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Jake Odorizzi Removed From Start With Forearm Tightness

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 7:00pm CDT

7:00 pm: Odorizzi left today’s game with right forearm tightness, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Forearm tightness can sometimes be a precursor to serious elbow injuries, but manager Dusty Baker told reporters (McTaggart link) that Odorizzi didn’t have any issues in his pregame bullpen session and is “not real worried.” Nevertheless, he’ll go for further evaluation in the coming days, Baker says (via Mark Berman of FOX 26).

3:45 pm: Astros right-hander Jake Odorizzi faced just one batter before being removed from today’s start against the Angels.  Odorizzi retired David Fletcher on five pitches but then seemed to be “flexing out his arm after the pitch,” according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link), and left the game after a visit from the team trainer.  None of Odorizzi’s five pitches to Fletcher topped the 87.6 mph mark, according to MLB.com’s Gameday tracker.

Odorizzi was making his third start since signing a two-year (plus a player option for 2023) free agent deal that will pay the veteran righty at least $23.5MM in guaranteed money.  Since Odorizzi didn’t sign until early March, he required some extra time to prepare for the season, and he was clearly rusty in his first two outings — Odorizzi allowed nine earned runs over 7 2/3 innings for a 10.57 ERA.

Odorizzi has dealt with a variety of fairly minor injuries over his career, including a rib strain, a blister, and a chest contusion all during the 2020 season that limited him to only 13 2/3 innings with the Twins, and undoubtedly contributed to his long stay in free agency.  For the most part, however, Odorizzi has been a durable starter over his 10 MLB seasons, averaging 165 innings per season from 2014-19 while pitching for the Rays and Twins.  Blisters aside, he has avoided any notable arm injuries, though that streak could be in jeopardy given the circumstances of today’s removal from the game.

Any sort of long-term injury would be a real blow to both Odorizzi and the Astros rotation, since the team was counting on Odorizzi to join Zack Greinke and Lance McCullers Jr. as the veteran bedrocks ahead of Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy.  The good news for Houston is that Javier has pitched well in the follow-up to his strong 2020 rookie season, and righty Luis Garcia has a 2.70 ERA over two starts and a long relief outing so far this year.  Garcia is probably the Astros’ best candidate to replace Odorizzi in the event of injury, as the team is short on big league experience at the alternate training site, and it still isn’t known when (or if) Framber Valdez might be ready to pitch this season after suffering a fractured finger.

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Houston Astros Jake Odorizzi

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Dodgers Injury Notes: Knebel, Kelly, McKinstry, Gonsolin, Lux

By Anthony Franco | April 24, 2021 at 6:03pm CDT

Dodgers reliever Corey Knebel left last night’s game against the Padres with an apparent arm injury and he’s in for a lengthy absence. Knebel is going on the injured list with a right lat strain, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register). He won’t undergo surgery but will be out for a few months, with Roberts saying the organization hopes Knebel will be able to “pitch for us again this year” (Plunkett link).

Given that timetable, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Dodgers eventually transfer Knebel to the 60-day IL to open up a 40-man roster spot. It’s a disappointing development for the righty, who missed the entire 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and spent some time on the IL last year due to a hamstring strain. Acquired from Milwaukee over the winter, Knebel has pitched six innings over eight appearances for the Dodgers this year, allowing three runs on three hits and as many walks with nine strikeouts.

Roberts also provided updates on a host of other injured players. Reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder soreness) is expected back in early-mid May, while utilityman Zach McKinstry will need more than the 10-day minimum IL stint to recover from his recent oblique strain (via Juan Toribio of MLB.com). Right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who is recovering from shoulder inflammation, began a long toss program but is not yet ready to work off the mound (per Plunkett). The news wasn’t all bad though, as second baseman Gavin Lux is expected to return from the IL when first eligible on Monday. Lux has been sidelined by right wrist soreness.

With Knebel and Dennis Santana (side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine) going on the injured list, the Dodgers are recalling infielder Matt Beaty and lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger (Toribio link). Cleavinger, acquired from the Phillies in a three-team deal over the winter, will be making his Dodger debut if he gets into a game.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Corey Knebel Garrett Cleavinger Gavin Lux Joe Kelly Tony Gonsolin Zach McKinstry

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COVID Notes: 4/24/21

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 5:38pm CDT

The latest coronavirus-related situations from around baseball…

Latest Updates

  • The Dodgers are placing reliever Dennis Santana on the COVID injured list after he experienced side effects related to the vaccine, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Juan Toribio of MLB.com). The right-hander pitched in mop-up duty against the Padres last night, allowing a pair of runs on two hits and two walks in one inning of work.

