Missteps In Minor Trades Hurting The Cubs In 2023
After ending their century-long championship drought in 2016, the Cubs struggled to maintain that level of competitiveness despite their talented roster, resulting in a massive sell-off at the 2021 trade deadline that is currently yielding promising results as the club works its way back towards contention. Though the club added quality players like Marcus Stroman, Seiya Suzuki, and Yan Gomes ahead of the 2022 season, it was nonetheless a clear rebuilding year for the Cubs as they looked to turn the page on the previous core and begin to build around younger players like Nico Hoerner and Justin Steele.
After a surprisingly strong finish to the 2022 campaign where the club posted a 40-31 record over the season’s final ten weeks, the Cubs looked to jump-start their return to contention with a significant financial outlay over the offseason. While the club downgraded at catcher by swapping out three-time All Star Willson Contreras for Tucker Barnhart, the club shored up the rotation with multiyear deals for Jameson Taillon and Drew Smyly and plugged a hole in center field by landing Cody Bellinger on a one-year deal.
Most importantly, the Cubs acquired a new face of the franchise by offering Dansby Swanson a seven-year deal worth $177MM. Early in the season, the club also extended both Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ through the end of the 2026 season, a further sign the team is committed to its current core of Swanson, Hoerner, Happ, Suzuki, and Steele. Unfortunately for Cubs fans, those deals have done little to pull the Cubs back into contention, as the team sports a 27-36 record as they sit 6.5 games out of a playoff spot while looking up at the Pirates, Brewers, and Reds in a weak NL Central division.
Still, the club has struggled to stay in the race, thanks in part to the struggles of many of those signings. Taillon has struggled through injuries and ineffectiveness in ten starts this season, Barnhart sports an OPS of just .433 and appears to have been supplanted by Miguel Amaya as Gomes’s primary backup, and the club’s offseason bullpen signings of Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer have combined for a whopping 27 earned runs in 41 innings of work.
That isn’t to say the moves president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and his front office made this past offseason were all mistakes; in fact, many of them have proven savvy in the early going. Swanson leads the quarter of star shortstops who hit free agency over the offseason in terms of both wRC+ and fWAR this season despite signing the smallest contract of the group, Bellinger has bounced back from two difficult seasons in LA to post above-average offensive numbers for the Cubs while Smyly has proven to be a stabilizing force in the club’s rotation with a 3.27 ERA (136 ERA+) in 13 starts for the Cubs this season.
The club has faced particularly significant issues on offense, with 267 runs scored in 2023, a figure that places them tied with the Padres for fourth-worst in the NL. With Bellinger, Happ, Suzuki, and Mike Tauchman posting strong numbers in the outfield while Swanson and Hoerner have been largely successful up the middle, the biggest culprits in the club’s lack of offense are the infield corners and the DH slot. The Cubs rank 22nd in the majors in terms of wRC+ at DH, 27th at third base, and 29th at first base.
With three key spots most lineups rely on to generate offense doing so at a well below-average rate, it’s no wonder the Cubs have frustrated with offensive struggles despite significant individual successes in 2023. To make matters worse, the club shipped out a pair of players in recent years who have proven to be major assets for their current clubs and would have surely shored up Chicago’s offense had they stuck on the roster.
Prior to the 2022 campaign, the Cubs traded right-handed slugger Harold Ramirez to the Rays for minor league infielder Esteban Quiroz just months after acquiring Ramirez from Cleveland. This move paved the way for the club to roster the likes of Michael Hermosillo and Clint Frazier as the 2022 season began, though both players struggled mightily, posting wRC+ figures of 16 and 87 during their time with the Cubs, respectively. Since joining the Rays, meanwhile, Ramirez has blossomed into a phenomenal slugger, with a .298/.342/.436 slash line (125 wRC+) in 170 games while playing first base, DH, and the outfield corners.
Had the Cubs held onto Ramirez, it seems likely they wouldn’t have felt the need to sign Mancini to fill a similar role this past offseason, opening up resources that could have been used to address a bullpen that ranks bottom four in the NL with a 4.53 ERA while improving significantly on Mancini’s own 83 wRC+ in 51 games this season.
