The Opener

As the calendar flips to May, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Is Harper back?

Phillies superstar Bryce Harper is reportedly set to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache today for evaluation with the possibility of Harper returning from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent back in November, on the table as soon as tomorrow. The former NL Rookie of the Year and two-time MVP provided the spark for Philadelphia’s improbable run to the NL pennant last year by launching 22 hits (including six homers) in 17 postseason games. The Phillies could certainly use the boost that Harper would provide, as the club has started the season just 15-14, good for fourth place in the NL East.

2. Will Judge avoid the IL?

After an MRI revealed reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge has a mild strain in his hip, the Yankees decided to be cautious with their captain, who has not played the last three games in order to rest the injury. The club has indicated that the final decision on a potential trip to the injured list is expected to come later today. If Judge is placed on the IL today, the Yankees will be able to backdate the move the maximum of three days, meaning Judge could miss as little as one more week. Still, even that much missed time would be a serious blow to the Yankees team that ranks just 23rd in the Majors in runs scored. New York is tied for last place in the AL East with a 15-14 record.

3. Miguel Rojas to return:

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated yesterday that shortstop Miguel Rojas is set to be activated from the 10-day IL today, so long as he feels good after his last rehab game. The Dodgers swung a deal with the Marlins for Rojas’s services this past offseason with the intention of using Rojas as a glove-first utility player, though Rojas’s initial role became far larger than that thanks to Gavin Lux’s torn ACL during spring training. As the club’s regular shortstop, Rojas scuffled badly to a .125/.200/.156 slash line in 35 plate appearances before going on the injured list. Upon his return, he’ll split time at short with Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts, who has spent more time in the infield in recent days and has passed the eye test so far defensively.

As the month of April approaches its close, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Dodgers roster moves incoming:

The Dodgers are expected to make a handful of roster moves in the near future, with infielder Max Muncy and reliever Brusdar Graterol likely set to come off the paternity list. It’s possible that catcher Will Smith will also be activated from the 7-day concussion IL, but it seems as though he isn’t expected to return to work behind the plate just yet. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic) that if J.D. Martinez, who hasn’t played in a few days due to back soreness, requires an IL stint of his own, Smith could be an option at DH while Martinez is on the shelf.  Each of Muncy, Graterol, and Smith will require a corresponding move to clear space on the active roster, though if Martinez does hit in the injured list that would clear one spot.

2. Injuries to watch this weekend:

Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez (neck discomfort) and Giants catcher Joey Bart (groin tightness) have both missed three games due to injury at this point. Given stints on the IL can only be backdated a maximum of three days, it seems likely that each player will be re-evaluated by their club today to determine if they need to make a trip to the IL. Other injury situations to keep an eye on are those of AL MVP Aaron Judge, who left yesterday’s game with right hip discomfort but expects to only be sidelined for a few days, and Twins right-hander Tyler Mahle, who left yesterday’s game with elbow soreness. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters (including The Athletic’s Dan Hayes), Mahle is day-to-day, but was unsure if Mahle would require an MRI.

3. 2022 World Series rematch series:

The Phillies are headed to Minute Maid Park for a rematch of the 2022 World Series against the world champion Astros, with the series set to kick off tonight at 7:10pm CT. Both teams struggled to open the season, spending most of the month under .500. Both now appear to be finding their footing, with the Astros pulling into a first place tie with the Rangers in the AL West while the Phillies rebounded from a 5-10 record to win seven of their last ten, returning the club to an even record. The teams will match up this weekend in Houston, with left-hander Framber Valdez squaring off against right-hander Aaron Nola to kick the series off tonight at 7:10 CT.

With the 2023 regular season around 15% complete, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:

1. Marquee pitching matchup in Chicago tonight:

The Rays are headed to the south side of Chicago this evening for the beginning of a three game set against the White Sox. The series will open with a pitchers’ duel between aces, with Tampa Bay sending lefty Shane McClanahan (1.86 ERA) to the mound to face right-hander Dylan Cease (2.73 ERA). The White Sox return to their home ballpark looking to stop a seven-game losing streak, but to do so they’ll have to beat a Rays club that swept them as recently as this past weekend. The Rays, meanwhile, have the best winning percentage in the majors with a fantastic 20-5 record, though the club is coming off its second series loss of the season against the Astros. The game will begin at 6:10pm CT.