Earlier Notes

  • Jose Altuve was placed on the Astros’ injury list on April 14, and the second baseman confirmed to reporters (including the Houston Chronicle’s Danielle Lerner) today that his placement was due to a positive COVID-19 test.  Altuve isn’t in today’s Astros lineup but he did say he’s feeling better, so a return to the field shouldn’t be too far away.
  • The Marlins have closed down their minor league complex through the weekend due to multiple COVID-19 positives, Fox Sports Radio 640’s Andy Slater reports (Twitter link).  A team spokesman told Slater that the shutdown “will not have an impact on the start of the seasons” for Miami’s affiliates, all scheduled to begin play on May 4.  At least five players and staffers tested positive for the coronavirus, according to SportsGrid’s Craig Mish (via Twitter).
  • The Twins reinstated southpaw Caleb Thielbar from the COVID-IL, the team announced, with right-hander Luke Farrell optioned to the alternate site in a corresponding move.  Thielbar was placed on the IL on April 20 along with Max Kepler and Kyle Garlick, though while the two outfielders actually tested positive for the virus, Thielbar was noted only as a close contact.  Thielbar has a whopping 48.4% strikeout rate over seven innings this season but only a 5.14 ERA, thanks in large part to three home runs allowed.
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Houston Astros Los Angeles Dodgers Miami Marlins Minnesota Twins Notes Transactions Caleb Thielbar Coronavirus Dennis Santana Jose Altuve Luke Farrell

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Tigers To Activate Miguel Cabrera From 10-Day IL On Sunday

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 3:21pm CDT

The Tigers will activate first baseman/DH Miguel Cabrera from the 10-day injured list prior to tomorrow’s game, the team announced.  Infielder Zack Short has already been optioned to the alternate training site to make room for Cabrera’s return.  Cabrera hit the IL on April 11 due to a left bicep strain, so the veteran slugger will be back after only a few days’ beyond the 10-day minimum.

Cabrera didn’t hit much over his first 27 plate appearances, batting only .125/.222/.292 with one home run.  While the veteran slugger is a few years removed from his All-Star prime, his pursuit of both the 500-homer plateau and the 3000-hit plateau will draw attention throughout the season, assuming good health and assuming Cabrera can continue even his league-average offensive production from 2017-20.  Cabrera currently sits at 488 home runs and 2869 career hits.

While Short is slightly behind Cabrera on the all-time hits list, Short at least joined the party when he cracked a single in Friday’s game for his first Major League hit.  Short appeared in two games with Detroit, marking his first Major League action since being a 17th-round pick of the Cubs in the 2016 draft.  The 25-year-old infielder has shown a knack for getting on base during his time in the minors (career .241/.377/.405 slash line over 1588 PA) and he can also play shortstop and both second base and third base.

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Detroit Tigers Transactions Miguel Cabrera Zack Short

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Braves Activate Drew Smyly From 10-Day IL; Option Cristian Pache, Sean Kazmar Jr.

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 1:51pm CDT

As expected, the Braves activated southpaw Drew Smyly from the 10-day injured list in advance of his scheduled start tonight against the Diamondbacks.  Infielder Sean Kazmar Jr. was optioned to the alternate training site to create 26-man roster room for Smyly.  Outfielder Cristian Pache is also headed to the alternate site after being activated from the 10-day IL.

Smyly will make a relatively quick return after hitting the IL on April 16 (retroactive to April 13) with left forearm inflammation.  While the injury wasn’t thought to be overly serious, any sort of forearm problem had to be seen as a concern given Smyly’s lengthy health history, including a past Tommy John surgery that kept him from pitching in either the 2017 or 2018 seasons.

The IL stint could perhaps serve as a bit of a reset for Smyly, who had a quality start in his Braves debut on April 6 before struggling in his second outing on April 11, allowing five runs in five innings against the Nationals.  Smyly signed a one-year, $11MM free agent deal with Atlanta last winter, scoring a nice payday in the wake of a bounce-back 2020 season with the Giants.