As for third base, the Cubs entered spring training this season with a trio of infielders in consideration for two Opening Day roster spots: Nick Madrigal, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Zach McKinstry. Ultimately, McKinstry was shipped to Detroit in exchange for minor league reliever Carlos Guzman. That decision has proved to be another significant mistake, as Madrigal and Mastrobuoni have combined for -0.4 fWAR for the Cubs this season, with Madrigal’s 60 wRC+ in 35 games leading the duo offensively.
McKinstry, meanwhile, has gone on to post a breakout season for the Tigers. While playing second base, third base, shortstop, and both outfield corners, the 28-year-old utility player has posted a solid .256/.360/.388 slash line in 54 games that’s good for a wRC+ of 115. Had McKinstry remained with the Cubs, he could have shored up third base alongside Patrick Wisdom, who has struggled to a .149/.253/.310 slash line since the beginning of May, while also filling in elsewhere around the diamond during stints on the injured list for regulars like Suzuki and Hoerner.
In addition to the assistance both Ramirez and McKinstry could have provided the Cubs this season, each is controllable beyond the current campaign. The duo is expected to hit free agency after the 2025 and 2027 seasons, respectively, meaning both could have be key pieces in the lineup or on the bench with Chicago for years to come.
Many of the bigger moves the Cubs have made in recent years, such as the signings of Swanson, Stroman, and Suzuki, have worked out well to this point. Despite those successes, however, missteps regarding Ramirez and McKinstry have highlighted the importance of making the right moves at the margins when attempting to return to contention. Unless Wisdom, Christopher Morel, Trey Mancini, and Matt Mervis can collectively provide the internal improvements necessary at the infield corners to spark the offense going forward, the Cubs figure to enter the 2023-24 offseason with improving at the infield corners at the top of their to-do list.
Julio Urias Suffers Setback In Rehab From Hamstring Injury
Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias was set to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start tomorrow’s game against the Phillies, but manager Dave Roberts tells reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic) that those plans have been put on hold after Urias didn’t bounce back fully from Thursday’s bullpen session. Ardaya notes that while Urias has not been shut down from throwing, he’ll be limited to throwing off flat ground for the time being, and will likely need a rehab assignment before he can return to the club’s rotation.
The news is a blow to the Dodgers, who recently put right-hander Noah Syndergaard on the IL where he and Urias are joined by the likes of Ryan Pepiot, Walker Buehler, and Dustin May. Urias was expected to help stabilize a rotation that currently only has four set starters in Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Bobby Miller, and Michael Grove. While right-hander Gavin Stone is healthy in the minors, Roberts noted that the 24-year-old right-hander isn’t an option for this coming turn through the rotation after the youngster pitched 4 1/3 innings in a start at the Triple-A level yesterday.
That leaves the Dodgers likely set to utilize a bullpen game on Sunday. While Gonsolin would be on regular rest if he were to start Sunday, the Dodgers appeared poised to utilize their coming off-day on Monday to rest their rotation, which a bullpen game on Sunday would still allow them to do. Andre Jackson and Justin Bruihl are the other Triple-A pitchers currently on the 40-man roster for the Dodgers.
As for Urias, his start to the 2023 season has surely not been the platform campaign he was hoping for ahead of his expected free agency this winter. Urias entered this season with a career 2.82 ERA and 3.44 FIP in 599 2/3 innings of work following a particularly stellar 2022 campaign where he led the NL in ERA while finishing top three in Cy Young award voting. All that figured to make Urias perhaps the most coveted free agent of the coming offseason this side of Shohei Ohtani, and while that certainly could still prove to be the case, Urias’s injury woes and pedestrian 4.39 ERA in ten starts this season have done little to boost his resume ahead of his first foray into free agency.
AL Central Notes: Twins, Jimenez, Pasquantino
The Twins are sending a pair of their players for further examination this weekend, as noted by Betsy Helfand of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. According to Helfand, second baseman Jorge Polanco went for an MRI yesterday in Toronto after leaving Thursday’s game with hamstring tightness while left-hander Caleb Thielbar is set to return to Minnesota for an MRI of his own this weekend after the club placed him on the injured list with an oblique strain earlier this week.
