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Dustin Pedroia Unsure If He’ll Play Again

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The Red Sox shifted injured second baseman Dustin Pedroia to the 60-day IL on Monday after he suffered yet another setback in his problematic left knee. Pedroia met with reporters to discuss his future, revealing he’s unsure if he’ll be able to resume his career.

“I’m at a point right now where I need some time. That’s what my status is,” Pedroia told Rob Bradford of WEEI and other media. Asked if he’ll play again, Pedroia said, “I’m not sure.”

One thing is clear, according to Pedroia: Another surgical procedure is off the table. The 35-year-old has gone under the knife twice dating back to October 2016, but neither knee surgery has helped him stay on the field. Pedroia missed all but three regular-season games during Boston’s World Series-winning campaign in 2018 and has only appeared in six this year.

With it looking as if Pedroia won’t play again in 2019, he’s set to take an “indefinite break” from rehabbing his knee – which he doesn’t believe will ever heal (via Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com).

“Time will go on and I’ll know more about it,” Pedroia said. “I haven’t sat down and thought about retirement. I just know that right now I need a break from the everyday stresses of dealing with what I’m dealing with.”

If we have seen the last of Pedroia on the diamond, it’ll mark the end of a borderline Hall of Fame career. A second-round pick of the Red Sox in 2004, the diminutive Pedroia burst on the scene in 2007, his first full season, en route to AL Rookie of the Year honors. All he has done since then is win an AL MVP (2008), earn four All-Star nods and help the Red Sox to two World Series championships, among other accomplishments. To this point, Pedroia’s a .299/.365/.439 hitter (115 wRC+) with 140 home runs, 138 stolen bases and 51.7 rWAR/46.7 fWAR.

Thanks to the brilliance Pedroia displayed over his first several seasons, the Red Sox signed him to an eight-year, $110MM extension in July of 2013. Including this season’s $15MM salary, he’s still owed $40MM on that deal through 2021. Now, six years after Pedroia inked the first-ever nine-figure pact for a second baseman, his playing career may be over.

Red Sox Activate Brock Holt, Move Dustin Pedroia To 60-Day IL

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The Red Sox have activated infielder Brock Holt from the 10-day injured list and transferred second baseman Dustin Pedroia to the 60-day IL, per a club announcement. The team also optioned left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez to Double-A Portland.

Holt’s back after eye and shoulder injuries caused a nearly two-month absence. Since Holt went to the IL on April 6, the Red Sox have seen rookie Michael Chavis emerge at the former’s main position (second base). However, Chavis will concede the keystone to Holt on Monday and line up at first.

Given his defensive versatility, playing time shouldn’t be hard to come by for Holt. The 30-year-old has seen significant action at several positions during his career, and he also enjoyed one of his most productive offensive seasons in 2018. As part of the franchise’s latest title-winning team, Holt batted .277/.362/.411 (109 wRC+) with seven home runs and steals apiece in 367 plate appearances.

Pedroia’s ongoing left knee issues have made Holt all the more valuable to the Red Sox, who have gone without the former for all but nine games since last season. Pedroia didn’t debut until April 9 this year, and he ended up back on the IL eight days later. The 35-year-old had been rehabbing his knee in the minors, but he suffered a setback on Friday. Now, because the Red Sox shifted him to the 60-day IL, Pedroia won’t be able to return for at least another few weeks. That could prove to be an overly optimistic forecast, though.

Orioles Remove Mychal Givens From Closer’s Role

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Orioles reliever Mychal Givens turned in his fourth straight rough outing Sunday in Colorado, where he walked two of the three batters he faced en route to a blown save. In light of Givens’ issues over the past few days, the Orioles are planning on using him in lower-leverage situations for the time being, manager Brandon Hyde told Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com and other reporters Monday. Hyde did not name a game-ending replacement for Givens.

Givens’ ERA sat at a solid 2.75 on May 17, when he posted his sixth straight scoreless outing. But the number’s now up to 5.56 after a nightmarish stretch in which Givens surrendered eight earned runs on seven hits, including three home runs, and six walks in a mere three innings. Baltimore lost all four of those games, during which Givens suffered a whopping three defeats and recorded a pair of blown saves.

