Brewers Place Brent Suter On 10-Day DL, Designate Michael Blazek
The Brewers have placed left-hander Brent Suter on the 10-day DL with a left rotator cuff strain and designated right-hander Michael Blazek for assignment, as per a team announcement.
[Updated Brewers depth chart at Roster Resource]
Suter’s injury could very well explain his lack of effectiveness over his last three starts (13 ER in 14 1/3 innings), though the southpaw has provided the Brew Crew with solid overall results as both a reliever and starter this season. Suter has a 3.79 ERA, 2.72 K/BB rate and 7.4 K/9 over 59 1/3 IP, starting nine of his 16 appearances. Prior to this ugly three-start stretch, Suter had been on fire, with a 1.50 ERA over his previous five starts and 30 innings pitched.
It isn’t yet known who will step into Suter’s rotation spot. Junior Guerra is probably the likeliest candidate, though the righty has struggled with both injuries and ineffectiveness in the wake of his breakout 2016 year and is currently at Triple-A. Paolo Espino and Wily Peralta are also options in the minors, though these two have also not provided good results at the big league level this season.
This is the second time Blazek has entered DFA limbo this season, as Milwaukee designated the right-hander in April and then outrighted him to Triple-A. A big contributor out of the Brewers’ bullpen in 2015, Blazek struggled last season and has been hit hard in limited action this year, allowing six homers in just 8 2/3 IP en route to an 8.31 ERA. Blazek’s numbers at the Triple-A level have been solid, however, so he’s likely to continue on as organizational relief depth.
Minor MLB Transactions: 8/13/17
Here are the latest minor moves from around baseball, with the newest transactions at the top of the post…
- The Mets have selected the contract of right-hander Kevin McGowan, who will fill the open roster spot left behind after Neil Walker‘s trade to the Brewers. McGowan, 25, was a 13th-round pick for the Mets in the 2013 draft and he owns a 3.90 ERA, 8.0 K/9 and 2.29 K/BB rate over 62 innings (one start in 44 appearances) at the Triple-A level this season.
- The Astros released left-hander Ashur Tolliver, as per Paul Braverman of the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies media relations department (Twitter link). Tolliver spent much of the season at Triple-A, where he struggled to a 7.13 ERA and 33 walks (against just 28 strikeouts) in 35 1/3 innings. He also appeared in three games at the big league level for the Astros, posting a 3.60 ERA in five innings but also walking four batters as the control problems continued. Houston outrighted Tolliver off its 40-man roster last month.
- The Mariners selected the contract of righty Christian Bergman prior to yesterday’s game (Bergman got some immediate use, tossing a scoreless inning in Seattle’s 6-3 loss to the Angels.) Right-hander Andrew Moore was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Bergman has a 5.32 ERA, 5.7 K/9 and 2.14 K/BB rate in 47 1/3 innings for the M’s this season, with eight of his 10 appearances coming as a starting pitcher. He was outrighted by the Mariners just last week, though made a relatively quick return to not just 40-man status, but the big league roster.
Tigers Designate Edward Mujica For Assignment
The Tigers have designated right-hander Edward Mujica for assignment, as per a team announcement. Righty Jeff Ferrell‘s contract has been selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move.
Mujica signed a minor league deal with Detroit last winter and posted some excellent numbers (2.35 ERA, 7.6 K/BB rate, 7.4 K/9) in 46 relief innings for Triple-A Toledo. This performance earned Mujica a promotion on August 3, though the veteran righty was hit hard for 9.95 ERA over 6 1/3 innings, surrendering at least one run in four of his five outings as a Tiger.
Mujica has now pitched in parts of 11 big league seasons with seven different teams, and his Tigers stint marks his first taste of MLB action since 2015. Mujica was an All-Star in 2013 after emerging as the Cardinals’ closer and posted solid numbers out of the Red Sox bullpen as recently as 2014, though he took a step back in 2015 and then bounced around three different teams’ minor league affiliates last season.
Ferrell, by coincidence, also last pitched in the majors in 2015, with a nine-game cup of coffee accounting for his entire MLB resume. The 26-year-old was originally drafted by the Tigers in the 26th round of the 2010 draft, and he has a 4.00 ERA, 2.96 K/BB rate and 7.6 K/9 over 546 1/3 IP in the minors. Working as a full-time reliever this season, Ferrell has an impressive 2.28 ERA and 9.9 K/9 over 55 1/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A, holding right-handed batters to just a .482 OPS.