Both players have been key pieces for the Twins when healthy but have struggled to stay on the field this season. Polanco has been limited to just 30 games, but has slashed .250/.291/.450 with a 105 wRC+ during that time. Thielbar, on the other hand, posted a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings prior to going on the injured list at the beginning of May. The veteran lefty was activated earlier this week but recorded just one out on a major league mound before returning to the injured list with his current oblique issue.
With Thielbar on the shelf, the Twins are relying on Jovani Moran as the sole left-handed reliever in their bullpen, though the 26-year-old has posted a solid 3.86 ERA and 3.67 FIP in 25 2/3 innings of work this season. Meanwhile, Kyle Farmer filled in for Polanco at the keystone yesterday, though if the switch-hitting second baseman requires a stint on the injured list, it seems likely the Twins would turn to Edouard Julien, who has posted a .226/.310/.452 slash line in 72 major league plate appearances while shuttling between the majors and Triple-A this season.
More from around the AL Central…
- White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters, including Rob Schaefer of the Chicago Sun Times, that slugger Eloy Jimenez would be out for the next few days after he sustained a lower left leg injury during Thursday’s doubleheader against the Yankees. While Grifol notes that the injury is more significant than its initial day-to-day designation indicated, the club is still optimistic that Jimenez will be able to avoid a stint on the injured list, which would be his third this season. Jimenez, who has slashed .257/.315/.434 in 35 games with the White Sox this season, figures to be filled in for at DH by Jake Burger.
- Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star notes that Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who left yesterday’s game against the Orioles with right shoulder discomfort, is still being evaluated by the team’s medical staff. Any time missed by Pasquantino would be a significant blow to the Royals, as the 25-year-old slugger has been one of the club’s few consistent offensive performers, though his .247/.324/.437 slash line (107 wRC+) hasn’t quite lived up to his phenomenal rookie season, when he posted a wRC+ of 137. Nick Pratto figures to take over at first base if Pasquantino were to miss significant time.
The Opener: Alvarez, Jimenez, Urias
With 40% of the 2023 regular season in the books, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. How serious is Alvarez’s injury?
Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez exited yesterday’s loss to the Blue Jays after the first inning with what was termed right oblique discomfort. Speaking to reporters after the game, manager Dusty Baker (as relayed by MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart) told reporters that the club plans to re-evaluate their prized DH today, but called the injury a “tough blow.” As McTaggart notes, even a mild oblique issue seems likely to shelve Alvarez for at least a few games, as it did for Jose Altuve earlier this month when he missed four games with a mild oblique strain. A more significant strain, of course, could require a stint on the injured list.
Alvarez, who turns 26 at the end of the month, is having another sensational season at the plate for the Astros. The slugger has mashed to a .272/.384/.579 slash line in 242 plate appearances this season, good for a wRC+ of 165. While that sort of production will be next to impossible to replace fully, the Astros seem likely to offer more consistent at-bats to Corey Julks in the event that Alvarez misses time.
2. Eloy exits:
White Sox slugger Eloy Jimenez left yesterday’s game after feeling discomfort in his lower left leg while running the bases in a loss to the Yankees last night. Manager Pedro Grifol told reporters, including Scott Merkin of MLB.com, that Jimenez would be re-evaluated today and is considered day-to-day for the time being. A former top prospect, the talented Jimenez has found success when on the field throughout his big league career, with a wRC+ of 122 in the majors, but has struggled to stay on the field consistently in recent years, with just 174 games played since the start of the 2021 season.
In 2023, Jimenez has slashed .257/.315/.434 (105 wRC+) while splitting time between the DH slot and the outfield for the White Sox, though he’s been limited to just 35 games by two stints on the IL this season: one for a hamstring strain back in April and another after undergoing and appendectomy last month. Jimenez’s injury comes as the White Sox struggle to stay competitive in a weak AL Central, as the club is just 3.5 games back of the division-leading Twins despite a weak 28-36 record. Should Jimenez miss time, that would likely open up additional starts for the likes of Jake Burger and Clint Frazier.
