The Opener

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. Nevada legislature to hold special session on A’s stadium deal:

As reported by Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada governor Joe Lombardo issued a proclamation last night that convened a special session of the Nevada state legislature to reconsider SB509, the bill that, if passed, would approve roughly $380MM in public funding for an MLB ballpark in Las Vegas. The special session, which is set to begin 12pm CT, has no specified end time. Per Akers, that means the session could extend beyond today, if necessary to reach a conclusion on the bill.

Failure to get the bill through the Nevada legislature would be a major setback for A’s ownership, as the club will lose its status as a recipient of revenue-sharing if it fails to secure a stadium deal prior to January 15. Success, on the other hand, would remove what appears to be the most significant remaining roadblock as A’s ownership plans to move the team to Las Vegas, though plenty of other, smaller roadblocks would remain.

2. Yankees to place Judge, Cortes on the IL today:

The Yankees plan to place both left-hander Nestor Cortes and outfielder Aaron Judge on the injured list today. Right-hander Randy Vasquez is expected to be called up to take the ball in Cortes’ stead during tonight’s game against the White Sox, though it’s as of yet unknown who will replace Judge on the active roster. Outfielder Franchy Cordero, infielder Oswald Peraza, and catcher Ben Rortvedt are the only Triple-A hitters on the 40-man roster at the moment.

It’s been a difficult season to this point for Cortes. The lefty has struggled to a 5.16 ERA that’s 18% worse than league average by ERA+ over 59 1/3 innings of work. Judge, on the other hand, has followed up his AL MVP-winning campaign with another strong performance, slashing .291/.404/.674 so far in the 2023 season. While Judge’s 188 wRC+ leads the majors, he’s been limited to just 49 games so far this season between his current toe issue and a hip strain earlier in the season.

3. Syndergaard starts as rotation decision looms:

The Dodgers are expected to welcome left-hander Julio Urias back into the rotation in the near future, meaning one of the club’s five current starters figures to depart the rotation. Veteran ace Clayton Kershaw and right-hander Tony Gonsolin are both secure in their rotation spots, leaving a spotlight on veteran right-hander Noah Syndergaard along with youngsters Bobby Miller and Michael Grove headed into the weekend.

Miller has been dominant since receiving the call to the majors, with a 1.06 ERA in three starts. Grove has been hit hard this season, though his 8.14 ERA is skewed by a nine-run meltdown that preceded a stint on the injured list beginning in late April. He returned with improved velocity earlier this week, fanning a season-high seven batters with no walks but still yielding four runs in five innings. Syndergaard has struggled to a 6.54 ERA and 5.23 FIP in 11 starts with the Dodgers after signing on a one-year deal with the club this past offseason. As he fights to keep his spot in the rotation, the veteran right-hander will be tasked with handling a hot Reds team that managed to come back from an 8-3 deficit just last night to beat the Dodgers 9-8.

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. McCutchen approaches milestone:

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen currently sits at 1,997 hits for his career, just three away from becoming the 290th player in major league history to record at least 2,000 hits. Other active players who reached similar territory include Joey Votto, Nelson Cruz, and Miguel Cabrera. McCutchen has recorded a trio of three-hit games so far this season, most recently on May 31 against the Giants. He’s gone hitless over his last two games, though he did draw three walks and connect for a game-winning sacrifice fly in last night’s win over the A’s.

It’s been a resurgent season for the 36-year-old veteran, who has slashed an excellent .271/.373/.442 in his return to Pittsburgh, good for a 124 wRC+. That mark would be his highest in a full season since 2015, when he was an All Star for the fifth time, won a fourth consecutive Silver Slugger award, and finished fifth in NL MVP voting. McCutchen will have another chance to reach the milestone this evening against the A’s and right-hander James Kaprielian.

2. Giants getting healthy:

The Giants open a series against the Rockies in Denver today, with right-hander John Brebbia expected to take the mound as an opener against Rockies righty Dinelson Lamet. San Francisco figures to welcome reinforcements for its starting lineup at some point during the three-game set, as Susan Sussler of the San Francisco Chronicle indicates that the club could welcome both lefty slugger Joc Pederson and infielder Thairo Estrada back from the injured list during the coming series.

