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West Notes: Buehler, Rockies, Blackburn

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Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery last August, and recently told reporters that the date he’s targeting for a return to action this season is September 1. While not unheard of, a 12-month recovery timeline from Tommy John surgery is a rare feat for pitchers, particularly those rehabbing from the procedure for a second time, as Buehler is.

Despite the seemingly long odds, Jon Heyman of the New York Post noted yesterday that the possibility remains on the table, with one notable caveat: Buehler’s return to the Dodgers could come out of the bullpen rather than as a member of the starting rotation. If Buehler indeed makes his return later this season as a reliever, it would be a notable change of pace for the 28-year-old righty. 106 of Buehler’s 115 appearances in the majors have come as a starter, and he has come out of the bullpen just once since the start of the 2018 campaign.

In those 10 1/3 innings of work out of the bullpen so far in his career, Buehler has struggled to a 11.32 ERA. Of course, such a small sample that’s over half a decade old at this point matters far less than Buehler’s more recent work, which has been nothing short of dominant. Since the start of the 2018 campaign, Buehler has posted a phenomenal 2.95 ERA that’s 40% better than league average by measure of ERA+ with an equally strong 3.22 FIP in 629 innings of work at the front of the Dodgers’ rotation. The highlight of his career to this point came in 2021, when he made an MLB-leading 33 starts while posting a phenomenal 2.47 ERA (171 ERA+) with a 3.16 FIP that earned him a top-4 finish in Cy Young Award voting.

Whether as a starter or a reliever, a pitcher of Buehler’s caliber would surely be an asset to the Dodgers both down the stretch and as they gear up for a hypothetical playoff run. While the Dodgers have a plethora of viable rotation options, Dustin May, Julio Urias, Michael Grove, and Ryan Pepiot are all currently on the injured list alongside Buehler, and both Noah Syndergaard and Tony Gonsolin have spent time on the shelf previously this season as well. Given the number of options that could be at the club’s disposal, and the number of injuries they’ve suffered already this season, it’s near impossible to predict what LA’s rotation could look like come September, whether Buehler is ready for a return or not.

More from around the West divisions…

  • In the same article, Heyman also notes that the Rockies have interest in former Royals president of baseball operations Dayton Moore for a high-ranking front office role, though the club appears to be content with Bill Schmidt as GM. Heyman notes that Moore expressed he hadn’t heard about Colorado’s interest in his services. Nonetheless, it’s notable that the Rockies, a club that has typically been known for hiring within the organization for their front office, would seek the services of an external candidate. Moore was fired by the Royals last season after sixteen years at the helm of the organization, during which he oversaw the club’s 2015 World Series championship. Moore was hired by the Rangers as a senior advisor to the baseball operations department in November.
  • Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn is poised to make his first start of the 2023 campaign sometime next week, as noted by Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Blackburn started the season on the injured list with a torn fingernail and had the start of his season delayed further by a blister on his pitching hand, but now appears to be close to a return. The 29-year-old Blackburn got his first extended look in the rotation last season, when he posted a solid 3.62 ERA in the first half en route to becoming a 2022 All-Star. Unfortunately, Blackburn would pitch just 14 1/3 innings in the second half, allowing 14 runs in three starts before heading to the IL with finger inflammation. Upon his return to the A’s rotation, Blackburn figures to help steady a group that has featured little certainty beyond JP Sears.

Dodgers Transfer Dustin May To 60-Day Injured List

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The Dodgers announced that they have officially selected the contract of pitching prospect Bobby Miller, whose imminent promotion was reported a couple of days ago. Right-hander Tyler Cyr was placed on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder impingement, retroactive to May 21, opening a spot for Miller on the active roster. To make room on the 40-man, righty Dustin May was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

May, 25, left his start on May 17 after throwing just one inning. His injury was later announced as a flexor pronator strain that would keep him out of action for four to six weeks and he was placed on the 15-day injured list the next day. This transfer will extend that timeline slightly, as he now will be ineligible to return until the middle of July. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that May won’t pick up a baseball for six weeks, after which he’ll be re-evaluated and a plan for the next steps will be formulated.

