Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Scherzer to be activated:
Veteran right-hander Max Scherzer is set to be activated from the 60-day injured list today. Scherzer made just one start for Toronto before going on the shelf due to a nagging thumb issue. For a Blue Jays team in clear need of starting pitching reinforcements, Scherzer’s return should be reason for optimism, given his Hall of Fame caliber resume and career 3.16 ERA. Scherzer will need to be re-added to the 40-man roster once activated. The Jays opened a spot when Erik Swanson was released earlier this week but then acquired Robinson Pina yesterday. Scherzer is scheduled to take the mound in Cleveland against right-hander Gavin Williams (3.58 ERA) at 6:40pm local time.
2. Zach Neto to undergo MRI:
The Angels are facing a potential injury scare today after shortstop Zach Neto was removed from yesterday’s game. Neto told reporters (including Jack Janes of The Sporting Tribune) last night that he’s dealing with some “soreness” in his shoulder after sliding into second base on an attempted steal and that he will undergo an MRI today to determine the severity of the issue. The 24-year-old added that he isn’t concerned about his shoulder and is just being cautious after undergoing shoulder surgery back in November. Scott Kingery took over the position after Neto departed the game and could be in line for reps at shortstop if Neto misses time. In 262 plate appearances this season, Neto is batting .278/.321/.494 (125 wRC+) with a dozen homers and 13 stolen bases.
3. Pitchers’ duel in the NL Central:
A battle of exciting young pitching talents is scheduled to take place tonight in Milwaukee, as top Brewers prospect Jacob Misiorowski will take the mound for his third career start after posting a 1.64 ERA with a 28.9% strikeout rate (and a less-appealing 13.2% walk rate) across 11 innings in his first two appearances. Misiorowski’s opponent will be Pirates ace Paul Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year, a finalist for the 2024 NL Cy Young Award, and an early frontrunner for the Cy Young this season. Skenes has pitched to a phenomenal 1.85 ERA in 16 starts across 102 innings of work this year, striking out 27.2% of his opponents against a 6.9% walk rate. He’s allowed only five home runs (0.44 HR/9). The two young flamethrowers will face off at 1:10pm local time this afternoon.
Scherzer is gonna just miss the Red Sox series this weekend.
Not that it matters with the way the Red Sox have been hitting, fielding and running the bases.
If Scherzer does return to form, it will be a dogfight between the Yanks, Jays and Rays for the division title. Should be a fun few months!
Scherzer is going to miss a lot of starts. He needs to hang it up along with JV
Just pray if youre a fan. He cant return to form, age isnt on his side
FPG
Scherzer, Verlander ,and Kershaw,3 sure fire 1st ballot H.o.Famers. all likely in there last seasons. If so they could all saunter into the Hall together. I know he wanted 300 wins but I don’t think Verlander is gonna get there. I hope Kershaw’s number of losses doesn’t reach triple digits. Pedros losses reached triple digits in his final season. I think it just looks cool.
cdc – I can definitely see Scherzer and Verlander hanging it up after this season, but why you think Kershaw too?
He’s only 37 (same age as Chapman) and pitching well, and the Dodgers have a chance at winning another title or two.
FPG
As long as he is effective,and assuming the Dodgers want him back, hey pitch until they tear the uniform off of you. Amazing the amount of injuries the Dodgers pitching staff has accrued this season. Dodgers management really took the old saying ,’you can never have enough pitching ‘ to the extreme. Without question, the best owner,front office combo in MLB.
I just thought it would be cool to see those 3 legends all go in at the same time.
300,250 wins we may have seen the last of those pitchers. 200 is going to be very tough to attain. Maybe Sale or Cole. Aaron Nola ?
Where’s Sidd Finch ?
No chance Verlander makes 300 wins. He doesnt have 4 more years left in the tank. Doesnt matter, He was an incredible pitcher and surefire HOFer.
Can’t wait to see Scherzer throw 15 pitches and then have to leave with another injury.
@MeowMeow
It’s optimists like you that are ruining it for us pessimists ;o)
We’d consider ourselves lucky if we see him pitch again. Those 3 dudes compete every time out. Doesn’t matter what stuff they have. That’s why you watch
I think what stuff they have matters quite a bit. Walker Buehler competes every time out and is incredibly painful to watch this year because his stuff is garbage.
NM
I must admit , I was all for the Buehler signing. Thought he was all the way back after watching him in the playoffs for the Dodgers last year. One of the main disappointments for the Sox this year. If I’m Cora , he gets one more start to prove he belongs in the rotation.
I’m not worried facing Max … I’m terrified facing the best RHR the first series after the break!!! I’m pretty sure… no earned runs in the USA this year!!! Top that Paul/ Jason and Garrett!!!
olm – Which game you going to that weekend? I want to get my bets in early!
FPG… gonna be honest… going to Cabo in October for Mrs Brais ( fine me too) so it’s one game in Chicagos friendly confines or 7 nights and possibly attending Sammy Hager birthday bash / all-inclusive!!!!! But I will give you a reallllll long shot!!! Bet the team that won it twenty years ago. When we were in Cabo last!!!
Skenes may be the front runner in the NL (with good reason) but Webb, Wheeler, and Gore are all having strong seasons
Rotini: The NL Cy Young frontrunner seems unclear, but it looks like Skubal and De Grom in the AL right now. The Tigers better get Skubal’s name on an extension, and soon.
Not with Boras as his agent.
Skubal is absolutely testing free agency. Tigers definitely have the pocketbook to be able to pay him so Harris has a shot at re-signing him in the offseason.
It’s going to take 450/10 to start that discussion this offseason. Higher AAV than DeGrom and matching Cole’s nine years.
Skubal is terrific, but 3 out of the 4 big time free agent pitchers from last off-season are on the 60 day IL. Sasaki, Snell,and Burnes. Only Fried is performing to expectation. Only the Dodgers could maintain a playoff season with 2 of there big time starters injured. Craziness. If I was an owner , how could you invest 7,8, years in a pitcher… ?!?!?!
cdc – Hence my apprehension about Crochet’s health. He will continue to throw max velo because he’s locked up for many years, crossing my fingers he can remain healthy.
A65
How about Crochet? He is dominating.
Hope that Neto returns soon, but looking forward to seeing Scotty Jetpax get a few reps for old times sake. I was sure that he was going to be a terrific 2B for my Phils but alas it was not to be. Watching him in the minors made me think that we finally had an Utley-lite to handle the position.
Swing changes; injuries and illness, stubbornness by Scotty and some meddling by player development derailed him.
Early on, Kingery was looking like another super utility guy with a bright career ahead. What could have been…