The return of the duo would be a huge boost for the San Francisco lineup, as each is among the club’s top hitters alongside the likes of J.D. Davis, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Michael Conforto. Pederson has posted the stronger offensive numbers to this point, with a .235/.351/.494 slash (128 wRC+) in 97 plate appearances prior to going on the injured list last month, working exclusively as a designated hitter. Estrada has been similarly productive, slashing .301/.345/.466 (123 wRC+) in 206 plate appearances while contributing with the glove at second base, shortstop, and left field throughout the 2023 campaign.

3. MLBTR Chat Today:

With the calendar now flipped to June, the paths forward for many of MLB’s teams remain murky, even as some organizations set themselves apart from the pack.. If the events of the season so far have 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.

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.

On the heels of an early-morning transaction, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Olson to make MLB debut:

The Tigers are expected to promote right-hander Reese Olson to start this evening’s game against the White Sox, marking Olson’s MLB debut. A former 13th round pick by the Brewers, Olson was traded to the Tigers in 2021. Since then, Olson has pitched primarily at the Double-A level, posting a 4.24 ERA in 144 1/3 innings of work. He opened the 2023 campaign with a promotion to the Triple-A level, but has largely struggled there this season, with a 6.38 ERA in 36 2/3 innings of work. That ugly figure is inflated by a 15.83 ERA in his first four appearances this season, though the 23-year-old owns a worrisome 12.6% walk rate that has stayed consistent even as his results have improved.

Olson, for whom the club will need to open an active roster spot before today’s game, will step into the rotation in the stead of the club’s injured ace, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. It certainly seems unlikely that Olson will be able to match Rodriguez’s dominant start to the 2023 season (2.13 ERA and 3.17 FIP in 11 starts), but he’ll nonetheless be relied upon to help stabilize a Tigers rotation that has been a clear weak spot for the club this season. Each of Matthew Boyd, Joey Wentz, and Alex Faedo sport ERAs well above 5.00, with Michael Lorenzen standing as the only active member of the rotation having an above average season by measure of ERA+ with a 122 figure. Olson will take the ball in Chicago at 7:10pm CT tonight.

2. Sale to undergo MRI:

Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale exited yesterday’s start against the Reds with shoulder soreness. He’s scheduled to undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the issue, as noted by MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo. While Sale has posted a rather pedestrian 4.58 ERA, exactly league average by measure of ERA+, that figure doesn’t tell the whole story of his 2023 campaign to this point. The 34-year-old veteran had a disastrous April, with a 6.75 ERA in 29 1/3 innings over six starts. Since then, however, Sale has turned a corner, posting a 2.43 ERA, 2.89 FIP, and a 31.3% strikeout rate in 29 2/3 innings over five starts that have been far more reminiscent of his ace-level production in previous seasons.

Should Sale miss time, it would not only be a serious blow to the Red Sox rotation, but surely frustrating for Sale himself, as the veteran lefty managed just 48 1/3 innings across the 2020-2022 seasons while battling a myriad of injuries, including Tommy John surgery. Right-handers Corey Kluber and Nick Pivetta were both recently demoted to the bullpen, and could theoretically step back into the rotation should Sale require a trip to the injured list.

3. Buxton, Correa exit game:

A pair of concerning injury situations popped up for the Twins during last night’s game against the Guardians, as both Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa exited the game. Buxton exited yesterday’s game with rib soreness after being struck by a pitch, and is expected to undergo imaging today, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. Meanwhile, Correa exited after re-aggravating the plantar fasciitis that recently kept him out of the lineup for a few days, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

Losing either superstar would be a significant blow to the club, let alone both players. That said, the Twins have the remarkable position player depth necessary to weather such a blow, with Donovan Solano and Kyle Farmer both able to come off the bench and step into everyday roles while Matt Wallner and Edouard Julien would both be options to return to the big league club should either Buxton or Correa require a stint on the injured list.