A groin injury sent Pache to the injured list on April 14, so he’ll return after a minimal absence, though he is no longer on the MLB roster.  Pache has been heralded as one of baseball’s top prospects over the last few years, though he has only barely gotten his feet wet at the big league level, with 13 games and 35 plate appearances in 2020-21.  Pache is still only 22 years old and had played in only 26 Triple-A games in 2019, so the Braves clearly want him to get some more minor league seasoning in order to sharpen up his skills at the plate.  Pache is seen as a future Major League regular based on elite glovework alone, and becoming even an average hitter will raise his ceiling to a potential All-Star level.

Kazmar’s return to the majors ends after two games and one plate appearance, though it was enough to seal one of the more extraordinary comeback stories in recent baseball history.  Kazmar played in 19 games with the Padres in 2008 and didn’t make it back to the big leagues until this season, keeping his career going through years of grinding in the farm systems of four different organizations (Padres, Mariners, Mets, Braves).

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Atlanta Braves Transactions Cristian​ Pache Drew Smyly Sean Kazmar Jr.

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Angels Designate Jack Mayfield, Reinstate Jose Suarez To 40-Man Roster

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 1:36pm CDT

The Angels designated infielder Jack Mayfield for assignment, the team announced.  A 40-man roster spot was required for left-hander Jose Suarez, who is back on the 40-man after an injured list placement last week.

Acquired from the Braves in a February trade, Mayfield received three plate appearances over two games with Anaheim this season.  The 30-year-old’s ability to play shortstop, second base, and third base made him a useful bench piece in Houston, as Mayfield appeared in 49 games with the Astros over the 2019-20 seasons.  Atlanta claimed Mayfield off waivers back in November.

Suarez was assigned to the Angels’ alternate training site at the end of Spring Training.  An international signing for the Angels back in 2014, Suarez debuted in the big leagues in 2019 and posted a 7.11 ERA over 81 innings.  Matters didn’t improve for Suarez last season, as he made two starts but was torched for 10 earned runs over just 2 1/3 total innings.  While the early returns in the majors haven’t been good, the 23-year-old Suarez has some solid numbers (3.68 ERA, 25.4% strikeout rate) over 335 1/3 career frames in the Angels’ farm system.

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Los Angeles Angels Transactions Jack Mayfield Jose Suarez

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Brewers Place Brett Anderson, Josh Lindblom On 10-Day IL

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 1:18pm CDT

The Brewers announced that left-hander Brett Anderson (strained right hamstring) and right-hander Josh Lindblom (right knee effusion) have been on the 10-day injured list.  Right-hander Phil Bickford and outfielder Corey Ray were called up from the alternate training site to fill the spots on the active roster, and Ray is now in line to make his Major League debut.

Anderson threw only 11 pitches Friday before being removed from his start against the Cubs, resulting in an unexpected bullpen game for Milwaukee and a 15-2 loss.  Lindblom was the next pitcher in to replace Anderson, and the two hurlers combined to allow 11 earned runs over four innings of work.

With Anderson out of action, the Brewers could lean on their bullpen to cover his next start or two, or turn to one of multiple starters working at the team’s alternate site.  Jordan Zimmermann, Zack Godley, and Eric Lauer are all candidates, with Patrick Weigel perhaps the top option among the more inexperienced candidates (Weigel has only two-thirds of an inning as a big leaguer).

Ray was the fifth overall pick of the 2016 draft, and he is getting his first taste of the majors at age 26.  As a pro, Ray has shown only flashes of the potential he showed at the University of Louisville, battling injuries and hitting .235/.311/.406 over 1665 plate appearances in the Milwaukee farm system.  MLB Pipeline still ranks Ray 24th among all Brewers prospects, noting the plus speed and plus glovework and throwing arm that make him a viable center fielder, but Ray’s hitting ability is has been held back by a lot of strikeouts.  Given that the Brewers are dealing with several outfield injuries, Ray should get a pretty immediate opportunity for playing time.

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Milwaukee Brewers Transactions Brett Anderson Corey Ray Josh Lindblom Phil Bickford

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MLBTR Chat Transcript

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 11:57am CDT

Click here to read the transcript of today’s live baseball chat….

