With 45% of the 2024 season now in the books, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Cole makes his return:
The Yankees have been without reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole all season due to elbow inflammation, but he’ll return from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut today. The Yankees will need to make corresponding moves on both the 40-man and active rosters in order to accommodate his return.
Cole is scheduled to take the mound opposite Orioles rookie Cade Povich (4.76 ERA in two starts) at 7:05pm local time this evening. Cole, who led the American League in ERA, innings, and WHIP last year, will get a tough assignment in his season debut, as the Orioles have posted a collective slash line of .249/.309/.450. The resulting 116 wRC+ suggests they’ve been 16% better than league-average as a collective unit — a mark that ranks third in the majors behind only the Dodgers and the Yankees themselves.
2. Dodgers to shake up rotation?
Cole isn’t the only notable hurler returning from the injured list today. Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller is also scheduled to take the ball today opposite Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner (5.71 ERA) in Colorado at 8:40pm local time. The return of Miller, who made just three starts before being sidelined back in April but impressed with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts during his rookie season last year, may not be the only change coming to the Dodgers’ rotation in the near future. Walker Buehler told reporters (including Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times) yesterday that the Dodgers are considering getting him some time to reset after he struggled to a 4.64 ERA and 5.54 FIP in his first seven starts back from Tommy John surgery this year.
Manager Dave Roberts said yesterday that an IL stint for Buehler was possible. Rookie Landon Knack, who has a 2.61 ERA in four spot starts at the big league level this year, appears to be the most likely candidate to replace Buehler in the rotation. Looking a bit further out, it’s possible that Clayton Kershaw could be a factor before long. As noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker, the veteran lefty is ahead of schedule in his rehab from shoulder surgery and is set to begin a rehab assignment later today. It still appears unlikely that the 36-year-old will be ready to return before the All-Star break, but his approaching return should afford the Dodgers additional flexibility as they navigate a rotation picture without right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the foreseeable future.
3. Westburg day-to-day:
Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg exited yesterday’s game against the Yankees in the second inning last night after colliding with Juan Soto on the basepaths. O’s skipper Brandon Hyde said after the game that Westburg is day-to-day with a left hip contusion. The loss of the 25-year-old for any amount of time stings, as he’s emerged as one of the club’s most impactful hitters alongside Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman.
In 275 trips to the plate, Westburg has slashed .278/.332/.504 with a wRC+ of 137. The impressive showing this year as further cemented Westburg as a key part of an ever-evolving Orioles lineup flooded with quality positional options. Infielder Ramon Urias, who won a Gold Glove award at third base in 2022, would likely take on a larger role again if Westburg ends up needing more recovery time than is currently anticipated.
Trevor is waiting. Friedman should give him a call.
It’s creepy how much some people are simping for Bauer.
No, its not, some people are perturbed Al the blatant hypocrisy and double standard that exists in the world today. When convicted abusers, Roberto osuna, aroldis Chapman, Marcell ozuna among others get a second chance but Trevor has to wait it can be infuriating.
It’s creepier how people are such sheep and believe whatever is said
@Joe says…
It’s pretty creepy that individuals turn a blind eye to others who have done worse and are still playing in MLB but cast a long shadow on Bauer who performed consensual behaviour with another adult. It seems you’re simping for other bad characters to remain with MLB, which is very creepy.
Old York MLB is a business and nothing more. If there was value to signing Bauer someone would have. If the Astros or Yankees (the teams that had Osuna and Chapman) aren’t after Bauer then there’s a good business reason behind it. Could be that there is something us peons don’t know about.
Personally I don’t care if he gets another shot at MLB or not. MLB will continue on with or without any one particular player and I will continue watching either way.
@Joe says…
You made an insulting claim that it’s creepy that people allegedly simp for Bauer, which is not the case. Again, I will ask the question. If you don’t like bad characters in MLB, why are we allowing some of them to still play and sign big contracts? I have no personal investment in Bauer returning but claiming that the peons are somehow simping for the guy is pretty disingenuous.
As you said, maybe there is something us peons don’t see, but given the fact that we’re only given limited amount of information, the peon is sitting here saying, why is MLB allowing some bad characters who actually broke the law and were in prison, to be playing but someone who performed consensual behaviour is somehow still not hired. Do you have insider information for this?
Yeah Joe, with all your power as commissioner of MLB, why do YOU allow them to do that?! Why Joe why
York the safest bet ever is that if White American Trevor Bauer doesn’t have a MLB job and Black Cuban Aroldis Chapman does, there’s more to the story and it ain’t some morality double standard.
