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Mets Designate Collin McHugh For Assignment

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The Mets have designated right-handed pitcher Collin McHugh for assignment, according to the team (Twitter link).  The move clears a roster space for Carlos Torres, who was promoted earlier today.

McHugh had appeared with the Mets briefly this season, pitching to a 10.29 ERA, 3.9 K/9, and 3.5 BB/9 over seven innings.  The 25-year-old performed much better in Triple-A Las Vegas this year, with a 2.87 ERA, 6.9 K/9, and 2.2 BB/9 across 53 1/3 innings. 

 

Draft Notes: Appel, Red Sox, Shipley, Cardinals

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The Astros had scouted Mark Appel for two years before making the Houston native the first overall selection in the 2013 amateur draft, reports Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle.  The Astros passed on the Stanford right-hander with the top pick in 2012, but Appel's stuff and performance were too much for the club to pass up this time around.  Here's some more notes from the draft..

  • The Red Sox expect to sign their first rounder Trey Ball (7th overall) and their second-round choice Teddy Stankiewicz (45th overall) to bonuses less than the slot recommendation, multiple industy sources have told WEEI.com's Alex Speier. This would allow the Red Sox to make an aggressive above slot offer to third-round selection Jon Denney, who was viewed as a likely first-round pick. Speier notes the high school catcher was invited to the day one broadcast of the draft on MLB Network and earned the distinction of being the only invited player not taken in the first two rounds. Denney, who has a commitment to Arkansas, was the 81st overall selection, which carries a slot recommendation of $671,200 (per Baseball America).
  • The Diamondbacks prioritized advanced pitching and athleticism with their selections, writes Tyler Emerick of MLB.com.  Diamondbacks scouting director Ray Montgomery was pleasantly surprised Braden Shipley was available when the club first picked at No. 15, since the Nevada right-hander was thought to go much earlier. 
  • The Cardinals focused on cost-certainty and upside, according to Chad Thornburg of MLB.com. The club approached the draft with a specific plan, and Cardinals scouting director Dan Kantrovitz was "thrilled" with the way things worked out, "Based on saving some money yesterday [Friday] through some more cost-certainty maneuvers, we could then translate that into some higher-upside guys early on [Saturday]."
  • Although the Brewers did not have a pick in the first round as compensation for signing Kyle Lohse, the club was still excited about the pitching they found in the draft, notes Kevin Massoth of MLB.com.  The Brewers selected high school right-hander Devin Williams with their first pick, No. 54 overall.
  • Meanwhile the Padres like the hitting the club was able to snatch up over the last three days, reports Jamal Collier of MLB.com.  The club used five of their first six selections on position players, including the 13th overall pick, Mississippi State outfielder Hunter Renfroe. 

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

East Notes: Phillies, Harper, Marrero, Cano

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In the aftermath of a 20-inning loss to the Marlins, the Mets designated Rick Ankiel for assignment and recalled Kirk Nieuwenhuis. However, the team's biggest concern was the health of young ace Matt Harvey, who left the game with stiffness in his lower back. But as Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports, Harvey is apparently fine and will make his next scheduled start on Friday. Here's more news from around MLB's East divisions:

  • The Phillies' recent hot streak may have turned the club from sellers to buyers, argues Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Brookover notes the discussion just last week was about which top players would be unloaded, whereas now it is about what pieces could be added to the young core. 
  • Nationals GM Mike Rizzo downplayed Bryce Harper's visit to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion regarding the bursitis in the outfielder's left knee, according to MLB.com's William Ladson. "There's no worry," Rizzo said. "It is our protocol that players get a second opinion on any part of the body that we feel is a disabled list-type of injury. Guys get second opinions all the time here, and every guy that we put on the disabled list has gotten a second opinion." Harper is eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and is expected to rejoin the team then.
  • Chris Marrero may be up to stay, although the first baseman is temporarily serving as the Nationals' 26th man for today's doubleheader reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. The former first rounder may help the Nationals' disappointing offense get going, as Marrero has hit for a .306/.355/.502 line in 228 plate appearances.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the Alex Rodriguez saga hurts Robinson Cano in his negotiations with the Yankees in a way you might not expect.  While Rodriguez’s record deal looks like it has soured from a value perspective, Sherman argues that the negative attention the contract has gotten has been even more detrimental. Cano is the top ranked free agent on MLBTR'S 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings.   

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

Brewers To Sign Tucker Neuhaus

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The Brewers have agreed to a deal with competitive balance pick Tucker Neuhaus (No. 72 overall), reports Patrick Ebert of perfectgame.org (Twitter link).  According to Ebert, the signing bonus will be right at the slotted amount (according to Baseball America) of $771K.

Neuhaus ranked 83rd on BA's Top 500 Draft Prospects. The youngster will presumably start off at shortstop, the position he played in high school, although some scouts think he profiles as a  third baseman according to BA (Subscription Required). Neuhaus is advised by Meister Sports Management.

 

Athletics Acquire Vinnie Catricala

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The Athletics have acquired minor league infielder Vinnie Catricala from the Mariners in exchange for cash or a player to be named later, tweets Jane Lee of MLB.com. Catricala was designated for assignment by the Mariners last Sunday.

Catricala had been used mostly as a third baseman for Double-A Jackson, hitting .253/.318/.351 in 195 plate appearances. The 24-year-old was a 10th round selection of the Mariners in the 2009 draft.

