As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Bader to return:
The Yankees figure to welcome center fielder Harrison Bader back from the injured list today against the Mariners, as previously reported. The club won’t need to make an active roster move to accommodate Bader, as the club optioned infielder Oswaldo Cabrera to Triple-A after Sunday’s game against the Red Sox, prior to yesterday’s off day.
The Yankees are hoping for a boost from Bader in the midst of a difficult June where they’ve gone 5-9 over 14 games, slipping to 39-33 and 10.5 games back in the AL East. Bader has played just 26 games due to injuries this season, but when he has been on the field he’s paired excellent defense in center with a .267/.295/.511 slash line, good for a wRC+ of 118. With both Bader on Aaron Judge on the shelf, the club has relied on Jake Bauers, Billy McKinney, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Willie Calhoun in the outfield in recent days.
2. Lugo to return:
Also returning from the injured list today is Padres right-hander Seth Lugo, who the club has announced as today’s starter against the Giants. The club will need to make an active roster move to accommodate Lugo before tonight’s game, which is set to start at 8:45pm CT this evening. Lugo has pitched fairly well for the club as a member of the rotation this season, posting a 4.10 ERA and 3.95 FIP in 41 2/3 innings of work across eight starts. While that ERA is roughly league average, it’s bogged down by a disastrous five-run, two-inning start immediately prior to Lugo’s placement on the IL, which caused the figure to balloon up from 3.18.
Lugo rejoins the rotation as the Padres struggle to stay competitive in the NL West, with a 35-37 record that puts them in fourth place. As San Diego looks to bounce back in its four-game set against the Giants after losing the first game last night, Lugo will be counted on for a solid return to the rotation, particularly given the uneven results from the typically-reliable Yu Darvish (6.89 ERA in his last six starts) and Joe Musgrove (4.22 ERA this season) at the front of the rotation.
3. MLBTR Chat today:
With just six weeks to go until MLB’s trade deadline, the paths forward for many teams remain murky, even as some organizations set themselves apart from the pack.. If the events of the season so far have spurred any questions in your mind about your favorite team or the league as a whole, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
Over/under on days until Bader’s next injury?
Under 10 days
11 games. He’ll make it to early July, but not the ASB.
I’ll take the under on whatever the days is.
Why make fun of a guy for getting hurt?
That’s lame
Because those people are losers.
10 days, pulled hamstring is the injury.
Darvish is washed up. Shouldn’t have given him all that cash and years.
Darvish has an FIP of exactly 4. His career FIP is 3.49. I wouldn’t call that washed up.
The Padres might get six innings out of Lugo tonight. Is that bullpen up for another three innings of mayhem?
Wilson, Martinez and Hader all had yesterday off. So, better than they were yesterday.
Thanks for this kind clarification!
All new stadiums should have reduced seating to make room for the hospital and physical therapy center for all the injured players. It’s out of hand.
There have always been lots of injuries in the game and always will. The difference today is that players are discouraged from ignoring them, and better and more sophisticated treatments are available.
Why do you think that’s a bad thing?
Do some of you do a little happy dance in your undies when you see a player get injured??
I don’t no matter the team or player, but it’s hard not to be a cynic and guess how long until an often-injured player will land on the IL again.
It’s strange that you’re concerned about what’s happening in other people’s undies.
Bader has .8 WAR on the season in limited playing time.
Cardinal outfielders Carlson, ONeill, Walker, Burleson, Mercado and Nootbaar combined have the exact same .8 WAR on the season.
Let’s limit it to Nootbar and Carlson so we get a 1.8 WAR. Throw in the new centerfielder Edman and you get 2.8 WAR.
O’Neil, Burleson, and Mercado won’t be getting much time on the field moving forward.
You’re the one who said whyhazee said better treatment is a bad thing. Hand over the badge.