The Opener

On the heels of an early-morning trade report, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Pitchers’ duel in Minnesota:

Two of the AL’s second-place teams will be sending front-of-the-rotation starters to the mound in Minneapolis today, as Twins ace Pablo Lopez takes the mound against young Mariners star Logan Gilbert. The 28-year-old Lopez has struggled a bit in terms of run prevention through seven starts this year, as his 4.30 ERA is actually just below league average by measure of ERA+. That being said, the right-hander’s peripherals are as strong as ever. He’s struck out an excellent 30.2% of batters faced this season while walking just 5.4%, giving him a strong 3.48 FIP with even better expected numbers.

Twins fans are surely hoping that Lopez’s results start catching up to his peripherals today, as Gilbert has been among the very best in baseball at stifling opposing offenses this year. Through seven starts, Gilbert sports an AL-best 1.69 ERA in 48 innings of work with a 3.24 FIP. Some of Gilbert’s run-prevention can surely be attributed to a microscopic .183 BABIP, but the right-hander has still struck out an impressive 28.2% of batters faced against a 7.3% walk rate. The two aces will clash at Target Field this afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 12:10pm local time.

2. Drury headed to the IL?

Angels infielder Brandon Drury may be poised for a trip to the injured list today. The 31-year-old was pulled from yesterday’s game in the sixth inning due to tightness in his left hamstring, and after the game told reporters (including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register) that while he was going to be evaluated further today he wasn’t “feeling very good” in the aftermath of his departure. A trip to the IL could allow Drury time not only to heal, but to try and rediscover his 2023 form. While the infielder clubbed 26 homers in 125 games with the Angels last year, he’s hit just .173 with minimal power so far this season. It seems likely that infielder Luis Guillorme, reportedly acquired from the Braves this morning, would replace Drury on the club’s roster in the event that he requires a trip to the shelf.

3. Rodriguez awaiting MRI results:

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez underwent an MRI yesterday afternoon, GM Mike Hazen told AZSports yesterday. Rodriguez has yet to make his Diamondbacks debut, having instead spent the entire season to this point on the injured list nursing a strained lat. That could be set to change soon, however, as Hazen indicated that with favorable results on the MRI, the lefty will be cleared to start a throwing program.

Coming off an excellent 2023 season where he pitched to a 3.30 ERA and 3.66 FIP in 26 starts with the Tigers, Rodriguez would provide a boost to the reigning NL champions, who have struggled to a 17-20 record and have fallen into third place in the NL West, eight games behind the Dodgers for the division crown. Arizona has relied on young arms such as Slade Cecconi and Ryne Nelson in the rotation amid Rodriguez’s absence.

With more than 20% of the 2024 season in the books, here are four things we’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the day today:

1. Pepiot to the IL?

Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot was struck in the leg by a pitch during the third inning of his start against the Mets over the weekend, and while both initial x-rays were negative and a follow-up CT scan did not reveal a fracture, manager Kevin Cash told reporters (including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times) last night that the right-hander is still likely to require a trip to the injured list. It’s an unfortunate turn of events for the Rays, as Pepiot had carried a strong 3.12 ERA and 3.32 FIP into his abbreviated start over the weekend and had established himself as a reliable arm in the club’s rotation since joining the Rays in the Tyler Glasnow trade this past winter.

Left-hander Jacob Lopez is the only pitcher on the 40-man roster to be drawing starts at the Triple- A level, but he’s struggled badly in both the major and minor leagues this season. If the club doesn’t want to insert Lopez into the rotation while Pepiot is out, former top prospect Brendan McKay could be an option after performing excellently across five starts at the Double-A level this season. Of course, the Rays could also simply rely on their bullpen to cover the innings lost from Pepiot’s injury, as they frequently have in the past when short on starting pitching.

2. Thomas to undergo MRI:

Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas “felt a little something” in his hamstring over the weekend and took Monday off to try and avoid the issue worsening, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters (including MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert), but upon returning to baseball activity yesterday Thomas still didn’t feel completely normal. As a result, Arizona brass decided to send the 24-year-old for an MRI to further evaluate the situation. Thomas appeared in just four games this season before going on the injured list at the end of March due to a strained hamstring.