3. Urias to return on Sunday:
The rotation picture in LA has begun to crystalize with Noah Syndergaard heading to the injured list yesterday. That leaves young right-handers Michael Grove and Bobby Miller secure in their rotation spots for the time being as they prepare to take the ball against the Phillies this weekend. Taking the ball to close out the series this weekend will be left-hander Julio Urias, who has been on the injured list since the middle of May with a hamstring strain. Last week, Urias threw a 30-pitch bullpen session, leading to speculation that he could return in the near future. That’s now coming to fruition as Urias figures to start Sunday’s game in Philadelphia.
Urias’s return could provide a boost to the Dodgers’ pitching staff as the club as the club looks to stop their current skid. Losers of 6 of their last 10 games, the Dodgers have seceded ground in the NL West race to the Diamondbacks in recent days, with Arizona currently holding a 1.5 game lead over Los Angeles in the division. That being said, Urias has struggled in 2023 to meet the lofty expectations set by his work in previous seasons. After posting a 2.63 ERA (158 ERA+) in 495 1/3 innings of work between 2019 and 2022, Urias has seemingly taken a step back through ten starts in 2023, with a 4.39 ERA that’s barely league average by measure of ERA+ (101) and a worrisome 5.31 FIP.
Red Sox To Select Joe Jacques
The Red Sox are poised to select the contract of left-hander Joe Jacques prior to this evening’s game against the Yankees, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The club will need to clear space on both the active and 40-man rosters to accommodate Jacques.
While it had previously been reported that the club plans to designate Matt Dermody for assignment today, that 40-man and active roster spot appears set to go to outfielder Adam Duvall, meaning an additional move will be needed to make room for Jacques. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe speculated last night that right-hander Bryan Mata, who has been on the injured list in Triple-A for the past month and does not appear close to a return, could be transferred to the 60-Day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot for another pitcher, though it certainly remains possible the Red Sox decide to go a different route in clearing space for Jacques.
The 28-year-old Jacques would be poised to make his MLB debut with the Red Sox. A 33rd round pick by the Pirates in the 2018 draft, Jacques has spent the past several seasons climbing the minor league ladder, eventually reaching Triple-A in 2021, though he posted a mediocre 4.31 ERA in 48 innings at the level that season. 2022 was far more impressive for Jacques, as the left-hander posted a strong 3.12 ERA in 43 1/3 innings pitched primarily at the Triple-A level. That performance was enough to catch the attention of the Red Sox, who selected Jacques from the Pirates during the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
Jacques has continued to succeed at the Triple-A level with his new organization this season, posting a 3.58 ERA in 27 1/3 appearances. Though his 20% strikeout rate might leave something to be desired compared to many power relievers in the majors, a 7.5% walk rate and a whopping 56.3% groundball rate both leave Jacques in position to potentially succeed at the big league level. In joining the Red Sox bullpen, Jacques would give Boston another left-handed option alongside Brennan Bernardino while Joely Rodriguez and Richard Bleier are on the injured list.
The Opener: Postponements, Alonso, Adell
As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world:
1. Make-up games after air quality postponements:
MLB postponed the Yankees’ home game against the White Sox and the Phillies’ home game against the Tigers yesterday due to air quality concerns stemming from wildfires burning across Canada, the smoke from which has begun to pollute the air all across the northeastern United States recently. The teams figure to make up the games today. The game in Philadelphia will begin at 5:05pm CT, replacing what was expected to be a scheduled off-day for both teams. Meanwhile, the Yankees and White Sox will play a single-admission double-header this afternoon, with the first game beginning at 3:05pm CT. Tickets for yesterday’s postponed game will be honored today in Philadelphia, while the doubleheader in New York today is single-admission. Tickets for yesterday’s game can be exchanged for another 2023 regular season game at Yankee Stadium.
