As the calendar flips to June, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Steele to undergo MRI:
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele exited yesterday’s start against the Rays after throwing three perfect innings due to what the team has labeled “forearm tightness.” With an off-day for the club today, Steele is scheduled to undergo testing to determine the severity of his injury. Forearm tightness is always a concerning diagnosis, given its broad range of outcomes and status as a frequent precursor to a more serious injury.
Cubs fans surely anxiously await results from today’s testing, seeing as Steele has been one of baseball’s best starting pitchers for nearly a full calendar year, with a 2.15 ERA and 2.63 FIP in 117 innings since July 2022. Should Steele miss time, the Cubs figure to rely on youngster Hayden Wesneski to cover his spot in the rotation after the right-hander pitched 3 2/3 innings in relief of Steele during yesterday’s game.
2. First basemen in DFA limbo:
A pair of veteran first basemen have recently been designated for assignment by their organization. Luke Voit, who struggled to a 54 wRC+ in 74 plate appearances for the Brewers this season, and Jesus Aguilar, who posted an 83 wRC+ in 115 plate appearances for the A’s, are both poised to look for work with new clubs going forward. While the 32-year-old Voit and 33-year-old Aguilar have both struggled in recent seasons, each was about 10% better than league average with the bat as recently as 2021, giving reason for hope that one or both could bounce back.
One potential suitor for their services of either right-handed slugger would be a Phillies club that saw corner infielder Alec Bohm, who has played first base against left-handers for the club this season, suffer a potential injury to his left hamstring and undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue. Should Bohm miss time, the club will be exceedingly thin at first base, with Rhys Hoskins out for the season and Darick Hall not yet back from an injury of his own. Either Voit or Aguilar could make sense in a platoon with Kody Clemens, as The Athletic’s Matt Gelb notes, though Voit has been better against righties than lefties in each of the past five seasons and has been particularly unproductive versus southpaws dating back to last season.
3. Astros vs. Angels series preview:
The Angels are set to head to Houston for a four-game set against the Astros beginning this evening at 7:10pm CT. The series could have significant implications for both clubs going forward, as Houston currently sits three games ahead of Anaheim for second place in the AL West and the final AL Wild Card spot, meaning a series sweep could propel the Angels ahead of the Astros.
In addition the the standings-related intrigue, the Astros appear poised to move to a six-man rotation during the series. Chandler Rome of The Athletic notes that the club hasn’t announced its probable starters for the series, as they are waiting until they make a corresponding move to promote a sixth starter sometime today. Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, J.P. France, and Brandon Bielak are currently slated to face off against the Angels during the series, but the incoming sixth starter could slot anywhere into that mix. Regardless of the starters the Astros plan to use, the Angels figure to counter with Reid Detmers, Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval, and Griffin Canning.
Hope the Angels take 2 games. If they take 3 I will be delighted.
Looking forward to the Astros-Angels series. I can see a split, which pushes into the future the destinies of both clubs. But 3 of 4, or a sweep by either team, would set the tone for the middle third of the season.
Trying to figure out using a six man rotation in a four game series. Maybe Wes Montgomery can help me out. Cue the ostinato bass line.
When in doubt, go with Wes Montgomery.
Wow 2 Wes Montgomery’s I’ll go with Issac Hays for a Angels sweeeeep!!
Angels need a split here. I’d be ecstatic with a series win.
But this is the type of situation where the team has let us down in recent years. So I’m anxious.
Yeah, warming up against the White Sox might not be the best preparation for the Angels, but I hope the Angels take the series.
Halos have struggled against the Asterisks for awhile now. They need to prove to themselves that they can hang and get at least a split. A series win would be a big statement. Like always it will come down to our pitching and pen. Let’s go!
57 games down, 105 to go.
The Angels need a minimum of 60 More wins just to get to 90.
That’s damn near .600 ball they have to play from here on out… I really want to be positive but as you mentioned… history, precedence
Seems like a tall task for this team.
What’s your thoughts on that JJ?
This season is, more likely, the last time we see Ohtani in the Angels uni and hopefully the end of Minasian and Nevin combo.
MC Homer, Aragon: First, the Angels might not need to win 90 games. The Phillies made the PO last year with 87. Second, I’m hoping the Angels finally make the PO so maybe Ohtani won’t leave. Rumor is he would likely end up with the Dodgers. I’m tired of the rich getting richer.
The Halo would probably need to win 90 games with the East possibly producing 3 teams for the wild card spots.
Angels have the highest % in Strength of Schedule remaining, in the entire MLB. Playing .600 ball would be impressive given they have the MLB’s toughest remaining schedule.