Yogi it’s because I’m actually Rob Manfred and I don’t want you people to start liking me. LOL
@Joe says…
So, if there’s more to the story, why can’t it be told?
York IDK, could be for legal reasons.
@Joe says…
Then you’re going to continue to have peons on here making the same argument about Bauer until we get the whole story.
Which apparently means forever and ever. We are never going to get “the whole story” because these hearings are confidential. All we know, and all we’re entitled to know, is the results. Since the Bauer amen corner totally ignores those, I don’t see where even knowing “the whole story” would change a thing about what they believe.
@BlueSkies_LA
If there were any legal obstacles preventing him from joining a team, he wouldn’t be attempting to try out for the Astros and offering to play for the league minimum, with the condition that he can be released after just one game if he performs poorly.
Who said the obstacles are legal? Maybe people who know nothing have, but not me. For the umpteenth time, this is entirely about MLB-MLBPA employment policy, not the law. It’s mind boggling how many times this can be explained and some will never, ever get it.
@BlueSkies_LA
Which policy was broken? I can’t find any information on that.
What?? So you are commenting on this without knowing anything about the policy forming the entire basis for the suspension? It’s an attachment to the CBA called the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Read here:
content.mlb.com/documents/2/9/2/296982292/Major_Le…
To fully understand the hearing and appeals process made available to every player requires further reading into the CBA, but you don’t really need to take such a deep dive to grasp the findings made by the commissioner and the arbitrator that resulted in the suspension. This is the only part of “the whole story” that you need to know, or ever will know.
@BlueSkies_LA
I think you’re a bit dated with our information. He was found to have done nothing wrong and that some of the accusers were actually lying about what happened and one is involved with a fraud charge. Plus, that suspension was removed before the actual terms were supposed to be up. Guy’s a free man.
Anyway, I understand it’s above your head but the reality is, for peons on here, you’ll continue to hear the cries for Bauer to return and he will probably still not be hired by an MLB team. Does it matter to me? No, it doesn’t. But, when I hear nonsense like people are simping for him because they don’t see why he can’t return, clearly, the people making these claims don’t actually understand the whole story either.
No, I am completely up to date with my information. His suspension was based entirely on two hearings, the first by the commissioner and the second on appeal before an arbitrator. Not anything else. What evidence was presented in those hearings we do not know, and never will. All we know is the results, which were the longest suspensions ever under the policy. Guy was never anything but a “free man,” but of course saying so only shows how completely you miss the point.
You are not getting any part of this. You might want to try to get at least some of it before accusing anyone else of nonsense.
@BlueSkies_LA
But he didn’t violate any polices at all, which makes it even more ridiculous that people are suggesting otherwise. Plus, the suspension was revoked before it was supposed to have expired. So, at this point, we’re missing part of the story here as to why he can’t return. Your claim about it being about the suspension is debunked and the claims about it being a legal issue is also debunked because it wouldn’t make sense for him to be working out for the Astros and speaking with other teams about work while also publicly stating that he will work for league minimum.
So, I’ll wait for the next made up story from the anti-Bauer side but my point is, labelling people as simping for Bauer while simping for bad characters that already exist in the league is pretty bad. I’ll wait until you actually have something of substance to present.
Ludicrous. Completely beyond help.
He can return. Why he hasn’t returned has already been explained. Not that it will ever sink in at all.
LOL! Old York doesn’t know what he’s talking about, again?! How can it be?! Dumbest user on this site.
@Joe Judging by the username, these guys are just trolling/desperate for attention.
And those who keep bringing up Bauer are not.
I get it.
Let me interpret for you. Trevor is never pitching in mlb again. You are dismissed.
@The King Buddha
Why is he never pitching in MLB again? How does your argument in any manner dismiss him?
King Buddha, he’s never pitching in MLB again because public perception is in favor of him never pitching in MLB again. Right or wrong, that’s how it is. Don’t you think some team would have signed him by now?
Old York simping for an antagonistic, unrepentant woman beater – not surprising.
Aroldis and Ozuna are POS too, and shouldn’t be allowed in the league. But, they also aren’t out rubbing themselves in the leagues face – and taunting every team – day in & day out like Trashy Trev.
@SewaldSwansonSwoon
Thanks for being a great example of what I just said. You guys really seem to enjoy being apologists when it’s beneficial to you.
Old – It’s because MLB has zero integrity and is believed to be highly corrupt.
Perfect example, Jenrry Mejia.
Failed three different PED tests at different times over a one year period.
Was “banned for life” by MLB.
Threatened to sue MLB and uncover years of corruption … at which point MLB decided to lift the lifetime ban.
