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Injured List Returns: Hoerner, Benintendi, Villar, Snell

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The Cubs activated Nico Hoerner off the 10-day injured list prior to today’s 3-2 loss to the Reds, with infielder Sergio Alcantara optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.  Hoerner has been out of action since May 26 due to a left hamstring strain, and that was after already missing time earlier in May with a left forearm strain.  Since Hoerner wasn’t called up from the alternate training site until April 22, today marked only the 22nd game of the season for the former top prospect.

Hoerner only showed flashes of his promise during the 2019-20 seasons, but was off to a strong start this year, hitting .338/.405/.432 in his first 84 plate appearances of the 2021 campaign.  The Cubs are desperate for any sort of reinforcements, as a nine-game losing streak has sent them spiraling down the NL Central standings and down to an even 42-42 record.

More on some notable names returning to action today…

  • Andrew Benintendi was activated off the Royals’ 10-day IL prior to the team’s 6-2 loss to the Twins.  A right rib fracture sent Benintendi to the IL on June 14, and the relatively quick return is a particularly good sign considering that rib injuries essentially ruined the outfielder’s 2020 season.  Benintendi had done a good job of bouncing back from that down year, hitting .283/.340/.429 with eight home runs over 241 plate appearances.  The Royals optioned Edward Olivares to Triple-A to make room for Benintendi’s activation.
  • In between games of their doubleheader with the Yankees, the Mets activated infielder Jonathan Villar off the 10-day IL, with outfielder Albert Almora Jr. going down to Triple-A.  Villar had a retroactive placement of June 22 with a right calf strain, so he’ll miss only slightly beyond the 10-day minimum.  Amidst multiple injuries within the Mets’ infield this season, Villar has ended up being a major contributor, hitting .246/.333/.410 with six homers in 208 PA while seeing the bulk of action as New York’s starting third baseman.
  • Blake Snell tossed four shutout innings in the Padres’ 11-1 rout of the Phillies today, as Snell was activated off the injured list in time for the start.  Snell was technically placed on the COVID-related IL while battling a case of food poisoning, which is why he was able to be activated today despite landing on the injured list on June 30.  (Snell tested negative for COVID-19.)  While Snell has a 4.99 ERA for the season, he has now tossed nine scoreless innings over his last two outings, hinting at a potential turnaround for the lefty’s first season in San Diego.  Right-hander Mason Thompson was optioned to Triple-A to create roster space for Snell.

MLB Announces All-Star Rosters

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With the starters in this year’s All-Star Game already revealed, the remainder of the American League and National League rosters were revealed this evening.  Some adjustments are guaranteed to take place, of course, since some players won’t be participating due to injury or other reasons.  The Midsummer Classic will take place on July 13 at Coors Field in Denver.

American League

National League

Brewers Acquire Kevin Kramer From Pirates

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The Brewers and Pirates have swung an inter-division trade, with utilityman Kevin Kramer going to Milwaukee.  In return, Pittsburgh will receive left-hander Nathan Kirby.

Though it’s usually rare for division rivals to combine on trades, the Pirates and Brewers have been relatively frequent trade partners in recent years, and in fact just completed another deal of minor leaguers just a little over a week ago.  Today’s trade sees the two clubs swap a pair of fairly high picks from the 2015 amateur draft.

Kramer has 43 games’ worth of big league experience, all coming with the Pirates during the 2018-19 seasons, and he produced only a .387 OPS over 90 career plate appearances.  A second-round pick for the Bucs in the 2015 draft, Kramer posted considerably better numbers during his minor league career, though he also struggled at Triple-A Indianapolis this season, hitting .196/.318/.296 over 214 PA.  The 2020 season was a complete wash for Kramer due to hip surgery in May 2020.

The 27-year-old Kramer will provide the Brew Crew with some farm system depth, and he also fits Milwaukee’s preferred model of a multi-positional player.  Most of Kramer’s pro career has been spent as a second baseman, but he has also seen quite a bit of time at shortstop, third base, and both corner outfield slots.

While Kramer was chosen 62nd overall in 2015, Kirby went even higher, taken 40th overall as the Brewers’ pick in Competitive Balance Round A.  Since being drafted, however, Kirby’s pro career has still almost barely begun, with just 102 1/3 total innings pitched (71 coming in the 2018 season).  The southpaw has been ravaged by injuries, including both a Tommy John surgery and a thoracic outlet syndrome procedure.

