Latest Reaction To MLB’s Foreign Substance Rule Enforcement
Major League Baseball’s announcement of imminent plans to crack down on pitchers’ use of foreign substances on the baseball has drawn a wide range of responses from those around the league. Rays ace Tyler Glasnow, who suffered a partial UCL tear during his most recent start, hypothesized that MLB’s midseason enforcement of a blanket prohibition on all substances- from a sunscreen/rosin combination to industrial glue- contributed to his injury. As one might expect, plenty of others have since weighed in with varying opinions.
Jeff Passan of ESPN characterizes the reaction of those around the league as a “rift…dividing organizations, friends and people who otherwise are ideologically aligned” in a fantastic column. It’s not as simple as hitters vs. pitchers. Passan notes that some position players, who would seemingly be anxious to get offense-depressing grip enhancers out of the game, have expressed support for their use. Some pitchers, meanwhile, are happy with MLB’s uptick in enforcement.
Phillies reliever Archie Bradley and Pirates starter Steven Brault, for instance, each expressed support for the rule in recent interviews with Chris Rose of Jomboy Media (Twitter link). Bradley noted that MLB’s treating foreign substances as an on-field rules violation- therefore preventing teams from replacing a suspended player on the active roster- could stress other members of a pitching staff but suggested the onus just falls on pitchers to cease their use. Brault was “surprised” MLB decided to enforce the rule midseason but added he “can’t really blame (the league)” and concluded that “if you needed stick to pitch, then maybe you’re just not good enough.”
Midseason enforcement seems to be a bigger issue for other players, though. Glasnow called it “insane” and “ridiculous.” Red Sox starter Garrett Richards told reporters (including Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald) he “(couldn’t) think of a worse time” to enforce the rule. Richards said he previously used a sunscreen/rosin combination but now has to grip the ball harder and agreed with Glasnow that could threaten pitchers’ health. Another pitcher echoed to Passan that he’s “worried” about the rule, noting that he has to “squeeze the [expletive] out of the ball, and that can’t be a good thing.” (Dodgers starter Trevor Bauer also criticized the league’s decision to crack down in the middle of the year- rather than during an offseason- as part of a comprehensive video breakdown of the situation). On the other hand, Richards’ teammate J.D. Martinez pointed to sticky stuff’s contribution to the downturn in leaguewide offense and praised MLB for “finally (noticing) the issue and making the adjustment to stop it” (via Chris Cotillo of MassLive).
There’s also broader labor implications to consider with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on December 1. Passan notes that some players believe MLB is enforcing the rule now in an attempt to divide players with collective bargaining on the horizon. Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic reports there was little to no collaboration between MLB and the MLB Players Association on the enforcement. MLB “drew a hard line” on the issue, Ghiroli writes, although she hears from a league source who says the MLBPA was given ample opportunity to give input before the plan was finalized but chose not to do so. Regardless, Ghiroli questions whether the league’s efforts to legislate sticky stuff- while “commendable”- were worthwhile given that they “alienated a significant percentage of players who contribute to (the) on-field product.” Her excellent piece is well worth a full perusal.
Perhaps the best encapsulation of the player-management discord was a bizarre spat between Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen and MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill, chronicled by Zach Buchanan of the Athletic. In an MLB memo to teams outlining the enforcement, Hill wrote that the league’s early-season research showed “that the use of foreign substances by pitchers is more prevalent than we anticipated” (via Ronald Blum of the Associated Press). That didn’t seem to sit well with Gallen, who played for the Marlins while Hill was Miami’s general manager.
“He was in charge of an organization that was definitely at one point saying, ‘Hey, you’re going to need these things to help you,” Gallen said. Hill’s job as Marlins GM was obviously quite different than his current role at MLB, so there’d be nothing inherently inconsistent about him allegedly promoting sticky substances to help Miami pitchers at the time but now hoping to get them out of the game as a league executive. Hill, though, called Gallen’s claims “completely false” and suggested the pitcher’s comments were influenced by his agent, Scott Boras. Prior to the Gallen-Hill spat, Boras had released a statement to reporters (including Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic) excoriating the league’s enforcement efforts. In particular, Boras took issue with the implication that players were to blame for using substances many around the league agree have been encouraged by teams for performance-enhancing reasons.