Dang!
I was wondering about the Angels remianing schedule. This team will obviously have to earn it.
A nice winning streak right now would change the math and make things a little more achievable. But gotta squash these losing streaks. Case in point, things were trending the right way before the Marlins came to town.
That’s 15 wins the last 4 months. Something they’ve done the first 2 months. Not a tall task.
“Forearm tightness”, words no pitcher wants to experience because a lot of times it leads to bad things and a lot of rehab work and missed time.
Bottom line is he’ll be on the sidelines for a while. Even if surgery isn’t recommended at first it could still come later if rehab isn’t successful
The Angels could possibly go 90-72 and still not even get a wildcard spot. But a team in the AL Central could possibly win that garbage division, with 82 wins. But a 90-72 record, might be enough to sway Ohtani to stay. If the Angels remain close in the Wildcard and AL West chance. They need to be buyers at the deadline. Now all these things could happen. I don’t trust Nevin enough, to see it happening though.
angelsfan4life: That’s why I think the teams should be seeded for the PO. There are no separate leagues anymore except for the PO. The top 12 teams should be seeded by record. That would keep the ALC out and possibly even the NLC. It’s not fair for teams with 90+ wins to get eliminated early. The ALC, when’s the last time they won a PO series? It might be lop-sided with more NL teams, but I think a team has to earn their way into the PO.
Its not fair for only big market teams to make the playoffs. Just watch the fire sale in SD now that hey have lost that ridiculous TV contract that was never sustainable. Their current payroll will need to be adjusted. Unless.they put in a salary cap (won’t happen) divisions will be required to level the playing field some. Even with divisions, few surprises make the playoffs each year. 75% are the same teams over and over.
@stymeedone the NBA has a salary cap, but 29 of the 32 to make the playoffs each year, are the same teams. I can predict right now, that unless either team has a QB go down. It will be KC and Cincinnati in the AFC Championship Game again for the third straight year. It would also make 6 straight years, for KC to get there. Unlike the NBA and NFL. One elite player doesn’t make you a contender in Baseball. Otherwise, the Angels would be there more often.
At least there, it has something to do with how strong the management is. Can you imagine how bad Cashman would be if he couldn’t out spend his bad decisions? Yet, due to payroll, the Yankees continue to make the playoffs every year.
The Angels have the bats. With Neto and Walsh, they now have the defense. The starting pitchers are capable of sustained success. Estevez, Moore and Devinski have been terrific. Right now, the Angels success is on the young, broad shoulders of Bachman, Silseth, Joyce and trade deadline bullpen additions.
Don’t forget Canning. I was very impressed by him in his last two starts.
Don’t forget Canning. I was very impressed by him in his last two starts.The Angels would be OK for Giolito, but I kind of hope he lands with the O’s.
Astros will be in first place in two weeks. Angels and Rangers are pretenders.
Nah I’m a Angels fan. The Rangers are good. They have great hitting. A Great Manager and Pitching coach. They are a force. My Angels need to play well against them and the Astros and it starts TODAY.
I’d be happy with a series split, Angels need another starting pitcher, Giolito comes to mind when trade talks come up, what do you all think?
What do the Angels have to send Chicago’s way? (that they need)
Hopefully Rengifo. He still hasn’t picked up that ball next to his feet.
Not gonna be sending trash back to get Giolito, though. I don’t know what the comps are for getting him, but I highly doubt it’ll be Rengifo.
Then you won’t be getting Giolito and especially when teams would be willing to offer so much more.
Something has to give, Perry Minasian will have to make a hard decision that we won’t like but if it plays out it can be brilliant. That being said, to make the playoffs we will probably have to trade one of future pitchers and a hot bat to get that Quality piece we need in our starting rotation.
Right now there are 2 teams that are out of the playoffs – A’s and Rockies.
There are 3 superior teams – Rays, Braves, and Dodgers.
Most teams are within a few games of .500 – some a bit over, some a bit under.
Short of a slew of major injuries, the 3 superior teams will go to the playoffs in 2023. The ALC has to place one team – although at least 4-6 teams missing the playoffs will be better than the ALC winner. That leaves 8 playoff openings in the 2 leagues, with a schedule that is no longer heavily weighted to teams within their division.
Trying to figure out those 8 teams on June 1 is ridiculous. Lot’s of surprises to come.
Enjoy.
Add that the Royals are of the payoffs. As weak as the ALC is, even the White Sox and Tigers can win the division.
I am a Tigers fan. Please don’t put the Tigers in the same sentence as the White Sox. Detroit has sound fundamentals.