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Kevin Kiermaier Suffers Fractures In Left Hand

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SUNDAY: The Rays have officially placed Kiermaier on the 15-day disabled list and called up Mahtook, per a team announcement.

SATURDAY, 7:37pm: The Rays will indeed promote Mahtook to take Kiermaier’s place, tweets Topkin.

5:34pm: Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier suffered two fractures in the metacarpal bones in his left hand Saturday, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Kiermaier will see a specialist Monday regarding the injury, which occurred on a fifth-inning diving attempt in Detroit and caused him to leave the game. It won’t be known how much time Kiermaier will miss until he’s checked out, but it’s fair to expect a several-week absence for the 26-year-old.

The loss of Kiermaier, among the elite defenders in baseball, will be a significant one for the Rays. Since bursting on the scene in 2014, Kiermaier has quietly established himself as one of the league’s top all-around players. In addition to his defensive prowess, the lefty-swinging Kiermaier has acquitted himself well offensively, having hit .260/.306/.435 with 25 home runs in 1,034 plate appearances over the past two-plus seasons. His base-running ability has further buoyed his value during that time, as he has racked up 29 stolen bases. Six of those steals have come this year for Kiermaier, who has provided an above-average offensive line of .236/.307/.447 in 137 trips to the plate.

In Kiermaier’s absence, the Rays are primed to call up Mikie Mahtook, according to Topkin (Twitter link). After putting up excellent numbers in his major league debut last season (.295/.351/.619 with nine homers in 115 PAs), Mahtook has continued thriving at the Triple-A level this year. In 87 PAs, the 26-year-old has batted .316/.402/.474.

NL Notes: Harvey, deGrom, Pirates, Hale

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The Mets considered sending Matt Harvey down to help the slumping ace regain form, but he talked his way into remaining with the big league club and will make his next start, according to Newsday’s Marc Carig. “We dissected every angle there was,” said manager Terry Collins. “In the end, knowing this guy like we do, he wants to pitch. He wants to fight through it. He isn’t going to run and hide. He wants to get out there. So we’re going to do that.” Interestingly, in addition to mulling a minors trip for Harvey, the Mets pondered removing everything from his locker and setting those belongings on fire – which then-Mets reliever Bobby Parnell did last season when he was struggling. It’s unknown if Harvey actually did it, per Carig, who adds that the Mets believe his problems stem from a lack of confidence.  After logging 427 innings of 2.53 ERA pitching to accompany a 4.78 K/BB from 2012-15, the 27-year-old Harvey has regressed significantly in both categories in 2016 (5.77 and 2.87, respectively).

More from the National League:

  • On the heels of a less-than-stellar Saturday showing – five innings, five hits, four earned runs and three walks – Mark Simon of ESPN.com wonders if the Mets should also be concerned about starter Jacob deGrom. After bursting on the scene with back-to-back dominant campaigns, deGrom has been merely good in 2016. He entered Saturday with the majors’ 16th-worst hard-hit rate, which is in stark contrast to his eighth-best mark from last season, as Simon writes. Moreover, deGrom’s K/9 has dipped from 9.00-plus in each of the previous two years to 6.59 this season. The soon-to-be 28-year-old has also lost a couple miles per hour of velocity compared to last season, per PITCHf/x.
  • The three-year, $31MM extension the Pirates gave catcher Francisco Cervelli this week could be a major win for the club, opines Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. With pitch-framing value included, NEIFI Analytics projects Cervelli’s open market worth from 2017-19 at $57MM – nearly twice as much as he’s going to make with the Pirates – as Sawchik points out. Thus, Sawchik questions Cervelli’s decision to sign the extension, but he concedes that the backstop perhaps values playing in Pittsburgh over maximizing his worth.
  • The Pirates’ shallower outfield alignment is getting excellent results, Sawchik and Chris Adamski detail. The Pirates’ outfielders lined up deeper last season and stopped enemy runners from advancing an extra base on singles 52.6 percent of the time. That number is up to 59 percent this season. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen has experienced the biggest improvement, going from 42.4 percent to 55.7 percent (via BucsDugout.com), since moving in an average of 17 feet from last season to this year (316 to 299). Further, after the Pirates turned 45.7 percent of the balls hit to the outfield into outs last year, they’ve increased the rate to 53.1 percent in 2016. Pittsburgh elected to move its outfield in this season because of its pitching staff, said manager Clint Hurdle. “No. 1, we have a staff that predominately uses two-seam fastballs. So in an actuality, a high percentage of balls are getting to the outfield on the ground. Fly balls that are hit (off two-seam fastballs) are not hit as high or deep as four-seam fastballs. It also accentuates outfield arms. It increases throwing accuracy, the ability to stop runners.”
  • Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale isn’t pleased with the potential changes to the strike zone and the intentional walk, he told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. In regards to raising the strike zone, Hale said, “To me, the lower the zone, it’s always been better. I guess they’re trying to increase offense now. For me, I’d just leave the game alone. I think it’s good.” Hale also blasted the current replay process, saying, “I don’t know how the games are going to get any quicker as long as we keep checking every play on replay. And we have to slow the game down that way. It’s almost to the point of being embarrassing. It’s like, ‘He looks like he’s out to me, but let me check.’’

