East Notes: Rays, Walls, Yankees, Britton, Mets, Peterson, Syndergaard
The Rays have activated Taylor Walls from the injured list, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). The move comes after Luis Patino was optioned back to Triple-A yesterday. Walls would give manager Kevin Cash a five-man bench, which would be unusual for the Rays. Still, for now, Walls is back on the active roster, having recovered from a bout of wrist tendonitis. Certainly, the return of Walls puts the immediate future of Wander Franco into question, though there’s been no indication of a roster move at this time. For what it’s worth, Walls held his own with a .222/.337/.333 line in 95 plate appearances, good for a 96 wRC+to pair with stellar marks on the defensive side of the ball — he was credited with 8 DRS, 2.0 UZR, and 2 Outs Above Average in just 214 1/3 innings at short. Staying on the East Coast…
- Zack Britton is throwing off the mound today for the first time since going on the injured list. He is eligible to return to the Yankees on Monday, per Kristie Ackert of the NY Daily News (via Twitter). Britton has just five appearances on the season. The Yankees might very well try to get him back into games ahead of the All-Star break so as to allow for a measured ramping up process.
- As for the Mets, David Peterson has been diagnosed with a strained right oblique that will keep him out for around eight weeks, at best guess, but maybe less, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com (via Twitter). It hasn’t been a great year for Peterson, who owns a 5.54 ERA/4.77 FIP through 115 starts totaling 66 2/3 innings.
- Noah Syndergaard, meanwhile, was throwing today, but he timetable remains the same. The Mets are looking tentatively at a September 1st return for Thor, notes DiComo.
Mets Activate Brandon Nimmo, Place David Peterson On Injured List
The Mets announced a host of roster moves this afternoon. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo is back from the injured list, as are reliever Jeurys Familia and catcher Tomás Nido. Righty Marcus Stroman has been activated from the bereavement list. To clear four active roster spots, New York placed lefty David Peterson on the 10-day IL, retroactive to July 1, and optioned infielder Travis Blankenhorn, catcher Patrick Mazeika and southpaw Thomas Szapucki to Triple-A Syracuse.
Nimmo’s reinstatement is the most welcome of today’s developments for the Mets. The center fielder went on the IL on May 5 with a left index finger injury. It was initially termed a contusion, but further evaluation first suggested it was a nerve problem and eventually revealed a small ligament tear. Ultimately, the bothersome issue kept Nimmo out for nearly two full months.
The Mets are surely thrilled to have the 28-year-old back. Nimmo got off to a stellar .318/.430/.439 start through 80 plate appearances this season, a continuation of the fantastic production he’s put up over the past few years. He joins Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto as recent returnees from the IL for New York, who leads the National League East by two games.
Peterson’s IL placement isn’t wholly unexpected. He’s been dealing with discomfort in his right side in recent days and was already expected to miss his next start. With the All-Star Break just ten days away, it makes sense for New York to at least shut him down through then. It’s been a bit of a confounding season for Peterson, whose ERA has jumped from 3.44 to 5.54 since 2020 despite improvements in his strikeout and walk rates (from 19.5% to 24% and 11.7% to 10.1%, respectively).
Health Notes: Bader, Calhoun, Canha, Peterson
The Cardinals activated center fielder Harrison Bader from the 10-day injured list today and optioned fellow outfielder Lars Nootbaar to Triple-A Memphis in his place. Bader missed a little more than a month with a right rib hairline fracture. Before the injury, the 27-year-old had slumped to a .219/.301/.411 mark over his first 83 plate appearances. Bader’s a quality baserunner and defender, through, and his return will allow the Cards to shift Dylan Carlson back into the corner outfield role for which he’s better suited.
In other health news:
- Kole Calhoun might have suffered a setback in his recovery from left hamstring surgery. The Diamondbacks outfielder’s minor league rehab assignment was recently halted, as he was sent back to Phoenix to undergo an MRI after feeling something in the hamstring while attempting to dodge a hit-by-pitch, writes Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. It’s been something of a lost season for the veteran, who has been limited to 51 plate appearances by injuries. If healthy, Calhoun would be an obvious trade candidate for the last-place Diamondbacks. The 33-year-old hit a strong .292/.333/.479 in 2020 and is in the final guaranteed season of his two-year, $16MM contract with the organization. Calhoun’s deal comes with a $9MM club option (or a $2MM buyout) for 2022.