The disparate opinions reflect larger debates about player health, the state of the on-field product, and the generally antagonistic relationship between MLB and the MLBPA and others on the players’ side. We’ve certainly not heard the last of these, particularly with the CBA expiring in a little more than five months.
Nationals Place Starlin Castro On Restricted List, Call Up Luis Garcia
12:42PM: Castro went on the restricted list because he is “dealing with a family matter which requires his immediate attention,” a source tells Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post.
11:23AM: The Nationals announced that infielder Starlin Castro has been placed on the restricted list. Infielder Luis Garcia has been called up from Triple-A to take Castro’s spot on the 26-man roster.
No further details were released about Castro’s situation, though he didn’t play in last night’s game against the Pirates. After his debut season with the Nats in 2020 was cut short by a broken wrist, Castro has struggled to a .239/.287/.312 slash line over 254 plate appearances this season. Castro’s .266 wOBA is one of the lowest in the league and his .296 xwOBA isn’t much better, as the veteran isn’t making much hard contact whatsoever.
Castro has played almost every inning at third base for Washington this season, so depending on how long he is absent, the Nats will have a major hole to fill in their lineup. Jordy Mercer, Josh Harrison, or Garcia could all get some playing time at the hot corner while Castro is gone. Garcia hasn’t hit much over 152 career PA in the big leagues, but the former top-100 prospect has been swinging the bat well at Triple-A Rochester this season, hitting .270/.336/.478 with seven homers in 128 PA.
MLB Updates COVID Protocols For Vaccinated Players And Staff
Major League Baseball has updated its COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated Tiers 1 and 2 personnel (including players and coaches), reports Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic (Twitter link). Most notably, fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be tested for COVID-19 unless they have symptoms of or have been exposed to the virus.
The handling of fully vaccinated individuals drew some attention last month after Nationals starter Erick Fedde tested positive for the coronavirus. Fedde, who had been fully vaccinated and was asymptomatic, was forced to go on the injured list. (Between his initial isolation period and subsequent rehab, he ultimately missed just over three weeks of action). Teammate Max Scherzer, the Nationals MLBPA representative and a member of the union’s executive board, called for the league to update the protocols in light of Fedde’s situation.
“We got to update the rules here,” Scherzer said at the time. “We got to start following the science, listening to what the CDC says, whether this is union or MLB, the people above us. We got to update the protocols here. Vaccinated players are testing positive, they are asymptomatic and should be allowed to play. Plain and simple.”
Without regular testing for asymptomatic, vaccinated individuals, MLB is leaving open the possibility of players who have breakthrough (post-vaccine) infections remaining in clubhouses and on the field. The CDC cautions that “vaccinated people could potentially still become infected and spread the virus to others” but also notes that studies have shown early evidence of “reduced viral load in vaccinated people who develop COVID-19,” which could reduce the likelihood of transmission to others even if a vaccinated person does contract the virus.
The league relaxed various on-field protocols for vaccinated individuals, Ghiroli reports. Fully vaccinated individuals are now exempt from wearing masks in dugouts and bullpens. (Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated players are still required to wear masks unless their teams reach the 85% vaccination threshold among Tier 1 personnel to reduce restrictions team-wide). Fully vaccinated players are also now permitted to dine indoors and work out at club facilities without receiving advance permission.
Minor MLB Transactions: 6/16/21
The latest minor moves from around the league:
- The Red Sox announced that right-hander Brandon Brennan has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Worcester. Evidently, he’s accepted the assignment, as Brennan is listed on Worcester’s active roster. Boston designated him for assignment last weekend after he made one MLB appearance, tossing three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He has a 2.16 ERA in 8 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this year, with eleven strikeouts and five walks.