Rangers Rumors: Deadline, Darvish, Choo

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Some rumblings on the Rangers, who improved to 24-19 on Saturday:

  • After acquiring top-end starter Cole Hamels at last year’s trade deadline, the prospect-stocked Rangers are well-positioned to make another major splash this summer, writes Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com. The Rangers aren’t yet engaged in “significant” discussions with other teams, reports Morosi, but he believes they could ultimately land another quality pitcher – be it a closer or a starter – and lists the Yankees’ Andrew Miller and the Rays’ Drew Smyly as possible targets. Texas would be “reluctant” to put together a package sufficient enough to land Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, per Morosi, who cites young infielder Jurickson Profar and corner infield/outfield prospect Joey Gallo as potential trade chips.
  • The deadline is still a ways off, but the Rangers are poised to land a notable reinforcement in ace Yu Darvish, who hasn’t pitched since 2014 after undergoing Tommy John surgery a year ago. Darvish is on track to make his season debut for the Rangers next Saturday, tweets Morosi. Darvish’s last remaining hurdle is a 90-pitch rehab start Sunday for Double-A Frisco, relays Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Thanks in part to second baseman Rougned Odor’s forthcoming eight-game suspension, the Rangers might have to put right fielder Shin-Soo Choo back on the disabled list, as Grant details. Choo returned from a month-plus absence stemming from a calf injury Friday, but he had to leave the game because of a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play before Monday. Thus, rather than play with a 23-man roster and two-man bench (including a backup catcher), it could behoove the Rangers to return Choo to the DL and allow him to fully heal. “There is going to be a convergence of decisions,” manager Jeff Banister said. “We know we are going to have to play short-handed at some point. We are not in position to play ultra-short-handed.” 

Dodgers Notes: Urias, O’Day, Ryu, McCarthy

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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he doesn’t feel the need to ask the front office to promote left-handed wunderkind Julio Urias because the team’s executives already know Roberts wants it to happen, tweets Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. Roberts stated May 7 that Urias was atop the Dodgers’ list of potential call-ups, but the club has since promoted Mike Bolsinger and Chin-hui Tsao instead, as noted by the Times’ Bill Shaikin (on Twitter). Urias, for his part, continued making his big league case Friday night by throwing five scoreless innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 19-year-old has now worked 27 straight scoreless frames and has posted a 1.10 ERA, 44 strikeouts and eight walks in 41 innings on the season.

More on the Dodgers, who entered play Saturday at a disappointing 21-22:

  • Los Angeles heavily pursued Orioles setup man Darren O’Day when he was a free agent over the winter, reports Shaikin. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman went so far as to have conversations with O’Day, not just his agent, but the 33-year-old elected to re-sign with Baltimore on a four-year, $31MM pact. “As persuasive as Andrew Friedman is, and the Dodgers are a great franchise, it’s a long way from home,” said O’Day. “If I was a single guy, I’d probably be wearing white and blue.” The Dodgers have shuffled through several eighth-inning options this year, as Shaikin writes, which perhaps could have been avoided had they landed O’Day.
  • Southpaw Hyun-jin Ryu will start for Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register was among those to report (via Twitter), and could rejoin the Dodgers as early as June 9, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group. Ryu, who hasn’t appeared in a major league game since October 2014, is working his way back from May 2015 shoulder surgery. The 29-year-old was a stellar part of the Dodgers’ rotation during his first two seasons, totaling 344 innings of 3.17 ERA/2.97 FIP/3.27 xFIP ball.
  • The news isn’t as positive on right-hander Brandon McCarthy, per Plunkett. McCarthy’s throwing program has been temporarily halted after he experienced arm-related discomfort following a recent live batting practice session, said general manager Farhan Zaidi. However, the Dodgers don’t think this setback will affect McCarthy’s scheduled early July return from 2015 Tommy John surgery.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Astros, A’s, Indians, Phillies

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If the Astros don’t recover from their 17-26 start, they could become interesting sellers as the trade deadline approaches, says FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (video link). As pending free agents at season’s end, outfielder Colby Rasmus, right-handers Doug Fister and Scott Feldman, and catcher Jason Castro could all be on the move. Center fielder Carlos Gomez’s deal is also set to expire, though his value is close to nonexistent at the moment, according to Rosenthal. Gomez has rapidly fallen from grace since the Astros surrendered a handful of youthful pieces for him and righty Mike Fiers at last year’s deadline. Thanks to both that trade and the offseason acquisition of reliever Ken Giles, the Astros have lost several young players and could replenish their system this summer by moving at least some of the aforementioned veterans.