Kirby finally got back on the mound this season for the first time since 2018, and he has a 1.93 ERA, 23.17% strikeout rate, and a troublingly high 15.85% walk rate in 18 2/3 bullpen innings for Double-A Biloxi.  Kirby is still only 27 years old, so the Pirates are taking a flier to see if Kirby has a second act to his career, and if he can perhaps eventually reach the majors as a reliever.

Mets Interested In Asdrubal Cabrera

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The Mets have been scouting Diamondbacks infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports.  Cabrera would be a pure rental pickup for New York, as the veteran signed a one-year, $1.75MM contract with the D’Backs last winter.

This lack of long-term control makes Cabrera one of the likelier players to be dealt prior to the July 30 trade deadline, as the Diamondbacks are clearly in seller mode and are willing to move (almost) anyone on the roster.  Cabrera is also a known quantity for the Mets, having played in Queens from 2016 until July 2018, when he was sent to the Phillies as part of another deadline swap.

Cabrera enjoyed a lot of success in his previous stint in a Mets uniform, and he has continued to be an above-average player even in his age-35 season, despite missing three weeks due to a hamstring strain.  Entering today’s action, Cabrera has hit .251/.348/.402 with five homers over 210 plate appearances, good for a 106 wRC+ and OPS+.

However, the Statcast numbers are less appealing, as Cabrera isn’t making much hard contact and he has only a .304 xwOBA, well below his .322 wOBA.  Cabrera’s 12.4% walk rate is the largest of his 15-year MLB career, though that might have more to do with pitchers avoiding Cabrera within a lackluster D’Backs lineup than any particular newfound patience at the plate.

The Mets wouldn’t necessarily need Cabrera to be an everyday contributor, as their troubled third base picture will eventually start to get more clarity once Jonathan Villar and J.D. Davis return from the injured list.  Villar is expected to be activated tonight and Davis is on a minor league rehab assignment, though since Davis is a defensive question mark at best at third base, the Mets could prefer to deploy him in the outfield.  This would open the door for Cabrera and Villar to share time as a switch-hitting platoon at third base, and provide depth all over the infield.  A shortstop for much of his career, Cabrera has played all three other infield spots almost exclusively since the start of the 2019 season.

Mariners Sign Shane Carle

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The Mariners have signed reliever Shane Carle to a minor league contract, per Mike Curto, broadcaster for Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. The 29-year-old has been assigned to the Rainiers.

Carle signed a minors pact with the Reds in February. He spent the entire season with Cincinnati’s top farm team in Louisville, working to a 3.45 ERA with decent strikeout and walk rates (21.7% and 7.2%, respectively). Despite the solid performance, Cincinnati released Carle earlier this week rather than add him to the big league roster.

The right-hander appeared in the majors with the Rockies and Braves between 2017-19. The overwhelming majority of his playing time came with Atlanta in 2018, when Carle worked to a 2.86 ERA over 63 frames. His peripherals never supported that run prevention level, though. Carle only struck out 16.6% of batters faced that year while walking an average 10.4% of opponents, contributing to a less inspiring 4.59 SIERA.

Carle got off to a bad start the following season, allowing ten runs on eleven hits and nine walks while striking out six. The Braves designated him for assignment after just six appearances, and he didn’t return to the majors after being acquired by the Rangers. Nevertheless, there’s no harm for the Mariners in brining him aboard as high minors depth, particularly given his solid numbers with Louisville this year.

Yankees Release Robinson Chirinos, Nick Goody

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The Yankees have released catcher Robinson Chirinos and right-hander Nick Goody from their minor league deals, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com (Twitter link). As expected, utilityman Derek Dietrich has also been let go after triggering his opt-out clause.

Chirinos signed with the Yankees over the winter. He was hit by a pitch in Spring Training, though, fracturing his right wrist. That injury required surgery, delaying the veteran’s debut with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Chirinos ultimately appeared in just thirteen games with the RailRiders. He mashed at a .278/.422/.556 clip but also struck out in 16 of his 45 plate appearances. With the Yankees catching duo of Gary Sánchez and Kyle Higashioka set, Chirinos will look for another opportunity elsewhere. The 37-year-old has appeared in parts of nine major league seasons, compiling a .231/.325/.431 line.

Goody, like Chirinos, signed with New York last offseason. It was his second stint in the organization, as the 29-year-old began his MLB career with the Yankees in 2015. The 29-year-old has pitched to a 2.86 ERA with an elite 36.5% strikeout rate and a lower than average 8.2% walk percentage with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. That wasn’t enough to earn a place in a crowded Yankee bullpen, but it should draw the attention of other clubs with more glaring relief needs. Goody has a 4.19 ERA/3.84 SIERA in parts of six big league seasons.