The Orioles are in a rebuild and on pace to finish last in the majors for the second year in a row. As such, it doesn’t really matter who closes for the team. However, it is important for Givens to get back on track. On a club that doesn’t have many trade chips, Givens entered the season as someone who could net the O’s a decent package in a deal.

Cognizant of Givens’ value, the Orioles were reportedly listening to offers for the 29-year-old exactly one month ago. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he generated plenty of interest. After all, the right-hander combined for a 3.12 ERA/3.18 FIP with 10.42 K/9 and 3.36 BB/9 in 260 innings from 2015-18, totaling upward of 70 frames in each of the previous three years. He’s also cheap this season ($2.15MM salary) and under arbitration control through 2021.

Unfortunately for the Orioles and Givens, walks and home runs have plagued him across 22 2/3 innings in 2019. Givens’ BB/9 sits at 5.16 and his HR-to-fly ball rate is a bloated 25 percent. For comparison, he gave up HRs on a meager 8.4 percent of fly balls during his first four seasons. The uptick in dingers has come in spite of a career-best 46.4 percent groundball rate – a marked increase over his usual high-30s mark. Givens is also running personal-best swinging-strike and contact rates (14.4 percent, 69.6 percent), and his expected weighted on-base average against (.306) indicates there has been some poor fortune behind the .354 real wOBA hitters have mustered against him.

While Givens’ season hasn’t been devoid of encouraging signs, it’s obvious he’s going to have overcome his newfound control and gopher ball troubles in order to approach his previous levels. It doesn’t seem Hyde is pushing the panic button, as he said (via Melewski), “I think it’s just a command a confidence issue,” and added the Orioles “need Mike bad.”

Diamondbacks Place Luke Weaver On 10-Day IL

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MONDAY: The Diamondbacks have placed Weaver on the IL, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweets. The team recalled righty Jimmie Sherfy from Triple-A Reno to replace him.

SUNDAY: Diamondbacks right-hander Luke Weaver left today’s start with what the team later described as right forearm tightness.  As MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert notes, TV replays indicated that Weaver was opening and closing his right hand after allowing a Buster Posey single to begin the sixth inning.  Weaver left the game after a visit from the team trainer.  Manager Torey Lovullo was spare with further details, telling Gilbert and other reporters after the game that the team was still “gathering information” about the problem.

While it’s still too early to assess the nature of Weaver’s situation, any forearm problem is obviously of major concern given the specter of Tommy John surgery hanging over such injuries.  Weaver has never faced any notable arm injuries in the past, aside from a fluky fracture of his non-throwing wrist as a minor leaguer in 2016.

Weaver was in the midst of another strong outing today, continuing what has been an impressive first season for the 25-year-old with the D’Backs.  Weaver was arguably the key figure of the trade package (along with Carson Kelly, minor league infielder Andy Young, and a Competitive Balance Round draft pick) sent by the Cardinals to Arizona in the offseason for slugger Paul Goldschmidt, as Weaver is a former top-50 prospect controlled through the 2023 season who had already shown some promise at the big league level.  Through 62 1/3 innings for the Diamondbacks this season, Weaver has delivered on that promise with a 3.03 ERA, and 9.82 K/9 against a 2.02 BB/9.

Losing Weaver for any significant amount of time would be a major blow to a D’Backs team that was keeping pace in the playoff hunt, just a game behind the Braves for the final NL wild card slot and 1.5 games behind Milwaukee for the top wild card slot.  The strong efforts of Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, and Weaver atop Arizona’s rotation has helped cover up a much shakier performance from the last two starting spots, as Merrill Kelly has been inconsistent and the Zack Godley lost his job altogether after some early-season struggles.  Rookie Taylor Clarke has pitched decently well as the fifth starter, and prospect Jon Duplantier could yet get a look in the rotation, though the Diamondbacks’ hopes for a midseason return from Tommy John patient Taijuan Walker were recently dealt a blow with the news that Walker had suffered a sprained shoulder capsule.

