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Marcus Stroman Hoping For Quick Return

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Mets righty Marcus Stroman is hoping for a quick bounceback, as Tim Healey of Newsday reports. The starter has been slowed by a calf injury.

Stroman provided some further background on the injury. He says it looks worse on an MRI than it feels. Per Stroman, it was “shocking” to learn that he had suffered what he alternately labeled as a “tear” or “slight strain.”

While the 29-year-old says he expects to recover swiftly, he acknowledged the need to exercise care. “I don’t have trouble recovering or coming back,” says Stroman, “but this is something that needs to feel 100% before I can go back and move full speed.”

Fortunately, Stroman is still able to work off of the mound. That should help him stay stretched out while he awaits a clean MRI. Given the short length of the season, it’ll obviously be important both to get back as soon as possible and to avoid a setback that leads to a lengthier absence.

Predict The AL Central Division Winner

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With final roster decisions in the books and the 2020 season underway at long last, it’s time to make some predictions. We’ll poll the MLBTR readership on each of the game’s six divisions — though plenty more teams will crack the postseason under the rather inclusive new playoff qualification system.

There’s rather an interesting dynamic in the American League Central division this year. The Twins stepped up in 2019 and have added Josh Donaldson to an already potent lineup. They’ll try to hold off the Indians, who had previously enjoyed a stranglehold on the division and have some of the best core talent around. There’s no denying the immense potential that resides on the White Sox roster, which features both elite youngsters and newly inked quality veterans. The Royals feel they’ve got quick bounceback potential after a few down seasons; if a few players hit their ceilings, perhaps they could surprise. It’s harder to see a path for the Tigers, but they’ve also got a load of elite young hurlers pushing into the majors and will enter the season determined to make strides.

Which team do you think is the best of the bunch? (Poll link for app users.)

Marlins Place Jorge Alfaro On IL, Select Sean Rodriguez

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The Marlins announced that they’ve placed catcher Jorge Alfaro on the injured list, meaning he’s out of action for Opening Day. A reason was not given for the surprise move.

Replacing him on the active roster will be veteran utilityman Sean Rodriguez, whose contract was selected. The Fish also announced the signing of outfielder Travis Snider to a minor-league pact. He’ll head to the team’s alternate training site.

It’s obviously disappointing to see Alfaro hit the shelf right at the start of the season. The 27-year-old has established himself as a solid MLB backstop, though he’s hoping to take another step forward after posting consecutive 95 OPS+ efforts at the plate. Alfaro is also playing to set himself up for his first run at the arbitration process.

Braves To Acquire Scott Schebler

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2:03pm: This deal is now official. Cash considerations will go to Cincinnati in return.

12:47pm: The Braves have struck a deal to acquire outfielder Scott Schebler, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes reports on Twitter. Schebler had been designated for assignment by the Reds.

This’ll give the Atlanta organization another potential power bat to add to the mix. Schebler will take a spot on the team’s 40-man roster and 60-man player pool. Since he’s out of options, he’ll also have to be added to the active roster.

Schebler will rejoin former outfield mate Adam Duvall as depth options. The Braves have now added several power-oriented players in recent days, with Schebler joining Matt Adams as lefty bench bats.

Though he popped thirty long balls in 2017, Schebler has generally failed to reach base at a sufficient clip to feature as an above-average hitter. He owns a .240/.318/.443 lifetime batting line through five MLB campaigns.

Last year was a particularly rough one for Schebler, who scuffled badly through 30 MLB games. Things weren’t much better at Triple-A, where he limped to a .216/.274/.325 slash over 212 trips to the plate.

Schebler was likely hampered by a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. He’s now back to full strength and ready to take a crack at reestablishing himself in the majors.

Orioles Outright Hector Velazquez

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The Orioles announced today that they have outrighted righty Hector Velazquez. He has already cleared waivers.

This move removes a player from the Baltimore 60-man player pool, leaving five openings to work with. The O’s clearly did not believe that Velazquez would be an option in the majors this year.

The 31-year-old hurler had been a useful swingman for the division-rival Red Sox, though he scuffled in 2019. Given the Orioles’ pitching needs, it seemed he had a good shot at carving out a role. Instead, he’ll be stashed on the Baltimore minor-league roster without a chance to play this season.

Rangers Release Cody Allen, Add John King To 60-Man Pool

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The Rangers announced today that they have released veteran reliever Cody Allen. His spot in the 60-man player pool will go to lefty John King.

Allen, 31, has had a rough go of things since he hit a wall in the 2018 season. His effort to bounce back last year with the Angels fell short and he’s now struggling to earn his way back to the majors.

The 25-year-old King is now in a position to clamor for his first call to the majors. He still hasn’t appeared above the High-A level, but was quite effective there last year. Over 71 frames, the former tenth-round pick turned in a 2.03 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9.

Yordan Alvarez, Jose Urquidy, Cionel Perez Cleared To Resume Training

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The Astros finally got a roster break today. Young slugger Yordan Alvarez, righty Jose Urquidy, and southpaw Cionel Perez have all been cleared to resume training with the club, as Jake Kaplan of The Athletic was among those to cover on Twitter.

While they’re now able to get back to action, the trio will obviously not be ready to jump right onto the active roster. All will report to the team’s alternative training site to get back up to full speed.

It’s especially encouraging to see Alvarez, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, returning to action. He had previously dealt with some knee issues, but the young slugger has now had ample rest.

The ’Stros will also be anxious to get Urquidy back. He emerged late last year as a key piece of the rotation. Perez has struggled with the long ball in his own MLB opportunities, but remains a potentially useful swingman.

Astros Select Brandon Bailey

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The Astros have selected the contract of righty Brandon Bailey, the club announced. He’ll be on the Opening Day roster.

This represents an unlikely outcome for Bailey. He was left unprotected by the ’Stros in the fall, then selected by the Orioles in the Rule 5 draft. The Baltimore organization sent him back to Houston, leaving Bailey without a 40-man spot.

Some pitching absences helped clear the way for Bailey. The 25-year-old had a nice 2019 showing at Double-A, posting a 3.30 ERA in 92 2/3 frames with 10.0 K/9 against 4.0 BB/9.

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