AL West Notes: Mariners, Rendon, Neto, Alvarez
The Mariners placed outfielder AJ Pollock on the 10-day IL earlier today, with outfielder Taylor Trammell taking his place on the active roster. While Pollock has struggled to a wRC+ of just 51 in 138 plate appearances with Seattle this season, Pollock’s injury further exacerbates an outfield situation that has quickly become a problem for the club. Julio Rodriguez and Teoscar Hernandez are both locked into starting spots in center and right field, respectively, but the absences of Pollock and Jarred Kelenic leave the club scrambling for options to fill out the rest of the club’s outfield mix. First baseman Mike Ford has taken over DH duties on a nearly full-time basis over the past month, while left field is set to be filled by a mix of depth options like Trammell, Dylan Moore, and Cade Marlowe.
To make matters worse for the Mariners, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times relays that, according to manager Scott Servais, Kelenic isn’t expected back until early September. He’ll spend the next 4-6 weeks in a walking boot after kicking a water cooler out of frustration following a ninth-inning strikeout. The incident left Kelenic with a fractured left foot. With so few options available to cover for Kelenic in left field, the Mariners seem poised to look into adding an outfielder ahead of the trade deadline on August 1. The club has previously been connected to Mark Canha of the Mets, though Tommy Pham, Cody Bellinger, and Lane Thomas are other outfielders who could potentially move prior to the deadline.
More from the AL West…
- Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon recently underwent an MRI that revealed a deep bone bruise in his shin, as noted by Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register. Rendon has been out since the beginning of the month with a shin contusion, though the injury is more serious than initially believed. Manager Phil Nevin explained the situation to reporters (including Padilla), saying that “There’s some significant bleeding inside the bone. This is more significant than we actually thought… We’re going to have to calm him down for a little while.” Nevin didn’t offer a new timetable for return, though MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger indicates that Rendon will be shut down for at least two more weeks.
- Sticking with the Angels, shortstop Zach Neto was scratched from today’s game against the Pirates due to lower back tightness, per Padilla. Andrew Velazquez replaced Neto in the lineup at shortstop today. Padilla noted that Neto was willing to play through the discomfort, but the Angels decided to act cautiously and rest him. Padilla adds that the club is considering sitting him again for tomorrow’s game in order to give him a three day period to rest in conjunction with Monday’s off-day, though Bollinger adds that the club is hoping the issue is minor enough he’ll be back in the lineup tomorrow, per Nevin. The club’s first round pick in last year’s draft, Neto has impressed by not only advancing to the majors in his first professional season but providing solid production with a 110 wRC+ combined with strong defense at shortstop.
- Slugger Yordan Alvarez appears to be nearing a return to the Astros, as he has begun a rehab assignment with the club’s Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land. Alvarez was expected to begin his rehab assignment last week, but did not appear in a game at Triple-A until this past Wednesday. He’s now appeared in three rehab games, and while it’s unclear when he’ll return to the big league club, his upcoming return is sure to boost the club’s lineup. While he’s been limited to just 57 games this season due to injuries, Alvarez has slashed an incredible .277/.388/.589 with a wRC+ of 167. With Alvarez on the shelf, Corey Julks has been the club’s primary DH in recent weeks.
Blue Jays Sign Gabe Klobosits To Minors Deal
The Blue Jays have signed right-hander Gabe Klobosits to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
A 36th round pick by the Nationals in the 2017 draft, Klobosits worked his way through the club’s minor league system until 2021, when he dominated the minors with a 1.64 ERA in 38 1/3 innings of work between the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Those strong numbers led Washington to call Klobosits up to the big leagues. The then-26-year-old hurler struggled in his cup of coffee, however, posting a 5.56 ERA in 11 1/3 innings of work.
That weak performance in the majors led the Nationals to designate Klobosits for assignment prior to the start of the 2021 campaign. Klobosits was claimed off waivers by Oakland, with whom he started the season at Triple-A, though his struggles from his major league debut carried into his time with the A’s as he posted a brutal 7.59 ERA in 10 1/3 innings with the club’s affiliate in Las Vegas before the club released Klobosits in June of last year.
Klobosits has spent the first half of the 2023 campaign outside of affiliated ball, pitching for the Atlantic League’s Gastonia Honey Hunters. In 8 innings of work with the Honey Hunters, Klobosits has posted a strong 1.13 ERA in eight innings of work, with Feinsand noting that he’s touched 98 mph on the radar gun during his time in Gastonia.