- Athletics outfielder Mark Canha is unlikely to return to the club before the All-Star Break, manager Bob Melvin tells reporters (including Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle). Canha, who landed on the injured list with left hip tendinitis last week, recently underwent platelet-rich plasma injections in both hips. A somewhat prompt return from the 32-year-old would be a huge boon for the A’s, who trail the Astros by half a game in the AL West. An ever-underrated contributor, Canha is hitting .255/.375/.450 with 11 homers in 325 plate appearances this year.
- Mets left-hander David Peterson departed his start last night with discomfort in his right side. Manager Luis Rojas told reporters (including Laura Albanese of Newsday) that Peterson continued to experience side tightness today and will be sent for further evaluation. Rojas added the 25-year-old is unlikely to make his next scheduled start. Peterson has struggled to follow up on last year’s promising rookie campaign, pitching to a 5.40 ERA/4.23 SIERA through 66 2/3 innings this season.
Mets Notes: Carrasco, Thor, Barnes, Lucchesi
Right-hander Carlos Carrasco resumed throwing today, pitching one inning (about 20 pitches) in a simulated game setting, Mets skipper Luis Rojas tells reporters (Twitter link via Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News). The Mets remain hopeful that Carrasco can be ready for the Opening Day roster, though that much can’t be known until they see how he feels after throwing this morning and until he builds up more in subsequent throwing sessions. The Mets paused Carrasco’s throwing work last week after he reported some discomfort in his right elbow, but his shutdown was rather brief, lasting just eight days.
Some more notes out of Port St. Lucie…
- Noah Syndergaard threw off a mound this morning, with Mike Puma of the New York Post providing some video footage for interested Mets fans (Twitter link). Rojas tells reporters that Syndergaard, who is on the mend from 2020 Tommy John surgery, is not yet to 100 percent but nevertheless reached 96 mph with his fastball in this morning’s session (via MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo). The 28-year-old won’t be ready for the Opening Day roster, of course, but based on his current trajectory he could be back in the mix by early summer. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
- Reliever Jacob Barnes is impressing Mets staffers thus far in Spring Training, writes Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Barnes, a 30-year-old right-hander who was claimed off waivers back in October, worked extensively with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to deepen his understanding of the analytical side of pitching. “Up until this point, I didn’t really have that,” said Barnes of the data-focused approach taken by Hefner. “So I was just going out there just assuming what worked and didn’t. He pretty much gave me a blueprint of, ‘This fastball works really well here and here and the slider [there].'” Barnes is out of minor league options, so he’ll need to either make the Opening Day bullpen or else be designated for assignment.
- Joey Lucchesi is another Mets newcomer impressing decision-makers, as Thosar explored last night. Rojas and others were pleased with yesterday’s start, as well as Lucchesi’s work in simulated games thus far in camp. He’s in the running for the fifth starter’s job, along with David Peterson and Jordan Yamamoto, both of whom have pitched well. Rojas notes that Lucchesi is stretched out and won’t be used in the bullpen for now, which suggests he’ll be optioned if he doesn’t break camp with a rotation gig. That’d be a disappointing outcome for Lucchesi himself, but the very presence of such a decision speaks to the improved pitching depth the Mets possess in 2021 — something they haven’t had as much of in recent seasons.
Mets Designate Walker Lockett For Assignment, Activate David Peterson
The Mets have designated right-hander Walker Lockett for assignment, Tim Healey of Newsday was among those to report. His roster spot will go to lefty David Peterson, who’s coming off the 10-day injured list.
In what could go down as his final Mets appearance, Lockett threw two scoreless innings to pick up a win over the Yankees on Friday. For the most part, though, success has eluded Lockett as a Met. Since they acquired him from the Indians in a deal for catcher Kevin Plawecki before 2019, the 26-year-old Lockett has recorded an 8.16 ERA/5.96 FIP with 6.59 K/9 and 2.51 BB/9 in 30 1/3 innings. Lockett did pitch well last year at Triple-A (3.66 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 over 59 frames), but as someone who’s out of minor league options, he may have a harder time latching on elsewhere in the next week.
Meanwhile, the return of Peterson will be a welcome one for the Mets, as the rookie began his career with a 2.91 ERA/4.03 FIP and 7.06 K/9 against 3.32 BB/9 across 21 2/3 innings before going to the IL on Aug. 18 with shoulder fatigue. Peterson has been the Mets’ top complement to ace Jacob deGrom so far this season.