There will still be time later in the year for May to finish strong but 2023 is going to go down as yet another truncated campaign for the talented righty. He’s appeared in each of the five most recent major league seasons but has yet to log even 60 innings in any individual year. He came up part way through 2019 then the 2020 season was shortened by the pandemic. He lasted just five starts in 2021 before Tommy John surgery put him out of action, with May eventually returning to make six starts late in 2022. He was on track for a full and healthy season here in 2023 but is now on the IL again after taking the ball nine times.

Amid all of those frustrations, he has shown his talent with his results. He has a 3.10 ERA in 191 2/3 innings to this point in his career, striking out 22.5% of batters while walking 7.4% and getting grounders at a 49.9% clip. Unfortunately, as mentioned, that has been scattered across five different seasons due to various factors.

The Dodgers will now have to proceed without May for the next couple of months, which isn’t their only rotation challenge. Julio Urías recently landed on the injured list as well, joining depth starters Michael Grove and Ryan Pepiot. They are also without Clayton Kershaw for the moment, though he is on the bereavement list and could return shortly. There’s also Tony Gonsolin, Noah Syndergaard, Gavin Stone and now Miller jumping into the fray.

Miller has a 100 mph fastball and is generally considered one of the better prospects in baseball, though he’s off to a rough start here in 2023. He has a 5.65 ERA through four Triple-A starts but had a much better 3.38 ERA in his four starts at that level last year. Both Urías and Grove seem like they will be able to return in the near future, which will improve the club’s depth and give them some decisions to make about who stays and who goes.

Dodgers Designate Wander Suero, Select Tayler Scott

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The Dodgers are making a series of roster moves prior to tonight’s game, with Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times among those to relay the info from manager Dave Roberts. Right-hander Gavin Stone has been recalled while fellow righty Tayler Scott has had his contract selected. In corresponding moves, lefty Clayton Kershaw has been placed on the bereavement list while righty Wander Suero has been designated for assignment.

Suero, 31, was signed to a minor league deal this winter and selected to the club’s roster earlier this month. He’s thrown 6 2/3 innings over four appearances so far but with an ERA of 8.10 in that small sample. He struck out a healthy 25% of batters faced in that time but issued walks at an untenable 14.3% clip. Kershaw only lasted 3 2/3 innings in yesterday’s game, which led to the club using four relievers to finish out the game, including two innings from Suero. He’ll now be a roster casualty as the club looks to bring in a fresh arm.

That fresh arm belongs to Scott, 31 next week, who signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in January. He’s made 16 relief appearances in Triple-A so far this year with a miniscule 1.08 ERA in that time. He’s surely getting some help from a .278 batting average on balls in play and 90.9% strand rate, but he’s striking out 29.4% of batters faced. He’ll need to temper his 14.7% walk rate if he’s to have any long-term success, but he’s clearly been getting some results in the minors so far this year. He has a career ERA of 11.12 in the majors so far but in a small sample of just 21 outings dating back to 2019.

The Dodgers will now have one week to trade Suero or pass him through waivers. In the event he clears waivers, he would be eligible to elect free agency by virtue of having more than three years of major league service time. It’s possible he garners interest since he still has a minor league option and some encouraging work in the past, such as posting a 3.80 ERA with the Nationals in 2020.

The Dodgers will need to open up another roster spot tomorrow since Bobby Miller will be promoted to make his major league debut. Miller isn’t yet on the 40-man and will need a corresponding move.

Brewers Return Gus Varland To Dodgers, Place Eric Lauer On Injured List

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The Brewers announced Monday that they’ve returned Rule 5 righty Gus Varland to the Dodgers after he went unclaimed on waivers, placed lefty Eric Lauer on the 15-day injured list due to an impingement in his right (non-throwing) shoulder, and recalled right-hander Tyson Miller from Triple-A Nashville.

Varland, 26, earned a spot on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster after he whiffed 17 of his 35 opponents in spring training. He started the season with a 2.25 ERA through his first eight innings, albeit with a less-impressive 5-to-5 K/BB ratio, and landed on the injured list in mid-April after a comebacker struck him on the pitching hand. He thankfully escaped major injury and was back on the mound about three weeks later, but the Cardinals torched him for nine runs in an outing that saw him record just two outs. That ballooned his ERA to 11.42, and the Brewers designated him for assignment the next day.