As the calendar flips to June, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Steele to undergo MRI:

Cubs left-hander Justin Steele exited yesterday’s start against the Rays after throwing three perfect innings due to what the team has labeled “forearm tightness.” With an off-day for the club today, Steele is scheduled to undergo testing to determine the severity of his injury. Forearm tightness is always a concerning diagnosis, given its broad range of outcomes and status as a frequent precursor to a more serious injury.

Cubs fans surely anxiously await results from today’s testing, seeing as Steele has been one of baseball’s best starting pitchers for nearly a full calendar year, with a 2.15 ERA and 2.63 FIP in 117 innings since July 2022. Should Steele miss time, the Cubs figure to rely on youngster Hayden Wesneski to cover his spot in the rotation after the right-hander pitched 3 2/3 innings in relief of Steele during yesterday’s game.

2. First basemen in DFA limbo:

A pair of veteran first basemen have recently been designated for assignment by their organization. Luke Voit, who struggled to a 54 wRC+ in 74 plate appearances for the Brewers this season, and Jesus Aguilar, who posted an 83 wRC+ in 115 plate appearances for the A’s, are both poised to look for work with new clubs going forward. While the 32-year-old Voit and 33-year-old Aguilar have both struggled in recent seasons, each was about 10% better than league average with the bat as recently as 2021, giving reason for hope that one or both could bounce back.

One potential suitor for their services of either right-handed slugger would be a Phillies club that saw corner infielder Alec Bohm, who has played first base against left-handers for the club this season, suffer a potential injury to his left hamstring and undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue. Should Bohm miss time, the club will be exceedingly thin at first base, with Rhys Hoskins out for the season and Darick Hall not yet back from an injury of his own. Either Voit or Aguilar could make sense in a platoon with Kody Clemens, as The Athletic’s Matt Gelb notes, though Voit has been better against righties than lefties in each of the past five seasons and has been particularly unproductive versus southpaws dating back to last season.

3. Astros vs. Angels series preview:

The Angels are set to head to Houston for a four-game set against the Astros beginning this evening at 7:10pm CT. The series could have significant implications for both clubs going forward, as Houston currently sits three games ahead of Anaheim for second place in the AL West and the final AL Wild Card spot, meaning a series sweep could propel the Angels ahead of the Astros.

In addition the the standings-related intrigue, the Astros appear poised to move to a six-man rotation during the series. Chandler Rome of The Athletic notes that the club hasn’t announced its probable starters for the series, as they are waiting until they make a corresponding move to promote a sixth starter sometime today. Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, J.P. France, and Brandon Bielak are currently slated to face off against the Angels during the series, but the incoming sixth starter could slot anywhere into that mix. Regardless of the starters the Astros plan to use, the Angels figure to counter with Reid Detmers, Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval, and Griffin Canning.

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. Padres broadcast rights revert to MLB:

Following last night’s decision by Diamond Sports Group to allow their rights to broadcasting Padres games to lapse, MLB has taken over broadcasting Padres games for the foreseeable future. In-market Padres fans can find games on MLB.TV for free through this coming Sunday, after which point they’ll be available for a $19.99 monthly fee or $74.99 for the rest of the season. Games are also expected to be made available in-market on alternative cable platforms.

The distribution change comes in the midst of what has been a difficult season for the Padres. Despite setting lofty expectations that left fans dreaming on surpassing the Dodgers as the top dog in the NL West, the group of assembled stars in San Diego have largely struggled to live up to expectations, with only Juan Soto and Josh Hader producing at their typical All Star-caliber levels. This, combined with a rotation that has only gotten consistent and healthy performance from veteran right-hander Michael Wacha, has left the Padres to struggle to a 25-29 record, fourth-best in the division and with five teams standing between them an NL Wild Card berth.