2. Alonso to undergo testing:
According to Tim Healey of Newsday, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is expected to undergo a CT scan today on his left wrist after exiting yesterday’s game against the Braves with a wrist contusion. Manager Buck Showalter said the club will evaluate Alonso’s status today, noting that the initial x-rays were promising but they need to “make sure we know what we’re dealing with.”
Alonso has played each of the club’s 61 games to this point, slashing .231/.323/.546 with an MLB-leading 22 home runs. Should Alonso miss time, youngster Mark Vientos seems likely to take over at first base for the time being. He’s struggled to a .188/.206/.281 slash line so far, albeit in just 12 games and with inconsistent playing time since being called up a bit over three weeks ago.
3. Adell to make season debut:
Former top prospect Jo Adell is expected to make his 2023 debut for the Angels today against Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly, according to MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. Once a consensus top-5 prospect in the game, the former tenth overall pick has struggled to a .215/.256/.359 slash line in 557 career plate appearances since debuting during the shortened 2020 campaign, good for a wRC+ of just 68.
Of course, Adell is immensely talented, still just 24 years old, and posting a solid 115 wRC+ in Triple-A this season even after a 10-game slump that preceded this call-up to the majors. In his first 45 games at Triple-A, Adell had dominated with a .300/.394/.665 slash line with a whopping 17 home runs in just 199 plate appearances. He’s still striking out too often (29.3% on the year), but if he can sustain anywhere near this level of power production that’ll be a fair trade-off.
The Opener: A’s, Yankees, Syndergaard
As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Nevada legislature to hold special session on A’s stadium deal:
As reported by Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada governor Joe Lombardo issued a proclamation last night that convened a special session of the Nevada state legislature to reconsider SB509, the bill that, if passed, would approve roughly $380MM in public funding for an MLB ballpark in Las Vegas. The special session, which is set to begin 12pm CT, has no specified end time. Per Akers, that means the session could extend beyond today, if necessary to reach a conclusion on the bill.
Failure to get the bill through the Nevada legislature would be a major setback for A’s ownership, as the club will lose its status as a recipient of revenue-sharing if it fails to secure a stadium deal prior to January 15. Success, on the other hand, would remove what appears to be the most significant remaining roadblock as A’s ownership plans to move the team to Las Vegas, though plenty of other, smaller roadblocks would remain.
2. Yankees to place Judge, Cortes on the IL today:
The Yankees plan to place both left-hander Nestor Cortes and outfielder Aaron Judge on the injured list today. Right-hander Randy Vasquez is expected to be called up to take the ball in Cortes’ stead during tonight’s game against the White Sox, though it’s as of yet unknown who will replace Judge on the active roster. Outfielder Franchy Cordero, infielder Oswald Peraza, and catcher Ben Rortvedt are the only Triple-A hitters on the 40-man roster at the moment.
It’s been a difficult season to this point for Cortes. The lefty has struggled to a 5.16 ERA that’s 18% worse than league average by ERA+ over 59 1/3 innings of work. Judge, on the other hand, has followed up his AL MVP-winning campaign with another strong performance, slashing .291/.404/.674 so far in the 2023 season. While Judge’s 188 wRC+ leads the majors, he’s been limited to just 49 games so far this season between his current toe issue and a hip strain earlier in the season.
3. Syndergaard starts as rotation decision looms:
The Dodgers are expected to welcome left-hander Julio Urias back into the rotation in the near future, meaning one of the club’s five current starters figures to depart the rotation. Veteran ace Clayton Kershaw and right-hander Tony Gonsolin are both secure in their rotation spots, leaving a spotlight on veteran right-hander Noah Syndergaard along with youngsters Bobby Miller and Michael Grove headed into the weekend.
Miller has been dominant since receiving the call to the majors, with a 1.06 ERA in three starts. Grove has been hit hard this season, though his 8.14 ERA is skewed by a nine-run meltdown that preceded a stint on the injured list beginning in late April. He returned with improved velocity earlier this week, fanning a season-high seven batters with no walks but still yielding four runs in five innings. Syndergaard has struggled to a 6.54 ERA and 5.23 FIP in 11 starts with the Dodgers after signing on a one-year deal with the club this past offseason. As he fights to keep his spot in the rotation, the veteran right-hander will be tasked with handling a hot Reds team that managed to come back from an 8-3 deficit just last night to beat the Dodgers 9-8.