Twenty-eight other teams had the opportunity to claim Varland, though doing so would’ve meant committing to carrying him on the active roster, as his Rule 5 restrictions would’ve followed him to a new club. Once he went unclaimed, the Brewers had to offer him back to the Dodgers, who’ll now plug Varland back into the upper levels of their system and hope he can recapture some of that eye-catching spring form he showed with the Brew Crew. With Varland back in the Dodgers’ system, six of the 15 players selected in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft have been returned to their original organizations. There’s still another six on active big league rosters, plus three more on their teams’ Major League injured list.

Turning to Lauer, it’s unclear how serious his injury is or how long he is expected to be out of action, but it will be a frustrating and challenging development for the Brewers regardless. The club has already seen each of Brandon Woodruff, Wade Miley, Aaron Ashby and Jason Alexander head to the injured list this season and now Lauer will join them, putting yet another dent into the club’s rotation depth.

Lauer wasn’t off to a great start here in 2023, having posted a 5.48 ERA through his first 42 2/3 innings. His 21.9% strikeout rate, 10.7% walk rate and 25.4% ground ball rate are all worse than league average. He had been much better in the previous two seasons, posting a combined 3.47 ERA over 2021 and 2022 while striking out 23.8% of opponents and walking just 8.7%. Perhaps the shoulder issue has been bothering him prior to this IL placement as his velocity is down on all five of his pitches, relative to last year.

That at least gives some hope of him returning to his previous form once he has time to heal up, but the club will still have to improvise with their starting mix in the meantime. The rotation currently consists of Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Adrian Houser and Colin Rea, with one spot needing to be filled. Bryse Wilson has plenty of starting experience but has been in the bullpen with the big league club and can’t be sent down to get stretched out because he’s out of options. Janson Junk is on the 40-man and was called up for a spot start earlier this season, but he’s not throwing exceptionally well in Triple-A this year. He has a 3.86 ERA through 35 innings but a much higher 5.38 FIP thanks to a tepid 17.7% strikeout rate and .277 batting average on balls in play. Robert Gasser is one of the club’s more interesting pitching prospects but he has a 4.74 ERA in Triple-A so far this season and isn’t on the 40-man. Thomas Pannone isn’t on the 40-man either but has major league experience and currently sports a 2.66 ERA in Triple-A this season.

Dodgers To Select Bobby Miller

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The Dodgers are poised to promote one of their top prospects for his major league debut, as Russell Dorsey of Stadium and Bally Sports reports that the club is selecting the contract of right-hander Bobby Miller. The club will need to clear room for Miller on both the 40-man and active rosters ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Braves, when Miller is poised to make his major league debut.

The 24-year-old Miller was the 29th overall pick in the 2020 draft, selected by the Dodgers in the first round out of the University of Louisville. In his first season of minor league action in 2021, Miller immediately impressed with a 2.40 ERA in 56 1/3 innings split between High-A and Double-A that included a dazzling 47 inning performance at the High-A level. During his time in High-A, Miller posted a microscopic 1.91 ERA with a 29.8% strikeout rate and a walk rate of just 5.9%.

That performance saw Miller become a consensus top 100 prospect headed into the 2022 season, where Miller saw mixed results in 112 1/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. In 91 innings at the Double-A level last season, Miller posted a fantastic 30.5% strikeout rate and a solid 8.1% walk rate, though he struggled in terms of top-line results with a 4.45 ERA during that time. Upon his promotion to Triple-A, Miller largely improved as his strikeout rate ticked up to 32.9% and his walk rate fell to 7.1%, resulting in a 3.38 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. That being said, Miller allowed a whopping four home runs in that short time frame as a whopping 26.7% of his fly balls left the yard.