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MLBTR Chats

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Royals Reinstate Greg Holland From IL, Designate Brad Brach

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 11:03am CDT

The Royals have reinstated reliever Greg Holland from the injured list, the team announced.  To create roster space, right-hander Brad Brach has been designated for assignment.

It ended up being just a one-day stay for Holland on the COVID-related injury list, so the veteran righty will make a quick return to his role as Kansas City’s closer.  It hasn’t been a good start to the season for Holland, who has issued seven walks (against only six strikeouts) and allowed three homers over seven innings of work, resulting in a 6.43 ERA.  While it’s still early in the season, Holland’s job could certainly be in jeopardy if his struggles continue.  The Royals have gotten excellent results from such bullpen arms as Kyle Zimmer, Scott Barlow, Jake Brentz, and Josh Staumont thus far, and it’s possible one of those less-experienced hurlers could supplant Holland in the closer’s position, or the Royals could adopt a more situational approach to the ninth inning.

Brach’s minor league contract was selected yesterday in a response to Holland’s IL placement, and Brach didn’t get any action during last night’s 6-2 Royals victory over the Tigers.  The 35-year-old now heads into DFA limbo after that cup of coffee in the 2021 season, though it seems a decent bet that Brach will clear waivers and remain in the K.C. organization.  A very solid reliever for the Padres, Orioles, and Braves from 2012-18, Brach has been much less productive over the last two seasons, posting a 5.54 ERA over 66 2/3 innings since the start of the 2019 campaign.

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Kansas City Royals Transactions Brad Brach Greg Holland

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Cardinals Notes: Molina, O’Neill, Carpenter

By Mark Polishuk | April 24, 2021 at 9:25am CDT

Yadier Molina left Friday night’s game due to right foot soreness, after appearing to hurt his foot on a swing during a fifth-inning at-bat.  Molina struck out on the wayward swing, and was replaced by Andrew Knizner at catcher in the top of the sixth.  Molina will undergo testing to determine the extent of the injury, and any sort of absence would represent a big loss to the St. Louis lineup.  Over his first 68 plate appearances, Molina is hitting a scorching .339/.382/.661 with five home runs, with a 180 OPS+ that ranks tied for 14th among all qualified batters in the majors.  While this level of offensive production wasn’t expected to continue, it was at least a good sign that Molina was bouncing back from a pair of subpar years at the plate.

More from The Gateway City…

  • In other Cardinals injury news, Tyler O’Neill was activated off the 10-day IL yesterday.  O’Neill saw some action in the 5-4 victory over the Reds, entering the game as the new left fielder during a double-switch in the sixth inning, though he didn’t start due to a minor foot injury.  Manager Mike Shildt told reporters (including Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat) that O’Neill fouled a ball off his foot during a simulated game on Thursday, though obviously the issue wasn’t serious enough to either prevent O’Neill’s IL activation, or to keep the outfielder from taking the field.  O’Neill hit the injured list due to a groin strain back on April 11, and is looking to get on track after hitting only .138/.167/.276 in his first 30 PA of this young season.
  • With O’Neill back and Harrison Bader also approaching a return from his forearm injury, Matt Carpenter looks like the odd man out of the Cardinals lineup.  President of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters (including Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch) that “those at-bats are going to be more difficult to find if production isn’t there” for Carpenter, who has an .077/.213/.154 slash line in 47 plate appearances.  Despite some outstanding hard-contact numbers, Carpenter is striking out and swinging-and-missing at a high volume, Frederickson notes, while also posting a career-worst walk rate.  It represents the low point of over two seasons of struggles for Carpenter, who has been a below-average hitter since the start of the 2019 campaign.  The Cardinals had already addressed this decline by relegating Carpenter to a part-time role at best heading into the season, and Mozeliak’s comments suggest that Carpenter could be hard-pressed to receive any significant playing time going forward.  Carpenter is in the final guaranteed year of a two-year, $39MM extension, and though Frederickson said that there wasn’t any indication that the Cardinals might simply eat the remaining salary by releasing Carpenter, it doesn’t make much sense to use a roster spot on a scuffling player who isn’t part of the team’s future plans.
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Notes St. Louis Cardinals Matt Carpenter Tyler O'Neill Yadier Molina

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