Catching up on notable players returning from the injured list today…
LATEST MOVES
- The Cubs activated left-hander Brandon Hughes from the 15-day IL, and outfielder Nelson Velazquez was optioned to Triple-A to create roster space. Hughes was bothered by inflammation in his left knee during Spring Training, so Chicago placed him on the IL prior to Opening Day so Hughes could recover and then complete his ramp-up progress. In an impressive rookie season, Hughes posted a 3.12 ERA and an above-average 28.3% strikeout rate (albeit with a subpar walk rate) over 57 2/3 innings out of the Cubs’ bullpen.
EARLIER TODAY
- The Cardinals activated Lars Nootbaar from the 10-day IL, and sent Juan Yepez to Triple-A in the corresponding move. Nootbaar was in the St. Louis lineup for the first time since Opening Day, when he injured his left thumb diving into a base. While the Cardinals’ outfield depth chart might prevent Nootbaar from true everyday duty, he is still expected to get a lot of playing time as a left-handed hitter capable of playing all three outfield spots. Jordan Walker’s emergence has only added to a crowded outfield picture that also includes Nootbaar, Tyler O’Neill, Alec Burleson, Dylan Carlson, Yepez, and utilityman Brendan Donovan.
- The Twins activated outfielder Max Kepler from the 10-day IL, as Kepler returned after missing the minimum 10 days while recovering from right patellar tendinitis. Minnesota optioned outfielder Matt Wallner to Triple-A in the corresponding move. Kepler’s return will bring a bit of relief for the injury-plagued Twins, and he’ll look for something of a reset to his season after playing in only four games prior to his IL stint. Kepler is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, and will be a free agent this winter unless the Twins exercise a $10MM club option for 2024.
- Michael Lorenzen made his first start of the season today, as the Tigers activated the right-hander from the 15-day IL. Unsurprisingly, Lorenzen showed some rust, allowing six earned runs over four innings in what ended up being a 7-6 comeback win for Detroit over San Francisco. A left groin strain has kept Lorenzen on the shelf, but going forward, he is expected to contribute in the Tigers’ rotation after signing a one-year, $8.5MM free agent deal during the offseason. Along with activating Lorenzen, Detroit also called up southpaw Tyler Holton from Triple-A, and sent righty Garrett Hill and infielder Ryan Kreidler to Triple-A.
Now I’m worried, what exactly is Jordan walker’s emergency? Lol!
Good thing he wore the brown pants that day!
Nootbar, Nyuck, nyuck,nyuck
I don’t see the grouse?
@Gwynning, I assume he was obscenely dealt with…
woob woob woob woob woob
I’m telling you, I can get the important information elsewhere but not the writing…it slays me!
I remember when Michael Lorenzen was a baby. Probably about two months old. His grandparents lived next door. It’s cool to see him in the majors today.
Nootbar’s just looking for a Payday.
*Snickers*
I hope he’s not expecting mounds of cash…if lucky he might get 100 grand
Oh, Henry Aaron made that in 1973.
“Skor” 1 4 Cards getn the Noot back
Gabe Kapler, what a guy. Was he disrespecting a future of Hall of Fame player, by pitching to him ? Or was he paying back Detroit for drafting him ? The fans loved it, so it worked out well for everyone. Giving a guy like Miguel a chance to win in a walk off is a hat tip moment to Gabe, like saying to Mantle what pitch is coming, can you do it.
Everyone in the park knew Miguel was going to do it. So thank you Gabe for remembering your roots. Miguel’s going to look awfully good on the M.L.B. channel in the English D, It was great watching the big guy do it. The Harris moves have been paying off, and the team is playing better too.
What??? Are you saying Kapler instructed his pitcher to groove one to Cabrera?
Kapler is from the Baldelli school. They believe what they think matters.
Hat tip moment? What the hll are you talking about? You sound like you are in love with these guys.
Huh?
Kreidler beginning to look like a quad A player.
Yes, it was nice to see Miggy come through. What Harris moves have been paying off though? Candelario has been playing well for the Nationals as a Full time player. Harold and Willi Castro have been contributing off the bench for their new teams. Meanwhile, the Tigers gutted bullpen has been a disaster. The players they received back have not been an improvement from the players they could have just kept. Maton is a platoon player, and Vierling has shown he’s a poor base runner, and is only getting this much playing time due to Meadows situation. He’s a platoon player too.
I disagree on the players we got from Philly. Maton has been their best hitter lately. I don’t think Candelario is playing any better than Maton, but as I said before I agree with you and wish they would have kept him too. Vierling hasn’t played badly either and if he’s a platoon player who cares as long as he plays well. The Castros weren’t going to do much for us except block young players from at bats.
Their bullpen just threw 7 innings of shutout baseball. Relax buddy.
Seriously, certain people are giving up on the Tigers way too early. I’m still predicting 75 wins this year.
Harold Castro has been horrible this year (-.4 bWAR through April 14th). Willi Castro might be contributing to his team’s defense, but that’s it. Candelario is off to a fairly good start. Harris was correct to move on from these guys (Victor Reyes, too.)
Maton and Vierling have showed some promise.
Ryan. Take xtra batting practice in Toledo.
Very glad to see Noot back. Three walks today. The Cardinals need to trade an outfielder and send Jordan Hicks along for the ride. The entire pitching staff has struggled. I’m one more loss to the Pirates away from rounding up some buddies, getting a panel van and some ski masks, driving to Arlington, TX, and “persuading” Mike Maddox to come back to St. Louis.
“Lars Nootbar” sounds like a Star Wars character
Holton was fantastic in his first game as a Tigers. I hope it wasn’t a fluke, they need the bullpen help.
There was a brief article on mlb.com about the transactions that said he gave up 4 HRs in the minors but then had settled down. Let’s hope he doesn’t revert to the former. I’m still hoping Wingenter figures it out. Lange, Foley, Alexander and Shreve have been decent. Diaz should be next man up after the good spring training showing. Wentz looked good the other day but Lorenzen sure didn’t. Lorenzen could be ticketed for the bullpen too if he keeps pitching like that. Just his first start so hopefully better things to come.
Along with a refurbished clubhouse and new field lighting, the Tigers bought new tires for the Detroit-Toledo shuttle bus.
One of those tires will come down with a radial strain soon and be out for a month.
The cardinals are 23rd in runs scored but Mr Half Season Wonder Lars Nootbar will fix that right up.
They are dead last in hits allowed and 18th in ERA. but again, no worries. 2013/2014; staff ace Adam Wainwright to the rescue.
Cardinals got punk-slapped by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Thoughts?
Pull my waivers.