Angels Promote Zach Neto, Option David Fletcher
The Angels made a significant transaction today, calling up top prospect Zach Neto, their first round pick from the 2022 draft. In the corresponding move, the Angels optioned David Fletcher, sending the six-year veteran to Triple-A. To make room on the 40-man roster, Chris Rodriguez has been transferred to the 60-day IL.
Neto will make his debut less than a year after the Angels took him 13th overall in the draft. The 22-year-old has absolutely torn up minor league pitching in that time, slashing .444/.559/.815 with three home runs in 34 plate appearances at Double-A to start this year, after slashing .320/.389/.492 over 136 plate appearances at the level last year.
All told, it took Neto just 44 minor league games to do enough for the Angels to call him up, and he’s now expected to take over as their everyday shortstop, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked Neto as the Angels’ top prospect, and had him 59th overall in the sport. Law describes Neto as a “definite shortstop who projects to be a plus defender”, and combined with his bat expects him to be a “strong regular”.
The other side of this transaction is the demotion of Fletcher. The 28-year-old signed a five-year, $26MM extension just prior to the 2021 season, but Fletcher’s numbers have since deteriorated. After hitting .298/.356/.395 over 883 plate appearances between 2019-20, Fletcher has managed only a .258/.292/.323 slash line with four home runs over 909 PA, good for a wRC+ of just 69.
Fletcher’s a quality defender at second and third, posting a combined 31 Outs Above Average at the two positions throughout his career, while he’s more of a solid defender (two career OAA) at shortstop. He’s also sporadically played in the outfield.
Fletcher’s owed $6MM in 2023, and then a further $12.5MM over the next two seasons plus $3MM in buyouts on a pair of club options for 2026-27. It’s not an overly burdensome amount of money, but it’s a lot to be paying a minor league infielder. It’s possible the Angels see if Fletcher can rediscover his bat at Triple-A and then look to recall him to serve as a utilityman on the big league club going forward.
Of course, Neto has never played above Double-A so if he struggles after a stint in the big leagues the team could opt to give him a bit more time at Triple-A to develop and turn back to Fletcher. For now though, Neto will be the Angels’ starting shortstop, and if his hitting in the minor leagues can translate to the Show he could have that position for many years to come.
West Notes: Tepera, Davis, Davies, Gray
Ryan Tepera left today’s game with a shoulder issue and will receive further examination, Angels manager Phil Nevin told MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger and other reporters. Tepera needed 33 pitches to get through two-thirds of an inning against the Red Sox today, with two hits, a walk, and two catcher’s interference calls on Matt Thaiss resulting in three runs (one earned).
Losing Tepera to injury wouldn’t help an Anaheim bullpen that has already had its share of struggles in the early going, though Tepera has been part of those struggles with a 13.50 ERA over 3 1/3 innings of work. The veteran reliever signed a two-year, $14MM free agent deal with Los Angeles during the 2021-22 offseason and was pretty solid in 2022, posting a 3.61 ERA over 57 1/3 innings with some elite soft-contact rates. [UPDATE: the Angels placed Tepera on the 15-day IL due to shoulder inflammation on Sunday. Tepera doesn’t think the injury is too serious, as he told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register and other reporters that he plans to start throwing again after a few days off.]
More from around both the AL and NL West divisions as Jackie Robinson Day comes to a close….
- The Rockies will call up right-hander Noah Davis from Triple-A to start Sunday’s game against the Mariners. (The Denver Gazette’s Danielle Allentuck was among those who reported the news.) With German Marquez now on the 15-day IL, Davis was seen as a logical candidate to take Marquez’s spot in the rotation, as Davis is already on Colorado’s 40-man roster and has plenty of experience as a starter during his time in the Rockies’ and Reds’ farm systems. Davis is just a week away from his 26th birthday, and he made his MLB debut in the form of one inning of relief work with the Rockies last season.
- Zach Davies was placed on the 15-day injured list due a strained left oblique last weekend, and Diamondbacks Torey Lovullo told reporters (including the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro) that Davies will need “several weeks” to recover. Lovullo was a little vague about the nature of Davies’ injury, stopping short of calling it a Grade 2 oblique strain, but also saying it was “more than” a Grade 1 strain. Regardless, Davies now looks to miss some significant time, so Drey Jameson might get a long look at the replacement in Arizona’s rotation.