MLB Daily Roster Roundup: Pedroia, Tanaka, Walker
IMPACT ROSTER MOVES
- BOS: 2B Dustin Pedroia (knee inflammation) placed on 10-Day DL; RP Robby Scott recalled from minors. |Red Sox Depth Chart
- Eduardo Nuñez will be the regular 2B while Pedroia is out.
- CIN: SP Scott Feldman activated from 10-Day DL; INF/OF Arismendy Alcantara designated for assignment. | Reds Depth Chart
- DET: OF Alex Presley activated from 10-Day DL; OF/1B Jim Adduci optioned to minors. | Tigers Depth Chart
- Presley played RF and batted 8th in Saturday’s game. He’s expected to play regularly vs. right-handed starting pitchers.
- LAA: RP Andrew Bailey activated from 60-Day DL; OF Cesar Puello designated for assignment. | Angels Depth Chart
- NYY: SP Masahiro Tanaka (shoulder inflammation) placed on 10-Day DL; RP Giovanny Gallegos recalled from minors. | Yankees Depth Chart
- No word on who starts in Tanaka’s spot on Monday.
- SF: RP Mark Melancon activated from 10-Day DL; INF Miguel Gomez (knee inflammation) placed on 10-Day DL. | Giants Depth Chart | Closer Depth Chart
- Melancon is expected to work in low-leverage situations to start out with.
- TEX: SP Tyson Ross activated from 10-Day DL; INF/OF Ryan Rua optioned to minors. | Rangers Depth Chart
- TOR: C Russell Martin (strained oblique) placed on 10-Day DL; C Michal Ohlman and SP Chris Rowley have contract purchased from minors. | Blue Jays Depth Chart
- Raffy Lopez is expected to get the majority of starts at catcher while Martin is out.
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FUTURE EXPECTED MOVES
- ATL: OF Matt Kemp will likely be activated from 10-Day DL on Friday August 18th. | Braves Depth Chart
- LAD: 1B Adrian Gonzalez will be activated from 60-Day DL during their upcoming road trip (Aug. 18-24) | Dodgers Depth Chart
- LAD: RP Chris Hatcher will be activated from 10-Day DL on Sunday August 13th. | Dodgers Depth Chart
- WSH: OF Bryce Harper (knee injury) will likely be placed on 10-Day DL. | Nationals Depth Chart
- The severity of the injury is unknown, but it would be a surprise if he avoids the disabled list.
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MINOR TRANSACTIONS
- COL: 1B Ryan Howard agreed to MiLB deal. | Rockies Depth Chart
- Potential September call-up would give the Rockies a lefty bat off the bench with power.
- SEA: RP Christian Bergman has contract purchased from minors; RP/SP Andrew Moore optioned to minors; RP Jeanmar Gomez agreed to MiLB deal. | Mariners Depth Chart
- Moore is out of the running to start for the Mariners on Tuesday.
- TEX: INF/OF Phil Gosselin claimed off waivers from Pirates; INF Tyler Smith outrighted to minors. | Rangers Depth Chart
- TOR: INF/OF Chris Coghlan activated from 10-Day DL and designated for assignment; RP Chris Smith designated for assignment. | 40-Man Roster Tracker
Bryce Harper Exits With Apparent Knee Injury
Right fielder Bryce Harper departed the Nationals’ game against the Giants on Saturday with an apparent injury to his left knee. The injury occurred when Harper tried to beat out a ground ball, per the Washington Post’s Jorge Castillo, who adds that the superstar had to be helped off the field and didn’t put any weight on his leg when he exited (Twitter links). As the video shows (via Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, on Twitter), Harper slipped while crossing the first base bag, which was “clearly wet” as a result of rainy conditions in Washington, tweets Castillo.
The Nationals already lost one of their starting outfielders for the year when center fielder Adam Eaton suffered a torn ACL in April, while left fielder Jayson Werth has been out since early June with foot issues. The club has also had to go without Eaton’s replacement, Michael Taylor, for over a month because of an oblique injury, while standout shortstop Trea Turner has been on the shelf since the end of June with a fractured wrist. The Nationals, to their credit, have withstood those absences en route to a 68-45 record and an insurmountable 14-game lead in the NL East.
While injuries haven’t stopped the Nationals to this point, remaining an elite team without Harper would be an incredibly difficult task. Harper is arguably the best player in the National League, after all, and will have a strong chance to win his second MVP this season if his injury isn’t as catastrophic as it appears. In his age-24 campaign, Harper has slashed a remarkable .326/.419/.614 with 29 home runs in 472 plate appearances. His 5.0 fWAR ranks third in the NL, trailing only Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (5.2) and one of Harper’s teammates, third baseman Anthony Rendon (5.1).
