Headlines

  • Giants Acquire Rafael Devers
  • Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday
  • Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return
  • Nationals To Promote Brady House
  • White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn
  • Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

The Opener: Gray, Diamondbacks, Pitchers’ Duel

By Nick Deeds | May 22, 2024 at 8:42am CDT

On the heels of some overnight transaction news, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today…

1. Gray to undergo MRI:

Rangers right-hander Jon Gray is set to undergo an MRI exam after departing yesterday’s game prior to the sixth inning due to a bout of groin tightness. As noted by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Gray told reporters last night that he does not expect to miss a start, though the MRI suggests that the Rangers have at least some level of concern. Being cautious with Gray makes plenty of sense for the Rangers, as the 32-year-old righty has essentially emerged as the club’s ace with Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Nathan Eovaldi all on the injured list.

In ten appearances, Gray sports a sterling 2.08 ERA (188 ERA+) with a 2.46 FIP and a solid 24.1% strikeout rate. That sort of production in the rotation would be difficult to replace if Gray required a trip to the IL himself, even as the Rangers are set to activated righty Dane Dunning today to start tonight’s game against the Phillies.

2. Roster move coming and hit streak to watch in Arizona:

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters (including Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic) last night that a roster move is coming for the club today. Lovullo did not get into specific details regarding the impending move, although he did note that it’s “possible” the club opt for a bullpen game this evening against the Dodgers. Tonight’s start had previously been slated to be taken by right-hander Ryne Nelson, who has a brutal 7.06 ERA through seven starts this season despite a decent 4.17 FIP.

If Arizona does opt for a bullpen game, it’s not clear if that would indicate that Nelson is being removed from the roster or simply having his start pushed back. Among the hurlers who could potentially be slated to join the roster, lefties Brandon Hughes and Andrew Saalfrank as well as righty Cristian Mena have all pitched fairly well at Triple-A this season and are currently on the 40-man roster, while lefty Blake Walston could be a multi-inning relief option for the club who is also on the 40-man.

While the D-backs’ rotation is a source of intrigue at the moment, so is the hitting streak of their star second baseman. Ketel Marte went 1-for-5 last night to push his MLB-best hit streak to 20 straight games. It’s one of the least conventional hit streaks you’ll see, as Marte has only two multi-hit games over the course of this 20-game run. His .262/.300/.523 slash during this run is strong (123 wRC+) but also not quite the blistering production one might expect from someone on such a good run. In fact, he posted better rate stats in 28 games before his hitting streak than he has over the course of the streak (thanks in large part to a pair of four-hit games and a trio of three-hit showings). Marte will have one of his toughest tests of the streak thus far when he faces off against Dodgers righty Tyler Glasnow.

3. Young lefties square off in Kansas City:

Two of the AL Central’s most impressive young arms are set to face off in a pitchers’ duel later today as Royals lefty Cole Ragans takes on Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Ragans, 26, dominated to a 2.64 ERA in 12 starts with the Royals down the stretch last year after being acquired from the Rangers. This year’s 3.70 ERA doesn’t quite stack up to that level, but the lefty sports an excellent 2.58 FIP thanks in part to an excellent 27.6% strikeout rate  and improved 7.8% walk rate.

Ragans is facing a tough assignment, as Skubal has been among the very best pitchers in the big leagues this year. The 27-year-old has been nothing short of dominant through nine starts this season, with a 1.80 ERA and an MLB-best 1.95 FIP in 55 innings of work. Skubal has struck out 31.6% of batters faced this season while walking a microscopic 3.5%. The two youngsters are set to face off this afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 1:10pm local time.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

The Opener

Rays To Designate Erasmo Ramirez For Assignment
Main
Rangers Sign Nabil Crismatt To Minor League Deal
View Comments (34)
Post a Comment

34 Comments

  1. Melchez17

    1 year ago

    But Skubal has to face major league hitters… Ragan faces a bunch of AAAA hitters. It’s a shame Scottie Harris doesn’t know the Tiger offense stinks. One of the worst OBP teams and they are 5th in runners LOB. Tiger offense is a clown show.

    Reply
    • CBeisbol

      1 year ago

      Melchez

      wRC+
      Tigers 92
      Royals 99

      You might be overstating things a bit

      2
      Reply
      • Melchez17

        1 year ago

        Royals have 6 regulars with OPS+ over 100. Tigers have 4. Tigers also have 3 regulars with OPS+ under 60.

        Royals 31 and 19
        Tigers 23 and 25

        1
        Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 year ago

          Royals have been shutout once… Tigers 5 times. 7 times the Tigers have scored 1 run.

          1
          Reply
        • CBeisbol

          1 year ago

          OK?

          How does that support your argument?

          That a team nearly .500 isn’t great evidence that they are “AAAA”

          1
          Reply
        • No Soup For Yu!

          1 year ago

          I think it’s fair to say the Tigers are close to .500 because of their pitching and not their hitting.

          1
          Reply
        • CBeisbol

          1 year ago

          No Soup

          Which is why it makes no sense to cite W-L record as support for a team being AAAA level offensively.

          Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 year ago

          Thanks soup… teams that can’t score many runs don’t win many games. Even with decent pitching. 5 shutouts and 7 games with 1 run… hard to expect your pitchers to shut out everyone.

          Reply
        • CBeisbol

          1 year ago

          Melchez

          That s team is basically .500 isn’t evidence that they are a “AAAA” team

          They aren’t a AAAA team. They are a bit below average offensively based on their 92 wRC+

          Looking at offensive measures is a better way to measure offense than W-L record

          Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 year ago

          The reason they are a sub .500 team is because they have a terrible offense. It’s in all the stats.