While Corbin Carroll has performed well defensively in center field and Jake McCarthy has hit well in Thomas’s stead, a notable setback would still be a costly hit to the team’s depth. A delayed return from Thomas, who’s played just four games this season, puts off a tricky decision on how to handle the outfield mix going forward. Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. entered the season as the clear starters at the outfield corners but both have struggled to this point — Gurriel has faded after a blistering start — while McCarthy has excelled despite opening the season in a bench role.

3. Red Sox to shuffle roster:

A handful of roster moves are expected for the Red Sox later today, headlined by the return of right-hander Nick Pivetta from the injured list. Also returning from the injured list is utility infielder Romy Gonzalez, with righty Naoyuki Uwasawa headed to Triple-A and infielder Zack Short poised to be designated for assignment in the corresponding moves.

Pivetta’s return to the rotation comes as the Red Sox are set to face longtime ace Chris Sale in Atlanta for the first time since he was swapped to the Braves in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom. While Grissom has only just returned from the injured list after being sidelined by groin and hamstring issues to this point in the season, Sale has enjoyed a renaissance with the Braves as he’s posted a solid 3.44 ERA with an even better 3.01 FIP across six starts. He’ll toe the rubber opposite Pivetta at 7:20pm local time this evening.

4. MLBTR Chat Today:

The 2024 season is now in full swing, and two teams recently got a head start on trade season with the Luis Arraez trade. If you have questions regarding your favorite club’s start to the campaign, or perhaps questions that look ahead to this summer’s trade deadline and the 2024-25 offseason, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a live chat with readers today at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.

As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Pitchers’ Duel in Atlanta:

Just two weeks after Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford faced off against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga in an early-season pitcher’s duel that pitted the then-best righty and lefty in baseball by ERA against each other in Boston, Crawford will again take the mound opposite one of the other best starting pitchers in the league to this point in the young 2024 season: Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez. Crawford sports an excellent 1.56 ERA with a 2.52 FIP and a 24.2% strikeout rate through seven starts this season. Those figures are very similar to those posted by Lopez in five starts this season: a 1.50 ERA, 2.94 FIP and 27% strikeout rate.

Those hot starts have left Crawford as the fifth-best starter in baseball by ERA with at least 30 innings of work this season, while Lopez ranks fourth. The strong results early in the season are all the more impressive given the fact that neither hurler was starting games this time last year; Lopez had pitched almost exclusively in relief over the past two seasons before being stretched out by Atlanta this winter, while Crawford was bumped to the bullpen in early April of last year and did not return to the Boston rotation until June. The two righties are set to face off this at 7:20pm local time this evening in Atlanta.

2. Series Preview: Astros @ Yankees

A three-game set featuring one of the more heated inter-division rivalries in recent years is set to kick off at 7:05pm local time in the Bronx this evening as the Yankees host the Astros. The look of the rivalry is very different six weeks into the regular season than it was in 2023, however. Last season saw the Astros capture their sixth-consecutive full-season AL West crown and make their seventh-consecutive trip to the ALCS as the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time since 2016, but this year the Astros have struggled badly in the early going while the Yankees have gotten off to a strong start on the back of offseason addition Juan Soto.

That’s left the Astros (12-22) with a nearly mirror opposite record to the surging Yankees (23-13) headed into this week’s series. It’s an important series for both clubs, with Houston desperate to make up ground in the AL West and avoid falling even further out of the playoff picture while the Yankees sit just one game back of the AL East-leading Orioles. Tonight’s game will see the Astros send future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander (2.08 ERA in 2024) to the mound opposite Yankees righty Luis Gil (3.19 ERA). Gil will be followed by left-hander Carlos Rodon (3.68 ERA) on the mound for New York tomorrow, while the Astros figure to counter with youngster Spencer Arrighetti (8.27 ERA). Right-handers Ronel Blanco (2.09 ERA) and Marcus Stroman (3.41 ERA) will finish off the series for the Astros and Yankees respectively on Thursday.

3. Recent veterans who’ve opted out:

First baseman Mike Ford, left-hander Chasen Shreve and right-hander Mychal Givens opted out of their respective minor league deals with the Reds, with the Rangers and with the Marlins last week.