- The Yankees announced they’ve activated outfielder Ryan LaMarre from the injured list and passed him through outright waivers. New York selected LaMarre, whom they signed to a minor league deal over the winter, to the roster when Aaron Hicks went down in mid-May. The 32-year-old LaMarre went down with an injury himself just three days later and went on the IL. He’s been outrighted before in his career, so he has the right to reject a minor league assignment in favor of free agency.
Phillies Jean Segura Out Three Weeks With Groin Strain
7:44 pm: The Phillies are placing Segura on the 10-day IL, Girardi told reporters (including Matt Gelb of the Athletic). Maton has indeed been recalled to replace him. GM Sam Fuld said Segura suffered a Grade 1 groin strain and is expected to miss three weeks (via Zolecki).
7:57 am: Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Dodgers was a particularly tough night for the Phillies, due to injuries to both Bryce Harper and Jean Segura. Harper left the game in the fourth inning due to lower back tightness, while Segura came up limping after beating out a grounder to first base in the ninth. Segura was replaced for pinch-runner Andrew Knapp, as the backup catcher was the last man remaining on Philadelphia’s bench after Harper’s injury and other in-game substitutions.
Segura’s injury was labeled a left groin strain, and manager Joe Girardi told reporters (including MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki) after the game that “I’m not so confident that’s day to day,” so a trip to the 10-day injured list certainly looks to be in the cards for the infielder. This would Segura’s second IL stint of the season, after a right squad strain sidelined for 15 games in late April and early May.
Despite the missed time, Segura has still been one of the Phillies’ best hitters this season, and he has been on pace for the best numbers of his 10-year career. Segura has hit .332/.379/.465 over 203 plate appearances (133 wRC+, 136 OPS+), cracking three homers and scoring 24 runs. While Segura has benefited from a sky-high .378 BABIP and his .365 wOBA far outpaces his .321 xwOBA, he has also been one of the league’s harder player to strike out. Now in his second year as the Phils’ starting second baseman, Segura is also delivering above-average glovework, as per the Outs Above Average (+4) and Defensive Runs Saved (+4) metrics, though UZR/150 (-7.4) isn’t a fan of his defense at the keystone.
Nick Maton would be the likeliest Triple-A call-up if Segura did hit the injured list, as Maton has the second-most innings at second base of any Phillies player this season. The rookie got off to a hot start in his first MLB season, but an 0-for-20 slump resulted in Maton being sent to Triple-A last week. Ronald Torreyes and Brad Miller are second-base options on the active roster, though Torreyes has been starting at shortstop in the wake of Maton’s slump and Miller’s utilityman skills might be required in the outfield with Harper hurting.
In the bigger picture, however, there’s really no ideal way for the Phillies to replace Segura and Harper if both miss a substantial amount of time. Philadelphia is in second place in the NL East but with only a 32-33 record, and the team sits five games back of both the division lead and the second NL wild card berth. If the Phillies continue to hover around the .500 mark and can’t gain any ground in either playoff race, it remains to be seen how aggressive the team might be at the trade deadline (or, if they might pivot to selling some players).
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen Discusses Trade Deadline Outlook
Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen addressed the team’s general plans for the July 30 trade deadline this morning with 98.7 FM Arizona Sports (h/t to Zach Buchanan of the Athletic). Unsurprisingly, he confirmed the 20-48 club has been fielding offers from contenders with the trade deadline coming up.
The Diamondbacks will almost certainly move some veteran players for younger talent in the coming weeks, but Hazen didn’t sound as if he felt the club needed to embark on a full rebuild. He pushed back against characterizing the organization’s approach to the deadline as akin to “open season” and reiterated his belief in the long-term potential of the club’s young, controllable position players. Hazen acknowledged that, given their standing at the bottom of the league, the D-Backs aren’t “in a position to say ‘never’ to anything” but quickly added the front office is hoping to “anchor” around a group of core players moving forward.
Asdrúbal Cabrera and Eduardo Escobar look extremely likely to wind up elsewhere before the July 30 trade deadline. The same could be true of fellow impending free agents Stephen Vogt and Joakim Soria, although neither has been especially productive this season. Arizona has also reportedly taken offers on corner outfielder David Peralta, who is under contract through 2022.