- X-rays were negative on Rangers right-hander Jon Gray after Gray was hit on the elbow by a Yanier Diaz line drive in tonight’s game. Texas manager Bruce Bochy even told MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry and other reporters that Gray isn’t expected to miss his next turn in the rotation. An upcoming off-day on Thursday will give Gray an extra day to rest and recover, and while plans could change if his elbow/forearm area continues to be sore, it still counts as some real good fortune for Gray in avoiding what looked like a potentially serious injury. Counting today’s abbreviated two-inning outing, Gray has a 3.21 ERA over three starts and 14 innings thus far in 2023.
AL Notes: Urias, Ortiz, Romano, Red Sox, Springs
Ramon Urias is in concussion protocol after a scary incident in the Orioles‘ 7-6 loss to the White Sox today. Urias was hit in the head by a Kendall Graveman fastball in the seventh inning of the game, but fortunately the infielder was able to leave the field under his own power. At the very least, Urias certainly doesn’t look like he’ll be playing in Sunday’ game, and it remains to be seen if a stint on the seven-day concussion-related injury list is necessary. Urias had a single and two walks prior to his HBP today, boosting the Gold Glover’s slash line to a productive .250./.388/.400 over his first 49 plate appearances of the season.
Infielder Joey Ortiz would be the roster replacement if Urias is sidelined, as MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko was among the reporters who noted that Ortiz was removed from the lineup for Triple-A Norfolk tonight. Since the Orioles don’t play on Monday, it’s possible the club might not make a roster move prior to Sunday’s game, in order to give Urias more time to recover and undergo further examination in the hopes that an IL stint could be avoided. Ortiz has yet to make his MLB debut, and is yet another talented youngster from Baltimore’s farm system — both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America included Ortiz near the end of their preseason top-100 prospect lists.
More from around the AL East…
- Jordan Romano earned a save in painful fashion today, as the Blue Jays closer was hit by a hard Wander Franco comebacker to the mound in the final out of a 5-2 win over the Rays. The Jays told reporters (including The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath) that Romano suffered a right rib contusion on the play, though x-rays were negative. After pitching on three of the last four days, Romano was probably already going to be unavailable for Sunday’s game, but it remains to be seen if the closer will have to miss any more time. Romano has five saves and a 3.86 ERA over seven innings this season, with all three of his runs allowed during a disastrous outing against the Angels last Sunday.
- With the Red Sox shorthanded in the middle infield, assistant GM Brian O’Halloran told MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo that the Sox are “comfortable with the group we have,” though the team is “always looking to find ways to improve the roster. Especially when you have injuries, and significant injuries. That’s even more heightened.” Enrique Hernandez has had to move from shortstop to center field to fill in for the injured Adam Duvall, subtracting from a middle infield mix that was already thin with Trevor Story and Adalberto Mondesi on the 60-day IL. Cotillo notes that it’s pretty early in the season for any significant trade to take place, though a lower-level swap or even a waiver claim could help the Red Sox fill some holes.
- Jeffrey Springs struggled to a 7.08 ERA over 20 1/3 innings with the Red Sox in 2020, and Springs told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that he regretting having “severely underperformed” during his lone season in a Sox uniform. “I think I put too much pressure on myself there,” Springs said. “I felt like I had to put up a zero every time and that made it harder on myself. That’s a bad mentality to have.” The Sox pivoted by dealing Springs to the Rays as part of a four-player trade during the 2020-21 offseason, yet now that deal is looking like a regret on Boston’s part, as Springs has become the latest pitcher to blossom in Tampa Bay. Springs has an outstanding 2.53 ERA in 196 innings in a Rays uniform, but his great start to the 2023 season has now been interrupted by ulnar neuritis in his left arm, resulting in what will be a lengthy IL visit.
NL East Notes: Scherzer, Arcia, Sosa, Suarez, Harper
Max Scherzer was scheduled to start for the Mets on Sunday against the Athletics, but Jose Butto will now take the hill tomorrow and Scherzer will be pushed to Wednesday. Mets manager Buck Showalter told the New York Post’s Mike Puma (Twitter links) and other reporters that Scherzer has some “lingering soreness” in his side, though Scherzer said that scans of the area below his scapula didn’t reveal any structural damage.
Butto was tentatively expected to receive a spot start at some point during the Mets’ road trip, so today’s news seems mostly precautionary in nature, notwithstanding Scherzer’s injury history. There might also be a bit of gamesmanship at play, since rather than face the struggling A’s, Scherzer is now lined up to face the Dodgers on Wednesday in a game with more implications on the NL playoff race.
