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Archives for August 2020

Latest On Mets’ COVID-19 Testing

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TODAY: According to a press release from the team, all Mets players and personnel who returned to New York from Miami have registered negatives on tests taken both Thursday and Friday.  “Test results of close contacts for those that remained in Miami also came back negative,” the statement said.

AUGUST 20, 6:52pm: A Mets position player and a coach tested positive, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

5:08pm: Most Mets will fly out of Miami tonight, Andy Martino of SNY first reported. Only the two members of the organization who tested positive and those who aren’t delayed by contact tracing will stay behind. The belief is that the Mets did not violate protocols on the road, per Martino.

4:07pm: A Mets player and a staff member have tested positive for the coronavirus, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network and Tim Healey of Newsday. As a result, their road game against the Marlins tonight has been postponed, as has their matchup against the Yankees on Friday.

This is the latest COVID-related setback in a season chock-full of them for Major League Baseball, which has seen numerous games postponed as a result of the illness. The Marlins and Cardinals have been hit especially hard so far, and the league has tightened up its protocols of late in an effort to prevent outbreaks and make sure each team completes its 60-game regular-season schedule.

For now, it’s unknown how Thursday’s development will affect these three teams’ schedules. Thursday was supposed to be the last Mets-Marlins game in Miami this year, but they’ll have to make it up at a later date. The Mets are slated to host the Yankees on Saturday and Sunday, so there could be a doubleheader on one of those days. However, the Mets will have to receive clearance to return to the field first.

Keone Kela Exits With Forearm Tightness

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TODAY: Kela is day-to-day after being examined by the team’s medical staff today, and he will be re-assessed by the club early next week, the Pirates announced.

AUGUST 21: Pirates closer Keone Kela threw five pitches in the team’s win over the Brewers on Friday before exiting with a trainer. Manager Derek Shelton revealed afterward that Kela departed because of right forearm tightness, though he said removing the hurler was just a precautionary measure on the team’s part (via Adam Berry of MLB.com).

This is undoubtedly an injury situation for the Pirates and several other teams around the league to monitor as the Aug. 31 trade deadline nears. As a pending free agent on the worst team in baseball, the 27-year-old Kela stands out as one of the game’s most obvious trade chips. If healthy, it would be a surprise to see him in a Pirates uniform once September comes, as a variety of clubs figure to have interest in a hard thrower who owns a 3.24 ERA/3.30 FIP with 11.05 K/9 against 3.45 BB/9 in his 216 1/3-inning big league career.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Kela hasn’t been available enough to up his trade value this season. A positive coronavirus test prevented him from making his season debut until Aug. 13, and he has totaled just three appearances since then.

Astros Activate Michael Brantley; Place Josh James On 10-Day IL

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The Astros have activated outfielder Michael Brantley from the 10-day injured list, as per a team announcement.  Brantley will be available for tonight’s game against the Padres, as he will immediately take the roster spot opened after right-hander Josh James was placed on the 10-day IL.  James is battling left hip discomfort.

Brantley is back after spending a minimal ten-day stint on the IL due to a right quad injury, though his activation comes as something of a surprise.  Manager Dusty Baker said just yesterday that he was “not real optimistic” that Brantley would be activated as soon as he was eligible to return, though apparently the veteran slugger showed good enough progress during pregame drills today that the Astros felt comfortable putting him back on the 28-man roster.

Since stepping on the foot of Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly during a play at first base on July 29, Brantley has been bothered by foot and quad problems, though it wasn’t stopping him from continuing to produce at the plate.  Brantley had been limited to DH duty, however, and Houston ultimately deciding an IL stint was necessary to get Brantley back in good enough health for regular outfield duty.  That choice may have been spurred by the return of Yordan Alvarez, though with Alvarez now gone for the season due to knee surgery, the DH spot will again be available for Brantley or any other Astros players to get a partial rest day.

Brantley’s return brings some relief to an Astros lineup that is already without Alvarez, Alex Bregman, and Aledmys Diaz.  Brantley has hit .286/.375/.446 over 64 PA this season, continuing the strong hitting that has defined much of Brantley’s career, though he has also dealt with his share of injuries over his 12 Major League seasons.