2. Tigers roster move(s) coming:

The Tigers acquired veteran outfielder Jake Marisnick from the White Sox yesterday and plan to select him to the roster ahead of this afternoon’s game against the Rangers. A corresponding move will be necessary to make room for Marisnick on both the active and 40-man rosters. A quality outfield defender and baserunner, Marisnick spent much of his career as a member of the Astros but has also played for the Marlins, Mets, Cubs, Padres, Pirates, and White Sox in his 11-season career prior to landing with the Tigers.

The Tigers planned to select Marisnick even before center fielder Riley Greene departed yesterday’s game with discomfort in his left leg, but that injury could potentially clear an active roster spot depending on its severity. Any missed time for Greene would sting, as the former top prospect has broken out in the early going this season with a.296/.362/.463 batting line (127 wRC+), solid center field defense, five home runs and six steals (without being caught).

3. Freeman, Semien look to extend hitting streaks to 20 games:

A pair of veteran stars are looking to extend hitting streaks to 20 games for the top clubs in the West divisions. In the NL, superstar first baseman Freddie Freeman has slashed an unbelievable .455/.522/.831 with five home runs and 12 doubles during the hitting streak, lifting his season-long production to an NL-leading 169 wRC+. Semien’s heroics haven’t quite reached that Herculean level over in the AL, though the infielder has still slashed a strong .313/.344/.530 during his own hitting streak. Looking at Semien’s season as a whole, his strong offense combined with stellar defense at second base has allowed him to accumulate 2.5 fWAR — sixth-best in the majors and top three in the junior circuit. Freeman will look for a hit in his 20th consecutive game against the Nationals at 3:10pm CT this afternoon, while Semien will do the same against the Tigers at 12:10pm CT.

With over a third of the 2023 regular season in the books, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Bader to undergo MRI:

Yankees center fielder Harrison Bader, who left yesterday’s game with right hamstring tightness, is set to undergo an MRI today to determine the severity of the issue. Manager Aaron Boone suggested to reporters (including Erik Boland of Newsday) that Bader may be able to avoid an IL stint, though one can’t be ruled out until further testing is done. Bader missed the first month of the season with an oblique strain.

Bader has combined typically stellar center field defense with a .267/.295/.511 batting line and six home runs, placing him alongside Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton (on the IL with a hamstring injury of his own) as one of the team’s most productive hitters. Should Bader miss time, outfielder Franchy Cordero and infielder Oswald Peraza are the top minor league hitters currently on the 40-man roster. Judge, Isiah-Kiner Falefa and Greg Allen would be among the options to step into Bader’s spot in center field.

2. How will Mullins’ injury impact Baltimore?

Bader wasn’t the only AL East center fielder to suffer a concerning injury yesterday. Orioles star Cedric Mullins suffered a strain to his right abductor/groin area during yesterday’s loss to the Guardians. Mullins underwent testing last night to determine the severity of the injury, and details should be made available before this evening’s game.

In addition to strong defense in center, Mullins has been a key contributor (alongside Austin Hays, Anthony Santander, and Adley Rutschman) to the offensive core that has lifted Baltimore to a 34-20 record that leaves them with a two-game lead for the top AL Wild Card spot. Should Mullins miss significant time, the club could shift Adam Frazier from second base to the outfield, where he has 1,264 2/3 innings of experience across seven seasons, until Colton Cowser or Kyle Stowers is ready to return from injuries of their own. Frazier has ample experience in left field, and left fielder Austin Hays has played plenty of center field in his career. Alternatively, the Orioles could utilize the open spot on their 40-man roster to select the contract of a stopgap option such as Daz Cameron or Ben DeLuzio.

3. MLBTR Chat Today:

With Memorial Day now in the rearview mirror, the storylines of the 2023 season are beginning to crystalize as we head into the summer. If the events of the season so far have 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.

