Here are three things we’ll be watching for around the baseball world today…
1. Antone exits early
Reds reliever Tejay Antone exited last night’s game with a trainer after experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired right elbow. After the game, Antone told reporters that his elbow “flared up” but that he doesn’t think there’s a serious issue at play (via Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer). The Reds will surely exercise caution, however, and figure to take a closer look to ensure there’s no injury of note. The 29-year-old Antone only just returned from a two-year absence following his second career Tommy John surgery. While he’s hardly a household name, the righty has quietly been one of the game’s most effective relievers in his brief career to date. In 74 2/3 innings dating back to his 2020 debut, Antone carries a 2.41 ERA with a hearty 32.4% strikeout rate against a 10.7% walk rate. He’s also kept the ball on the ground at a strong 49.4% clip and averaged just 0.84 homers per nine frames.
2. Rays, Orioles begin series that could determine division
The Rays and Orioles open a four-game set in Baltimore today, with righty Kyle Bradish (3.03 ERA) taking the mound for the O’s opposite fellow righty Aaron Civale (2.96 ERA). It’s a matchup of quality starting pitchers and the first of four pivotal games for the two rivals, who are separated by just two games in the standings at present. Baltimore currently leads the East and also boasts the American League’s best record. The Rays could flip the standings with a series sweep, whereas the O’s could effectively put the division on ice if they can take all four against the Rays. The second game of the series is slated to feature Tampa Bay righty Zach Eflin (3.53 ERA) taking on Baltimore right-hander Jack Flaherty (4.98 ERA). The Rays will send Tyler Glasnow (3.15 ERA) to the mound against Grayson Rodriguez (4.88 ERA) on Saturday, and the series finale will pit Rays righty Zack Littell against O’s righty Dean Kremer. Both pitchers have identical 4.25 earned run averages (Kremer’s coming in a larger number of innings).
One additional source of intrigue surrounding the series is the potential debut of 2020 No. 2 overall pick Heston Kjerstad. The young Orioles slugger is reportedly on his way to Baltimore in the event that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s shoulder requires a trip to the injured list. Kjerstad, 24, hit .310/.383/.576 in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A, where he’s slashed .298/.371/.498. He’s collected 21 homers, 29 doubles and eight triples between those two levels so far in 2023.
3. Twins injury updates
The Twins are awaiting updates on several injured players and could gain more clarity today. Byron Buxton recently received a cortisone injection in his ailing knee, and trainer Nick Paparesta told the Twins beat he expects Buxton to return before season’s end (link via Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune). Minnesota could also get outfielder Michael A. Taylor back in the near future, per Miller. Taylor ran the bases yesterday and is expected to return during the current road trip, which kicks off today against the White Sox. Young infielder Jose Miranda, meanwhile, won’t be back this season, as he’s set for shoulder surgery today. Miranda dealt with shoulder troubles in spring training and struggled in both the big leagues and in Triple-A before hitting the injured list in July. He’ll go under the knife today, and the Twins will provide further details on the nature of the procedure and the expected recovery after the operation has been performed.
Ah yes, a hot take that involves firing someone who was never hired.
I mean, inventing someone being hired then firing them *is* a pretty spicy take:)
Buxton is only 29 years old?!? It seems like he been around forever. Insane how much time he has spent on the IL throughout his career.
Mr. Glass Buxton injury report—
I count 570 games missed in 8 seasons or 71 1/4 missed per year. He missed 21/60 in 2020 which skews the totals a bit.
Without that year it is 549 games missed in 7 seasons or 78.43 games missed per year.
Note—these totals are the number of games he played each year subtracted from 162. I did not check to see if the Twins played 162 games each year. and he may have missed games for reasons other than injury, such as healthy time off. I also assumed that he does not return to play this year.
Skipped his first year, too, because he got called up and played whatever games were left in the season.
Take your meds Ken your delusions have gone wild again. Dan Uggla isn’t even coaching anywhere
I don’t think Buxton trying to come back is what the twins even need right now. They finally padded a lead on the division when he went down. Give him the rest of the season to recover and he can try to stay healthy again next year
I honestly think MIN will ultimately have to give him a day or two rest between every start. It’s either that or play him for a couple weeks straight followed by a 15-day IL placement. This situation will not improve.
It makes you wonder how far the Twins could go in the PO if they had Buxton’s bat in the lineup. I don’t remember how long it’s been since the ALC has won a PO series. At least the Twins won’t have to play the Yankees this year.
Cleveland swept Tampa Bay in the wildcard round just last year. But yeah, before that you have to go all the way back to 2016 when Cleveland made it all the way to 10th inning of the 7th game of the world series to only lose by 1 run. Which was of course the 3rd straight world series appearance for the AL Central.
Also, Buxton’s bat is terrible this year, so I don’t think that’s much of a factor.
Neither, really, is the Yankees. They got swept by the A’s in 06, and by a losing record Astros in 20.
Feel for Antone actually, second Tommy John, a second long road to return, and now this.
Not sure I’d call it a “hot” take, but it certainly is something.
Ken,
Don’t listen to the naysayer commenters around here. You do you, ok? Crazy looks great on you. Now get back out there and bite something else!!!
He is certaintly not Kenough.
Huh? Kenough?
Meme from the new Barbie movie. Didn’t watch it, at least not yet, but just a meme floating around the internet.
I looked it up and Ryan gosling got paid $12.5 million for his role as Ken in Barbie. I guess his dignity was for sale and that was all he thought it was worth.
I wish we didn’t have balanced schedules this year. I would’ve loved to see the Orioles and Rays match up more. I know the Rays record would’ve been worse as a result because they wouldn’t have been able to beat up on teams like the Rockies, Nationals, and Pirates, but it would’ve made for better baseball.
“Meanwhile” should ONLY start the sentence. It should NOT come in the middle. Don’t break up subject and verb if it isn’t absolutely necessary. Can Adams.