Mets Place David Peterson On Injured List
The Mets have placed left-hander David Peterson on the 10-day injured list with shoulder fatigue, Tim Healey of Newsday tweets. In other moves, they recalled righties Drew Smith and Corey Oswalt and optioned RHP Franklyn Kilome.
Peterson exited his most recent start last Thursday with shoulder discomfort, though he was supposed to take the ball tonight before this news came down. The Mets will presumably start Oswalt instead, and if their career numbers to this point are any indication, the drop-off will be significant.
While Peterson is only in first season, he has been one of the few bright spots out of the Mets’ rotation in 2020. Peterson has been one of the game’s best rookies so far, in fact, having logged a 2.91 ERA/4.00 FIP with 7.06 K/9 and 3.32 BB/9 in 21 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, over 75 1/3 lifetime frames, Oswalt has limped to a 6.69 ERA/6.75 FIP.
The hope is that Peterson will return in short order, but shoulder injuries are ominous and time’s already running out on this season. Furthermore, the Mets have gotten out to a weak 10-14 start thanks in no small part to what has become a questionable rotation behind Jacob deGrom and Peterson. It looked promising a few months back, but Noah Syndergaard has since undergone Tommy John surgery and Marcus Stroman decided to opt out. Meanwhile, offseason signings Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha haven’t prevented runs at acceptable clips, nor has holdover Steven Matz. The Mets did just add reliever Robert Gsellman to their starting staff, but he only threw 1 2/3 innings in a start against the Marlins on Monday.
NL Health Notes: Braves, Mets, Cards, Giants, Padres, Dodgers
The Braves placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. on the injured list Saturday (retroactive to Aug. 12) because of left wrist inflammation, and the team’s hope then was that Acuna would be back by the upcoming weekend. However, there’s still no timetable for the superstar’s return, per The Athletic’s David O’Brien, who reports he’s continuing to battle soreness in his wrist. Meanwhile, second baseman Ozzie Albies – whom the Braves put on the IL on Aug. 5 with a bone contusion in his right wrist – is progressing but still has a ways to go, according to O’Brien.
- Mets starters David Peterson and Jacob deGrom will take the ball as scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, Tim Healey of Newsday relays. Peterson had to leave his previous start last Thursday against the Nationals with left shoulder fatigue, while the club scratched deGrom on Friday because of a stiff neck. They’ve been the two best members of the rotation this year for the struggling Mets, as Peterson has performed like one of the game’s top rookies and the back-to-back Cy Young winner deGrom has continued to shine.
- Cardinals righty Carlos Martinez and infielder Edmundo Sosa have been cleared to resume baseball activities, manager Mike Shildt announced to Mark Saxon of The Athletic and other reporters. They’re two of the many Cardinals who recently tested positive for the coronavirus. It’s not clear when either could return, as Shildt noted they’ll need time to build themselves back up. Martinez, long a key part of the Cardinals’ pitching staff, made one very rocky appearance earlier this season. Sosa hasn’t played in the majors this year.
- Giants righty Jeff Samardzija will begin a throwing program Wednesday, according to the club (via Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle). Samardzija went on the injured list Aug. 8 with a shoulder impingement, which came after he opened the season with three rough performances. The pending free agent, 35, owns a ghastly 9.88 ERA across 13 2/3 innings, has already given up 18 hits and six home runs, and has only struck out five hitters.
- The Padres placed catcher Francisco Mejia on the IL on Monday with a thumb bruise, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweets. With him and outfielder Tommy Pham (previously reported) headed to the shelf, the Padres recalled backstop Luis Torrens and utility player Ty France. Prior to going on the IL, Mejia got off to a woeful start this year with an .079/.146/.184 line in 41 plate appearances. He and fellow Padres catcher Austin Hedges have combined for a disastrous minus-1 wRC+ over 79 trips to the plate thus far.
- The Dodgers announced that they’ve placed infielder Edwin Rios on the IL with a left hamstring strain and recalled lefty Adam Kolarek. The Rios injury is a blow to the Dodgers’ offense, as even though he’s just a part-time player, the 26-year-old has done nothing but hit since debuting last season. So far in 2020, Rios has slashed .276/.323/.690 with three home runs in 31 plate appearances.
