Some health updates from around the league with the regular season just four days away:
- Mariners center fielder Mallex Smith made his Summer Camp debut Saturday, notes Greg Johns of MLB.com. The speedster had not been previously been available for undisclosed reasons. Nevertheless, manager Scott Servais says he’s “pretty confident” Smith will be ready to go for the season opener, per Johns. This could be something of a make-or-break year for Smith, who fell flat in his first season in Seattle. He figures to take the bulk of the center field playing time, presumably flanked most days by Kyle Lewis and Jake Fraley.
- Rays right-hander Yonny Chirinos made his first Summer Camp appearance today, per various reporters (including Juan Toribio of MLB.com). Chirinos confirmed he’d tested positive for COVID-19 last month, experiencing mild symptoms, adds Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Fortunately, he’s now feeling better, and apparently cleared all MLB protocols for a return. The 24-year-old expressed an expectation he’ll be ready for Opening Day (via Toribio). Given the lack of ramp-up time, Chirinos’ innings will certainly be closely monitored in the early going. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging the 26-year-old is healthy again and in the process of getting back up to speed.
- Blue Jays left fielder Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. was held out of activities yesterday with left side discomfort, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet was among those to relay. It doesn’t seem there’s huge cause for concern at the moment, but even a brief absence would threaten his availability for Opening Day. Gurriel repeating his strong 2019 effort (.277/.327/.541 with 20 home runs in 343 plate appearances) would go a long way if the Jays are to make a surprising push for the postseason in the shortened campaign.
- Mets infielder Jed Lowrie continues to be plagued by left leg issues, notes Tim Healey of Newsday. He won’t participate in today’s Summer Camp matchup with the Yankees. As Mike Puma of the New York Post points out, that doesn’t bode particularly well for Lowrie’s chances of being ready for Opening Day. It’s the latest setback for the well-respected veteran in a Mets’ tenure unfortunately marred by them. Injuries held Lowrie to just eight plate appearances in the first season of a two-year, $20MM deal.
- Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith, Jr. was cleared to participate in camp Friday. The 27-year-old acknowledged that a positive COVID-19 test was the reason he’d been delayed, per Rich Dubroff of Baltimore Baseball. Fortunately, he’s obviously now managed to clear the protocols for a return and hopes to be ready for Opening Day. Smith hit just .241/.297/.412 (83 wRC+) with 13 home runs in 392 plate appearances last season.
Hope Mallex has a good year this year. Been a fan since he got called up
He needs to have a good year because he will be trade bait next year. Would like to see Kelenic get some games in early to see how he does. Lewis Rodriguez and Kelenic are going to be a fun OF to watch. Crushed nuts needs to play good to move to right or be traded.
Was against trading him but if he can’t beat Lewis out for LF he will go. Only a couple weak parts and most will be filled next year or the year after. Then they go get the big name pitcher to anchor the staff.
I would not want to see Kelenic at all this year. It’s not worth losing two years control over 60 games in a rebuild year. Those three should be a lot of fun in the coming years if they reach their potential
I didn’t think about the service year part. I agree it is not worth the loss of 2 years unless they plan on doing what they did with White.
I don’t think Haniger gets traded anymore, I think a team friendly extension is more likely but I don’t expect either. Him and Lewis, who both have sustained serious if not career threatening injuries in their career seen to be perfect candidates to rotate between RF and DH together. This way both stay relatively more “fresh” and both their bats are always in the lineup.
That’s the way I see it unfolding as well. It’s a good fit and gives the lineup some middle of the order power
Are you going to put Kelenic or Rodriguez in LF? Kelenic is playing RF Lewis is in left. He seems fine after his ACL tear. Might have lost some speed but is still fast enough.
You can put Haniger in CF next year. They can use him Fraley and Lewis as interchangeable pieces. From CF and left. Also as DH. Anything to gets rid of Vogelbach. They will have Bishop or another utility player to step in and rest them when needed.
Haniger was a very useful piece and I was dead set against trading him. He has been replaced by a younger better player. I truly hope he has great success when we trade him or his contract runs out. Just not with a rival. His injuries sucked but hopefully he comes back and can build value. Not only do we get better pieces but he can have success.
I missed Haniger going on the 60 day. That sucks for any playing time this year. Hopefully he can play next year and fill in at CF. I doubt Kelenic will play there no use moving him when he will move to RF the next season hopefully.
poor lowrie his future baseball years look to be over. He better try to spend his last big contract wisely.
Actually he will come back just long enough to get his full prorated salary, and sign with another team next year and tear it up.
Really sticking it to the Mets
I guarantee that’s what happens. And it’s going to be in Oakland or Boston.
I will never understand how guys like Lowrie get hurt, miss entire seasons, and get hurt right away when they get back. Is your body just that bad, or did you just sit around doing nothing?
In this day of advance metrics, I can’t figure out how Dwight Smith Jr. is still on any team.