Miller’s uneven 2022 season did little to impact his prospect rankings, however, as he entered the 2023 as a consensus top 30 prospect in the sport. While his 2023 season has been off to a rocky start so far, with a 5.65 ERA and a strikeout rate of just 19.7% in 14 1/3 innings so far this season, the young right-hander is an incredibly talented prospect who has flashed a triple-digit fastball, making it easy to see why the Dodgers would be interested in getting their young hurler a look in the big leagues. It isn’t clear whether Miller’s first trip to the majors is expected to last beyond Tuesday night’s start, though with Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Dustin May, Michael Grove, and Ryan Pepiot all on the injured list, it stands to reason that this won’t be Miller’s only opportunity to impact the big league club this season.

Dodgers Place Julio Urias On 15-Day Injured List

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7:02PM: Urias’ strain isn’t considered to be too serious, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times writes, so he might face only a 15-day absence.

6:16PM: The Dodgers have placed left-hander Julio Urias on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 19) due to a left hamstring strain.  Righty Wander Suero has been called up from Triple-A in the corresponding move.

Losing Urias is another major blow to a Dodgers rotation that will also be without Dustin May for the next 4-6 weeks, as May is dealing with a flexor pronator strain.  It seemed like the L.A. rotation was finally back at full strength once Tony Gonsolin returned from the sprained ankle that cost him time at the start of the season, but the Dodgers are now suddenly down two starters in short order, again stretching the club’s depth.

Young arms like Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove were supposed to provide some depth, yet Pepiot has missed the entire season with an oblique strain, while Grove himself hit the IL a month ago due to a groin strain.  On the plus side, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register) that Grove was beginning a Triple-A rehab assignment, so Grove could on the way back sooner rather than later.

Gavin Stone made his MLB debut with a four-inning start on May 3, which represents the top prospect’s only big league game to date.  It seems likely that Stone will be the Dodgers’ first choice in replacing Urias, unless Andre Jackson is called up from Triple-A.  Outside the 40-man roster, Los Angeles could turn to Robbie Erlin, Matt Andriese, or yet another notable prospect in Bobby Miller.

Of course, there’s no easy way to truly replace an ace like Urias, even if the southpaw has been a little shakier than usual.  Though seven of Urias’ 10 starts have ranged from good to excellent, he was hit hard in his other three outings, including a three-inning, six-run performance against the Cardinals in his last start on Thursday when Urias allowed four home runs.  It is fair to wonder if Urias’ hamstring problems surfaced during that outing, accounting for Urias’ struggles.

Urias has a 4.39 ERA over 55 1/3 innings, with a borderline elite 4.8% walk rate and an above-average 35.4% hard-hit ball rate.  However, Urias has a middling 23.3% strikeout rate, and opposing batters have been capitalizing on their contact when they have been squaring up, as Urias’ 10.6% barrel rate is far above his career norms and he has allowed a league-high 14 home runs.  Urias’ signature four-seam fastball has dominated hitters for years, but the pitch has been basically average for the left-hander in 2023.

The severity of Urias’ hamstring strain isn’t yet known, and in the best-case scenario of a Grade 1 strain, Urias is still probably looking at missing a few days beyond the 15-day minimum.  A longer-term absence would be an even bigger problem for Urias and the Dodgers in regards to 2023, and it could impact Urias’ chance of fully maxing out on a free agent contract this winter.  Projected behind only Shohei Ohtani as the top free agent of the 2023-24 class, Urias is in line for a big payday of some sort this winter, unless an injury looms as a possible x-factor.

Since there’s plenty of time before the trade deadline and because the Dodgers already have a bit of a cushion atop the NL West, L.A. can monitor Urias, May, Grove, and any other pitchers before deciding what their next step might be with the rotation.  If the injured hurlers are able to return in relatively short order or if the youngsters can provide quality innings, the Dodgers might not make starting pitching a chief priority at the deadline, which would allow the team to focus on other needs.  That said, injuries in the bullpen have thinned out the club’s pitching depth as a whole, so it would be a little surprising if Los Angeles didn’t add pitching in some regard.

Dodgers Sign Ken Giles To Minor League Deal

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The Dodgers have signed right-hander Ken Giles to a minor league contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post (Twitter link).  The deal comes in the wake of a showcase Giles held for teams earlier this week.

