Cubs left-hander Cole Hamels will “likely” return from the injured list Aug. 2 or 3 if he gets through one more rehab start unscathed, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets. Having suffered a left oblique strain June 28, it appears the 35-year-old will end up missing just over a month. The Cubs have tread water without Hamels, going 11-10 since he incurred his injury, which has been enough to stay atop the NL Central. They’re leading the division thanks in no small part to Hamels, who has recorded a 2.98 ERA/3.59 FIP with 8.76 K/9, 3.16 BB/9 and a 51.1 percent groundball rate in 99 2/3 innings.
More from around baseball…
- Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario has begun getting reps at first base at the urging of general manager Al Avila and assistant GM David Chadd, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News explains. The decision comes with Triple-A third baseman Dawel Lugo “likely” on his way back to the majors soon, infield prospect Isaac Paredes soaring through the Tigers’ system and right fielder Nicholas Castellanos a strong bet to leave before the trade deadline, McCosky notes. Once Castellanos is out of the picture, the Tigers figure to use at least one of their current first base options – Harold Castro and Brandon Dixon – in right. Candelario has only played one major league game at first, though the 25-year-old has lined up there 35 times in the minors. Regardless of position, this has been a disappointing season for Candelario – who, along with Paredes – joined the Tigers in a trade with the Cubs in July 2017. Candelario was a top 100 prospect who was immediately successful in the majors, but he has batted just .213/.309/.360 (79 wRC+) with seven home runs in 272 plate appearances this year. To his credit, though, Candelario has hit far better since the Tigers demoted him to Toledo on May 15 and then recalled him June 26.
- Athletics southpaw Sean Manaea – out since he underwent shoulder surgery last September – survived a 76-pitch rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Manaea struggled over 4 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs and three HRs, but the A’s are encouraged that he remains on track to return to the majors by the second week of August. In the meantime, Manaea’s scheduled for two more Triple-A starts. He’ll progress to 90 pitches in his next outing and then 100 in what should be his final minors start of the year. In further good news for Oakland, outfielder Stephen Piscotty is slated to begin a rehab stint over the weekend. A sprained right MCL has shelved Piscotty since June 30.
- Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy will start a rehab assignment at the High-A level Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com relays. The Angels plan to re-evaluate Lucroy after he plays two games. The 33-year-old has been out since he bore the brunt of a brutal home plate collision with Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick on July 7. The league issued Marisnick a two-game suspension for plowing into Lucroy, who suffered a concussion and a broken nose. Lucroy also had to undergo surgery on his nasal fracture.
- Baseball America released its latest organizational talent rankings on Thursday (subscription required). Led by shortstop Wander Franco, whom BA ranks as the game’s best prospect, the Rays check in at No. 1. However, even without Franco, BA contends the Rays would still have baseball’s premier farm system. Beyond Franco, the club boasts eight other top 100 prospects. The Brewers don’t have any, on the other hand, making them the outlet’s last-ranked org. As BA points out, though, superb rookie second baseman Keston Hiura did just graduate from Milwaukee’s system.
Castellanos has weirdly become underrated. Generally hit first guys like him become overrated but Castellanos even with his terrible defensive metrics (which BTW I think are deserved) has been worth 2.4 fWAR per 150 games since 2016. He is a FA at the end of the year and nowhere am I suggesting he’s worth a top 50 prospect, but maybe a fringe top 100 guy or 2 top 200 types seem fair to me. He’s worth value
Could he be the next JD Martinez trade? Remember how little Arizona gave up for him. Just not regarded as much as it used to be but maybe someone will rid his bat to the postseason.
I can see that
How would a 2 fWAR player be worth a top 100 prospect for half a season? That math doesn’t add up at all. 2 WAR rental position players are not traded for top prospects. EE wasn’t 2 months ago.
EE has a large salary attached to his name, that’s the difference here.
That’s false. Considering the Mariners ate half. There is no difference here. They’re both rentals.
only way castellanos gets a good return is if the Tigs add an arm to go with him
Wander Franco link is to the wrong Wander Franco… which sounds like a bad joke haha but yeah – there actually are two minor leaguers named Wander Franco (actually it appears the one linked in the article may actually be in Independent Ball now but still – doesn’t seem like it should be all that common of a name!! haha)
i believe there are 3
And they are all related as well I believe.