Twins Sign Joe Harvey

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The Twins have signed reliever Joe Harvey to a minor league contract, per an announcement from their Triple-A affiliate in St. Paul. The right-hander elected free agency last weekend after being designated for assignment by the Rockies.

Harvey began his career with the Yankees, making his major league debut with New York in April 2019. The Yankees sent him to the Rockies before that year’s trade deadline, and he appeared in the majors with Colorado between 2019-20. Altogether, Harvey’s tossed 21 1/3 innings at the big league level, pitching to a 4.22 ERA/5.25 SIERA with worse than average strikeout and walk percentages (19.4% and 13.3%, respectively).

The 29-year-old had spent most of this season with the Rockies Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque. He made 15 appearances, working to a 2.63 ERA with a stellar 34.5% strikeout rate but a very high 15.5% walk percentage. Colorado selected Harvey to the big league roster last month, but he was cut loose two days later without having appeared in a game.

Harvey becomes the third notable reliever the Twins have signed to a minor league deal in recent weeks. Minnesota has also added former big leaguers Kyle Barraclough and Nick Vincent in an effort to stockpile some experienced depth. The bullpen has been one of the bigger reasons for the Twins disastrous season, as the relief corps sits 26th in the league with a 4.88 ERA. (Their peripherals are a bit better but still below-average).

The 33-48 Twins are almost certain to sell off some players from the big league roster at this point. Relievers Alex Colomé, Hansel Robles, Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey and Caleb Thielbar are among the many players the Twins could make available in the next few weeks. Trading one or more of that group could open spots in the majors for some of their recent non-roster additions down the stretch.

Padres’ Prospect CJ Abrams Out For The Season

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Padres shortstop prospect CJ Abrams has been diagnosed with a fractured left tibia and sprained MCL, reports Dennis Lin of the Athletic (Twitter link). His recovery comes with a three-month timetable, ending his season. He suffered the injury during an on-field collision on Wednesday.

Abrams is one of the sport’s most electrifying minor league talents. Each of Baseball America, Keith Law of the Athletic, and Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs ranked him among the game’s top 11 overall prospects entering the year. The 6th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Abrams draws praise for his abilities on both sides of the ball. A top-of-the-scale runner and extremely advanced hitter, the 20-year-old is seen as a potential future star.

He’s reached the high minors for the first time this season. Through 183 plate appearances with Double-A San Antonio, Abrams has hit .296/.363/.420 with a pair of home runs and 13 stolen bases. That’s quality production from any player in a pitcher-friendly environment, but it’s particularly impressive considering Abrams’ youth.

Abrams never seemed especially likely to make an impact at the major league level this season. Because of last year’s canceled minor league campaign, he has all of 348 plate appearances since being drafted out of a Georgia high school. He also doesn’t need to be added to the 40-man roster this winter. Any small chance that existed of Abrams making his major league debut this year is now gone, although the expectation seems to be he’ll have a relatively normal offseason and be ready for Spring Training in 2022.

Braves Recall Orlando Arcia

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The Braves announced they’ve recalled Orlando Arcia from Triple-A Gwinnett. Left-hander Kyle Muller was optioned out last night to clear active roster space.

Arcia will be making his team debut when he first appears in a game. Atlanta acquired him from the Brewers for relievers Patrick Weigel and Chad Sobotka in early April but immediately optioned him. That wasn’t unreasonable; while Arcia was a one-time top prospect, he never developed the way the Brewers had hoped. Between 2018-21, the right-handed hitting infielder hit just .232/.282/.344 (64 wRC+) across 1112 plate appearances. Arcia was coming off a career-best 2020, but his .260/.317/.416 line last year was still a tad worse than league average.

To his credit, Arcia has looked completely rejuvenated since changing organizations. The 26-year-old has hit .303/.380/.552 over 229 trips to the plate with the Stripers. He’s popped thirteen home runs and compiled an equal number of walks and strikeouts (25 apiece). Arcia’s 145 wRC+ ranks tenth among the 79 Triple-A East hitters to tally at least 150 plate appearances.

Arcia will get another chance to try to carry over that success against big league arms. A longtime shortstop in Milwaukee, he’s also seen action at third base and in left field this season in preparation for a potential multi-positional role off the bench.

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