Given the Dodgers’ track record of reviving the careers of both position players and pitchers alike, there’s some extra intrigue with Giles landing in Los Angeles, especially given the tremendous numbers the righty posted when at his best.  However, it has been some time since Giles has been in good form or even able to pitch, as he has only tossed eight MLB innings since the start of the 2020 season.  A Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2021 season entirely, and while he made it back to throw 4 1/3 innings with the Mariners last year, Giles dealt with shoulder and finger problems.

Seattle parted ways with Giles last August and he caught on with the Giants on another minor league pact, though that stint didn’t last long as San Francisco released him before the beginning of September.  Giles has been on the open market ever since, despite an earlier showcase in the offseason and a private bullpen session with the Padres in February.  Heyman previously reported that Giles has been working out at Driveline for well over a month, so it seems likely that whatever changes Giles might have made (pitch selection, mechanics, etc.) to his process were enough to catch the Dodgers’ attention.

There’s no risk for L.A. in taking a longer look at Giles via a minor league deal, though the signing might more broadly indicate that the Dodgers are on the hunt for bullpen help.  Daniel Hudson and Jimmy Nelson are each still indefinitely out with injuries, Alex Reyes may not return from the 60-day IL until closer to midseason, and Blake Treinen might not pitch at all in 2023 due to shoulder surgery.  With rotation injuries further thinning out the Dodgers’ pitching depth, it isn’t surprising that Los Angeles is checking into some new arms, whether they be reclamation projects like Giles or perhaps some other external options on the trade market.

Phillies Claim Dylan Covey Off Waivers

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The Phillies announced that they have claimed right handed pitcher Dylan Covey off waivers from the Dodgers. To make room, the team has transferred first baseman Darick Hall to the 60-day IL. Covey had been designated for assignment by the Dodgers.

It was short stint for Covey in Dodger blue, as he was selected on Wednesday, threw four innings of relief after Dustin May was removed after just one inning with elbow pain. Covey was then DFA’d shortly after. The 31-year-old had been working at Triple-A, where he owned a 4.22 ERA over 32 innings.

The former fourth round pick by the Athletics owns a career 6.54 ERA over 268 1/3 big league innings between the White Sox, Red Sox and now Dodgers. The Phillies are in need of pitching depth as they try to recover from a five game losing run that the team is on. Through the month of May, they’re sporting an ERA of 5.36. They also saw Ranger Suarez throw just two innings last night, so had to rely heavily on their bullpen to get them through the game.

Rule 5 Draft Update: May 2023

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It’s been more than a months since we last checked in on this year’s group of Rule 5 draftees and how they’re faring around the league. Fifteen players were selected in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft — those unfamiliar with the event can read up on the specifics here — and since last check there have been a few notable developments among the group. Let’s take a look…

Currently on a Major League Roster

Thaddeus Ward, RHP, Nationals (from Red Sox)
Since last update: 7 1/3 innings, 4.91 ERA, 3 hits, 1 HR, 9 BB, 7 K
Overall 2023 numbers: 14 2/3 innings, 4.91 ERA, 8 H, 2 HR, 24.2% strikeout rate, 21% walk rate, 51.5% ground-ball rate

Since last check in early April, Ward has had a three-walk appearance in which he pitched just one inning and a four-walk appearance in which he only recorded two outs. His command has been among the worst in baseball, as only two pitchers (min. 10 innings) have walked a greater percentage of their opponents: twice-DFA’ed right-hander Javy Guerra and injured Rockies righty Dinelson Lamet.

At last check, Ward was struggling with that command but still had fanned more than 30% of his opponents. He’s seen his strikeout rate, swinging-strike rate, opponents’ chase rate and average fastball all dip over the past five weeks. The Nationals have done a decent job hiding him — he’s appeared in just 25% of their games — and with a projected playoff chance under 1%, they might not care about the rough performance. Ward was one of the Red Sox’ top pitching prospects before a more than two-year layoff due to the canceled 2020 minor league season and 2021 Tommy John surgery. He posted a 2.28 ERA, 31% strikeout rate and 8.9% walk rate in 51 1/3 minor league innings in last year’s return effort. The Nationals are rebuilding anyway, and as long as they still like Ward’s stuff, they can afford to let him take his lumps in the big leagues even though he entered the season with just 41 innings above A-ball.