And they are triplets as well
Clones I believe
Yep, and two of the three played in the Giants organization last year.
3 brothers …… Wander Samuel Franco (18 Rays)……… Wander Alexander Franco (22 Giants minors) ……. Wander Javier Franco (24 Nats minors). Father Wander as well, played MiLB in the 90’s. Uncles are Erik and Willy Aybar.
Rip Jonathan Lucroy
Unnecessary brutal Collision
Excuse me, how are the Cubs still “atop the NL Central”? They’re currently tied with the Cardinals, while the word “atop” implies that everyone else is below them which is not currently true.
*rolls eyes*
Might be time for you to head to bed
Who really cares though? I personally come to this site for the content. Not to judge semantics.
To each their own. Have a good day, sdsuphilip. Cheers
Sdsuphilip… Just occurred to me you might have been responding to Lanidrac’s comment. Not mine. If so, my bad. Hard to tell on my phone lol
Two things can be atop something….
Lanidrac
Remember the little Bride and Groom atop your wedding cake?
Now go tell your wife about your “atop” theory.
Just because there’s someone else sitting there with them doesn’t mean they’re not still sitting at the top
Ugh
Actually, atop means “at the top.” The word that describes everyone being below them would be “above.”
Haha, this is so thirsty. I love it. Cardinal fans are so sensitive… “boring”
No the word “atop” means “On top of”. You’re still “atop” Mount Everest if you’re at the peak and your sherpa guide is standing right next to you.
I got some scathing replies when, about two weeks ago, I said that the Cardinals were still my pick to win the NL Central Looks who’s laughing now.
Cardinals will get Ozuna, Molina and Carpenter back shortly. Goldie seems to be heating up, and little Munoz has been a spark plug in their absence. JMHO, but I think Munoz is a better all around hitter than Wong and should play ahead of him.
I look for the Cardinals to acquire a SP (Bumgarner?) at the trade deadline. I like their bullpen, too. Plus the Cardinals always seem to put it in gear later rather than sooner..
Not saying you are wrong, but they won’t get to play half their games against the disintegrating Pirates the rest of the way, as they did the past two weeks.
You’re right, in fact, the Cards have to play real ML teams starting tonight.. HOU, CHC, OAK, LAD. I anticipate they’ll be back in 3rd or 4th after that stretch.
The Pirate offense is deadly, but their pitching has been disappointing, and their defense is nothing special, but a team had better plan on scoring runs cause shutting down that offense is tough.
So the cubs getting Hamels back, Darvish pitching well , and cubs may get will smith and or a second baseman / Ben zobrist back are going to just fade away?
keep dreaming! Cubs are gonna get you Shane green and castellanos for 3 that’s right “3” above 50 prospects!
Giants are saying they want to keep madbum.maybe a smokescreen,maybe not
Jesus take away their best prospect and they’re still ranked one? That’s pretty damn enviable.
Yep, it sure is. I woulda guessed SD. It’s also surprising that Milwaukee is bringing up the rear.
Yep! I felt the same way until I looked up their farm system. Dayum, they are loaded.
Wonder if Lucroy learned to not block the plate until he catches the ball
He wasn’t. Have you actually seen it?
Yes. Are you blind? He’s standing literally in the path of the plate. Don’t let the camera angle fool you.
Can the Brewers not develop players? What happened to Corey Ray? Not too long ago we had a top ranked farm. Granted Woodruff and Huira are up. I guess you can throw Peralta in there too, Although he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Burnes certainly hasn’t. How they ever thought all three of those pitchers would all breakout and Chacin would have another miracle run and Nelson and Anderson would return to form. Lot of ‘hope’ went into Brewers staff this year which seemed like a poor idea for a team with a lineup good enough to compete for a World Series.
This year Corey Ray is oft injured and struggling in Double A. As for the Brewers game plan with regards to their pitching. What were you expecting from a small market club and Especially that gave up a ton to get Yelich? They should have offered Kuechel at least a 1 year deal and signed Gio Gonzalez like the Yankees did and then they wouldnt have had to rely on guys having comeback seasons.
Yes something like what you suggested, that’s what I would have expected them to do
Like you said, small market. They already are at record payroll. They can’t afford to give Keuchel a 1 year deal.
Candelaria moved to 1B… a .220 hitting 1B? Why don’t they just go out and get a real 1B? Many teams have at least two and have one playing RF and one at DH.