Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. McClanahan makes long-awaited return:
Rays southpaw Shane McClanahan hasn’t thrown a pitch in the majors since 2023 due to Tommy John surgery and nerve issues. After missing more than two full seasons, the lefty is finally ready to return to the major league mound. His first assignment will be a start against the Brewers and their own oft-injured ace, Brandon Woodruff (3.20 ERA in 12 starts last year). It’s easy to forget after such a long layoff, but McClanahan was among the most talented young starters in the sport when he first broke onto the scene in 2021. In 74 career starts to this point, the lefty sports a 3.02 ERA and 28.0% strikeout rate. Now just a month from his 29th birthday, McClanahan will have the opportunity to prove he can still be a high-end starter when healthy this year. His first game is scheduled for 6:40pm local time in Milwaukee.
2. Painter to make MLB debut:
Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter has been a highly-discussed name for years now, ever since he was on the cusp of making the majors with Philadelphia back in 2023. He wound up undergoing surgery on his UCL instead, and after missing two full seasons he return to the mound last year. Unfortunately his 22 starts at the Triple-A level came with lackluster results, including a 5.40 ERA. Despite that middling performance last year, Painter remains a consensus top-40 prospect in the sport and looked good during Spring Training with a 2.31 ERA in four starts. He didn’t strike out many of his opponents, but that was still enough to earn him a rotation job. He’ll finally make his big league debut today against the Nationals in Philadelphia. The game is scheduled for 6:40pm local time and will see him face off against D.C. lefty PJ Poulin.
3. Pratt extension incoming?
The Brewers and top shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt are reportedly working on an extension, though no deal appears to be finalized at this point. It’s a surprising move given that the 21-year-old is just three games into his Triple-A career, but with Caleb Durbin having been removed from the infield in Milwaukee over the offseason the Brewers might have interest in fast-tracking the youngster to the majors this year. The pact would guarantee him $50.75MM over eight years if finalized, and would have a pair of club options at the end as well. Assuming the deal gets done, Pratt will become the Brewer under team control for the longest period of time, beating out outfielder Jackson Chourio‘s own pre-debut extension. We’ll sure hear more about both the necessary corresponding move to add Pratt to the 40-man roster and the timeline for his arrival in the majors in fairly short order after the deal is completed.
Less surprising pre career extension: Colt Emerson’s!
Excited to see what Painter can do this season.
I sure hope Andrew can paint the corners….
Feel bad for Painters first start with the Phillies anemic offense and awful defense playing behind him.
Well said…
McClanahan looked really, really good in his final ST game against the Sox.
But the marquee matchup today is Bello vs Hunter, could be a good ‘ole fashioned pitchers dual.
Depends on which Bello shows up. The one who’s been convinced by everyone he can strike everyone out who’s pitch count is 90 in the third inning, or the one who pitches to contact and crosses his fingers his “defense” can pick him up. The latter has been the one who’s had success.
Enjoy – Coming off a very strong breakout season, he’s been absolutely dominant in the WBC and ST.
As long as he’s not too rusty, I believe he will perform well tonight.
I’d rather watch Fried vs Gilbert
Painter, today in NBC Sports Philadelphia: “The minor league balls usually have a little higher seam, and the spin is usually a little higher,” Painter said. “So with fastballs, that’s why in the Minors you’ll sometimes see some of these weird ones with great vertical break, whereas you won’t really see that with the big league ball.”
Oh Ed, with your bad knee you shouldn’t be throwing anyone.
Am I the only one thinking Painter is going to be a bust?
Walker and Nola are the problem in a very questionable rotation, Painter is the least of these worries IMO.
Been hearing about Painter for so long it seems. I hope he turns into the pitcher the Phillies always envisioned. Good luck Painter!
Mcclanahan is the most forgotten ace in baseball and he already didn’t get much publicity since he was in Tampa
Two very different but long awaited debuts; McClanahan’s long awaited return for the Rays and Painter’s long awaited MLB debut for the Phillies. Some good things to watch tonight