roster if he continues to have solid results as an all-around contributor.

Phillies Reinstate Ranger Suarez From 15-Day Injured List

By Mark Polishuk | May 13, 2023 at 4:29pm CDT

Ranger Suarez is set to make his season debut, as the Phillies reinstated the left-hander from the 15-day injured list. Suarez is slated to start tonight’s game against the Rockies. The corresponding move was made yesterday, when the Phillies optioned right-hander Luis Ortiz to Triple-A.

Left forearm tightness prematurely ended Suarez’s work with Venezuela during the World Baseball Classic, and the southpaw ended up starting the season on the 15-day IL due to what was described as an elbow strain. While missing almost a month and a half of action is no small matter, it is at least good news that Suarez avoided any of the more serious and longer-term injuries that can arise from forearm and elbow issues. Suarez looked pretty sharp over three minor league rehab outings, allowing just one earned run over nine total innings pitched at Double-A and Triple-A.

After beginning his first three big league seasons as a reliever, Suarez had a breakout 2021 season while working out of both the rotation and the bullpen, posting a 1.36 ERA over 106 innings. Given a full-time role in Philadelphia’s rotation in 2022, Suarez posted a 3.65 ERA over 155 1/3 frames, capitalizing on a 55.4% grounder rate and some solid hard-contact numbers despite below-average strikeout and walk rates. Suarez then took things up another level during the Phillies’ playoff run, delivering an excellent 1.23 ERA over 14 2/3 postseason innings.

Technically, the Phillies didn’t miss much from Suarez’s absence, since Matt Strahm pitched well in fill-in capacity in the rotation. However, Strahm was moved back to the bullpen in advance of Suarez’s return, as the Phils have opted to continue using Bailey Falter as a starting pitcher. Falter has only a 5.75 ERA over 36 innings and seven starts this season, though he isn’t alone in struggling, as Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Taijuan Walker have all gotten off to varying degrees of slow starts.

Rockies Place Antonio Senzatela On 15-Day IL Due To Elbow Sprain

By Anthony Franco | May 13, 2023 at 3:37pm CDT

TODAY: As expected, Colorado placed Senzatela on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 11). Anderson was promoted to the active roster to take Senzatela’s spot.

MAY 12: Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela was diagnosed with a sprain in his throwing elbow, club officials informed reporters (relayed by Thomas Harding of MLB.com). The issue won’t require surgery, but manager Bud Black indicated the right-hander will be shut down from throwing for three weeks.

That makes a trip to the 15-day injured list inevitable. It’s quite possible Senzatela finds himself on the 60-day IL, as he’ll have to build back up via a throwing program following his three-week shutdown period. Senzatela told Harding he expects to be sidelined for a minimum of two months, making it unlikely he’s back at Coors Field before the All-Star Break.

While it’s fortunate he won’t go under the knife, the 28-year-old is in for an extended injury absence for a second straight season. Senzatela’s 2022 campaign was cut short in August when he tore the ACL in his left knee. The recovery period extended into this year and kept him from making his season debut until last Friday. Two starts later, Senzatela departed Wednesday’s contest with forearm tightness.

He’s logged just 7 2/3 innings on the season. The Venezuelan-born hurler had a tough ’22 campaign even before the knee injury, allowing a 5.07 ERA over 92 1/3 frames. Senzatela had managed a respectable 4.11 ERA with a strong 51.1% grounder rate over the preceding two seasons. In October 2021, the Rockies signed him to a $50.5MM extension to potentially buy out four free agent years. They haven’t gotten much return on that investment so far.

It’s the second extended injury absence for a key Colorado starter. The Rox already lost Germán Márquez for the season when it was announced he’d require Tommy John surgery. Black told reporters that Márquez underwent that procedure today (via Kyle Newman of the Denver Post). He’ll be out well into 2024 and may have thrown his final pitch as a Rockie, as the guaranteed portion of his contract is up after this season. Colorado holds a $16MM option for next season but figures to take a $2.5MM buyout instead.