Arizona GM Mike Hazen recently said that the team was looking for starting pitching reinforcements, and that search will only intensify if Weaver is out of action.  Given how the D’Backs have been trying to walk the line between staying competitive while also saying goodbye to some big names (i.e. Goldschmidt, and departed free agents Patrick Corbin and A.J. Pollock), a splashy trade for a high-end starter didn’t seem too likely.  The parameters of a starting pitching acquisition could narrow even further if Weaver does need TJ surgery in a worst-case scenario, as losing Weaver for the season could also change the Diamondbacks’ perspective about buying at the trade deadline.  With the Dodgers already out to a healthy lead in the NL West, the D’Backs surely aren’t going to sell the farm just for the coin-flip opportunity of the one-game wild card playoff.

Rockies Place Charlie Blackmon On Injured List

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The Rockies have placed outfielder Charlie Blackmon on the 10-day injured list, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Blackmon hasn’t played since May 23 because of a right calf problem. His roster spot is going to outfielder Yonathan Daza, whom the team called up from Triple-A Albuquerque.

After back-to-back playoff seasons, the Rockies have limped to a 24-27 record this year, but Blackmon hasn’t been part of the problem. As usual, Blackmon has teamed with third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story to comprise the Rockies’ three best hitters. The 32-year-old Blackmon has slashed .300/.356/.565 (126 wRC+) with 10 home runs and the second-best ISO of his career (.265) through 219 plate appearances.

Blackmon aside, the Rockies’ outfield has gotten encouraging production from David Dahl and Raimel Tapia this year. And while Ian Desmond’s numbers leave something to be desired for the third straight season, he has been on fire of late. That trio will have to continue stepping up for however much time Blackmon misses.

Pirates Select Alex McRae, Transfer Corey Dickerson To 60-Day IL

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The Pirates announced that they’ve selected right-hander Alex McRae’s contract from Triple-A Indianapolis. To make 40-man room for McRae, Pittsburgh transferred outfielder Corey Dickerson from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL. The club also optioned reliever Dovydas Neverauskas.

McRae, a 10th-round pick of the Pirates in 2014, debuted in the majors last year with a 6 1/3-inning showing. He struggled during that small sample size, though, and the team outrighted him off its 40-man in December. The 26-year-old McRae also hasn’t been all that effective in Indianapolis, where he has logged a 4.89 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 165 2/3 innings since 2018.

Dickerson went to the 10-day IL on April 4 because of a right posterior shoulder strain. Considering he has already missed almost two months, Monday’s transaction shouldn’t affect Dickerson’s timetable. He just embarked on a rehab assignment May 24.

Cubs Select Jim Adduci

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10:04am: Neither Bryant nor Heyward (sore hip) will start Monday, opening the door for Adduci to line up in right field, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com relays.

9:46am: The Cubs have selected outfielder/infielder Jim Adduci’s contract from Triple-A Iowa, giving them a full 40-man roster, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune tweets. In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned reliever Tim Collins.

This will be the first time in a Chicago uniform for Adduci, whom the team signed to a minors deal over the winter. He previously played in their minor league system from 2007-12.

The 34-year-old didn’t hit much with Iowa this season prior to Monday’s promotion, batting .261/.306/.478 with seven home runs in 147 plate appearances, though he has been hot of late. Adduci will give the Cubs a fourth bench player as they await Kris Bryant’s status. The superstar third baseman/outfielder had to leave the Cubs’ game early on Sunday after colliding with teammate Jason Heyward in the outfield, and it’s unclear whether Bryant will play Monday.

Adduci has spent most of his professional career in the minors, but he did combine for 426 plate appearances with the Rangers and Tigers from 2014-18. However, he only put up a .235/.286/.340 line with five home runs in that span.

Marlins’ Jose Urena Drawing Trade Interest

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With the July 31 trade deadline getting closer and the Marlins in last place in the National League, they’ll have to decide which veterans to jettison from their roster. One of them could be right-hander Jose Urena, who has drawn inquiries from “several teams,” per Marlins reporter Craig Mish.

A member of the Miami organization since 2009, Urena made his major league debut six years later and has turned into a fixture in its starting staff in recent seasons. Dating back to 2017, the first season in which most of his appearances came in the Marlins’ rotation, Urena has logged a team-leading 69 starts and 387 innings. The 27-year-old has pitched to a solid 4.02 ERA (but with a less impressive 4.64 FIP) with 6.37 K/9, 3.02 BB/9 and a 47.5 percent groundball rate since he became a permanent starter for the Marlins.