Memorial Day has arrived, marking the unofficial start to summer. It’s also near the two-month point on the baseball calendar. A few storylines of note today with around one-third of the regular season in the books:

1. Soroka’s first MLB appearance since 2020:

The Braves are going to recall right-hander Michael Soroka from Triple-A Gwinnett, manager Brian Snitker confirmed last night. He’ll get the start this evening in Oakland. It’s the culmination of a multi-year rehab process for the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up. Soroka pitched to a 2.68 ERA as a 21-year-old that season but saw his career waylaid by successive Achilles tears. He hasn’t thrown a major league pitch since 2020 and has made just three big league starts since his All-Star showing four years ago. Finally healthy, Soroka has logged a 4.33 ERA through eight starts in Gwinnett. Even if this proves a one-off spot start, it’s sure to be a rewarding moment for the former first-round pick after years of brutal injury luck.

Soroka will be opposed by A’s right-hander Paul Blackburn, who’s also making his first MLB appearance of the season. An All-Star in 2022, Blackburn has dealt with various injury concerns of his own over the past ten months. Fingernail and blister issues on his throwing hand cost him the first couple months of this season. Blackburn will try to halt an 11-game losing streak for the A’s, who have fallen to a staggering 10-45 on the year.

2. Twins’ roster move incoming:

The Twins are set to welcome back both Max Kepler and Royce Lewis from the injured list before their series opener in Houston. They’re reportedly optioning Matt Wallner and Kyle Garlick to Triple-A St. Paul to clear active roster space, though they’ll still need to clear a 40-man roster spot. Lewis hasn’t counted against the 40-man since being placed on the 60-day injured list at the start of Spring Training. Unless Minnesota anticipates two-plus month absences for someone like Nick Gordon or Jorge Alcalá — transferring either to the 60-day IL would officially rule them out past the All-Star Break — they’ll need to designate someone for assignment.

3. Can the Cubs stop their skid?

The Cubs were swept at home by the Reds over the weekend. They’ve lost four in a row and dropped to 22-30 overall. They’re now narrowly behind the Rockies and Nationals with the worst record in the National League. The NL Wild Card bubble is still wide open, so it’s too soon to hammer the nail in the coffin. Chicago clearly anticipated hanging around the playoff mix on the heels of an active offseason and a solid 11-6 start. They’ve dropped 17 of 25 games in May, though, and they’ll finish out the month with a three-game set against the 39-16 Rays. Marcus Stroman, who could be one of the trade deadline’s top rental starting pitchers if the Cubs don’t turn things around, gets the ball this afternoon. He’ll be opposed by Tampa Bay rookie righty Taj Bradley.

As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout Memorial Day weekend:

1. Glasnow to return this weekend:

The Rays pitching staff is set to get a significant boost this weekend with the return of oft-injured ace Tyler Glasnow, who has been on the injured list with an oblique issue all season. Glasnow’s return could transform an already-dominant Rays pitching staff, helping to make up for the losses of Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen earlier this season. Since the start of the 2019 season, Glasnow’s 2.87 FIP ranks third among all starters with at least 200 innings of work, only behind Carlos Rodon and Jacob deGrom. Of course, that dominance is coupled with frequent injuries that have limited Glasnow to just 212 2/3 innings during that timeframe. Glasnow figures to return to the mound for the Rays on Saturday against the Dodgers. A corresponding move will be necessary to make room for Glasnow on the active roster.

2. Vasquez to make MLB debut:

The Yankees are expected to call up right-hander Randy Vasquez to start this evening’s game against the Padres. A corresponding move will be necessary before tonight’s game, which begins at 6:05pm CT, to make room for Vasquez on the active roster. The start will be the 24-year-old Vasquez’s MLB debut. The young righty came into the 2023 campaign with an impressive 3.10 ERA in 307 2/3 career minor league innings, including an excellent 2021 season where he pitched to a 2.52 ERA in 107 1/3 innings split between the Single-A, High-A, and Double-A levels. Vasquez has struggled so far in 2023, however, with a 4.85 ERA through nine starts in his first taste of the Triple-A level.