More from around the NL East…
- Orlando Arcia‘s microfracture in his left wrist will be re-evaluated in 10-14 days, the Braves told reporters (including MLB.com’s Mark Bowman). Arcia was placed on the 10-day injured list yesterday and will obviously miss more than the minimum number of days, but a more thorough timeline won’t be known until Arcia is next examined by doctors. Arcia entered the season with the twin momentum of a new contract extension and a role as Atlanta’s starting shortstop, and he was hitting a hefty .333/.400/.511 over 50 plate appearances prior to his injury.
- Edmundo Sosa left today’s game due to discomfort in his lower back, according to the Phillies. Since Philadelphia was trailing 8-0 to the Reds at the time of Sosa’s departure in the bottom of the sixth, it could be that Sosa was just being given a rest from the last few innings of what ended up as a 13-0 rout. If Sosa did have to miss any time, it would further stretch the depth of a Phillies infield that is already missing Rhys Hoskins and Darick Hall, as Sosa was seeing more action at third base while Alec Bohm had moved to first base.
- In other Phillies injury news, Ranger Suarez will throw to live hitters during a simulated game on Tuesday, Scott Lauper of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Suarez has yet to pitch this season due to forearm inflammation, and he’ll be facing at least prominent batter during that sim game in the form of Bryce Harper, who will face live pitching for the first time in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Initially given a return timeline of around the All-Star break, there continue to be hints that Harper might be back sooner, including the fact that both Harper and manager Rob Thomson don’t feel Harper will need a minor league rehab assignment before re-entering Philadelphia’s lineup. Given the Trajekt Arc video projection system installed at Citizens Bank Park, Harper can somewhat replicate facing MLB-level pitching during his batting cage work, rather than face live minor league pitching during a rehab assignment.
IL Activations: Hughes, Nootbaar, Kepler, Lorenzen
Catching up on notable players returning from the injured list today…
LATEST MOVES
- The Cubs activated left-hander Brandon Hughes from the 15-day IL, and outfielder Nelson Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A to create roster space. Hughes was bothered by inflammation in his left knee during Spring Training, so Chicago placed him on the IL prior to Opening Day so Hughes could recover and then complete his ramp-up progress. In an impressive rookie season, Hughes posted a 3.12 ERA and an above-average 28.3% strikeout rate (albeit with a subpar walk rate) over 57 2/3 innings out of the Cubs’ bullpen.
EARLIER TODAY
- The Cardinals activated Lars Nootbaar from the 10-day IL, and sent Juan Yepez to Triple-A in the corresponding move. Nootbaar was in the St. Louis lineup for the first time since Opening Day, when he injured his left thumb diving into a base. While the Cardinals’ outfield depth chart might prevent Nootbaar from true everyday duty, he is still expected to get a lot of playing time as a left-handed hitter capable of playing all three outfield spots. Jordan Walker‘s emergence has only added to a crowded outfield picture that also includes Nootbaar, Tyler O’Neill, Alec Burleson, Dylan Carlson, Yepez, and utilityman Brendan Donovan.
- The Twins activated outfielder Max Kepler from the 10-day IL, as Kepler returned after missing the minimum 10 days while recovering from right patellar tendinitis. Minnesota optioned outfielder Matt Wallner to Triple-A in the corresponding move. Kepler’s return will bring a bit of relief for the injury-plagued Twins, and he’ll look for something of a reset to his season after playing in only four games prior to his IL stint. Kepler is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, and will be a free agent this winter unless the Twins exercise a $10MM club option for 2024.
- Michael Lorenzen made his first start of the season today, as the Tigers activated the right-hander from the 15-day IL. Unsurprisingly, Lorenzen showed some rust, allowing six earned runs over four innings in what ended up being a 7-6 comeback win for Detroit over San Francisco. A left groin strain has kept Lorenzen on the shelf, but going forward, he is expected to contribute in the Tigers’ rotation after signing a one-year, $8.5MM free agent deal during the offseason. Along with activating Lorenzen, Detroit also called up southpaw Tyler Holton from Triple-A, and sent righty Garrett Hill and infielder Ryan Kreidler to Triple-A.
Brandon Woodruff Diagnosed With Subscapular Strain In Right Shoulder
After undergoing an MRI, Brandon Woodruff has been diagnosed with a mild Grade 2 subscapular strain, as Woodruff and Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters (including Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Surgery won’t be required, but Woodruff indicated that he is facing a lengthy stint on the injured list.
“If this was something that happened midseason, All-Star break, right before or after that time, I would probably end up being done, to be honest, for the season,” Woodruff said. Counsell said that a more definitive timeline and rehab plan won’t be determined until Woodruff is examined by team doctors, which will happen when the Brewers return to Milwaukee after the conclusion of their series in Seattle on April 19.