Washington replaced Harper on Saturday with Brian Goodwin, who shifted from center to right, and brought Andrew Stevenson off the bench to occupy center. Longtime first baseman Adam Lind and the recently acquired Howie Kendrick join Goodwin and the untested Stevenson as the team’s only healthy outfield options at the moment.
Mariners Sign Jeanmar Gomez To Minor League Deal
The Mariners have signed reliever Jeanmar Gomez to a minor league contract, as Triple-A Tacoma broadcaster Mike Curto reports that the Rainiers added the right-hander to their roster on Saturday (Twitter link). Gomez opted out of his minors pact with the Brewers on Monday, according to KKTV 11 in Colorado Springs.
The 29-year-old Gomez signed with the Brewers less than a month ago, on July 15, and performed well with their Colorado Springs-based Triple-A affiliate. Gomez totaled 8 1/3 innings with the club and allowed two earned runs on seven hits and a walk, with seven strikeouts. He wasn’t nearly as effective at the major league level this year with the Phillies, who released him June 24. Philadelphia parted with Gomez after he turned in a 7.25 ERA across 22 1/3 innings and experienced a dip in his already low velocity, though he did post career-best strikeout and walk numbers (8.46 K/9 and 2.82 BB/9) and a 50.7 percent ground-ball rate.
If Gomez ultimately gets to Seattle, it’ll be his fourth major league club since he debuted with the Indians in 2010. Gomez was at his best with the Pirates from 2013-15, when he combined for 3.28 ERA and a 51.5 percent grounder rate in 142 2/3 innings. Last season, Gomez’s first in Philadelphia, he served as the team’s closer and continued to eat innings (68 2/3) and induce grounders (52 percent). Gomez fell out of favor, though, with an 8.33 ERA during the season’s second half. Overall, he registered a 4.85 ERA and 37 saves, earning him $4.2MM in his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sale, Keuchel, Otani, Yanks, Jays, Bucs, Mets
This week in baseball blogs:
- The Sports Tank says Red Sox ace Chris Sale deserves AL MVP consideration.
- Big Three Sports analyzes Astros ace Dallas Keuchel‘s recent struggles.
- Pinstriped Prospects doesn’t expect the Yankees to pursue Shohei Otani in the offseason.
- BP Toronto wants the Blue Jays to get rid of Kendrys Morales.
- The Point of Pittsburgh compares Pirates first baseman Josh Bell to ex-Buc Pedro Alvarez.
- Mets Daddy calls the club “petty” and “small-minded” for not making deals with the crosstown rival Yankees.
- TheIntrepidSTL considers Cardinals lefty Tyler Lyons one of the premier relievers in baseball this season.
- The 3rd Man In ranks the 10 best prospects in the 2018 draft.
- Notes From The Sally lists the top five power hitters in the South Atlantic League.
- The K Zone shares an offseason interview with just-promoted Phillies prospect Rhys Hoskins.
- Camden Depot sees Orioles starters Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman as legitimate building blocks.
- Inside the ‘Zona takes a look at Diamondbacks rookie left-hander Anthony Banda‘s early career performance.
- Clutchlings speaks with first-year Blue Jays director of scouting Steve Sanders about his initial draft with the organization.
- Padres Prospectus looks back at the Craig Kimbrel trade the Padres and Red Sox made in 2015.
- District On Deck isn’t overly worried about Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper‘s looming trip to free agency.
- Pirates Breakdown searches for the causes of Bucs closer Felipe Rivero‘s slump.
- The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2, 3) examines the Athletics’ deadline pickups, wonders about Yankees manager Joe Girardi’s job security and examines the Astros’ nicknames as Players Weekend approaches.
- Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) focuses on the Phillies’ expectations for the upcoming offseason and shares a five-part interview with Driveline Baseball research associate Michael O’Connell.
- DiNardo’s Dugout (podcast) discusses the Dodgers with Michael Duarte of NBC LA.
- Jays Journal believes Toronto pitching prospect and first-round pick Nate Pearson is a superstar in the making.
- Outfield Fly Rule projects the Braves’ top starting pitching prospects.
- North Shore Nine was on hand for Pirates pitching prospect Mitch Keller‘s Double-A debut.
- Elite Sports NY talks to a big league scout who’s skeptical over whether Yankees prospect Chance Adams‘ will be a major league starter.
- Reviewing The Brew argues that Milwaukee should summon second base prospect Mauricio Dubon to the majors.
- Everything Bluebirds is concerned about the Blue Jays’ lack of pitching depth.