So unless Trev has some dirt on MLB that he can use against them, he’s probably not going to pitch in the majors ever again.
Not public perception. Team perception. He violated MLB-MLBPA employment policy but refuses to take ownership of it. His choice entirely. This has always been the road back to the game. For as long as he’s in denial, no team will sign him, no matter how desperate for pitching they may be. Period. Full stop. Over and out.
The question of why has been answered by every owner in baseball. No argument from me. Bauer is a social outcast and deviant. Baseball dismissed him. No argument from me.
@The King Buddha
A social outcast for being a human? Are we going to start doing the same thing for your workplace so we find out what strange hobbies everyone has and cast them away for not having the same values as me?
I probably don’t want to live in such a society. That’s best suited for people who want to live in North Korea.
Such a logical calamity. 🙁
Baseball society Old Old Old York. Feeble minded people like you who twist words to suit their arguments are more than pathetic. Baseball society has booted the deviant. Not my judgment. Not your misinformation. If you believe beating women into submissive submission for gratification is a hobby, you my friend are in need of deep psychological help.
LOL! Applogists? No. Realists. Bauer is trash and so is every single one of his simps.
So you’re ok with beating women? Figures
@The King Buddha
Sorry to say but you seem to be misinformed about the situation.
@SewaldSwansonSwoon
That was proven incorrect from the person’s own video of themselves.
Trevor Bauer has a pattern, apparently he has other cases involving sexual misconduct! There is plenty of facts about the investigation that MLB is privy to that we’ll never see, hence MLBs longest suspension ever! Nobody will touch that cesspool of a person, he’s done in MLB!
Off topic but when I see guys like Jonathan Cave absolutely livid and showing emotion I no longer thought existed in the game today, it gives me hope that maybe the baseball of my youth still exists.
Usually you find that the “baseball isn’t the game it used to be” crowd dislikes emotion in the game, such as bat flips and celebrations. Sincere question: what is your take on those things?
I love it, my theory is, the more money the less caring about results. It’s why I love hockey, it’s quite evident that among the 4 major sports, they care about their performance the more. So when I see a player, in a meaningless game, absolutely livid, and taking pride in their job, it encourages me that, maybe, baseball isn’t boring….
Agreed! I too like the emotion. Finding success at the highest level of competition is so difficult, and I think we lose sight of that sometimes when all we see are highlights on Instagram, YouTube, etc. I say let these guys show all the emotion they want.
“the more money the less caring about results”
That sounds like MLB owners more than players.
@bedbathandbiyombo
Nothing wrong with showing some emotion in games but it’s the over-the-top hype and nonsense of bat-flips and reactions in meaningless games that just makes the players look silly. Bautista’s HR was in an important game/spot and made sense but we’re seeing all these unnecessary celebrations out in the open like they just had a Joe Carter moment is ridiculous..
Look at hockey, guys score goals and they all do a short celebration and move off the ice, unless it’s a big moment in the playoffs or someone surpassing a record.
Ah, yes, the guy who hates bat flips and loves Joey Bats is ok with sexual abuse. How hypocritical.
There’s a difference between self-glorifying things like bat flips and individual celebrations versus righteous anger like Earl Weaver yelling at umpires.
Team celebrations, like dugout antics for home runs, I don’t particularly mind.
It’s Jake Cave, but yes. When an ump blows a call that hands the big-market Dodgers a game that should have been yours, some anger and passion is appropriate. Even if your team is already way out of the race.
@baseball_is_boring
Who is Jonathan Cave?
Sorry, it’s Jake cave.
@baseball_is_boring
Always good to let the ump know about his blown call. Bad calls by umpires should have them ejected from the game.
Problem solved.
Westburg is an old school ball player – tough. That Os system is a juggernaut. Will be interesting to see Baltimore’s approach at the deadline.
They have such a complete offense. They should be looking to keep that group together. Unload prospects to get pitching to supplement.
@30 Parks
They sure do. Looks like a bright future for the O’s. It’s nice to finally see them have success after decades of doing nothing. Would also be nice to see them win a championship with this core group before they start to decline/breakup the team.
People rightfully talk a lot about the 2019 draft, wherein the Orioles snagged a pair of bonafide superstars in Adley and Gunnar with their first two picks (along with Kyle Stowers and now-Brewer Joey Ortiz later on, both of whom look like solid big leaguers so far in their young careers), but the 2020 draft is shaping up to go down as a similar heist with Westburg looking like a star in his own right through his first 130ish games and both Kjerstad and Mayo waiting in the wings.
It’s a great time to be an O’s fan.