2. MRIs scheduled for Marquez, Maeda:

A pair of right-handers are set to undergo MRIs today. Rockies right-hander German Marquez exited yesterday’s game, his first start since returning from the injured list due to a forearm issue, after just 58 pitches due to a triceps injury. Significant missed time for Marquez would be a major concern for a Rockies club that has few quality rotation options beyond the injured right-hander, lefty Kyle Freeland, and perhaps  26-year-old Noah Davis. Further complicating matters is Marquez’s contract situation, as the club holds a net $13.5MM decision on a $16MM option ($2.5MM buyout) for Marquez’s services in the 2024 campaign.

In the American League, Twins veteran Kenta Maeda is set to undergo an MRI of his own after feeling soreness in his elbow during yesterday’s start against the Yankees. After missing the entire 2022 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, the 35-year-old Maeda was tagged for a whopping 10 runs in yesterday’s outing, ballooning his ERA to 9.00 (16 runs in 16 innings). Fortunately for the Twins, the club is deep in potential rotation options who could take over in the event that Maeda misses time, with right-hander Bailey Ober standing as the likely top option. Ober, who posted a solid 3.21 ERA and an even stronger 2.92 FIP in 11 starts last season, came up to the majors for a fill-in start last week and allowed just one run over 5 2/3 innings of work.

3. MLB debuts pending for Bolton, Cosgrove:

The Pirates and Padres each called up a pitcher yesterday who has yet to make their MLB debut. The Pirates, who saw minor league veteran Drew Maggi make his big league debut just yesterday after 13 seasons in the minors, selected the contract of right-hander Cody Bolton yesterday. Bolton, 25 in June, was a longtime starting pitching prospect who recently converted to relief, and has posted a 2.58 ERA at the Triple-A level when coming out of the bullpen. Meanwhile, the Padres recalled lefty Tom Cosgrove, who was added to the 40-man roster this past offseason ahead of the Rule 5 draft. Cosgrove struggled in his first taste of work at Triple-A last year, but has opened the 2023 season with 7 1/3 scoreless innings of work.

As MLB’s regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Prospects to watch:

A’s right-hander Luis Medina, who came over from the Yankees as part of the Frankie Montas trade at the deadline last year, is expected to make his major league debut today after the club added him to the active roster yesterday. Medina, 24 next week, is known for his power arsenal (including a triple digit fastball) but has struggled badly with command to this point in his career, as evidenced by a career walk rate north of 15% in the minor leagues.

Medina may not be the only prospect who will debut today, however, as The Athletic’s Zack Meisel notes the Guardians are considering promoting right-hander Tanner Bibee for today’s start against the Rockies. Bibee, who was selected by Cleveland in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, made his professional debut just last year but has rapidly ascended through the minor leagues, starting the 2023 season at Triple-A after posting a sterling 1.83 ERA in 73 2/3 innings at the Double-A level last year. Bibee’s hot start to his career has continued in the early going so far this season, with a 1.76 ERA in three starts (15 1/3 innings) for the Guardians’ affiliate in Columbus.

2. Gonsolin, Marquez to be activated:

A pair of starters are set to return to action in the NL West today, as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) that right-hander Tony Gonsolin will be activated from the injured list to make today’s start against the Pirates. Gonsolin, who posted an excellent 2.14 ERA (192 ERA+) in 130 1/3 innings of work last season, will likely go no longer than four innings in his season debut according to Roberts.

Meanwhile, the Rockies are expected to reinstate right-hander German Marquez from the injured list today to start against the Guardians. Marquez, who went on the IL with forearm tightness earlier in the season, has posted a 4.41 ERA in 16 1/3 innings across the three starts he’s made in 2023. The Dodgers will need to make space on the active roster for Gonsolin ahead of today’s game, but there’s no such need for Marquez, as the Rockies designated right-hander Jose Urena for assignment last night.