James’ injury seemed to arise on Thursday, as the righty had to be helped off the field after fielding a grounder during Thursday’s 10-8 Houston victory over the Rockies.  The IL placement continues what has already been a rough season for James, who has struggled in both the rotation and bullpen to the tune of a 10.97 ERA over 10 2/3 innings.

Trevor Rosenthal Drawing Trade Interest

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“Several teams” have been in touch with the Royals about right-hander Trevor Rosenthal, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports (Twitter link).  There seems to be enough interest in Rosenthal that “many expect” the veteran reliever to be moved prior to the August 31st trade deadline, Feinsand writes.

After missing 2018 due to Tommy John surgery and then struggling badly over 15 1/3 innings (with the Nationals and Tigers) last season, Rosenthal has seemingly gotten back to his old All-Star form in Kansas City.  The 30-year-old has a tiny 0.87 ERA over 10 1/3 innings this season, recording six saves with a 3.50 K/BB rate and 12.2 K/9.  While a .211 BABIP and a perfect 100% strand rate indicate that at least some regression is inevitable, Rosenthal’s fastball appears to be in prime form, with a 98mph velocity that actually tops his 97.5mph career average.

The Royals entered today’s action with a 11-15 record, five games back of Cleveland for second place in the AL Central and three games out of a wild card spot.  As with all but a small handful of teams in this compressed season, the Royals might not have decided yet whether they’ll be buyers, sellers, or a combination of both, as one good week could get K.C. back over the .500 mark and more firmly in the postseason race.

On paper, Rosenthal seems like a logical trade candidate if the Royals did plan to sell.  The 30-year-old is only under contract through the 2020 season, as per the terms of a minor league pact he signed last winter.  Reaching Kansas City’s MLB roster locked in the prorated portion of a $2MM salary for Rosenthal, and with a month of games already in the books, a new team would only be on the hook for roughly $350K if they acquired Rosenthal at full price.

Could a trip to Miami be in Rosenthal’s future?  MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reported that the Marlins are looking at the Royals’ bullpen as part of their wide-ranging search for bullpen help prior to the deadline, and while Rosenthal’s name wasn’t specifically mentioned as a target, it’s logical to assume that the closer would be on Miami’s radar.  Greg Holland is another veteran rental who would make sense as a K.C. trade chip, while hurlers like Josh Staumont or Scott Barlow would have a higher asking price due to their extra years of control.

Cubs Place Kris Bryant On 10-Day Injured List

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The Cubs announced that Kris Bryant has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left ring finger.  The placement is retroactive to August 19.  There is no corresponding move for now, so the Cubs will play tonight’s game against the White Sox with only 27 players on their 28-man active roster.

Bryant has been battling finger and left wrist issues for over a week now, ever since an attempt at a diving catch during the Cubs’ 7-2 win over the Indians on August 12.  After a game off, Bryant attempted to play through the injury but still seemed bothered, as evidenced by his 2-for-16 performance over a four-game stretch.  Bryant hasn’t played since Monday, though as noted as ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers, manager David Ross said just earlier today that putting Bryant on the IL was “not the plan right now.”  Clearly those plans changed, and Bryant will now get some more time off to fully heal up.

The time away might also serve as something of a restart for Bryant after a slow beginning to the 2020 season.  The slugger has hit only .177/.271/.323 over his first 70 plate appearances, though Bryant has been dealing with a number of minor health issues (a sore back, sore elbow, and some gastrointestinal illness) since Opening Day.

David Bote will likely continue to be the top choice at third base until Bryant returns, with Nico Hoerner and Hernan Perez also available as hot corner options.

Yankees Place Gleyber Torres On Injured List

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AUGUST 22: Torres will miss “at least a couple weeks…probably [in] that two to three week range,” manager Aaron Boone told the New York Daily News’ Kristie Ackert and other reporters.