Ryan Noda, 1B/OF, Athletics (from Dodgers)
Since last update: 103 plate appearances, .221/.417/.416, 2 HR, 22.3% walk rate, 31.1% strikeout rate
Overall 2023 numbers: 140 plate appearances, .215/.400/.421, 4 HR, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB, 21.4% walk rate, 32.1% strikeout rate

The only five hitters in baseball with more walks than Noda’s 30 are Juan Soto, Adley Rutschman, Ian Happ, Matt Olson and Max Muncy. All but Muncy have more plate appearances. Noda’s massive walk rate leads MLB’s 171 qualified hitters … but his 32.1% strikeout rate is also tied for the seventh-highest. A whopping 56% of his plate appearances have ended in either a walk, strikeout or home run, making the 27-year-old the embodiment of a three-true-outcome player.

The strikeouts may be tough to watch, but Noda’s .400 OBP is tied for tenth among qualified hitters. He’s picked up 13 extra-base hits, is sitting on a strong .206 ISO (slugging percentage minus batting average) and boasts a 140 wRC+ despite his low batting average. Defensive metrics feel he’s been a competent, if not slightly above-average first baseman. Noda is getting on base 40% of the time he comes to the plate, and there’s no way the A’s (or any team) would take him off the roster as long as he’s doing that.

Jose Hernandez, LHP, Pirates (from Dodgers)
Since last update: 11 innings, 4.09 ERA, 9 hits, 2 HR, 2 BB, 14 K
Overall 2023 numbers: 17 1/3 innings, 3.12 ERA, 15 hits, 2 HR, 27.5% strikeout rate, 4.3% walk rate, 38.3% ground-ball rate

Injuries to Jarlin Garcia and Rob Zastryzny — who was activated today — left Hernandez as the lone lefty option in Derek Shelton’s bullpen, but Hernandez has handled the role just fine. The Orioles tagged him for a pair of runs in an appearance that saw him record just one out last week, but Hernandez has generally been sharp despite skipping Triple-A entirely.

Hernandez is averaging just under 96 mph on his fastball, and his 12.5% swinging-strike rate is better than the league average. He’s picked up a pair of holds for the Pirates and his 23.2 K-BB% ties him for 28th among 192 qualified relievers. He’s given up too much hard contact (89.9 mph average exit velocity, 40.4% hard-hit rate), but he looks the part of a useful big league reliever right now and shouldn’t be in any danger of losing his roster spot.

Blake Sabol, C/OF, Giants (from Pirates)
Since last update: 66 plate appearances, .323/.364/.565, 4 HR, 6.1% walk rate, 39.4% strikeout rate
Overall 2023 numbers: 100 plate appearances, .280/.330/.473, 5 HR, 3 2B, 2 SB, 5% walk rate, 38% strikeout rate

Sabol has been on fire since our early-April look at the Rule 5’ers who made their Opening Day rosters, though he’s benefited from a mammoth .500 BABIP along the way. Still, the four long balls in that time show impressive pop, and the Giants have given him looks in both left field and at catcher.

Sabol has above-average sprint speed, exit velocity and hard-contact abilities, and both Statcast and FanGraphs give him above-average framing marks in his limited time behind the dish. However, he’s also needed a hefty .420 BABIP to get to his current production, and no player in baseball strikes out more often or swings and misses more often than Sabol has. Sabol’s 60.3% contact rate is the worst in Major League Baseball, and if he can’t improve that mark and start to draw some more walks, it’s hard to imagine continuing anything close to this level of production. Regression looks quite likely for this version of Sabol, but he walked and made contact at much better clips in Double-A and Triple-A last year, so there’s still hope for improvement as he gains more experience.