3. MLBTR chat today:

Yesterday, MLBTR’s Steve Adams fielded questions during yesterday’s live chat, the transcript of which can be found here. If you still have unanswered questions about the beginnings of the 2023 season, you’re in luck, as MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be hosting a live chat of his own today at 5pm CT. You can submit a question in advance here, and you can use the same link to check back in this evening and participate live once the chat begins.

As MLB’s regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Bart to be re-evaluated:

Giants catcher Joey Bart exited last night’s game against the Cardinals after the seventh inning due to groin tightness, telling reporters (including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle) that he hopes to miss just a few days but will be re-evaluated today. Rule 5 pick Blake Sabol is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, meaning the club will need to make space on the 40-man roster for another catcher should Bart require a stint on the injured list.

In the event that Bart misses time, that would seem to pave the way for veteran catcher Gary Sanchez to join the major league roster after signing with the Giants on a minor league deal at the beginning of the season. Sanchez has scuffled to begin the season in Triple-A, slashing just .146/.327/.171. He has an opt-out date in his minor league contract on May 1.

2. Busch could make big league debut:

With infielder Max Muncy headed to the paternity list and a dearth of infielders available that has already forced Mookie Betts to spend time in the infield in recent days, the Dodgers are reportedly poised to promote top prospect Michael Busch ahead of today’s game against the Pirates. Busch was added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason, so there won’t be a need for a corresponding 40-man move to call Busch up to the majors today.

A first-round pick by the Dodgers in 2019, the 25-year-old Busch is a consensus top-100 prospect in the game. Busch tore up the Double-A level to open the 2022 season and ended up promoted after just 31 games at the level, during which he posted a 1.112 OPS. Since his promotion to Triple-A early last season, Busch has slashed .277/.363/.484, a solid slash line that includes a fantastic .337/.461/.506 slash in 21 games to start the 2023 season.

3. MLBTR Chat today:

We’re now around 15% of the way through the 2023 regular season, with plenty of interesting early season trends to discuss. If the beginning of this season has spurred any questions in your mind about your favorite team or the league as a whole, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.

As the end of the 2023 season’s first month draws near, here are three things to keep an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Extension season continues:

As an eventful week draws to a close, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the weekend:

1. Lucchesi, Musgrove set to make 2023 debuts:

A pair of starters figure to take the ball this weekend for the first time this season. Mets left-hander Joey Lucchesi is lined up to start tonight in San Francisco in place of the recently-injured Carlos Carrasco. Lucchesi will be taking the mound in the majors for the first time since 2021, when he posted a 4.46 ERA (90 ERA+) with a 3.40 FIP in 38 1/3 innings across eleven appearances. Lucchesi underwent Tommy John surgery partway through the 2021 season and missed the entire 2022 season. He’s looked good in the minors since returning from surgery, posting a 2.22 ERA in 28 1/3 innings of work with a 23.9% strikeout rate.

Meanwhile, Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove is set to make his season debut tomorrow evening against the Diamondbacks. Musgrove fractured his toe during spring training, and his return was slightly delayed after he landed awkwardly on his shoulder while making a play in the field during a minor league rehab start. He received a cortisone shot and has since made a five-inning rehab start in High-A. With a 3.06 ERA (125 ERA+) in 362 1/3 innings of work since joining the Padres ahead of the 2021 season, Musgrove is perhaps the club’s best pitcher and will be a welcome addition to a pitching staff that’s struggled a bit to start the season.

2. O’Hoppe to be re-evaluated:

Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe is set to be re-evaluated today after leaving yesterday’s game with a shoulder injury, as noted by The Athletic’s Sam Blum. At this point, it’s unclear if O’Hoppe will miss any time, but if that’s the case, the club will have to add another catcher to the 40-man roster to play alongside Matt Thaiss. The only other catcher currently on the 40-man is Max Stassi, who has yet to play this season due to a hip injury. The Angels have an open 40-man spot, and Blum points out that Chad Wallach is on the team’s taxi squad. Any missed time for O’Hoppe would be a blow to the Angels; he’s slashed .283/.339/.547 in 16 games this season, good for a 143 wRC+.