Now 28, the right-hander is poised to get another shot in affiliated ball with the Blue Jays. The club has a deep group of relievers in Triple-A on the 40-man roster that includes Genesis Cabrera, Zach Pop, and Thomas Hatch, but if Klobosits can carry his strong appearances in the Atlantic League over to the minors, it’s possible he could crack a deep Toronto bullpen that ranks fifth in the majors with a 3.67 ERA this season.
Central Notes: Cardinals, Twins, Carpenter, Ashby
The Cardinals saw a pair of high-profile players exit today’s loss to the Cubs due to injury today. Catcher Willson Contreras exited the game in the sixth inning with right hip tightness before third baseman Nolan Arenado exited the game in the ninth inning. Per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Contreras felt some soreness in his hip while blocking pitches early in the game that was then aggravated upon running the bases later on, while Arenado fouled a ball off his lower left leg earlier in the game. While he initially stayed in the game, Arenado’s leg began to stiffen up during a lengthy rain delay later in the game, prompting Arenado’s exit. Per MLB.com’s John Denton, Arenado told reporters that he’ll “be fine” on Sunday, indicating he could return to the lineup without missing time. Denton added that Contreras is listed as day-to-day.
Losing either Contreras or Arenado for significant time would be a major blow to the St. Louis. While the club is in fourth place in a weak NL Central division with an abysmal 44-55 record, the club has performed better of late with a solid 17-13 record in their last thirty games. Both Arenado and Contreras have been key pieces in that success. Since that month of play began, Arenado boasts a strong .288/.336/.586 slash line while Contreras has caught fire to the tune of a .373/.472/.653 line in 21 games. If Contreras ends up missing time, the Cardinals figure to rely on youngster Ivan Herrera behind the plate alongside backup Andrew Knizner.
More from around MLB’s central divisions…
- With Twins infielder Jorge Polanco nearing a return from the injured list, manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters (including Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press) that Polanco would be taking reps at third base during his rehab assignment. The position change, Baldelli explained, is designed to keep second baseman Edouard Julien in the lineup after Polanco’s return. Julien has been a revelation for the Twins in his rookie season, slashing a phenomenal .318/.399/.565 with a wRC+ of 167. With Polanco set to shift to the hot corner, the likes of Donovan Solano and Kyle Farmer figure to see their playing time reduced upon his return.
- MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter is drawing significant trade interest, but that Detroit is expected to hold onto the lefty slugger. The 25-year-old Carpenter has done nothing but hit since reaching the majors late last season, with a .257/.317/.493 slash line in 312 career plate appearances that’s good for a wRC+ of 125. Carpenter has shown particularly prodigious power, with 17 homers despite only half a season’s worth of trips to the plate. Given his offensive success, it’s hardly a surprise that Morosi notes the Tigers see Carpenter as part of the club’s future. Riley Greene, Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, and Spencer Torkelson are among the other young pieces already in the majors who could be key factors in the club’s eventual return to contention.
- Brewers lefty Aaron Ashby has yet to pitch in the majors this year after undergoing shoulder surgery back in April, but he’s making progress toward a return at some point this season. MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy relays that Ashby has been on a schedule involving 30-pitch bullpen sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays, and that while there are still hurdles before he can return to game action, he’s expected to head to Arizona next week to continue his rehab. Upon his return, Ashby figures to pitch in out of the bullpen, a role in which he owns a career 3.66 ERA across 39 1/3 innings of work with a 32.5% strikeout rate.
Red Sox Select Norwith Gudino
The Red Sox selected right-hander Norwith Gudino to the club’s roster earlier tonight, per a club announcement. Gudino is serving as the club’s 27th man during tonight’s game against the Mets after the clubs completed yesterday’s suspended game earlier today. Gudino will take the 40-man roster spot that had been previously vacated by right-hander Jake Faria, who was designated for assignment earlier this week.
Gudino, 27, would make his major league debut by getting into tonight’s game. Gudino’s professional career began with the Giants back in 2015, though he wouldn’t get his first taste of full-season baseball until 2018. That year, he posted a 4.41 ERA in 79 2/3 innings across three levels while mostly pitching out of the rotation. Gudino moved to relief in 2019, and dominated to a 0.53 ERA in 33 2/3 innings of work.