AUG. 21, 3:41pm: The Yankees announced that they’ve placed Torres on the IL with Grade 1 strains of his left quad and hamstring.

3:22pm: Torres will “likely” require an IL stint, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

AUG. 20, 3:43pm: Torres will likely go for an MRI, though manager Aaron Boone doesn’t believe the injury is serious, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News relays (Twitter links).

2:30pm: The Yankees announced that shortstop Gleyber Torres left their game against the Rays on Thursday with a tight left hamstring. He’s being evaluated.

It’s too early to say how severe this injury is, though hamstring iissues often lead to fairly long absences. That would be an especially troubling development for a Yankees team whose offense is already shorthanded. Torres’ double-play partner, second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, has been out since last weekend with a thumb injury, and he won’t return for at least a couple more weeks. Slugging outfielders Aaron Judge (calf) and Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) have also sat out for roughly half of August, though the former could return in the coming days.

Torres hasn’t gotten off to the prolific starts that LeMahieu, Judge and Stanton have, as he has batted just .231/.341/.295 with one home run in 91 plate appearances. That’s highly disappointing from someone who masheed 38 homers during an All-Star 2019. Nevertheless, there’s no debating that the 23-year-old is an integral part of their roster and someone far more qualified than the rest of the shortstops the Yankees have on hand.

After Torres went down, the club subbed in Thairo Estrada at second and shifted Tyler Wade from the keystone to short. Notably, the Yankees did just sign veteran middle infielder Jordy Mercer, whom they could call on if Torres has to miss time.

Reds Select Mark Payton’s Contract

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The Reds announced that outfielder Mark Payton’s contract has been selected to the Major League roster.  Payton’s move was one of a few transactions made official by the club, as the Reds also optioned infielder Josh VanMeter to their alternate training site and made a change to their taxi squad — righty Jose De Leon joins the taxi squad, while outfielder Robel Garcia is out.

Payton now seems set to make his MLB debut, which he probably thought was in the cards back in December when the Reds plucked him out of the Athletics’ system via the Rule 5 draft.  In July, however, the Reds returned Payton back to Oakland seemingly as part of a roster crunch, yet then re-acquired the outfielder two weeks ago.  Since Payton is now officially a member of Cincinnati’s roster, he is free of any Rule 5 restrictions, so the Reds can freely option him between the majors and their alternate training site if they so choose.

A seventh-round pick for the Yankees in the 2014 draft, Payton has hit .286/.363/.455 with 62 home runs over 2248 career minor league plate appearances.  Those career numbers are heavily fueled by Payton’s 30 homers and .334/.400/.653 slash line over 447 PA for the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate in 2019, though that performance carries some caveats.  2019 was the most hitter-friendly year in the history of Triple-A baseball, the Pacific Coast League was a notoriously hitter-friendly league even prior to 2019, and Payton (then in his age-27 season) was older than most Triple-A pitchers.

Still, obviously the Reds saw enough in Payton’s breakout year to make him a priority in the Rule 5 draft.  Payton does have some center field experience, though he has mostly played as a corner outfielder in recent years.  He will join Travis Jankowski as a left-handed hitting backup outfielder on a roster that also includes Shogo Akiyama and Jesse Winker as more regular lefty-swinging outfielders.

Twins Place Jake Odorizzi On 10-Day IL, Transfer Homer Bailey To 45-Day IL

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The Twins have placed RHP Jake Odorizzi on the 10-day injured list due to a chest contusion, reports Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. He’ll be joined by Zack Littell, who’s dealing with elbow inflammation. Meanwhile, Homer Bailey has been transferred to the 45-day injured list after a case of tendinitis in his throwing arm landed him on the IL in early August. Righty Sean Poppen and lefty Danny Coulombe were added to the active roster.

Odorizzi was forced out of last night’s matchup with the Royals in the fourth inning after sustaining a line drive to the chest off the bat of Alex Gordon. Per Statcast, the ball was hit at 103.2 mph off the bat, and Odorizzi would later tell reporters that he was having some trouble moving around and catching his breath.

