As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Abbott to debut:
With Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott expected to make his MLB debut in a start today against the Brewers, roster moves to clear space for Abbott on both the 40-man and active rosters will be necessary before this evening’s game. The No. 95 prospect in the game according to MLB Pipeline, Abbott has dominated the upper levels of the minor leagues all season to this point, with a 1.15 ERA in three Double-A starts before the Reds promoted him to Triple-A, where he’s posted a 3.05 ERA in seven starts. He’s fanned 42.7% of his opponents between those two levels. That dominance has already earned Abbott not just his first start in the big leagues, but his second, as manager David Bell has indicated that Abbott will not be a spot starter and get another start this Saturday against the Cardinals.
2. Cortes to undergo MRI:
After revealing that left-hander Nestor Cortes was likely headed to the 15-day injured list with a shoulder issue, Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that Cortes was set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. After pitching to a 155 ERA+ between the 2021 and 2022 seasons as a regular member of the Yankees rotation, Cortes has struggled so far in 2023, with a 5.16 ERA and 4.60 FIP in 59 1/3 innings of work across 11 starts.
If Cortes has been dealing with a shoulder issue throughout the season that, as Boone describes it, has caused problems with his recovery between starts, it’s no wonder that New York plans to utilize a trip to the IL to hopefully get their lefty’s season back on track. The Yankees are already without Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas, neither of whom have thrown a pitch in the Majors this season.
3. Lowe day-to-day with back injury:
Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe was initially scratched from yesterday’s game against the Red Sox with what was termed “left leg discomfort,” but after the game manager Kevin Cash (as relayed by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times) indicated that the issue actually involved Lowe’s back. Lowe noted to reporters that the issue cropped up after he “felt something” during a slide into third base, and that he wasn’t able to get his back to loosen up after taking swings in the batting cage. Lowe indicated he was hopeful that he would be able to play today, though he admitted that it was “too early to say anything” at this point.
Lowe has struggled after a hot start, hitting .199/.294/.392 overall on the season (96 wRC+). His performance has been particularly brutal since the end of April, with a .167/.255/.267 slash line and just five extra base hits in his past 102 plate appearances. If Lowe were to require a trip to the injured list, options to replace him would include Taylor Walls and Isaac Paredes.
Let Lowe go into oblivion, unfortunately he hasn’t hit well for a loooonnngg time; he used to look like a stud some years ago, but has NOT live up to his long time ago baseball past.
Lowsey.
Is 2021 that long ago?
Unfortunately, back injuries can be chronic. We may never see 2021 Lowe again.
Aaahh, 2021 when he stuck out 167 times for .247 avg BUT actually 2020 was his breakout year hitting .277 and 14 homers in just 50+ games, he looked like the left handed version of Mike Piazza and the Rays looked like geniuses for giving him a contract. I am a rays fan and cannot forget his anemic history during the playoffs where he has batted just .115 and because of this in key moments we could only remember him striking out. It is sad to watch that during his career most pitchers had their way with him when it mattered the most with breaking stuff. Can anyone imaging him being the same stud he was during Arozarena’s insane playoff streak? Nobody would’ve beaten us, and this year he’s painful to watch.
Aaahh, 2021 when he stuck out 167 times for .247 avg BUT actually 2020 was his breakout year hitting .277 and 14 homers in just 50+ games, he looked like the left handed version of Mike Piazza
===============================================================================Actually, 2021 was his breakout season even with is .247 avg and 167 SO’s.
.247 BA -.340 OBP -.523 Slg – .863 OPS – 39 HR – 99RBI – 97 R
Unfortunately a chronic back has robbed him of most of last season and again after his hot start to the season.
Back injuries have derailed many a career.
Lowe should be put on the 10 day IL.
As a Detroit fan, we would gladly take him off your hands as compensation for Meadows. Ibanez and Maton are each performing worse and have never had a hot streak.
Another youngster reaches the show for the Reds. If Lodolo gets healthy and Ashcraft gets right, the rotation could set up nicely for the future:
Greene
Lodolo
Ashcraft
Abbott
Weaver
Exciting times for Reds fans.
Two lefties and if Willimson sticks that would be three. When is the last time we saw that?
You can never have enough pitching.
As the Mets would attest to.
Two lefties and if Willimson sticks that would be three. When is the last time we saw that?
===============================================================================
In 2018 with my Red Sox, Chris Sale, David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez and LH pitcher Drew Pomeranz started 11 games.
Weaver is crap, he’s lucky his homeruns have been single shots. Ashcraft is pitching like crap. Reds still need more pitching, even if everyone of the youngsters works out.
Personally I would deal Weaver at the deadline and sell high, then stick with the five younger starters.
These older guys eventually end up looking like the back of their baseball card, so to speak.
Ashcraft will be fine eventually, he pitched well earlier in the year and last year. I think something is bothering him, looking at his pitches now being flat instead of having movement like before.
The Reds will also be making an additional move to their roster.
Catcher Charles COSTELLO will be added to serve as the exclusive catcher for ABBOTT !!
I didn’t read that and I didn’t see him in the lineup today, today it was Maile behind the plate and Stephenson DHing.