The right-hander did not pitch in 2020 due to the cancelled minor league season, but received his first taste of upper-minors action in the 2021 as he pitched to a solid 3.90 ERA in 60 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. Unfortunately for Gudino, he’s struggled significantly the past two seasons. He posted a brutal 8.87 ERA in 47 2/3 innings at Triple-A for the Giants last year before electing free agency this past offseason and signing on with the Red Sox on a minor league deal.
His results at Triple-A with the Red Sox have improved relative to those he posted with the Giants last year, though his 5.54 ERA in 52 innings while swinging between the bullpen and the rotation still leave something to be desired. That being said, his peripheral numbers have taken a significant turn for the worse in 2023. After posting strikeout rates around 30% in the upper minors throughout his career, that figure has plummeted to just 12.2% in 2023, a figure nearly matched by his 11% walk rate.
Despite these flaws, Gudino will get a chance in the majors with Boston, where he could be called upon to provide length in a bullpen where other multi-inning options such as Nick Pivetta and Josh Winckowski are relief on for late-inning roles.
Orioles Sign T.J. McFarland To Minors Deal
The Orioles have signed veteran left-hander T.J. McFarland to a minor league deal, per MLB.com’s transactions page. McFarland was designated for assignment by the Mets earlier this month to make room for left-hander Jose Quintana on the 40-man roster.
The deal represents a homecoming for McFarland, who made his MLB debut with the Orioles back in 2013. Over his first two seasons in the majors, McFarland posted a solid 3.58 ERA and 3.59 FIP in 133 1/3 innings of work. He struggled over the following two seasons, however, mustering just 65 innings with a disappointing 5.68 ERA. That downturn in production led Baltimore to release him prior to the 2017 season.
Since then, McFarland has played for the Diamondbacks, Athletics, and Cardinals in addition to the Mets. In 275 2/3 innings of work with those clubs, he’s managed a 4.05 ERA that’s 6% better than league average by measure of ERA+ along with a 4.33 FIP. He’s thrown just 1 2/3 innings in the majors this year, though he sports a 2.76 ERA in 32 2/3 innings of work at the Triple-A level with the Mets’ affiliate in Syracuse.
In returning to Baltimore, McFarland joins a stacked Orioles relief corps that leads the majors with 5.0 fWAR thanks to an MLB-best 3.58 FIP. That being said, the club’s bullpen has covered 355 innings so far this season, the 12th highest figure in the majors. Given that, McFarland could still prove to be valuable depth that helps bear the load as the club enters the second half.
McFarland figures to join the likes of Nick Vespi and Eduard Bazardo as depth options in the upper minors for the Orioles going forward. Vespi and McFarland, in particular, seem likely to get consideration if the struggles of Cionel Perez, who sports a 4.73 ERA (89 ERA+) and 4.49 FIP in 32 1/3 innings of work, prompt the club to look into other left-handed options to pair with Danny Coulombe in the bullpen.
Giants Designate Mauricio Llovera For Assignment
The Giants designated right-hander Mauricio Llovera for assignment today, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. The move clears space on the active roster for right-hander Luke Jackson, who the club has activated from the 15-day IL. San Francisco’s 40-man roster now stands at 39.
Llovera, 27, began his big league career with the Phillies before signing with the Giants on a minor league deal prior to the 2022 season. He was non-tendered last November but re-signed on a fresh minor league deal shortly thereafter. Though Llovera has pitched in the majors during parts of four seasons, he’s thrown just 29 1/3 big league innings with a 6.14 ERA and 6.19 FIP in that time. That being said, Llovera does sport a solid 2.82 ERA in 92 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level throughout his career, and his most recent stint with the Giants was a solid one despite its brevity. In 5 1/3 innings of work with San Francisco this season, Llovera sports a 1.69 ERA with a 23.1% strikeout rate.
Llovera’s departure opens the door for Jackson to return to the Giants’ bullpen. Jackson, 31, spent his entire career with the Braves prior to signing in San Francisco on a two-year deal prior to the 2023 season. While Jackson posted a sensational 1.98 ERA in 63 2/3 innings of work back in 2021, he missed the entire 2022 campaign due to Tommy John surgery and returned to the mound just two months ago. He looked good in 8 1/3 innings of work for the Giants in June, but his return was cut short by a low-back strain that has kept him out for nearly a month. Now that Jackson’s healthy again, he figures to factor into the club’s late-inning mix alongside Camilo Doval, Taylor Rogers, and Tyler Rogers.