Kyle Freeland, Austin Gomber and Ryan Feltner have each taken seven-plus turns through the rotation. Only Freeland has pitched particularly well. Colorado released the struggling José Ureña just four starts into the year, while each of Márquez, Senzatela and Noah Davis (elbow inflammation) are unavailable due to injury. The Rockies have turned to offseason trade pickup Connor Seabold for a couple outings and claimed veteran hurler Chase Anderson off waivers from the Rays this morning.

White Sox Place Elvis Andrus On 10-Day IL, Reinstate Romy Gonzalez

By Mark Polishuk | May 13, 2023 at 3:35pm CDT

The White Sox placed infielder Elvis Andrus on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique. Taking Andrus’ spot on the active roster is Romy Gonzalez, who returns after his own 10-day IL stint due to inflammation in his right shoulder.

The injury occurred in yesterday’s 5-1 loss to the Astros, as Andrus reported some discomfort in his side after his final at-bat of the game. Andrus was then replaced in the field for the top of the ninth, and the injury has proven troublesome enough to merit a trip to the IL. The severity of Andrus’ strain isn’t yet known, though even if Andrus has only a Grade 1 strain (the lowest level of oblique problems), he is still likely to miss at least three or four weeks of action.

It has already been a rough year for Andrus, who has hit only .201/.280/.254 over 151 plate appearances. Re-signed to a one-year, $3MM free agent deal in the offseason, Andrus was projected to be Chicago’s regular second baseman, but he has ended up getting a lot of time at his normal shortstop position due to Tim Anderson’s own stint on the IL earlier this season. Defensive utility notwithstanding, Andrus’ lack of offensive production has resulted in a -0.1 fWAR performance through his first 39 games of the season.

Lenyn Sosa saw a lot of time at the keystone when Andrus was playing shortstop, but with Sosa currently at Triple-A, Gonzalez and Hanser Alberto figure to split second base duties in Andrus’ absence. It’s not an ideal situation for a White Sox team that signed Andrus to ostensibly stabilize a longstanding hole at second base, though Alberto (a minor league signing) has at least hit .255/.304/.510 in his first 57 PA with the White Sox.

Cubs, Marcus Stroman Had Preliminary Extension Talks

By Simon Hampton | May 13, 2023 at 2:37pm CDT

The Cubs and Marcus Stroman explored an extension this spring, reports Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun Times. While no deal was reached, the door seems to still be open on some sort of extension coming together this season.

Stroman is off to a fantastic start this season, working to a 2.28 ERA over his first eight starts. That sort of form makes it increasingly likely that Stroman opts out of the final year and $21MM remaining on his contract in 2024.

“I’ve been open with the front office here, been very vocal that I want to be here and I want an extension, that I don’t want to honestly make it to free agency,” Stroman told Lee. “The organization top down, how they handle the players, how they handle the families, how they operate, I love everything about it. So, I would love to be a Cub for, honestly, the rest of my career, and sign one more deal and be done.”

While it’s fairly common for players approaching free agency to declare an interest in a reunion, those comments from Stroman are particularly strong and do show a clear desire from his side to remain a Cub long term. While it’s unclear how far extension talks got during the spring, Lee adds that they haven’t reopened them so far this season.

Stroman joined the Cubs last year on a three-year, $71MM deal and has been a steady arm at the top of their rotation. Over 33 combined starts since, Stroman owns a 3.19 ERA, striking out 7.9 batters per nine innings and walking 2.6. He’s spent time on the Covid IL and also missed a little bit of time to shoulder inflammation last season, but has generally been a regular fixture in Chicago’s rotation.

Even with some regression from his quality start to the season, Stroman appears a very good shout to top the $21MM remaining on his deal. He’ll also be ineligible for a qualifying offer, further boosting his market opportunities. The starting pitching market is strong this year, with Shohei Ohtani, Julio Urias and Aaron Nola all headlining it, with the likes of Jordan Montgomery, Lucas Giolito, Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto all quality options. In fact, those seven players all featured on Tim Dierkes’ recent Free Agent Power Rankings. Stroman would very much fit into that mix, and would expect to do well in free agency.

As for the Cubs, they do have a fair bit of money tied up to the likes of Dansby Swanson, Jameson Taillon, Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ in 2024, with payroll commitments currently sitting at about $148MM for next season, but they’re also off to a solid start in 2023 and they’ll be expected to spend again next winter as they look to push their new core back to playoff contention.