Kole Calhoun, controllable via $9MM club option next season, is a plausible trade candidate if he continues to produce once he returns from the injured list. Starter Merrill Kelly is having a bit of a down year but he’s affordable enough (due the balance of a $4.25MM salary this season, with a $5.25MM club option for 2022) to draw some interest. The same is true of swingman Caleb Smith, controllable via arbitration through 2023.
Given Hazen’s comments, it seems more likely the Diamondbacks move those complimentary types rather than part with highly-performing, controllable players like Ketel Marte, Carson Kelly and Josh Rojas. Hazen wouldn’t definitively rule out a deal involving any of that trio (baseball operations leaders don’t tend to think in such absolutes) but his desire to “anchor” around a group of young, productive big leaguers suggests the D-Backs aren’t looking to tear the roster to the studs.
With the deadline approaching, Hazen told 98.7 FM the D-Backs expect to add veteran executive Allard Baird to their baseball operations department in the coming days. Baird spent the early portion of his career in Kansas City, where he ascended to general manager in 2000. He was let go after six seasons as Royals GM but quickly found a role in the Red Sox front office. Baird spent more than a decade in Boston, where he overlapped with Hazen and D-Backs assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye. Most recently, Baird spent the past two seasons with the Mets, but he departed amidst the New York organization’s ownership and front office shakeup last winter.
Hazen took a physical leave of absence from the team last week to spend more time with his family while his wife Nicole battles brain cancer. He remains in consultation with the rest of the front office, with Sawdaye taking control over day-to-day baseball operations. Baird will help shoulder the workload as the club tries to bring back the best possible returns for some of their veteran players.
Blue Jays Reinstate Patrick Murphy From Injured List
The Blue Jays announced they’ve reinstated right-hander Patrick Murphy from the 60-day injured list. Reliever Carl Edwards Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain. Fellow reliever Travis Bergen was activated from the 10-day IL and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Toronto had a vacancy on the 40-man roster, so no additional move was required to accommodate Murphy’s reinstatement.
Murphy will step right into the Jays MLB bullpen. The 26-year-old made a brief major league debut last season, tossing six innings over four appearances. In that time, he flashed a sinker that averaged just under 97 MPH and a mid-80s power curveball. A former third-round pick, Murphy has long been considered one of the more interesting pitching prospects in the Toronto system. Unfortunately, he’s been delayed by a series of injuries, including a Tommy John procedure and surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome.
Despite the health woes, Murphy’s stuff and track record of acceptable of strike-throwing in the minors has continued to intrigue evaluators. He entered this year among the top 30 prospects in the organization according to each of Baseball America, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs and Keith Law of the Athletic. Another injury- this time a sprained AC joint in his shoulder- had kept Murphy from pitching this season until today’s activation.
Edwards left last night’s game against the Yankees after facing just one hitter. Signed to a minor league deal last month, Edwards has made six appearances since being selected to the 40-man roster. He’s since allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings, striking out five while issuing a pair of walks.
COVID Notes: 6/16/21
Here are the latest updates on coronavirus-related situations around baseball…
Latest Updates
- The Astros are placing outfielder Kyle Tucker on the COVID-19 IL, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle was among those to relay. Tucker has missed the past two games as he’s been feeling under the weather. Infielder Abraham Toro is up from Triple-A Sugar Land to take his active roster spot. [UPDATE: General Manager James Click told reporters (including Mark Berman of Fox 26) Tucker has been placed on the IL because he developed COVID-like symptoms. The team hopes “it’s a short-term” absence.]
Earlier Notes
- The Rays placed right-hander Collin McHugh on the COVID-related injury list, and called up right-hander Chris Mazza from Triple-A to take McHugh’s spot on the active roster. McHugh is receiving rapid testing after feeling sick this morning, manager Kevin Cash told The Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin and other reporters, so the COVID-IL placement is precautionary. After missing the 2020 season with injuries, McHugh has rebounded to post a 2.70 ERA/2.38 SIERA over 23 1/3 innings for the Rays this year, with an elite 37.1% strikeout rate and an above-average 7.2% walk rate. [UPDATE: McHugh has tested negative for the virus and is feeling a bit better, manager Kevin Cash told reporters (including Topkin).]