Mason Englert, RHP, Tigers (from Rangers)
Since last update: 16 1/3 innings, 2.76 ERA, 13 hits, 3 HR, 5 BB, 13 K
Overall 2023 numbers: 23 2/3 innings, 4.18 ERA, 21 hits, 6 HR, 17.8% strikeout rate, 6.9% walk rate, 47.2% ground-ball rate

The Tigers have used Englert for more than an inning in nine of his 13 appearances, including eight outings of at least two innings (two of which were three-inning efforts). He’s provided the team with some length but also been used in a few leverage spots, evidenced by a pair of holds and, more regrettably, a pair of blown saves. While his strikeout rate is pedestrian, Englert’s 11.6% swinging-strike rate and 34.3% opponents’ chase rate are average or better. That doesn’t necessarily portend a major uptick in punchouts, but there’s probably more in the tank than his current 17.8% clip.

Englert has been far too homer-prone (2.28 HR/9), and that’s been his Achilles heel thus far. If he can rein in the long ball, he could give the Detroit bullpen some length for the balance of the season and perhaps even start some games should they need. The 23-year-old was a starter in the Rangers’ system prior to being selected by the Tigers last December.

Detroit has outperformed most expectations thus far, although at 19-22 with a -48 run differential, the Tigers still don’t look like viable contenders. If they’re hovering around the Wild Card race later in the year and Englert is struggling, perhaps they’d be tempted to move on, but for now he’s pitched well enough and the Tigers are far enough from the postseason picture that they can afford to keep him around even if he stumbles a bit.

Kevin Kelly, RHP, Rays (from Guardians)
Since last update: 16 1/3 innings, 23 hits, 0 HR, 4 BB, 12 K
Overall 2023 numbers: 22 1/3 innings, 4.84 ERA, 17.8% strikeout rate, 4% walk rate, 42.1% ground-ball rate

Kelly, 25, has looked sharp in most of his appearances but has been tagged for multiple earned runs three times — including a pair of three-run clunkers. For a short reliever, that’s… less than optimal. The Rays have felt comfortable using him in plenty of leverage spots, however, evidenced by a quartet of holds, a save and another blown save.

Kelly’s 4% walk rate gives the air of pinpoint command, but he’s also plunked three hitters and has a below-average 58.4% rate of throwing a first-pitch strike. He hasn’t allowed a home run, in part because he hasn’t allowed a single barreled ball this year. Kelly has avoided hard contact better than the average pitcher, eschewed walks and generally pitched better than his near-5.00 ERA might otherwise indicate. With the Rays firmly in contention, he’ll need to avoid a prolonged slump to stick on the roster, but it’s clear they believe he can be a solid reliever even with below-average velocity (92 mph average fastball) and strikeout abilities.

Currently on the Major League Injured List

  • Nic Enright, RHP, Marlins (from Guardians): Enright announced in February that just weeks after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft, doctors diagnosed him with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He’s undergone treatment and been on a minor league rehab assignment as he rebuilds game strength. Enright is currently on Miami’s 60-day injured list, but baseball of course takes a back seat in this type of instance. We at MLBTR join fans of the Marlins, Guardians and every other organization in pulling for the 26-year-old Enright and wishing him a full recovery.
  • Noah Song, RHP, Phillies (from Red Sox): Ranked as the No. 65 prospect in the 2019 draft by Baseball America, Song slid to the Red Sox in the fourth round due to his military commitments as a Naval Academy cadet. His professional experience is limited to 17 Low-A innings in 2019 while spending the past three seasons in the Navy but was transferred from active duty to selective reserves earlier this year, allowing him to play baseball. He’s on the Phillies’ 15-day injured list with a back strain, and it’s tough to imagine him just diving into a Major League bullpen after spending three years away from the game. Still, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski held that same title in Boston when the Red Sox drafted Song and has said since the Rule 5 Draft that he feels Song’s pure talent is worth the risk.
  • Wilking Rodriguez, RHP, Cardinals (from Yankees): The 33-year-old Rodriguez’s incredible story hit an abrupt roadblock when he underwent shoulder surgery earlier this month. It’s been eight years since he last pitched in affiliated ball and nine years since his lone MLB cup of coffee with the Royals. Since then, he’s been a staple in the Venezuelan Winter League and the Mexican League. The Yankees signed Rodriguez to a minor league deal last summer, but because he wasn’t on the 40-man roster and had enough prior professional experience, he was Rule 5-eligible and scooped up by the Cardinals. They can retain his rights into next season but would need to carry him on the 40-man roster all winter in order to do so, and he wouldn’t be optionable to until he spent 90 days on the active MLB roster next season. That scenario seems highly unlikely.

