The Opener: Casas, White Sox, Giants

As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Casas to undergo testing:

The Red Sox suffered a huge blow over the weekend as the club placed first baseman Triston Casas on the 10-day injured list due to a left rib strain. The 24-year-old is reportedly set to undergo an MRI in Boston today to determine the extent of his injury as well as a potential timetable for his return, but manager Alex Cora already told reporters yesterday that he was “concerned” that the youngster may be facing a lengthy absence.

If Casas does end up missing considerable time, it would put Boston’s offense in a difficult position. While certain key offensive pieces like Vaughn Grissom, Rafael Devers, and Tyler O’Neill could be returning to the lineup in the coming days, Casas has gotten out to a .244/.344/.513 start (137 wRC+) and swatted six homers in 90 plate appearances. Bobby Dalbec is perhaps the most likely candidates to take over at first base for the Red Sox in the short-term, though it’s possible the club makes additional roster moves to supplement their waning positional depth in the coming days.

2. Mendick to be selected:

Reporting last night indicated that the White Sox are expected to make a change to their bench mix ahead of this evening’s game against the Twins in Minnesota, with veteran infielder Danny Mendick joining the big league roster. Infielder Lenyn Sosa is set to be optioned out to make room for Mendick on the active roster, but an additional corresponding move will be necessary to clear space on the club’s 40-man.

Mendick, 30, was a 22nd-round pick by the White Sox in 2015 and spent parts of four seasons in the majors with the club before departing for the Mets in free agency last year. He returned this winter on a minor league deal and figures to offer Chicago some versatility off the bench in spite of a meager .242/.298/.354 slash line for his career.

3. White to join the Giants:

Right-hander Mitch White is slated to join the active roster in San Francisco prior to the Giants’ game against the Mets at Oracle Park this evening, as noted by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. White is already on the club’s 40-man roster, but the Giants will need to make an active roster move to accommodate the righty prior to tonight’s game.

White’s arrival comes on the heels of the Giants making a cash deal with the Blue Jays over the weekend to acquire the 29-year-old. It’s a homecoming for White in more ways than one, as the Bay Area native will return to the NL West after pitching for the Dodgers in parts of three seasons from 2020 to 2022. He posted a solid 3.58 ERA and 3.87 FIP during his time with L.A. but struggled badly upon joining the Blue Jays, with a 7.26 ERA in 65 2/3 innings despite a decent 4.10 FIP.