Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Gore to return to Nats
The Nationals placed left-hander MacKenzie Gore on the injured list a couple of weeks ago due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Thankfully, he’s coming back after a minimal stint and will start today’s game. Reliever Orlando Ribalta has been optioned as the corresponding move for Gore, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com. The Nats aren’t playing for much at this part of the schedule but it’s nice for the club and for Gore that he’s getting back on the mound before the winter kicks in. That will at least provide some assurance that nothing is lingering into the offseason. Gore is a speculative trade candidate this winter since he’s down to two remaining years of club control and the Nats don’t seem close to contending. His health is therefore of interest to other clubs around the league as well.
2. Detmers injured?
Angels lefty Reid Detmers departed yesterday’s game with an apparent injury. Per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, the southpaw said afterwards that he wasn’t in pain but his arm felt “dead” on the outside of his elbow. He’s getting an MRI today. Detmers is having a really good season out of the bullpen. The Halos will have to decide this winter whether to keep him in a relief role or stretch him back out as a starter next year. Perhaps the outcome of this MRI will play a role in that decision.
3. Mets sliding
As of a few weeks ago, it looked like the National League playoff race would be a real snooze. Going into the day on September 3rd, the Mets had the final Wild Card spot. The Reds and the Giants were each five games back. Fast forward to today and the Mets still have that final playoff spot but the situation is far less cozy. They have lost five in a row, which has shrunk their lead over the Reds and Giants to just two games, with the Diamondbacks and Cardinals also in the mix. It doesn’t get easier from here, as the Mets take on Jesús Luzardo and the Phillies today. The subsequent six games are also against tough teams, as the Mets host the Rangers and Padres for three each.
RIP Charlie Kirk
Lol
I wonder if he was an ancestor of James Tiberius.
@Mr. McNasty
Which baseball player is that? I can’t find a BR page for him.
Even the Yankees had enough respect for him. Try not being hateful evil person.
@Mets Era Thumping Soto
What? I think you overreacted to something I said. Do you have a BR page or not?
I think you should just be quiet when someone is murdered if you have nothing positive to say. It’s really not difficult.
Mets Era Thumping Soto
Your answer to my question is… No.
Pretty simple…
Old York is not commenting on Mr. Kirk’s murder; on that he is “being quiet”. He is commenting on the intrusion of politics and other non-baseball related issues on a purely baseball site. MLBTR is a wonderful site and community where many of us go to talk baseball and, at times, find an escape from more serious topics. There are innumerable sites where a discussion of Mr. Kirk and his unfortunate murder is appropriate. MLBTR is not one of them.
@Captain Dunsel
Well said.
Then why did MLB teams have a moment of silence for him? Scroll over the comment if you don’t care. The website brings real world issues into all the time and sometimes things are just a bit bigger.
I don’t believe @Old York means any disrespect. I think he means well, and just wants us to get back to the discussion of the Mets circling the drain.
McNasty – Charlie was a good man and was likely the only source of truth to millions of college students. His murder leaves a gaping hole that will be hard to fill…but it will be filled.
And Charlie was an athlete himself and an avid baseball fan.
How can someone RIP if all he’s ever done is cause chaos with his mouth.
Big shoutout to the Yankees best reliever, Austin Slater. It was a very nice deadline pick up for the Yankees. Guy’s probably gonna get a big reliever payday in the future…
Indeed things getting too close for comfort with colossal payroll Mets. It just takes 1 of the Reds/Giants to make up a mere 2 games.
Fox has Baseball Night in America tonight and features the Mets trying to avoid a sweep in Philadelphia — the Phillies’ magic number this morning is down to 7.
That would be so Mets if they sign Soto but miss the playoffs because of the reds
Dodgers still have 7 games with the Giants. They can affect who they play in the Wild Card round. (assuming the Phillies don’t collapse too).
Mets fans should take solace knowing that the Padres are tanking.
@DanFan
Would be quite funny if the Giants & Reds make it into the playoffs.
Mets aren’t doing what they *need* to do and *should be doing* to keep Juan happy. That’s why his numbers are down, that’s why he’s unhappy, that’s why the team is struggling.
Take care of the man, treat him right.
His numbers are down? A 30/30 season and just the third player ever with 35+ homers, 30 steals and 115 walks…ok
Yes they are down, yes he is unhappy, yes he is being mistreated by the organization.
What about how many players in history have had 43+ HR, 23 SB, and 92+ walks?
What about how many players have had 51+ HR, 19 SB, and 98 walks?
What’s your solution? More free box suites? Private plane rides? Evian shower water? Support your claims.
I dont follow the Mets. From afar, it seems like Soto is having a very Soto-like season. What are the Mets doing, or failing to do, that’s holding him back?
He’s a troll.
Mets collapsing in sept
BIG surprise
@chandlerbing
Correct, it’s not really newsworthy as it is expected. It’s like reporting that the leaves are changing colors and falling.
Mets are collapsing and water is wet
Funny thing is that there will be articles about that
@Oppo nacho
I apologize for my mistake. Yes, you are correct, that will still happen to…
Detmers’ elbow felt dead? I’m no doctor but that does not sound good.
If the Mets manage to back into the playoffs, there will be a lesson to learn for other teams: The games in April and May really do matter.
It’s almost unfathomable to think the Mets could be a playoff team. I’ve been watching them all season and aside from a few short runs of brilliance, they’ve been unwatchable since mid-June. I keep waiting for them to go on a hot streak similar to what we saw in April-May, with that lineup and the rookie pitchers who have been pretty impressive so far, but I think it is what it is at this point. You can’t win with 4-5 inning starting pitchers and multiple unusable relievers (Stanek, Helsley). But if their competition is the Reds and Giants, I think .500 ball from here on out will get the Mets into the playoffs (where, who knows, anything can happen).