“I’m not going to rush this, I’m not going to come back too early just for the sake of coming back early,” Woodruff said. “That’s just not going to do anybody any good. I’m going to take my time, I’m going to listen to my body and trust the rehab process and just go through that, and hopefully come back at whatever point that is throughout the season and then try to finish up strong.”
Woodruff’s placement on the 15-day IL was retroactive to April 8, and a move to the 60-day IL would also begin on that day, as shifting to the 60-day injured list doesn’t count as a new placement. The Brewers aren’t going to move Woodruff to the 60-day IL until they know for sure about his recovery timeline or until they need a 40-man roster spot, but it certainly seems like such a move will eventually be necessary if Woodruff is facing a longer absence.
As Counsell simply put it, the Brewers “don’t have coverage for Brandon Woodruff,” referring to the righty’s status as one of baseball’s better pitchers of the last few seasons. Woodruff is a two-time All-Star who also finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2021, and the pairing of Woodruff and Corbin Burnes (who won the Cy in 2021) has given Milwaukee an outstanding one-two punch at the top of the rotation.
Though the Brew Crew are much deeper in pitching than most teams, Woodruff’s shoulder strain will further stretch that depth, as Milwaukee has had to deal with multiple injuries. Adrian Houser has yet to pitch this season due to a groin injury, though Houser has started a rehab assignment and could be back in relatively short order. However, Jason Alexander will be out until at least the end of May while recovering from a shoulder problem of his own, and Aaron Ashby‘s season is in jeopardy after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Eric Lauer, and Wade Miley comprise the top four in the rotation, and Counsell said that Colin Rea will continue in the fifth spot for the time being. Janson Junk, Bryse Wilson, and (when he’s back) Houser are also starting options.
The Brewers are off to an impressive 10-4 start this season, and certainly have hopes of making a return to the playoffs after a disappointing 2022 campaign. Continuing that success will be more difficult without Woodruff for an extended period of time, but if the Brewers can stay in the race, it should quiet at least some of the speculation that any of Woodruff, Burnes, or Willy Adames (all free agents after the 2024 season) could be traded in order to save payroll space and reload on young talent. Woodruff’s injury would now almost surely take him off the table as a potential trade candidate this summer, and Burnes or Adames might only be moved if Milwaukee was out of the running by the deadline. Last year’s Josh Hader trade is a sign that the Brewers are willing to move prominent talent even while still contending for a playoff berth, but it’s difficult to imagine the team making a similar deal this year given how clubhouse morale was so heavily impacted by the Hader swap.
Mariners Designate Tommy Milone, Select Jose Caballero
The Mariners announced that left-hander Tommy Milone has been designated for assignment. In a corresponding move, Seattle selected the contract of infielder Jose Caballero from Triple-A.
After originally signing a minor league deal with the Mariners prior to the 2022 season, Milone rejoined the club on a new minors deal this past winter, and was then selected to the MLB roster just yesterday. Milone got the spot start and was solid (one ER on three hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings) in Seattle’s 5-3 win over the Rockies, and that game officially put Milone on the books for 13 Major League seasons.
Depending on what happens on DFA waivers, however, this cup of coffee could potentially be the end of Milone’s tenure with the Mariners, if another team in need of starting depth made a claim or worked out a trade with the M’s. It perhaps seems more likely that Milone will clear waivers and then remain in the organization as a swingman or depth option, ready to be called back up to Seattle if another need arises in the rotation or bullpen.
Milone’s long career has seen him suit up with nine different teams at the big league level, and he has posted a 4.59 ERA over 949 career innings. Between injuries and time in the minors, Milone has seen limited action over the last three seasons, with only 35 1/3 total innings pitched in the majors since the start of the 2021 season.
As Milone’s career takes its latest turn, Caballero may be on the verge of his MLB debut. A seventh-round pick for the Diamondbacks in the 2017 draft, the M’s acquired Caballero in exchange for Mike Leake at the 2019 trade deadline. Caballero has some solid numbers over his minor league career but he had trouble staying healthy, with only 53 total games played over the 2021-22 seasons. He is off to a very nice start in his first taste of Triple-A ball this season, as Caballero has hit .333/.550/.593 with two homers over his first 40 plate appearances of the 2023 campaign.
It might be a short-lived stint in the bigs for Caballero, as Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times notes that the Mariners made the call-up since Sam Haggerty was shaken up after a dive in yesterday’s game. If Haggerty ends up being okay, Caballero might end up back at Triple-A when Marco Gonzales returns from the paternity list later in the week. In the meantime, Caballero’s ability to play shortstop, second base, and third base will help fill Haggerty’s utility role.