          Reply
        • CBeisbol

          1 year ago

          Melcher

          “Terrible” is a vague, eaninglessm word.

          Their offense has been, last I checked, 8% below average

          THAT is in the stats. “Terrible” or “AAAA” IS not

          Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 year ago

          “eaninglessm”… The Tigers have a terrible offense… it’s in the stats and in the eye of people who know baseball. They really stink.

          Reply
  2. sufferforsnakes

    1 year ago

    Time to let Walston have his shot as a starter in the show.

    1
    Reply
  3. Melchez17

    1 year ago

    Tigers need to cash in on some older players… how about Andy Ibanez to the Dodgers for catcher Hunter Feduccia? Dodgers could send down Gavin Lux to fix his swing. Ibanez can play 2B. Tigers get a young lefty hitting backup catcher that has some OBP and good defense. They can cut Carson Kelly and call up Jace Jung for 3B. Shop around Urshela.

    Try and trade Flaherty or extend him. Don’t do another ERod and just let him walk. Trade Canha while he has value. Not many people will be looking for a 35 year old OF/1B/DH, but he’s still hitting a little.

    Reply
    • CBeisbol

      1 year ago

      Melcher

      Dodgers can send down Lux, if they wanted, without giving up Fedducia.

      Ibanez is a.nice player, but that trade isn’t happening.

      Reply
      • Melchez17

        1 year ago

        The Dodgers should call up Lupcius. He was a decent player for the Tigers.

        Feduccia is buried behind Smith Rushing Cartaya and Barnes

        Reply
  4. Blackpink in the area

    1 year ago

    How on earth does Reese Olson have a 2.16 ERA over 9 starts and he is 0 and 5? That has to be historicaly unlucky.

    2
    Reply
    • CBeisbol

      1 year ago

      Blackpink

      PART of the reason is people thinking ERA and W-L record are more meaningful than they are

      4 unearned runs have also scored. Which is 2.88 runs allowed per 9.

      1
      Reply
      • Blackpink in the area

        1 year ago

        Ok how in earth is a pitcher who is allowing 2.88 runs per 9 innings 0 and 5 after 9 starts?

        Reply
        • CBeisbol

          1 year ago

          Bp

          Some parts playing for a below average offensive team. Some parts luck (poor sequencing, maybe poor relief pitching)

          Reply
      • Melchez17

        1 year ago

        What pitching stat do you prefer? A combo of ERA and win loss tells quite a bit.

        Reply
        • CBeisbol

          1 year ago

          Welchez

          FIP-
          XFIP-

          Both tell more about PITCHING than ERA and W-L record

          Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 year ago

          FIP and XFIP are related to the ERA. I’m taking ERA and also Wins and Losses.

          Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 year ago

          Great pitchers have low era and high win percentages Prove me wrong.

          Reply
        • CBeisbol

          1 year ago

          Melchez

          “prove me wrong”

          Goodbye

          Reply
    • Melchez17

      1 year ago

      Tigers offense stinks… CBeisboi doesn’t understand baseball.

      Reply
      • CBeisbol

        1 year ago

        It’s 8% below average

        I know that because I understand math

        Reply
        • Melchez17

          1 year ago

          Tigers offense stinks because I know baseball.

          Reply
  5. Fever Pitch Guy

    1 year ago

    Am I the only one who thinks of Sammy Malone rapping whenever a player has a gg-gg groin, gg-gg groin, gg-gg groin injury?

    1
    Reply
    • lesterdnightfly

      1 year ago

      Yes. You are indeed the only one.

      Reply
  6. Melchez17

    1 year ago

    Not much of a duel… 3 nothing in the 5th with the Royal pitcher tossing a no no.
    Hmmm… but the offense isn’t the problem. LOL

    Reply
  7. Melchez17

    1 year ago

    I can’t wait for Derek Hill Jr… I mean Max Clark to get called up. Then the next rebuild will start.

    Reply
    • Melchez17

      1 year ago

      Just picture Clark and Tork in the same lineup with Payton Graham at short… that is going to really be an amazing base to build on.

      Reply
  8. Melchez17

    1 year ago

    You know… I was criticized for wanting the Tigers to sign Seager for short. I was told he was overrated. That same year Freeman was lingering on the market… imagine if they had signed them both. The Tigers could have 2 positions set for years and build on those.

    Seager, Greene, Freeman… that’s a solid 3 hitters. Carpenter… Keith and Jung in the wings… dang, that would be a very solid lineup. Lefty heavy… but that’s better than what they have.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Giants Acquire Rafael Devers

    Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday

    Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return

    Nationals To Promote Brady House

    White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn

    Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala

    Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue

    Royals Place Cole Ragans On IL With Rotator Cuff Strain

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Recent

    Front Office Subscriber Chat With Anthony Franco: TODAY At 2:00pm Central

    Braves Activate Stuart Fairchild, DFA Jose Azocar

    The Opener: Devers, Ohtani, Gilbert

    Giants Acquire Rafael Devers

    Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday

    Minor 40-Man Moves: Lucchesi, Penrod

    Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return

    Nationals To Promote Brady House

    Krall: Reds Have Discussed Elly De La Cruz Extension, “No Talks…Currently Happening”

    Padres Place Jackson Merrill On Concussion IL, Select Trenton Brooks

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version