Despite Vasquez’s struggles to open the season, the Yankees will nonetheless lean on their youngster for tonight’s game thanks in part to a lack of options in the rotation. Frankie Montas and Carlos Rodon are both on the injured list, and while the club recently welcomed Luis Severino back from his own injury, right-hander Domingo German is still serving a suspension for violation of the league’s foreign substance policy. That leaves the club in position to turn to Vasquez, who will be tasked with handling a Padres lineup that has under performed in the early going this season, ranking in the bottom ten of both runs scored and team OPS this season despite featuring big names like Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts, and Fernando Tatis Jr.

3. Rockies waiting on injury updates:

The Rockies currently have a whopping twelve players on the injured list at the moment, and it appears the injury bug is continuing to haunt the team. Both outfielder Brenton Doyle and right-hander Luis Cessa left games last night (Doyle with the big league club, Cessa at the Triple-A level) with apparent injuries. Doyle is set to undergo further testing to determine the severity of his injury, though slugger Nolan Jones is poised to join the roster in his place if necessary, per MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. The situation regarding Cessa is murkier, though any missed time for the 31-year-old righty would be a blow to the depth of a pitching staff that has already lost German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, Noah Davis, and Ryan Feltner.

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. Hendricks slated to return:

After nearly a year away from the major league mound rehabbing from shoulder surgery, Cubs veteran Kyle Hendricks is slated to be activated from the injured list to start tonight’s game against the Mets. A key cog in the rotation during the Cubs’ last competitive window, Hendricks was among the most reliable starters in the game from 2016-2020 as he posted a 3.00 ERA (143 ERA+) and 3.40 FIP. Since the start of the 2021 season, however, Hendricks has managed just 265 1/3 innings of work with severely diminished results. His 4.78 ERA over the past two campaigns is 13% below league average, a far cry the performances that saw him garner Cy Young votes in 2016 and 2020.

The Cubs are surely hoping the last remaining member of the 2016 World Series team will be able to return to form and help solidify a rotation that features a great deal of uncertainty behind Marcus Stroman, Justin Steele, and Drew Smyly. Offseason acquisition Jameson Taillon has struggled to an 8.10 ERA with a 4.93 FIP in 26 2/3 innings, while youngster Hayden Wesneski was recently demoted to Triple-A after posting a 5.03 ERA and 5.92 FIP in eight major league starts. A corresponding move will be required to make room for Hendricks on the active roster before this evening’s game, which will begin at 6:40pm CT.

2. Braves to recall Dodd:

After losing a pair of quality rotation arms in Max Fried and Kyle Wright to long-term injuries, the Braves are set to call up left-hander Dylan Dodd to start tonight’s game against the Phillies. Dodd made his MLB debut earlier this season and has posted a 6.46 ERA in three major league starts with a 5.69 FIP. Dodd has also struggled in Triple-A this season, with a 6.67 ERA in 27 innings of work. Despite those concerning numbers, Dodd and the Braves will hope for a rebound this evening. A corresponding move will be required to make room for Dodd on the active roster.

Should the young lefty continue to struggle, further rotation reinforcements could be just around the corner, as right-hander Michael Soroka continues working his way back to a major league mound for the first time since the 2020 campaign. Of course, Dodd could also follow in the footsteps of young lefty Jared Shuster, who also struggled in his initial call to the big leagues but has posted smoother results in two starts since returning to the Majors earlier this month.

3. Jansen exits with groin issue:

Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen exited yesterday’s game with what the club termed left groin tightness. The injury’s severity is currently unclear, but MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson noted that Tyler Heineman, the only extra catcher on Toronto’s 40-man roster, was removed from a minor league game last night following Jansen’s injury.

In 36 games this season, Jansen has slashed just .207/.273/.413 (86 wRC+), but that includes a dismal 1-for-25 slump to begin the season. Since breaking out of that funk, he’s posted a heartier .250/.314/.510 slash in 105 plate appearances, which lines up reasonably well with last year’s .260/.339/.516 performance. Should Jansen miss time, that would likely mean a return to full-time duties behind the plate for Alejandro Kirk, who has slashed .230/.348/.319 (93 wRC+) in 38 games this season.