Central Notes: Ventura, Royals, Cardinals

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While the NL Central features three of baseball's best teams (Cardinals, Pirates, and Reds), only the Tigers have managed to keep above the .500 mark in the AL Central.  Here are some notes from around baseball's central divisions..

  • Robin Ventura reaffirmed his commitment to the White Sox, reports Doug Padilla of ESPN.com. Amid speculation over his desire, as well as the team’s possible seller status at the trade deadline, Ventura stated, "It's just one of those where I know I have my contract and it's going to go (to the end) and then you talk again. But because of this situation, I'm not going anywhere."
  • Joe Werner of ESPN.com takes a look at how the Royals have transformed as an organization.  While the club’s farm system was once highly regarded, because of trades and under performance, the Royals are still struggling at the big league level.
  • Buster Olney of ESPN.com weighed in on a host of topics, including the Cardinals hitting preparation, as well as steroids (Subscription Required).  Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday gave his opinion on the latter, stating that fans should not have to wonder which players are clean and "and players shouldn't, either."

Quick Hits: Ramirez, Brewers, Upton, Red Sox

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Here's tonight's look around baseball..

  • Aramis Ramirez may be a popular name in trade rumors this deadline, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com. The Brewers may look to move the veteran third baseman, with the club struggling in last place in the NL Central. Ramirez understands the speculation, saying "It’s part of baseball. When teams don’t perform, you see changes." The 34-year-old is signed through 2014, and has played well despite injuries this season, slashing .305/.387/.512 in 93 plate appearances. 
  • Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told reporters that he has discussed sending major offseason acquisition B.J. Upton to Triple-A to work out if his current struggles, according to an Associated Press report. Gonzalez acknowledges that there may be some obstacles involved, "I think there's some logistics — contractual things and that sort of stuff — that they might not be able to do it that easy."
  • In his latest mailbag, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe answered questions about possible trade deadline targets for the Red Sox, as well as Jacoby Ellsbury. Cafardo doesn't feel the club needs to make a deal to improve its pitching, but he did state that Jonathan Papelbon continues to be a likely target.  Meanwhile, Cafardo thinks that it would still take a major contract to keep Ellsbury in Boston past this season.  
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com looks back at the Nationals' decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg in light of the young starter’s latest injury scare.  Morosi feels that last season may have been the Nationals best shot at a World Series, and wonders what could have been done to best utilize Strasburg’s prized arm.

AL Central Notes: Twins, Wang, Iwakuma, Brett

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While the Twins have struggled to be contenders on the field, the club once again figures to be players in the international market.  The team sits at 23-28, good for fourth place in the division.  Here is a look around the AL Central..

  • The Twins are not among the six teams interested in Chien-Ming Wang, tweets Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500.  Wang would be available if he chooses to opt out of his minor league contract with the Yankees today. The right-hander has reportedly intrigued several clubs after pitching to a 2.65 ERA, 4.1 K/9, and 1.6 BB/9 in 51 Triple-A innings this season.  
  • Wolfson also issued a reminder of the Twins’ failed pursuits of Hisashi Iwakuma , who will start against them tonight for the Mariners (Twitter Link).  The Twins were twice unable to land Iwakuma, bidding unsuccessfully for the right-hander during his posting process, as well as in free agency.  The 32-year-old has pitched to a 2.86 ERA, 7.7 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9 in 198 innings since coming to the big leagues in 2012.  
  • The Royal’s appointment of George Brett to hitting coach could signal a potential move into a managerial role, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  Heyman cites sources who say the Brett hiring could work as a “trial balloon”, or even “step one” for the Hall of Famer.  But while the club is clearly disappointed with their slow start, Royals GM Dayton Moore reportedly “isn't there yet” on firing manager Ned Yost.

West Notes: Beckett, Dodgers, Puig, A’s

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With the Angels welcoming back a healthy Jered Weaver in their attempt to turn things around, the Dodgers continue to receive more disappointing injury news. Here’s a look around baseball’s west divisions..

  • Dodgers right-hander Josh Beckett could be considering retirement, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.  Beckett’s recent bout with finger numbness apparently has the 33-year-old considering his future, “Any time something like that happens to your arm or you start losing feeling and stuff … you think about it for sure.” 
  • Promoting top prospect Yasiel Puig is just what the Dodgers need, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  Puig could showcase his five-tool potential with Matt Kemp on the DL.  Since signing as a high-profile Cuban free agent last year, Puig has hit for a .333/.411/.622 line in 258 minor league plate appearances.
  • The Athletics sit in second place in the AL West, but one scout thinks the team can accomplish much more, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney (subscription required).  The club is currently 31-24, and Olney notes that this is a lineup where Yoenis Cespedes is the only player approaching star status.  The scout says the A’s are his pick “to win the league”, citing their roster flexibility and depth.

Marlins Designate Jon Rauch For Assignment

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THURSDAY: The Marlins have released Rauch, according to the MLB.com transactions page yesterday.  The person running that page jumped the gun, however, a source tells MLBTR, as the pitcher has not yet been officially released.

FRIDAY: The Marlins have announced that right-hander Jon Rauch has been designated for assignment.  The move creates a spot on the 40-man roster for Duane Below, who was recently claimed off waivers from the Tigers. 

Rauch signed a one-year, $1MM deal with the Marlins in February, but pitched to a 6.89 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 15 2/3 innings.  The 34-year-old owns a career 3.88 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 over 594 big league innings.  Before he signed with Miami, the Brewers were among the clubs with interest in Rauch.

Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.

 

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