It’s a tough break for Odorizzi, who was making just his third start of the season after dealing with an intercostal strain earlier this year. He’s struggled to get going in 2020, surrendering 9 runs in 10 innings and allowing a home run in each of his starts.

Hopefully, several days of rest will allow Odorizzi to get back to full health without having to spend more than the requisite 10 days on the shelf.

But with Odorizzi out of commission for the time being and Bailey’s injury keeping him out of action for longer than expected, the Twins may be pressed to more aggressively pursue starting pitching in the days leading up to the August 31 trade deadline. Minnesota shouldn’t be in panic mode with Randy Dobnak showing some potential and Michael Pineda not far off a return from suspension, but an upgrade certainly couldn’t hurt. We’ll have to wait to see which names are available and just how active the trade market is, but the Twins are one of the teams that could benefit most from an additional starter.

Indians’ Triston McKenzie To Debut Saturday

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August 22: The Indians have officially promoted McKenzie to the active roster. To make a spot for the rookie, outfielder Bradley Zimmer was optioned to the team’s alternate training site.

August 20: Indians right-hander Triston McKenzie will make his major league debut Saturday with a start against the Tigers, Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com reports. The 23-year-old McKenzie is already on the Indians’ 40-man roster, so they won’t have to boot anyone from it to make room for him.

As Hoynes notes, this will be the first competitive outing for McKenzie since June 2018, as forearm and shoulder problems stunted his development for a couple of years. Before that, he was the 42nd overall pick in 2015 and a multi-time top 100 prospect, peaking as Baseball America’s 33rd-best farmhand in 2018. While his injury issues weighed him down that year, he still logged a 2.68 ERA with 8.64 K/9 and 2.78 BB/9 over 90 2/3 innings in his first Double-A season.

Now, the hope for Cleveland is that a healthy McKenzie will become the latest success story in its staff. The Indians have been known for churning out quality starters in recent years, which hasn’t changed this season. The club’s rotation entered Thursday first in the majors in ERA and third in FIP. They’ll remain in the majors’ elite in those categories after American League Cy Young front-runner Shane Bieber turned in yet another brilliant performance in shutting out the Pirates.

Aside from Bieber, the Indians have received tremendous production from Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac (though they optioned the latter last week for a violation of coronavirus protocols). Carlos Carrasco, Adam Plutko and Mike Clevinger have prevented runs at fine clips, but Clevinger was demoted alongside Plesac.

Phillies Announce Flurry Of Roster Moves

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The Phillies have made a series of roster moves today (per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb), activating newly acquired pitchers Heath Hembree, Brandon Workman, and David Hale, along with outfielder Adam Haseley, who returns from the injured list. In turn, pitchers Cole Irvin and Connor Brogdon have been optioned and Jay Bruce was placed on the 10-day injured list. Relief pitcher Deolis Guerra was designated for assignment.

Hembree, Workman, and Hale are the fruits of two Friday trades with the Red Sox and Yankees, and the trio will hopefully offer a meaningful upgrade to a Philadelphia bullpen that has thus far stumbled to a 7.97 ERA, by far the worst mark in baseball.

While Workman’s 4.05 ERA is nothing special, his peripheral numbers give him a 2.57 FIP, which is just a hair off the 2.46 mark he posted a year ago, when he was quietly one of the American League’s most productive relievers. He brings top-notch strikeout prowess to the table, with walks representing his biggest weakness.

Hembree should bring some much-needed stability to the Philly bullpen, after contributing five years of consistently solid production for recent Red Sox teams. Hale has the capability to pitch multiple innings and can be deployed in long relief. He’s struck out 7 batters in 6 innings for the Yankees this year.

Although the Phillies will send one outfielder to the injured list, with Bruce’s nagging left quad injury now warranting an IL stint, they’ll welcome another outfielder back, with Haseley recovered from the wrist sprain that forced him to the sideline on August 13.

As for Guerra, the Phillies will have a week to determine their course of action for the 31-year-old right-hander, who has struggled out of the gates, allowing three home runs in his first 7 1/3 innings of work.

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