Currently in DFA Limbo

  • Gus Varland, RHP, Brewers (from Dodgers): Varland wowed the Brewers in spring training when he punched out 17 of his 35 opponents (48.6%), but he landed on the injured list on April 16 — three days after MLBTR’s last Rule 5 check-in — when he was struck by a comebacker. The diagnosis was a hand contusion, and Varland was back on a big league mound about three weeks later. The 26-year-old posted a 2.25 ERA through his first eight innings this year but did so with just five strikeouts against five walks. On May 15, the Cardinals clobbered him for nine runs on six hits (two homers) and three walks with one strikeout in just two-thirds of an inning. That outing sent Varland’s ERA careening to its current 11.42 mark. The Brewers designated him for assignment the next day. He’ll have to pass through waivers unclaimed — he’d retain all of his Rule 5 restrictions if claimed by another club — and offered back to the Dodgers after that.

Already Returned to their Former Club

  • Nick Avila, RHP: Avila allowed eight runs in ten spring innings with the White Sox and was returned to the Giants, for whom he posted an electric 1.14 ERA in 55 1/3 innings between High-A and Double-A last season.
  • Andrew Politi, RHP: Politi was tagged for six runs on nine hits and three walks in 8 2/3 spring innings with the Orioles, who returned him to the Red Sox late in camp.
  • Jose Lopez, LHP: Lopez walked five batters in six frames with the Padres this spring, and the Friars returned him to the Rays on March 27.
  • Chris Clarke, RHP: The towering 6’7″ Clarke faced the tough task of cracking a deep Mariners bullpen and was returned to the Cubs late in spring training after allowing four runs on eight hits and a pair of walks in 6 2/3 innings.
  • Zach Greene, RHP: The Mets plucked Greene out of the Yankees’ system, but in 4 2/3 innings during spring training he yielded seven runs with more walks (six) than strikeouts (five). The Mets returned him to the Yankees on March 14.

Dodgers Select Tyler Cyr

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The Dodgers announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Tyler Cyr, with fellow righty Andre Jackson optioned in a corresponding move. The club already had a vacancy on their 40-man roster after designating Dylan Covey for assignment yesterday.

The Dodgers’ relief corps has been getting run through the gauntlet this week, leading to various roster moves as they try to restock with fresh arms. It started on Monday when started Noah Syndergaard lasted just four innings it what eventually turned into a 12-inning game that saw the club use six relievers. Then Clayton Kershaw was also bumped after four frames on Tuesday, leading to the relievers throwing another five. The Dodgers selected Covey prior to Wednesday’s contest, then saw Dustin May depart after just one inning with a flexor pronator strain that’s going to keep him sidelined for weeks. Covey tossed four innings in relief and then four other pitchers followed him. Covey was designated for assignment the next day as Jackson and Justin Bruihl were recalled. Last night, Julio Urías was pushed out after just three innings, leaving the bullpen to pick up another five. Since they were in St. Louis and got crushed, they didn’t have to cover the bottom of the ninth but Jackson did throw 3 1/3 innings in there, getting optioned today for his troubles.

Going into today’s contest, they are yet again scrambling for a fresh arm to have on hand, tapping Cyr to be that arm. The 30-year-old made his major league debut with the Phillies last year, making just one appearance before getting put on waivers and getting claimed by the A’s. He tossed 13 1/3 innings between the two clubs with a 2.70 ERA, 29.1% strikeout rate, 9.1% walk rate and 48.5% ground ball rate.

He was released in January and eventually landed with the Dodgers on a minor league deal. He’s tossed 16 2/3 Triple-A innings here in 2023 thus far with a 4.86 ERA, striking out 31.6% of opponents and getting grounders at a 56.4% rate but issuing walks to 13.2% of batters faced. Cyr has a full slate of options and less than a year of service time, meaning he could potentially provide the Dodgers with a depth arm with roster flexibility and cheap control for years to come, provided he performs well enough to hang onto his spot on the 40-man roster.

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