Reds Place Connor Overton On 15-Day IL
The Reds have placed right hander Connor Overton on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow strain, the team announced. They have recalled right hander Casey Legumina from Triple-A to take his place on the active roster.
It’s been a rough start to the season for the 29-year-old, giving up 14 earned runs in 11 innings over three starts. It’s an unfortunate development for a player who impressed to the tune of a 2.73 ERA over 33 innings late last year for the Reds. Now it seems the issue with his elbow may have been behind his struggles to start the year.
In his place, the Reds will call on Legumina to make his big league debut. Originally drafted by the Twins in the eighth round back in 2019, Legumina came over to the Reds in the Kyle Farmer deal this winter. The Twins had added him to their 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft, but he’s yet to appear in the big leagues.
Legumina’s been working in relief at Triple-A Louisville, putting up a 1.59 ERA in 5 2/3 innings. Even though he’s replacing a starter on the roster, it’s likely that Legumina will continue in a relief role with the Reds. Luke Weaver is set to come off the IL to take what would have been Overton’s next start, so the Reds can use an extra spot in their bullpen in the meantime.
Mets Designate Dennis Santana For Assignment, Place Stephen Nogosek On IL
The Mets have made a series of roster moves today, announcing they’ve designated right-hander Dennis Santana for assignment, and placed Stephen Nogosek on the IL. Jose Butto and Jimmy Yacobonis are on the way up from Triple-A.
Santana had struggled to a 7.04 ERA 7 2/3 innings for the Mets this season, striking out an impressive 28.6% of batters but walking 14.3% after being claimed off waivers from the Twins in March. Once a top prospect in the Dodgers system, Santana has bounced around the league via the waiver wire since his debut 2018, suiting up for three teams (and being claimed by two more but never appearing for them) and compiling a 5.22 ERA through 146 2/3 innings. He’d lost a couple of mph on his fastball this season too, as he saw that sit around 94mph having touched 96-97 as recently as last season.
Nogosek goes on the IL after suffering a bone bruise on his right elbow. He exited the Mets’ game against Oakland on Friday after being hit by a comebacker. Nogosek had looked solid through 6 1/3 innings of relief for New York this year, striking out eight batters, walking three and giving up two earned runs. He’s operated as depth bullpen piece for the Mets since making his debut in 2019, pitching 38 innings over four seasons and working to a 4.26 ERA. He his walk and strikeout rates have been a tick better than the league average, but he’s also been a little prone to the long ball.
With two vacant spots on the active roster, the Mets first recalled Butto from Triple-A. His only taste of the big leagues was a spot start for the team last year in which he was tagged for seven earned runs on four innings of work. The 25-year-old has put up strong numbers at the highest level of the minors though, working to a 2.33 ERA over 46 1/3 innings at that level over the past two seasons.
Yacabonis has bounced around the league since making his debut for Orioles back in 2017. The 31-year-old has suited up for Baltimore, the Rays, Mariners and Marlins, working to a 6.03 ERA in 118 big league innings. He’s never had much success in the majors, but has put up nice numbers in Triple-A. At that level in 2022 he worked to a much more palatable 3.21 ERA for multiple teams.
Pirates Place Ji-Man Choi On IL, Recall Tucupita Marcano
The Pirates announced they have placed first-baseman/designated hitter Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day injured list retroactive to yesterday with a strained left achilles. Infielder Tucupita Marcano has been recalled from Triple-A.
Choi, 31, was off to a slow start with the Pirates, hitting just .125/.125/.344 with a pair of home runs through his first 32 plate appearances of the year. He was scratched from yesterday’s match with the Cardinals and evidently the Pirates have determined his injury bad enough that it’ll require a stint on the IL. It remains unclear how severe the strain is, and so it’s unknown if Choi is expected to return after the mandatory time away or the achilles might take a little longer to heal.
It’ll give the Pirates another chance to take a look at Marcano. The 23-year-old was acquired from the Padres in the Adam Frazier deal last year and hit .206/.256/.306 in 177 plate appearances for the Bucs last year. He’s fared much better in Triple-A, slashing a solid .291/.388/.443 last season and tearing the cover off the ball to start 2023, hitting .422/.458/.689 over 48 plate appearances. To date that level of hitting hasn’t translated to the big leagues, but it’s clear Marcano is deserving of another look in the big leagues.
Choi’s absence will mean Carlos Santana gets the bulk of the reps at first base, with the team likely to cycle players through the DH spot. Marcano bounced around the diamond last season, but spent most of his time at second and in left field.