Reminds me of Alex Bregman. Who pursued both talents? Same guy. Mike Elias.
here comes the cole train!!!
@swagsuperawesomeepiccoolman123
True. Should be able to put the O’s in their place, just like Nestor Cortes did last night.
Their place… first?
@SewaldSwansonSwoon
O’s are a 5th place team in the East. Only reason they’re winning is because the Jays, Sox and Rays are terrible the past few years. Once they’re back on their feet, the O’s will take their rightly deserved place in the basement.
Do you do stand up also or just this ?
@tuck 2
Just this…
LOL! You cannot be serious. Third best team in baseball. New ownership. Stacked lineup. Stocked farm. You know less about baseball than a turd in a gutter.
Old York… O’s were 7-6 against the yankees last year and 4-2 against them this year, If you’re saying the Orioles are behind the Jays, Sox and Rays, where does that put the yankees?
Hey York, suck one. 17 runs – seven against Gil. 5-2 on the season. You’re garbage.
How’s that working out for you so far?
I just wanted to send my farewell on here. I just bought a $500 glove that was posted in the other article and my wife will kill me now for doing that. At least I will be a grateful dead.
Cheerio.
F
@Lets Go DBacks
Nothing wrong with guying a $500 glove. The Federal Government spends trillions every month on debt so if they can blow taxpayer dollars on wasteful spending, why can’t you buy a $500 glove?
Wasteful spending like social programs and fighting Russian encroachment on democratic countries?
Again, Old York shows to be an Old Clown.
You’re clueless and naive if you think that your tax dollars are only being used for things that are “good.” How many democratically-elected governments have been toppled by the US military and the CIA? Quite a few, if you know the real history of this country. And you’re happy that they’re fighting for ONE country’s freedom after they’ve taken freedom away from so many others? Go back to your 6 o’clock news and keep believing in those fairy tales.
@SewaldSwansonSwoon
It’s better to teach a man to care for themselves than to have big government constantly failing to care for you. It puts the initiative on the individual to do what’s best for themselves and society.
As for your concern about democratically elected governments. It didn’t seem to be a concern for the U.S. in other countries that elected governments that it didn’t like. Chile is top of that list. Or 1953 Iran, 1954 Guatemala and 1960 Congo.
So cave to Russia? That tells me everything I need to know about you…
Old York proves again he has no clue. Society is not a blank canvas. There are parameters in place specifically to keep people in classes.
@SewaldSwansonSwoon
Why did Western countries cave to the U.S. and let them remove democratically elected individuals from power? Shouldn’t we have imposed sanctions on the U.S. and ended all trade/political support of the country?
Come back to the trail, Yorkie. I guess you love Putin. Simp.
Haha love this comment
Lots of love, brother!
Aaron Judge’s HBP last night on his left hand and the X-ray and CT scan results came back negative:
google.com/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/aaron-…
Connor Norby was pulled from Norfolk’s game last night after Westburg was injured so it looks like he’ll get the call if Westy needs an IL stint and not Coby Mayo, which makes sense since Norby’s already on the 40 man and Mayo isn’t, but man, I want to see Coby get the call so damn badly. Best case scenario is nobody gets the call because Westy only needs a day or two though, obviously.
So glad we didn’t trade JW this past offseason when teams with pitching to deal were asking about him, he is looking like a core piece for the next half decade of Orioles baseball.
Even if JW is day to day it may be a smart move to recall Norby and send down Stowers for a week because Norby can play OF as well. The extra versatility that Norby has would be helpful since JW would be the only infielder on the Orioles bench if he doesn’t go on the IL.
Peter Rose, Bauer, Trump Roberta Flack and Doony Hath…must be “Back Together Again”
@YankeesBleacherCreature
Good to hear that it game back negative.
Surprising it came back negative, given it was a 4-Seam Fastball clocked at 94.1 mph.
Gerrit Cole is back from the DL tonight but you gotta stream the game with Prime Video if you’re in Yankeeland. Gotta love big moments coinciding with modern tech.
Also, first pitch for tonight’s Dodger game at Colorado is 6:40 PM local, 5:40 PM in L.A.
Buehler got kind of unlucky in Denver last night but a lot of pitchers get unlucky there. His heater isn’t what it used to be and probably never will be again. Probably he needs to make some mechanical adjustments and change the pitch mix. Whether he needs time off to do that is up to the coaching staff. They’ve got their work cut out for them either way.
It pains me to say it but glad to see Cole back.. Never want teams to suffer with injuries… even the Yankees… But who is he facing today in pitching matchup??? ….. Garret ……….. ….YOU ARE ,,,,,,,,,THE YANKEES ACE