Going forward, the Giants will have one week to trade, waive, or release Llovera. Llovera’s been outrighted previously in his career, meaning if the Giants successfully pass him through waivers, Llovera will have the opportunity to reject an outright assignment and test the open market.
Athletics Select Chad Smith
The A’s announced this afternoon that they had selected the contract of right-hander Chad Smith. Smith will replace right-hander Angel Felipe, who is headed to the paternity list, on the active roster. The club had an open spot on their 40-man roster, so no corresponding move was necessary to clear space for Smith.
Smith, 28, was outrighted off the club’s 40-man roster earlier this month to make room for Manny Pina‘s return from the 60-day injured list. Smith now returns just a few weeks later to help Oakland’s relief corps cover the middle innings alongside the likes of Austin Pruitt and Tayler Scott. Smith struggled significantly in his first stint with the A’s earlier this year, posting a 6.75 ERA in 12 innings of work across nine appearances. The results at the Triple-A level haven’t been much better, as Smith’s 7.88 ERA in 24 innings at the Triple-A level is well below par even for the heightened offensive environment found in the Pacific Coast League.
In joining the active roster, Smith will cover for Felipe, a 25-year-old righty who made his major league debut with the A’s earlier this month after the club claimed him off waivers from the Padres back in June. In 6 1/3 innings of work across five appearances out of Oakland’s bullpen, Felipe boasts a 1.42 ERA with a solid 24% strikeout rate, though his 16% walk rate certainly leaves something to be desired.
Padres Designate Domingo Tapia For Assignment
The Padres announced several roster moves this afternoon ahead of tonight’s game against the Tigers. The club placed right-hander Alek Jacob on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 21) with right elbow inflammation. To replace Jacob on the active roster, the club selected the contract of left-hander Jackson Wolf, as previously expected. Right-hander Domingo Tapia was designated for assignment to make room for Wolf on the club’s 40-man roster.
Jacob made his big league debut just last week, and his move to the shelf puts a promising start to his major league career on hold. In three big league appearances, the 25 year old has racked up five strikeouts against just one walk in three scoreless innings of work. Jacob’s early success in the big league’s comes on the heels of a dominant performance at the Double-A level prior to his call-up to the majors where he posted a 1.32 ERA in 27 1/3 innings with a 29.4% strikeout rate.
Taking Jacob’s place on the active roster is Wolf, a 24-year-old lefty for whom his first appearance with the Padres will be his major league debut. That opportunity seems likely to come tonight, with Wolf poised to take the ball to start tonight’s game in Detroit. To this point in the 2023 campaign, Wolf has pitched out of the rotation for San Diego’s Double-A affiliate in San Antonio. In 85 innings of work across 17 starts, Wolf has posted a solid 3.39 ERA with a 31.3% strikeout rate.
Wolf’s selection likely brings to an end Tapia’s time with the Padres, for whom he posted a solid 3.57 ERA in 17 2/3 innings of work (albeit with a less impressive 5.38 FIP). In addition to San Diego, Tapia has also played in Oakland, Kansas City, and Seattle since making his major league debut for the Red Sox back in 2020. Overall, Tapia sports a 4.21 ERA and 4.40 FIP in 72 2/3 innings of work at the big league level. Going forward, the Padres will have seven days to waive, trade, or release the 31-year-old journeyman. Should the club pass him through waivers and attempt to assign him outright to the minors, Tapia will have the opportunity to reject that assignment and test free agency as a player who has been previously outrighted in his career.
The Opener: Hall Of Fame Induction, Mejia, Cubs
With the 2023 MLB regular season 60% complete, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Hall of Fame Induction Weekend:
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the class of 2023 is set to take place this weekend, with Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen set officially join the ranks of Hall of Famers enshrined in Cooperstown. 50 Hall of Famers will be in attendance in total, with the full list of participants available through the National Baseball Hall of Fame website. A variety of programming leading up to the induction ceremony is scheduled on MLB Network throughout the weekend. The ceremony itself will take place on Sunday at 12:30pm CT and can be watched via MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, or through the MLB app.
2. Mejia to undergo MRI:
Rays catcher Francisco Mejia exited yesterday’s game with the Orioles after the sixth inning after seemingly injuring his knee on a play at the plate in the fourth inning. Following the game, manager Kevin Cash told reporters, including Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times, that Mejia was undergoing an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, which Cash suggested could be a sprain. The only extra catcher on the club’s 40-man roster is Rene Pinto, who Ackert notes is currently with the Florida Complex League on a rehab assignment.