3. Where will Iglesias, MadBum land?

Infielder Jose Iglesias is back on the free agent market after opting out of his minor league deal with the Marlins, leaving him as the best available option for clubs in need of infield depth at this point in the season. One such club is the Dodgers, who started Luke Williams at shortstop last night and gave Mookie Betts three innings late in the game, thanks to injuries to both Miguel Rojas and utility player Chris Taylor. The Red Sox are another team that could potentially look to add depth to their infield, with second baseman Christian Arroyo battling a hamstring issue and Adalberto Mondesi on the 60-day IL.

Iglesias isn’t the only player who’s expected to be looking for work going forward, as the Diamondbacks designated veteran lefty Madison Bumgarner for assignment yesterday. Bumgarner has struggled to a 5.23 ERA in 363 1/3 innings in three-plus seasons with the club, which registers 20% below average by measure of ERA+. His 2023 season has been particularly alarming. He’s allowed 19 earned runs on 25 hits (four homers) and a staggering 15 walks (plus a hit batter) in just 16 2/3 innings. Bumgarner’s formerly elite command is nowhere to be seen, and he’s averaging a diminished 89.6 mph on his fastball. He won’t be claimed on waivers with $34MM+ remaining on his contract through the 2024 season. Once he clears, he’ll be available to sign with another club for the prorated league minimum.

As everyone digests last night’s likely relocation news regarding the A’s, here are three other things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Tatis Returns

Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to return to the major league club today after serving an 80-game suspension for PED usage. Tatis, who is slated to be the club’s everyday right fielder following the signing of Xander Bogaerts to man shortstop this past offseason, missed the entire 2022 season between the aforementioned suspension and a trio of surgeries: two to repair a fracture in his left wrist and one on his left shoulder after it sent him to the injured list twice during the 2021 campaign.

Despite his injury and suspension-related woes since the end of the 2021 season, Tatis figures to be an impact player for a scuffling Padres team. San Diego is currently in third in the NL West with a 9-11 record and will surely appreciate a jolt from Tatis, particularly given the struggles of fellow phenom Juan Soto in left field.

2. What’s next for Scherzer?

Mets ace Max Scherzer was ejected from his start yesterday after three innings of work thanks to a failed foreign substance check. That ejection comes with a mandatory 10-game suspension during which the club is not allowed to replace Scherzer on the roster, though MLB has not announced any discipline to this point. Scherzer intends to appeal the suspension if and when it is levied and insists the substance on his hand was a legal combination of rosin and sweat.

Scherzer, a slam-dunk future hall of famer with three Cy Young awards, 3210 strikeouts and a 3.12 ERA (135 ERA+) under his belt for his career, has scuffled a bit in the early going this season, posting a 3.72 ERA and 5.65 FIP far below his usual standards. Should he miss time due to a suspension, right-hander Kodai Senga will be the last member of the club’s projected 2023 starting rotation standing, with each of Jose Quintana, Justin Verlander, and Carlos Carrasco currently on the injured list. Jose Butto, Joey Lucchesi, and Denyi Reyes are among the potential options to take Scherzer’s turn in the rotation should he be suspended.

3. Donaldson Undergoes MRI

Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson underwent an MRI on his right hamstring yesterday after a setback in his rehab process. Donaldson, 37, appeared to be on the verge of returning to the big league club prior to his setback, but now will be shutdown for an indeterminate amount of time. More info on the severity of Donaldson’s setback and his new timetable for return could become available ahead of the club’s game this afternoon.

Donaldson struggled in five games this season, recording just two hits and a walk while striking out six times in 17 plate appearances prior to his current IL stint. While that’s a minuscule sample size, Donaldson’s offensive struggles date back to last season, when he hit .222/.308/.374 and posted a 97 wRC+ that marked the first below-average full season of his career with the bat. The Yankees still have a plethora of infield options at their disposal, with DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa all capable of mixing and matching in the infield alongside Anthony Volpe at shortstop and Anthony Rizzo at first base.

As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Mookie to return to the infield?

Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts is set to return from the paternity list today, manager Dave Roberts tells reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic). Of more significance than Betts’s return, however, is where he’ll be playing: Roberts notes that he expects Betts to start “somewhere in the infield” upon his return, with shortstop standing as a distinct possibility. Betts came up through the minors as a second baseman, but moved over to right field upon reaching the majors in Boston to accommodate Dustin Pedroia.