Cubs Select Robert Stock, Place Dillon Maples On IL
The Cubs announced a series of moves before tonight’s game against the Mets. Robert Stock was selected to the roster, while Cory Abbott was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Dillon Maples was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 15, with a right triceps strain, and Trevor Megill was optioned to Iowa. To create 40-man roster space for Stock’s selection, Chicago transferred catcher P.J. Higgins from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list.
Chicago claimed Stock off waivers over the winter, but they ultimately outrighted him off the 40-man before the season began. The hard-throwing righty has spent the year in Iowa, where he’s tossed 19 2/3 innings of 4.12 ERA ball. That’s not an eye-catching level of run prevention, but Stock’s peripherals look much better. He’s punched out 30.5% of opponents in Triple-A while walking just 4.9% of batters faced.
The latter number is especially crucial for Stock, who’s been plagued by control issues at the big league level in recent seasons. The 31-year-old walked an untenable 15.3% of hitters with the Padres and Red Sox between 2019-20, contributing to a 7.13 ERA over 24 frames. The Cubs will give him a chance to carry over his seeming newfound control at the big league level. Stock’s 2021 MLB debut will come tonight, as he’s on the mound as an opener against New York.
Losing Maples is a tough blow for the Cubs bullpen. The 29-year-old has appeared in the big leagues in each of the past five seasons, but his 22 2/3 innings this year is easily a career-high. Maples has pitched to a sterling 1.99 ERA over that time with elite strikeout (33.7%) and ground ball (52.3%) numbers. Maples boasts some of the best stuff in baseball, with elite velocity and spin on each of his four-seam fastball, cutter-slider and curveball. He’s always walked a fine line with his control, though, and Maples has continued to dole out free passes at an alarming rate (14.7%) this season.
Higgins went on the IL last week with a forearm strain. He’ll now be sidelined until at least mid-August. Recent testing revealed more significant damage than expected in his elbow, reports Sahadev Sharma of the Athletic (Twitter link). The 28-year-old Higgins has picked up his first 25 MLB plate appearances this season, serving as a backup to Willson Contreras.
Rangers Activate Ian Kennedy From Injured List
The Rangers announced they’ve activated reliever Ian Kennedy from the injured list in advance of tonight’s game against the Astros. Lefty Hyeon-jong Yang was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to create active roster space.
Kennedy was placed on the IL last week with a mild hamstring strain, but he’s back after a minimal absence. He’ll presumably return to his ninth-inning role in Arlington, where he’s found plenty of success. The veteran righty has made 21 appearances and tossed 21 1/3 innings of 2.53 ERA/3.25 SIERA ball this season. Kennedy, who was forced to settle for a minor league deal over the winter after a terrible 2020 season in Kansas City, has seen significant jumps in his strikeout and swinging rates (to a strong 29.8% and 13.2%, respectively). Equally importantly, he’s held opponents to just two home runs after coughing up seven long balls in 14 innings last year.
That seems to have been driven by much grater reliance on his high-spin four-seam fastball, which he’s thrown 82% of the time in 2021, with fantastic results. Kennedy’s benefitting from an elevated strand rate (84.2%) and fairly low HR/FB rate (8.3%), so he’s unlikely to sustain quite this level of run prevention, but he’s made meaningful improvements that should allow him to continue to perform as a solid high-leverage relief option down the stretch.
Kennedy’s strong season makes him one of the likeliest players in baseball to change teams over the next six weeks. The Rangers didn’t expect to compete this year, and they’ve unsurprisingly posted the second-worst record in the American League. With Kennedy hitting free agency at the end of the season, there’s little reason for Texas not to move him to a contender in exchange for younger talent before the July 30 trade deadline.