- A’s Farm offers a progress report on the team’s top 11 draft picks of 2017.
- Sports Talk Philly remembers Phillies legend Darren Daulton.
- Chris Zantow revisits Don Baylor‘s tenure as the Brewers’ hitting coach.
- Rotisserie Duck names the best players of the 1950s and ’60s.
- Jays From The Couch points out that Toronto prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are two of the most productive teenage prospects of all-time.
- MetsMind regards outfielder Michael Conforto as a franchise cornerstone.
- Extra Innings chats with Jiandido Tromp, an Aruban all-star in the Phillies’ system.
- Puckett’s Pond writes about players the Twins should evaluate for the rest of the season.
Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Blue Jays, White Sox, Brewers, Gray
Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada drew “virtually no interest” in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, reports FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Estrada has been at top form since then, however, making it likely someone will claim the impending free agent on revocable waivers this month, a rival executive told Rosenthal (Twitter link). The Jays placed Estrada on waivers Friday, per Rosenthal, though he adds that they’re not bent on trading the 34-year-old unless a solid offer comes along. Because Toronto still has a shred of playoff hope and is averaging almost 40,000 fans per home game, it’s not ready to wave the white flag.
More from Rosenthal:
- The rebuilding White Sox are still deciding on the futures of first baseman Jose Abreu and outfielder Avisail Garcia, says Rosenthal. As a bat-first type who doesn’t play a premium position and will turn 31 in January, Abreu would be the harder of the two to trade, observes Rosenthal, who also points out that he’s not cheap ($11MM salary in 2017 with two arbitration trips left). With that in mind, the White Sox could end up keeping the veteran around as a lineup anchor and a mentor to their younger players, including fellow Cubans Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert. Garcia, meanwhile, is amid a career year and still fairly young (26), so he could be an extension candidate if the White Sox don’t “trade him at peak value,” suggests Rosenthal. Garcia’s making a reasonable $3MM this season and, like Abreu, has two arb-eligible years remaining.
- Contrary to a report last month, the Brewers’ unwillingness to part with high-end outfield prospect Lewis Brinson did not kill their chances of landing righty Sonny Gray from the Athletics, according to Rosenthal. The A’s would have accepted a package of other prospects from the Brewers’ talented farm system, relays Rosenthal, but the two sides still couldn’t work out a deal leading up to July 31. Oakland ultimately sent Gray to the Yankees for a trio of prospects on deadline day, officially ending any chance of the Brewers acquiring him.
Angels Designate Cesar Puello
The Angels have designated outfielder Cesar Puello for assignment, according to Maria Guardado of MLB.com (Twitter link). His spot will go to reliever Andrew Bailey, whom the Angels activated from the 60-day disabled list.
The 26-year-old Puello joined the Angels organization on a minor league deal in June and appeared in one game with the team prior to his designation, picking up a hit and two stolen bases over four plate appearances on Wednesday. That was the first major league action for Puello, who previously spent time in the minors with the Mets, Yankees and Rangers. Between the Rangers’ and Angels’ Triple-A affiliates this season, Puello has hit .327/.377/.526 with 13 home runs and 18 steals across 379 trips to the plate.
Bailey, 33, hasn’t taken the mound since early April, when he landed on the 10-day DL with shoulder issues after tossing three scoreless innings to open the season. Injuries have hindered Bailey throughout his professional tenure, helping to derail a career that began with 2009 American League Rookie of the Year honors for the then-Oakland closer.
Rockies Sign Ryan Howard To Minors Deal
The Rockies announced that they have agreed to a minor league contract with first baseman Ryan Howard.
This is the second time this year the longtime Phillie has taken a minors pact. Howard signed one with the Braves back in April, but the 37-year-old only lasted about a month with the organization. After Howard batted just .184/.238/.263 in 42 plate appearances with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate, they released him.
At his best, Howard was an NL MVP-winning slugger in Philadelphia, where he belted 382 home runs from 2004-16 and swatted between 31 and 58 HRs in each season from 2006-11. But Howard declined markedly as his Phillies career progressed and posted a personal-worst season in 2016, making it difficult for him to find work since.
Howard still possesses enough power to make him a somewhat interesting fit for Colorado’s Coors Field, but he’s certainly not a lock to ever play a game for the Rockies. The playoff hopefuls have gotten solid production at first this year from Mark Reynolds, and they just promoted big-hitting prospect Ryan McMahon on Friday. Nevertheless, with Sept. 1 roster expansion forthcoming, Howard will hope to make his way back to the majors during the season’s final weeks.