More of the latest rumblings from Rosenthal:

  • Athletics lefty Rich Hill, third baseman Danny Valencia and reliever John Axford are all potential deadline chips, reports Rosenthal. The only member of the trio unsigned beyond this season is the 36-year-old Hill, who is on a $6MM salary and has performed like an ace since his red-hot September with Boston in 2015. Valencia is currently making $3.15MM and has one year of arbitration eligibility remaining, and he has been quietly spectacular going back to last season. Over his past 475 plate appearances, Valencia has slashed .302/.352/.531 with 24 homers. With third base prospect Matt Chapman waiting in the wings, the A’s could sell high on Valencia, per Rosenthal. Axford, meanwhile, has gotten solid results in 18 2/3 frames this year (2.89 ERA) while recording a career-worst strikeout rate (5.79 per nine) and a personal-best walk rate (1.45). He’s making $4.5MM this season and is set to rake in another $5.5MM in 2017.
  • The Indians could try to upgrade their bullpen by acquiring a left-hander or a dominant late-inning arm, but two factors are working against them: Other contenders will be in the hunt for similar help, and the Indians are “notoriously cautious” when discussing trades.
  • The Phillies are prepared to deal right-hander Jeremy Hellickson if a solid offer comes along, though they’re also focused on limiting the innings thrown by some of the younger members of their rotation. Thanks to Charlie Morton’s season-ending injury, the 28-year-old Hellickson is now the elder statesman of a Phillies rotation that has been among baseball’s best in 2016. Hellickson, who’s on a $7MM salary and is scheduled to become a free agent at season’s end, has put up a 3.99 ERA to accompany significantly improved strikeout and walk rates (9.06 and 2.36, respectively) in 49 2/3 innings this year.

Reds Designate Steve Delabar For Assignment

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The Reds have designated right-hander Steve Delabar for assignment, tweets C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer. They’ve also optioned relievers Jumbo Diaz and Keyvius Sampson to Triple-A Louisville.

Delabar, whom the Reds promoted from the minors earlier this month, gave up six earned runs on five hits and a whopping 10 walks in just eight innings as part of the club’s historically awful bullpen. Prior to his promotion, Delabar issued 11 free passes in just 12 1/3 innings for Louisville. As evidenced by this season, the 32-year-old has experienced an appreciable decline in performance since his 2013 All-Star campaign with the Blue Jays. In 62 innings dating back to 2014, Delabar has recorded a 5.37 ERA, 8.71 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9. One of those frames came Saturday for Delabar, who allowed one base runner (on a walk) and picked up a strikeout in a scoreless showing.

The Reds are hopeful that Delabar will clear waivers and remain in the organization, said manager Bryan Price (Twitter link via Rosecrans).

Braves Sign Lucas Harrell, Rob Wooten To Minor League Deals

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The Braves have signed a pair of right-handers – Lucas Harrell and Rob Wooten – to minor league contracts, the team announced. Harrell is a client of Frontline Athlete Management, while the Ballengee Group represents Wooten.

A former starter for multiple teams, primarily the Astros, Harrell has pitched to a 4.84 ERA and an underwhelming 1.34 K/BB over 401 2/3 big league innings (62 starts). Harrell’s best showing came in 2012, when he amassed 193 2/3 innings of 3.76 ERA/3.75 FIP/3.89 xFIP pitching as a member of Houston’s rotation and posted a 6.51 K/9, 3.62 BB/9, and 57.2 percent ground-ball rate.

With a 54.2 percent career rate, Harrell has consistently generated grounders, but that wasn’t enough to keep him in the majors after poor showings in 2013 and ’14. Harrell spent last season in Korea and logged a lofty 4.93 ERA in 171 2/3 innings with the LG Twins, though it’s worth noting that the KBO is a tough environment for pitchers.

Harrell returned to the United States earlier this year when he signed a minor league deal with the Tigers. He threw a combined 29 2/3 innings (six starts) at the Double-A and Triple-A levels and put up a terrific 3.34 ERA, but his trend of posting below-average strikeout (6.1 per nine) and walk (4.9) rates continued. The Tigers subsequently released Harrell, who could nonetheless figure into the Braves’ rotation mix at some point this season.

