With a full slate of games on the schedule tonight, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around baseball:
1. Tyler Mahle to make his 2024 debut:
The Rangers are planning to activate Tyler Mahle from the 60-day IL to start tonight’s game against the Astros (per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News). It will be Mahle’s first start of the 2024 season and his first start since signing a two-year, $22MM deal with Texas during the offseason. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, so the Rangers knew they wouldn’t have him for most of the 2024 season when they signed him this winter. Now, he is returning just in time to help the team attempt an unlikely comeback over the final two months of the season. The Rangers are five games back in the AL West and 8.5 games back in the Wild Card race, but with Mahle getting back on the mound (and Jacob deGrom soon to follow), this team is still hoping to contend.
Texas has an open spot in the rotation after placing Max Scherzer and Jon Gray on the IL last week and trading Michael Lorenzen ahead of the deadline. However, the club will need to make corresponding moves to open up space for Mahle on the 40 and 26-man rosters.
2. Gabriel Moreno suffers groin strain:
Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno exited yesterday’s game against the Guardians after hurting himself running out an infield single. The team later described the injury as a “strained left groin.” While the D-backs have not yet discussed the severity of the strain, it certainly didn’t look good on Monday, as Moreno fell to the ground in pain. He later got up with a trainer’s assistance and limped off the field. Presumably, Arizona will provide an update on his condition ahead of today’s game, which begins at 5:40 pm CT at Progressive Field.
The Diamondbacks have the best record in baseball since the beginning of July, and Moreno has played a big part in their recent success. In 97 plate appearances since coming back from a brief stint on the IL (sprained left thumb) on July 2, he is slashing .333/.412/.476 with a 152 wRC+, all while providing his consistently excellent defense behind the plate. If he misses time, backup Jose Herrera will most likely fill in as the regular catcher, and the D-backs will need to add another backstop to the 40-man roster – perhaps Ronaldo Hernández or Adrian Del Castillo – to take over as the backup.
3. Drew Rasmussen to join Rays bullpen:
Drew Rasmussen is expected to rejoin the Rays either today or tomorrow, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Although he had success as a starter with Tampa Bay from 2021-23, Rasmussen will work as a multi-inning relief pitcher upon his return. Needless to say, the Rays are planning to exercise caution with the 29-year-old, who has undergone three elbow surgeries since 2016. He had Tommy John surgery twice in college and underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure last summer. Very few pitchers have ever worked their way back from three major elbow procedures, but Rasmussen is looking to defy the odds. He will take his next step toward that goal when he returns to the Rays this week.
The Rays already have two open spots on their 40-man roster, so they will only need to clear a space on the active roster before they activate Rasmussen.
4. MLBTR chat today:
The trade deadline is squarely in the rearview mirror, and the post-deadline push for the 2024 postseason is underway. If you have questions about your favorite team’s deadline activity (or lack thereof), its offseason direction or anything else pertaining to the final third of the season, 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.
This one belongs to the Reds
Glad to see Mahle made it back. Liked the guy on the Reds.
King123
I liked the return for him even better lol.
Champ world champion Texas Rangers
Solid #3 before injury he would have gotten a big payday I think he’s better than any SP that was traded at the deadline. He’s been electric in his rehab starts.
letitbelowenstein
In spite of only being the 947th most common surname in America, there have been five “Rasmussen”s in MLB. So you guys know what to name your next child.
Hammerin' Hank
I remember Harry. I believe he was a pitcher for the Cards in the 1970’s.
sufferforsnakes
If the Diamondbacks have to bring up a catcher, please please please let it be Del Castillo. They need to see if his bat plays at the highest level.
TAKERDBACKS
Listen I am the biggest dbacks fan there is and losing moreno is the hardest thing as you know. We need a great defender and a great catch framer. Its not just about hitting. Moreno doesn’t hit 30 hrs but his approach amd game calling is the best. No surprise when he was out last year we lost 15 in a row.
sufferforsnakes
Herrera is the defense guy, and Del Castillo can be the offensive complement to that. Don’t see the problem with that.
CleaverGreene
Do they play at the same time? I see a problem with that.
sufferforsnakes
Uh, you’ve heard of the DH, right?
solaris602
Hey, Andrew Knizner is suddenly available. If nothing else AZ would break the hearts of Cards fans everywhere who have pined for a reunion since the day he left STL.
draker
The link is to the wrong José Herrera. Apparently there are two.
TAKERDBACKS
My dbacks can’t catch a break! the amount of injuries they have had. Nothing worse then moreno. If you follow arizona you know he is the glue for this team. Marte is amazing but moreno can do everything. Arizona success this year is incredible after they lost 4 starters.
MickeyTheMod
Muted for whining about injuries.
James Midway
Angels on line 1.
desertdawg
Injuries happen, you need to overcome and adapt. No one is going to replace Moreno, yes, he is an all-around good young catcher, but the best hope is Herrera not whoever comes in as a backup until Moreno comes back. Herrera calls a good game, his bat sup par. But if he can keep the pitching staff together when he is behind the plate it will be ok. I think Lavello will use whoever the backup is the same as if Moreno is there, where now Herrera gets the most starts and the backup plays every day after night game or if Herrera catch 5 or 6 straight. Just keep the faith D’Back fans something special is happening with this team, they are definitely pulling the rope from one side.
Old York
Always nice to see a guy make his 2024 debut. Welcome to the Bigs, again!
Rsox
Not mentioned (but should be) was the Chicago White Sox tying the 1988 Baltimore Orioles American League record with their 21st consecutive loss in Oakland last night. They can set a new AL record tonight and could tie the MLB record tomorrow before returning home to face the Cubs with the chance at setting a new all-time record
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
That has received plenty of play on other channels, they don’t have to be shoving White Sox fans face in it here too.
jbigz12
White Sox fans were briefly the most annoying posters on MLBTR when they had that extremely brief (regular season) success. Let em eat it!