The Opener: McCutchen, Giants, MLBTR Chat
As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. McCutchen approaches milestone:
Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen currently sits at 1,997 hits for his career, just three away from becoming the 290th player in major league history to record at least 2,000 hits. Other active players who reached similar territory include Joey Votto, Nelson Cruz, and Miguel Cabrera. McCutchen has recorded a trio of three-hit games so far this season, most recently on May 31 against the Giants. He’s gone hitless over his last two games, though he did draw three walks and connect for a game-winning sacrifice fly in last night’s win over the A’s.
It’s been a resurgent season for the 36-year-old veteran, who has slashed an excellent .271/.373/.442 in his return to Pittsburgh, good for a 124 wRC+. That mark would be his highest in a full season since 2015, when he was an All Star for the fifth time, won a fourth consecutive Silver Slugger award, and finished fifth in NL MVP voting. McCutchen will have another chance to reach the milestone this evening against the A’s and right-hander James Kaprielian.
2. Giants getting healthy:
The Giants open a series against the Rockies in Denver today, with right-hander John Brebbia expected to take the mound as an opener against Rockies righty Dinelson Lamet. San Francisco figures to welcome reinforcements for its starting lineup at some point during the three-game set, as Susan Sussler of the San Francisco Chronicle indicates that the club could welcome both lefty slugger Joc Pederson and infielder Thairo Estrada back from the injured list during the coming series.
The return of the duo would be a huge boost for the San Francisco lineup, as each is among the club’s top hitters alongside the likes of J.D. Davis, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Michael Conforto. Pederson has posted the stronger offensive numbers to this point, with a .235/.351/.494 slash (128 wRC+) in 97 plate appearances prior to going on the injured list last month, working exclusively as a designated hitter. Estrada has been similarly productive, slashing .301/.345/.466 (123 wRC+) in 206 plate appearances while contributing with the glove at second base, shortstop, and left field throughout the 2023 campaign.
3. MLBTR Chat Today:
With the calendar now flipped to June, the paths forward for many of MLB’s teams remain murky, even as some organizations set themselves apart from the pack.. If the events of the season so far have spurred any questions in your mind about your favorite team or the league as a whole, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
The Opener: Abbott, Cortes, Lowe
As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Abbott to debut:
With Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott expected to make his MLB debut in a start today against the Brewers, roster moves to clear space for Abbott on both the 40-man and active rosters will be necessary before this evening’s game. The No. 95 prospect in the game according to MLB Pipeline, Abbott has dominated the upper levels of the minor leagues all season to this point, with a 1.15 ERA in three Double-A starts before the Reds promoted him to Triple-A, where he’s posted a 3.05 ERA in seven starts. He’s fanned 42.7% of his opponents between those two levels. That dominance has already earned Abbott not just his first start in the big leagues, but his second, as manager David Bell has indicated that Abbott will not be a spot starter and get another start this Saturday against the Cardinals.
2. Cortes to undergo MRI:
After revealing that left-hander Nestor Cortes was likely headed to the 15-day injured list with a shoulder issue, Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that Cortes was set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. After pitching to a 155 ERA+ between the 2021 and 2022 seasons as a regular member of the Yankees rotation, Cortes has struggled so far in 2023, with a 5.16 ERA and 4.60 FIP in 59 1/3 innings of work across 11 starts.
If Cortes has been dealing with a shoulder issue throughout the season that, as Boone describes it, has caused problems with his recovery between starts, it’s no wonder that New York plans to utilize a trip to the IL to hopefully get their lefty’s season back on track. The Yankees are already without Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas, neither of whom have thrown a pitch in the Majors this season.
3. Lowe day-to-day with back injury:
Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe was initially scratched from yesterday’s game against the Red Sox with what was termed “left leg discomfort,” but after the game manager Kevin Cash (as relayed by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times) indicated that the issue actually involved Lowe’s back. Lowe noted to reporters that the issue cropped up after he “felt something” during a slide into third base, and that he wasn’t able to get his back to loosen up after taking swings in the batting cage. Lowe indicated he was hopeful that he would be able to play today, though he admitted that it was “too early to say anything” at this point.