As for Wooten, this will be the reliever’s second stint with the Braves organization this season. The club released him May 9 after he threw 7 1/3 innings of three-run ball for Triple-A Gwinnett. Almost all of his career has been spent with the Brewers organization since going in the 13th round of the 2008 draft. The 30-year-old owns a 4.07 ERA with 8.3 K/9 against 2.3 BB/9 in 185 2/3 Triple-A innings and a 5.03 ERA, 7.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 68 big league frames.

Angels Designate Al Alburquerque For Assignment

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The Angels have designated right-handed reliever Al Alburquerque for assignment, according to the team’s director of communications, Eric Kay (Twitter link). Additionally, the Halos have selected the contract of fellow righty reliever Deolis Guerra from Triple-A Salt Lake City.

Los Angeles signed Alburquerque to a one-year, major league contract in January, but the former Tiger ultimately pitched for the Angels’ minor league affiliate instead. In 15 innings, the 29-year-old struck out a batter per frame and posted an outstanding 2.40 ERA, though the control problems that have long plagued him continued to do so (5.40 BB/9). In 225 career major league innings, all with Detroit, Alburquerque has recorded mostly solid numbers (3.20 ERA/3.34 FIP/3.44 xFIP, 11.04 K/9, 5.00 BB/9), but his run prevention left quite a bit to be desired in both 2013 and ’15.

Guerra’s major league experience consists entirely of the 16 2/3 frames of 6.48 ERA ball he racked up with Pittsburgh last season. He logged a solid 3.5 K/BB, though, and began this season with five scoreless innings for Salt Lake.

Twins “100 Percent Committed” To Terry Ryan

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A Twins official says the team is “100 percent committed” to GM Terry Ryan despite the team’s 11-31 start, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press writes. Berardino notes that Ryan and Twins owner Jim Pohlad spoke on the field on Friday, and there did not appear to be strife between them.

“There are concerns in ownership as you would be expecting when you’re (11-31),” says Ryan. “[B]ut as far as the relationship and anything else that comes with our conversations, it’s mostly, ‘All right, how are we going to get this thing right?’ That’s where some of that creativity comes in as far as answers.”

Ryan, for his part, recently offered support for Twins manager Paul Molitor. It sounds, though, like he’s very open to other moves to address the team’s weaknesses.

“It just isn’t going well at all. So I have to be prepared to try to change it up and move some pieces,” he says. “We’re struggling to a point where we haven’t been able to right it. I’m going to have to do some things. We’re going to have to keep messing around with this roster.”

To that end, the Twins have made a variety of roster moves in the past two weeks, adding lefties Pat Dean and Taylor Rogers, righty Brandon Kintzler, and outfielders Robbie Grossman and Darin Mastroianni to the big club. Aside from a 5-3 win against the Blue Jays today, however, the losses continue to mount.

Offensively, the team’s winter signing of Byung Ho Park has been a success, and Joe Mauer and Miguel Sano have contributed. But a number of position players have struggled, including Oswaldo Arcia, Eduardo Escobar, Danny Santana and Eddie Rosario. (Escobar is currently on the disabled list; Rosario was recently sent to the minors.) The team has the second-worst OBP (.299) and worst slugging percentage (.376) in the AL. The team’s pitching staff, meanwhile, has accumulated a miserable 5.01 ERA, with the team suffering through down seasons so far from Phil Hughes and a number of relievers and back-of-the-rotation starters.

Ryan, of course, enjoyed success with the Twins in the early 2000s, as the team won four division titles from 2002 through 2006. He stepped down in 2007, remaining with the organization as an adviser, and returned to the GM job in 2011. The Twins had three straight seasons of 92 losses or more from 2012 through 2014 (although an incoming GM does not deserve full blame for the poor performance of a team built in part by his predecessor). The Twins finished 83-79 last season in their first winning campaign since 2010.

Cubs Designate Neil Ramirez For Assignment

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The Cubs have designated reliever Neil Ramirez for assignment, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets. The move clears roster space for outfielder Matt Szczur, who was activated today. Jason Heyward’s MRI on his injured side revealed only a contusion, so he’ll only need to miss three to five days and won’t require a stint on the disabled list.

Ramirez, 26, got off to a rough start this season for the Cubs, surrendering a whopping eight walks in 7 2/3 innings. He allowed a more modest run total (four) while racking up an impressive 10 strikeouts, though, and has overall been an asset for the Cubs dating back to his debut with the team in 2014. Even with this season’s struggles factored in, Ramirez has posted a terrific 2.20 ERA, 10.74 K/9 and 4.27 BB/9 in 65 1/3 frames with Chicago. The team has 12 pitchers without Ramirez, however, and decided it made more sense to risk losing him than reserve catcher Tim Federowicz, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers (Twitter link).

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