So far this season, Urena’s numbers look fairly similar to the production he managed over the previous couple years. Even though his 96 mph fastball velocity outdoes most starters’, Urena hasn’t had much success generating strikeouts. Among qualifying starters, Urena ranks fourth last in K/9 (5.98) and 17th from the bottom in swinging-strike rate (8.9 percent). Urena has offset those figures to some degree with the game’s eighth-best groundball percentage (52.4) and an above-average walk rate (2.76), helping him to a passable 4.30 ERA/4.35 FIP in 58 2/3 frames.

Urena clearly isn’t any kind of front-line option, though it does appear he’s a capable back-end starter. There’s value in that, especially considering Urena’s affordable ($3.2MM salary) and controllable. With two seasons of arbitration eligibility remaining, the Marlins don’t have to part with Urena this summer, but Mish reports that the rebuilding club may be open to it.

Astros To Select Jack Mayfield, Place Aledmys Diaz On IL

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The Astros are set to select infielder Jack Mayfield’s contract from Triple-A Round Rock, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports. Mayfield will take the place of fellow infielder Aledmys Diaz, who’s going to the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, and will grab the last open spot on Houston’s 40-man roster.

Mayfield, 28, is finally receiving his first big league call-up six years after joining the Astros as an undrafted free agent in 2013. The former Oklahoma Sooner has seen action at the Triple-A level in each season since 2016, combining for a .262/.320/.452 line with 34 home runs in 970 plate appearances. Mayfield has gotten off to a .283/.362/.572 start with 10 homers in 177 PA this year, which impressed the Astros enough for him to warrant a promotion.

It may be a short-lived Houston stint for Mayfield, who will temporarily fill Diaz’s void as a multi-position infielder. Everyday second baseman Jose Altuve could bump Mayfield off the Astros’ roster when he returns from his own IL stay in the coming days.

Yankees Notes: Keuchel, Paxton, Betances, Judge

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The Yankees sent a top evaluator to watch free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel throw a sim game in Newport Beach, Calif., on Sunday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports. That’s not necessarily an indication Keuchel is destined to land in the Bronx once his months-long trek to the open market ends, though. Watching Keuchel may have simply been a case of the team doing its due diligence, as Boland notes. Regardless, the 31-year-old Keuchel has been throwing sim games roughly every five days in hopes of staying in shape for whichever club signs him. As a result, Keuchel’s “not too far away from where he was at the end of last season,” Bryan Hoch of MLB.com tweets.

  • New York’s rotation is about to benefit from a different established southpaw, James Paxton, who manager Aaron Boone said could come off the injured list Wednesday (via Boland). Paxton has been on the shelf since May 5 with a left knee injury, thus halting a terrific first season in New York. The former Mariner opened 2019 in spectacular fashion before going on the IL, tossing 37 2/3 innings of 3.11 ERA/2.50 FIP ball with 12.42 K/9 against 3.11 BB/9.
  • In further positive news for the Yankees’ pitching staff, reliever Dellin Betances will throw off a mound Monday for the first time in his rehab process, per Boone (via Hoch). Betances hasn’t pitched at all this season because of a bone spur in his right shoulder. With late-game hurlers Adam Ottavino, Zach Britton and Tommy Kahnle bridging the gap to closer Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees’ bullpen has gotten along fine without Betances. But Betances, a four-time All-Star, has long been the club’s go-to setup man and one of the game’s premier relievers. He’ll be a key summer reinforcement for the Yankees if his recovery stays on course.
  • Speaking of reinforcements, right fielder Aaron Judge – out since April 21 – is making progress as he works back from a left oblique strain, Hoch relays. “I’m feeling really good,” Judge told Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network on Sunday. “We’re progressing the way we want to, and it’s a good sign getting a chance to get on the field again and throw a little bit. It feels good to be back — sort of.” The slugger still hasn’t received clearance to swing a bat, but he’s hopeful that will change early this week. Even though Judge is the Yankees’ leading position player, they’ve managed to rip off 24 wins in 32 games without him or fellow injured superstar corner outfielder Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup. Brett Gardner, Clint Frazier, Cameron Maybin and Mike Tauchman (who’s currently in the minors) have held down the fort since Judge and Stanton have been laid up.

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