Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. Eflin to return:
The Orioles are gearing up for what’s sure to be a sell-side deadline, and as they do so one potential trade candidate is set to return from the injured list today: veteran right-hander Zach Eflin. Eflin has been sidelined for nearly a month due to back soreness, but interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters (including Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner) that Eflin will be activated today to take the ball in tonight’s game against the Guardians and right-hander Slade Cecconi (3.84 ERA in 11 starts). Eflin’s had a rough year so far, with a 5.95 ERA in 12 starts, but a strong pair of starts prior to the deadline could lead prospective buyers to focus more on his fairly long history as a capable mid-rotation arm than his more recent struggles.
2. Casparius to undergo MRI:
Just one day after the Dodgers lost closer Tanner Scott to the injured list with an uncertain return timeline, L.A. may be losing another key arm. Right-hander Ben Casparius surrendered three runs without recording an out last night before exiting the game, and afterwards told reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic) that he was suffering from calf cramping but also felt his foot “give out” from under him during his appearance. He’s scheduled to undergo an MRI today. Should he require a trip to the shelf, it would only exacerbate the Dodgers’ need for bullpen pitching this summer. Casparius has struggled badly in 24 innings of work since moving into a multi-inning role last month with an 8.63 ERA, but prior to that was one of the club’s most effective arms in one-to-two inning bursts.
3. Melton to debut:
The Tigers are poised to select the contract of right-hander Troy Melton today, as was previously reported. The 24-year-old has a 2.99 ERA across 75 1/3 innings at the Double- and Triple-A levels. Once Melton is rostered later today, he’ll be tasked with making his big league debut against the Pirates and left-hander Bailey Falter (4.00 ERA in 20 starts). Facing Pittsburgh in his first MLB game should make Melton’s debut a relatively soft landing given their lackluster offense this season, though the Tigers will have to make moves on both the active and 40-man rosters to bring the well-regarded young righty into the fold.
Why would any P want to go to the Dodgers when their name is on the IL list before they even arrive?
A ring?
No pitching no ring sorry Charlie
What do you mean? The Dodgers have got TONS of pitchers. They’ve got like 14 in the starting rotation alone. Their 60 Day IL roster would finish second in the NL Central.
/ S
Billy Idol said it best….Money Money Money
Money.
Mooooonnnneyyyy.
@avenger
I was gonna laugh at the irony attempt but then I remembered Dodger pitchers on the DL is tired and akin to the Dodger deferring money in originality and usage here in the comment section. I then decided to post something in hopes you’ll try harder or just move past these tired comments.
No big deal, but Falter is a lefty.
That explains it! Crafty lefties will try anything to get an out but sometimes it goes too far and gets them in trouble… He must have been pitching right handed!
I watched that Dodger game last night and Casparius had no idea where the ball was going. He walked three and Will Smith was diving all over the place to stop what was coming in and control the runners. It was terribly obvious something was wrong, but they were on their third ineffective pitcher of the night and he was trying to gut it out. Glad it was a leg instead of a shoulder/elbow.
I joked that they would trade for the reliever most likely to get injured, but they couldn’t even wait to make a trade.
the Bucs are lightning up the Tigers rookie pitchier with 6 runs in just the 3rd inning having hit a solo homer by Cutch and a grand slam by Horowitz and a sacrifice fly by Cruz
Things are getting so bad for the Dodgers pitching staff Orel has been throwing bullpen sessions between broadcasts…
As a young boy, his name would make me chuckle. What preteen boy wouldn’t want Orel?
Apparently he’s Orel Hershiser IV, so I don’t think he’s the only one who went through it…
I come from a long line of proud Orels