Still, he’s appeared at the keystone in 35 games across six seasons of his career, including at least once during every season he’s spent in LA. Five of those appearances have already come during the young 2023 season. It’s a move that’s understandable for the Dodgers, who have a plethora of potential outfield options on the roster but few infield options outside of their starting unit, particularly with Chris Taylor currently sidelined by a left side injury and Miguel Rojas having exited last night’s game with a hamstring issue.

2. MLB Debuts in Oakland and Cincinnati:

Both the A’s and Reds will turn to one of the top young arms in their farm system to start today’s game. Oakland is calling up flamethrowing righty Mason Miller, while the Reds have already activated righty Levi Stoudt for his own debut.

Miller, 24, was a third-round pick in 2021 who’s turned heads with a triple-digit heater and a dominant 11-strikeout, zero-walk showing in his first start at Triple-A this season. Injuries have limited him to just 45 1/3 innings since being drafted in ’21, but A’s GM David Forst has already indicated that this is more than a spot start; Miller will remain in the rotation moving forward. Time will tell how he acclimates and what type of workload the A’s are comfortable with after he pitched just 31 2/3 innings between the minors and the Arizona Fall League in 2022.

It’s a different story for Stoudt, whose outing has already been confirmed as a spot start by Reds skipper David Bell. Like Miller, Stoudt a former third-round pick (2019). He’ll be the first of the four players Cincinnati acquired from the Mariners in exchange for Luis Castillo to make his Reds debut. He pitched to a tidy 2.63 ERA between Double-A (five innings) and Triple-A (19) following last summer’s trade and has a 4.09 ERA through three Triple-A starts in ’23, albeit with a more concerning 10-to-9 K/BB ratio.

Both Miller and Stoudt are potential long-term rotation options for their respective clubs, providing baseball fans a potential glimpse into each team’s future.

3. MLBTR Chat:

Yesterday, MLBTR’s Steve Adams fielded questions during a live chat (transcript here). If you still have unanswered questions about the beginnings of the 2023 season, you’re in luck, as MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be hosting another chat today at 5pm CT. You can submit a question in advance here, and you can use the same link to check back in this evening and participate live once the chat begins. In addition, be sure to check out the newest episode of the MLB Trade Rumors podcast, which dropped earlier today!

As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Incoming updates on pitcher injuries:

A handful of updates on pitchers are expected around the league today, led by a pair of aces who exited their starts yesterday: Jacob deGrom left his start with the Rangers after four innings with wrist soreness, while Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters (including MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy) that Corbin Burnes left his start against the Mariners with a left pec strain. Both aces are expected to be evaluated later today.

We could also receive updates on Reds right-hander Hunter Greene, who left yesterday’s start with a right tibia contusion, with Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer noting that initial x-rays came back negative. Meanwhile, Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters (including MLB.com’s Anne Rogers) that Kris Bubic would require a second opinion after tests yesterday revealed a flexor strain for the young lefty.

2. Kershaw goes for No. 200:

Pitcher wins aren’t exactly en vogue among front offices and analysts in 2023, but they still hold an important place in the hearts of many fans and in most pitchers themselves. That’s particularly true when it comes to milestones; round numbers always grab our attention and are often cited when looking back at a player’s career through a historical lens.

Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the 405th time in his career tonight (402nd start), and with a victory, he’ll become just the 121st pitcher to ever reach 200 wins in his career. In an era where teams have shorter leashes for starters and are more reliant on bullpen arms than ever before, reaching such heights is extra difficult. Howard Cole observes (Twitter link) that Kershaw would become just the third pitcher to ever accumulate 200 wins solely in a Dodgers uniform, joining Hall of Famers Don Sutton and Don Drysdale.

Kershaw’s place in Dodgers lore is already cemented, but this will be another feather in his cap and another achievement on his own eventual case for Cooperstown enshrinement. So far in 2023, his 16th Major League season, the 35-year-old Kershaw has a 3.50 ERA and 17-to-4 K/BB ratio in 18 innings.

3. MLBTR Chat today:

We’re now around 10% of the way through the 2023 regular season, with plenty of interesting early season trends to discuss. If the beginning of this season has spurred any questions in your mind about your favorite team or the league as a whole, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.