Mets Notes: Rotation, Rosario, Gimenez, Peterson
Robert Gsellman‘s first start as a member of the Mets’ rotation this week lasted just two innings, as the right-hander is still getting stretched out after opening the year in the bullpen. But manager Luis Rojas expressed confidence this week that the righty can “have some stamina for us” and “give us that depth to start a game” as he builds up (link via MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo). The 27-year-old Gsellman said he “felt like a little kid again” as he prepped for his first start since 2017, and DiComo notes that a move back into the rotation has long been something for which Gsellman has hoped. Righty Seth Lugo, too, has expressed interest in getting back into a starter’s role, but the Mets are more reluctant to alter his role given the resounding success he’s enjoyed as a late-inning weapon in recent years. Lugo has a career 2.50 ERA out of the ‘pen and has punched out 28.3 percent of the hitters he’s faced in a relief role. Those numbers dip to 4.06 and 19.2 percent, respectively, in a nearly equal sample of innings as a starter.
More on the Mets…
- Amed Rosario has struggled to begin the season while top prospect Andres Gimenez has thrived in his early looks at shortstop. However, Rojas told reporters yesterday that Rosario is still the team’s starting shortstop (link via Newsday’s David Lennon). Rosario was out of action due to what the Mets termed as a stomach illness, but Rojas acknowledged after the game that the team is also “looking to get him back on track” at the plate. Rosario is hitting .207/.207/.310 to Gimenez’s .286/.327/.388. Gimenez has also played sharp defense and is tied for the MLB lead with five steals, but for now, it seems as though he’ll continue to slot in around the diamond. That could mean a move back to second base once Rosario is well enough to return to the lineup, but a changing of the guard at shortstop still doesn’t sound imminent. Gimenez, 20, has been generally considered to be among MLB’s top 100 prospects for the past couple of seasons, although Rosario himself was regarded as an elite prospect prior to his own ascension to the Majors.
- Left-hander David Peterson exited yesterday’s outing after just 74 pitches and revealed that he’s dealing with some shoulder fatigue (link via Mike Puma of the New York Post). Peterson, the Mets’ first-round pick back in 2017, had held the Nationals to a run one hit and a pair of walks through five strong innings. He said after the game that he’s not concerned with his shoulder issue. The Mets can ill afford any further hits to their rotation, particularly a loss of Peterson, who has been a godsend in the absence of Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman. Through his first four MLB starts this year, Peterson has a 2.91 ERA and 3.96 FIP with a 17-to-8 K/BB ratio and just two homers allowed in 21 2/3 innings.
Mets Designate Tyler Bashlor For Assignment
The Mets announced Tuesday that they’ve designated right-hander Tyler Bashlor for assignment. His roster spot will go to southpaw David Peterson, who is being selected to the 40-man roster for his MLB debut.
Bashlor, 27, has seen time in the Majors in each of the past two seasons but hasn’t yet stood out. Over 54 frames in the big leagues, the former 11th-round pick has a 5.33 ERA, 7.5 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9. Bashlor averages 96 mph on his heater, but he’s an extreme fly-ball pitcher (career 31.2 percent ground-ball rate) who has averaged two home runs per nine inning pitched in the Majors.
Bashlor does have a sharp track record in Double-A and Triple-A, which, combined with his high-end fastball spin (97th percentile) and a remaining minor league option, could make him appealing to another organization in need of some bullpen depth. The Mets have a week to trade Bashlor, place him on outright waivers or release him.
David Peterson To Debut For Mets
The Mets will promote well-regarded pitching prospect David Peterson to start tonight’s game, according to Tim Healey of Newsday (via Twitter). That’ll require active and 40-man roster moves to make way for Peterson.
Peterson, 24, is a former first-round selection who has shown well in a steady march up the ladder. Last year, he worked to a 4.19 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 over 116 innings at the Double-A level.
The Mets are in a bit of a pickle with their pitching staff. Corey Oswalt struggled in a spot start in the place of the injured Marcus Stroman, who’s still hopeful of a quick rebound.
Bringing up Peterson now appears to set him up to log a full year of service, if he can stick in the big leagues, based upon a pro rata conversion to the typical 172-day scale. Waiting just one more day would’ve foreclosed that possibility, but the Mets are obviously angling to win now and need the start this evening.