If Mejia misses time and Pinto isn’t ready to go, the club’s other Triple-A options are Blake Hunt, Roberto Alvarez, and Nick Dini. Of the three, only Dini has past experience in the majors. If Mejia’s injury proves to be significant, it could incentivize the club to swing a deal for a catcher ahead of the trade deadline. Joey Bart of the Giants and Yan Gomes of the Cubs were the only two catchers to appear on MLBTR’s Top 50 Deadline Trade Candidates list earlier this month, though Tom Murphy of the Mariners and Austin Hedges of the Pirates both received additional mentions.
3. Cubs infielders getting healthy:
Some positive injury news from the north side of Chicago today, as infielder Nick Madrigal is headed for a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa, per MLB.com. The 26 year old has been on the injured list since the beginning of the month with a hamstring strain. Madrigal isn’t the only infielder who could return to the lineup in the near future, as MLB.com adds that 2023 All Star Dansby Swanson could be activated from the 10-day injured list during this weekend’s series against the Cardinals. Swanson has been out with a bruised heel for just over two weeks to this point.
In 167 trips to the plate this season, Madrigal has hit .278/.335/.364 with a wRC+ of 95 while primarily playing solid defense at both second and third base. Madrigal struggled badly in the early part of the season to the point where he was optioned to Triple-A in mid-May, but since returning to the big leagues he’s improved dramatically with a .328/.408/.466 slash line in 19 games. Swanson, on the other hand, has slashed a solid .258/.343/.409 (108 wRC+) in 367 plate appearances with the Cubs to go along with stellar defense at shortstop but had cooled off in the weeks prior to his injury, with an uninspiring .237/.297/.330 line in his last 30 games.
The Opener: Suarez, Bader, Quintana
With the trade deadline just around the corner, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Suarez to return:
The Padres have been without right-hander Robert Suarez since Spring Training due to elbow inflammation. That’s expected to change today, as manager Bob Melvin confirmed to reporters (including Dennis Lin of The Athletic) that Suarez set to be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to this afternoon’s game against the Blue Jays in Toronto. A corresponding move will be necessary to clear space for Suarez on the 40-man and active rosters.
After a lengthy career overseas, Suarez made his MLB debut last year at the age of 31 and threw 47 2/3 excellent relief innings of San Diego, with a 2.27 ERA (168 ERA+) and a 3.22 FIP. That stellar performance led the Padres to re-sign Suarez on a five-year, $46MM deal during the offseason. While that contract hasn’t worked out to this point due to Suarez’s injury issues, he has the potential to provide closer Josh Hader with an elite set-up option as the Padres attempt to work their way back into contention. Alternatively, if the Padres decided to trade Hader, a pending free agent, Suarez seems like a top candidate to slide into the closer’s role in San Diego.
2. Bader to undergo testing:
Yankees center fielder Harrison Bader exited yesterday’s game against the Angels after getting hit in the back with a 95 mph sinker from young right-hander Jose Soriano. According to Greg Joyce of the New York Post, Bader had a welt on his back and a posterior rib contusion following the incident. Bader’s expected to undergo more tests before the Yankees make a decision regarding a potential trip to the injured list. A stint on the shelf for Bader would be disastrous for the Yankees, as the center fielder has been a key player both offensively and defensively while Aaron Judge has been on the IL with a toe injury. Should Bader miss time, the club figures to rely on Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Billy McKinney in center field in his absence.
3. Quintana to make season debut:
Veteran lefty Jose Quintana has yet to throw a pitch in the majors this season after undergoing rib surgery back in March. He was reinstated from the 60-day IL last week, but still has yet to take the mound for the Mets since landing with the club on a two-year deal this past offseason. That’s set to change today, as Quintana is slated to take the ball opposite White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech this afternoon at Citi Field.
When healthy, Quintana has been a solid mid-rotation starter throughout his career with a 3.75 ERA (115 ERA+) and 3.62 FIP in 1055 1/3 career innings. He had a particularly impressive campaign last year with the Pirates and Cardinals, posting a 2.93 ERA that was 39% above league average and backed by a 2.99 FIP. With both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer not living up to their ace-caliber standards this season and Carlos Carrasco struggling to a 5.35 ERA in 13 starts, a strong performance from Quintana down the stretch could help steady the Mets’ rotation as they attempt to stay relevant in the playoff picture ahead of the trade deadline on August 1.