Lowe has struggled after a hot start, hitting .199/.294/.392 overall on the season (96 wRC+). His performance has been particularly brutal since the end of April, with a .167/.255/.267 slash line and just five extra base hits in his past 102 plate appearances. If Lowe were to require a trip to the injured list, options to replace him would include Taylor Walls and Isaac Paredes.
Brewers Notes: Urias, Adames, Woodruff, Lauer, Bush
MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy relayed a series of significant updates regarding injured Brewers players this morning. Most encouragingly, the Brewers expect to welcome both infielder Luis Urias and shortstop Willy Adames back from the injured list this week.
Urias, who suffered a hamstring strain on Opening Day and hasn’t played since, is expected to rejoin the club on Tuesday as they begin a homestand against the Orioles. Acquired in the trade that sent Trent Grisham to San Diego prior to the 2020 season, Urias has been a key piece of the club’s infield picture for several seasons now, particularly since his offensive breakout in 2021. Since the beginning of the 2021 season, Urias has slashed a solid .243/.339/.424 (111 wRC+) with a 20.6% strikeout rate and a 10.8% walk rate in 1,046 trips to the plate.
Adames, meanwhile, has been on the 7-day concussion IL since getting struck with a foul ball in the dugout last week. McCalvy notes that the current plan is for Adames to play DH for High-A Wisconsin today before moving on to Triple-A Nashville. After two games in Nashville, Adames figures to be activated from the injured list on Thursday.
After the Brewers acquired Adames partway through the 2021 season, the then-25-year-old shortstop raked for the club in 99 games for the rest of the season, with a .285/.366/.521 slash line that was 36% better than league average by measure of wRC+. Adames followed up that performance in 2022 with a solid 109 wRC+ in 139 games, but struggled prior to his placement on the IL this season, slashing a below-average .205/.292/.384 in 51 games.
Still, the Brewers figure to be bolstered significantly by the return of their two most reliable infielders. Andruw Monasterio, Owen Miller, and Brian Anderson have all produced solid results in the infield while Urias and Adames have been on the shelf. Assuming the Brewers look to keep all three of them on the active roster even after the duo returns this week, it’s possible the club will look toward the likes of Brice Turang, Mike Brosseau, and Abraham Toro when clearing space for Adames and Urias on the active roster. Each of those three infielders (as well as both Monasterio and Miller) are optionable, leaving Milwaukee with plenty of options as they look to make roster decisions in the coming days.
While the updates on Adames and Urias are encouraging, the same unfortunately cannot be said regarding ace right-hander Brandon Woodruff. The 30-year-old righty made just two starts this season before going on the injured list with a subscapular strain in his right shoulder, which came with an initial timeline that figured to see him return later this month. McCalvy notes that Woodruff’s timetable for return has been pushed back, however, as the righty has yet to progress to throwing off a mound, leaving the Brewers to target a return around the All Star break for their ace.
The setback for Woodruff is a tough blow to the Brewers, who have since lost Wade Miley and Eric Lauer from their rotation to injuries (in addition to Aaron Ashby, who has yet to pitch this season after undergoing shoulder surgery). What’s more, Woodruff’s co-ace Corbin Burnes has had a somewhat pedestrian season to this point by his lofty standards, posting a 3.75 ERA (113 ERA+) and a 4.59 FIP across twelve starts while striking out 22.8% of batters faced.
Speaking of Lauer, the left-hander and reliever Matt Bush are both expected to head to Triple-A for rehab assignments on Tuesday. Lauer struggled mightily in nine appearances (eight starts) this season prior to going on the IL due to an impingement in his non-throwing shoulder, with a 5.48 ERA and a 6.73 FIP in 42 2/3 innings of work. Bush also struggled in nine games prior to hitting the IL with tendinitis in his right rotator cuff allowing seven runs on four homers and six walks in just 7 2/3 innings of work.