Twins Place Max Kepler On 10-Day IL

By Simon Hampton | May 13, 2023 at 11:50am CDT

The Twins announced they’ve placed outfielder Max Kepler on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain. In his place, Trevor Larnach has been recalled.

It doesn’t sound like an overly serious issue for Kepler, and manager Rocco Baldelli seemed to indicate there’d be a good chance he’d be activated after the minimum number of days expired.

“It was w/ a cramp. He got an MRI & MRI seems OK. But he’s still pretty tight, & we don’t think he’s going to be able to play for a handful of days. If you can’t play for a handful of days … we’re going to IL him & get someone in here who can go,” Baldelli told reporters, including Dan Hayes of the Athletic.

Kepler’s posted a .212/.298/444 line this season with six home runs while manning right field. Larnach’s return is effectively a straight swap on the roster. He’s hit three home runs and posted a .221/.331/.356 line across 124 plate appearances this year, and should slot in as the team’s everyday right fielder with Kepler out.

Athletics Designate Spencer Patton For Assignment

By Simon Hampton | May 13, 2023 at 11:48am CDT

The Athletics have recalled James Kaprielian from Triple-A, the team announced. To make room, they designated relief pitcher Spencer Patton for assignment.

Patton, 35, pitched just 5 1/3 innings for Oakland this year, working to a 6.75 ERA and striking out just a single batter. He’s gone slightly better in Triple-A, where he owns a 4.32 ERA over 8 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts.

A 24th round pick all the way back in 2011, Patton debuted in 2014 for the Rangers and showed a bit of promise, giving up just a single earned run in 9 1/3 relief innings. It wasn’t to last though, and over the next couple of seasons Patton would struggle to a 7.35 ERA with the Rangers and Cubs.

Patton went to Japan in 2017, and spent the next four years with Yokohama, working to a 3.68 ERA over 205 2/3 innings of relief in Nippon baseball. That was enough for the Rangers to bring him back to the US for another crack at the majors, and Patton delivered in his first year back, providing 42 1/3 innings of solid 3.83 ERA relief in 2021. Once again though, it didn’t last and Patton’s 2022 season would bring about a decline in velocity and a drop in strikeouts, and the Rangers released him in August 2022.

Tigers Place Spencer Turnbull On 15-Day Injured List

By Simon Hampton | May 13, 2023 at 10:03am CDT

The Tigers announced they’ve placed right hander Spencer Turnbull on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 7 with neck discomfort. As Evan Woodbery of MLive explains, Turnbull had been optioned to Triple-A but this move means his option has been rescinded and he’ll spend time on major league IL. Had Turnbull reported the injury at Triple-A, he would’ve gone on the minor league injured list and not earned any big league service time, but his service time clock will continue while he’s on the Tigers’ 15-day IL.

Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports that Turnbull met with president of baseball operations Scott Harris, manager AJ Hinch and pitching coach Chris Fetter after his last start when the Tigers optioned him back to Triple-A Toledo. “After Spencer left the room I got a call from him directly in which he disclosed some neck discomfort,” Harris said. “As soon as we heard that, we set up an appointment for him with our doctor. We also had him see a specialist out of state. We had those doctors discuss what’s going on with his neck. They confirmed the injury and we placed him on the injured list as of Sunday.”

Turnbull is two seasons away from free agency, but if he spends more than 35 days in the minor leagues he’ll have his free agency year pushed back by a season. Once a promising young member of the Tigers rotation, Turnbull has struggled in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, working to a 7.26 ERA in seven starts. That figure comes with a 16.6% strikeout rate and a 10.3% walk rate.

Just two years ago Turnbull tossed nine starts of 2.88 ERA ball and appeared on the verge of a breakout, but after Tommy John surgery ruled him out of the entire 2022 season it appears he’s yet to find his groove again. His strikeouts are down, walks are up and he’s given up a lot more hard contact this year than he did two seasons ago.

Because this transaction replaces Turnbull being optioned five days, there is no corresponding move to make, while it’s also worth nothing that Turnbull’s IL placement is retroactive to May 7, so he could return in just a handful of days.

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