Ford, in particular, has had a massive start to the season in Triple-A, hitting .297/.381/.538 with six homers in 105 plate appearances. That followed a huge spring training performance in which he hit .455/.486/.727 in 35 trips to the plate. Shreve posted a 2.61 ERA in 10 1/3 Triple-A frames and posted a 4.63 ERA in 44 1/3 big league innings last year. He’s worked to a career 3.97 ERA in 356 MLB frames. Givens was tagged for 10 runs in 11 1/3 innings with the Marlins’ top affiliate, but half of those came in his first appearance of the season after signing late in spring training. Knee and shoulder injuries limited him to four innings last year, but he has a lengthy track record as a successful late-inning arm. Any of the three could help out a big league club and should come off the board again before long.

With 20% of the 2024 regular 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. Prospect promotions incoming:

The Guardians plan to select the contract of first baseman Kyle Manzardo prior to today’s game against the Tigers this evening. Cleveland will need to make room on both its active and 40-man rosters to accommodate the addition of Manzardo, though the former will be accomplished by the club’s expected placement of outfielder Steven Kwan on the 10-day IL. Also reportedly receiving the bump to the majors today is Giants right-hander Mason Black. He too will require corresponding moves on both the 40-man and active rosters before this afternoon’s game against the Phillies.

Acquired from the Rays at last year’s trade deadline in exchange for Aaron Civale, the 23-year-old Manzardo is a consensus top-100 talent with little left to prove in the minor leagues, slashing an incredible .303/.375/.642 in 128 trips to the plate at the Triple-A level this year. A full-time first baseman, Manzardo’s defensive limitations leave him likely to handle either first or DH alongside Josh Naylor, with Estevan Florial moving to occupy left field in Kwan’s absence. As for Black, he appears poised to step into the San Francisco rotation after the club lost left-hander Blake Snell to the injured list and received a combined 4 2/3 innings from starting pitchers Keaton Winn and Logan Webb over the weekend. Black, a 24-year-old with an excellent 1.01 ERA in six starts at the Triple-A level this season, figures to be tasked with helping to give the club’s bullpen a much-needed breather.

2. Steele to be activated:

Cubs left-hander Justin Steele has been on the injured list since suffering a hamstring strain on Opening Day. Steele made his first All-Star team in 2023, posted a 3.06 ERA (146 ERA+) with a 3.02 FIP, and finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting last year. He’d been cruising through 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball at the time of his injury.

The Cubs will need to make a corresponding move to make room for Steele on the active roster prior to the game. Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Javier Assad have all been outstanding in Steele’s absence, and the staff ace’s return should further bolster a starting staff that ranks third in the majors with a 3.13 ERA this year. Steele’s return will also allow the club to move either Hayden Wesneski or Ben Brown to the bullpen, thereby strengthening the relief corps.

3. Could Martin be facing an IL stint?

Veteran right-hander Chris Martin was dominant in his first season with the Red Sox last year, pitching to a sterling 1.05 ERA with a 2.44 FIP in 55 appearances while acting as the primary set-up man for closer Kenley Jansen. Things haven’t gone quite as smoothly for the 37-year-old in his second year with the club, however. While he’s struck out a strong 25% of batters faced, Martin has seen his ERA balloon to 5.11 this season and has made just one appearance since the calendar flipped to May.

Per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, that absence has been due to Martin dealing with “lingering soreness” in his non-throwing shoulder that could ultimately require a trip to the injured list. While an injury in Martin’s left shoulder is certainly not as serious as one in his right would be, Abraham notes that the Red Sox are concerned that the soreness could impact his mechanics and negatively impact his throwing arm down the line. Should Martin require a trip to the shelf, left-hander Bailey Horn is the only relief arm available to come up from the minors currently on the 40-man roster. If the club is willing to clear a 40-man spot, veterans like Lucas Luetge and Joely Rodriguez or a prospect like Luis Guerrero would become available.

As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world heading into the weekend:

1. Series Preview: Brewers @ Cubs

The Brewers and Cubs are at the front of the pack in the NL Central with respective records of 19-11 and 19-13. That one-game gap in the standings means that this weekend’s three-game set between the clubs at Wrigley Field could allow Chicago the opportunity to take the lead over Milwaukee or allow the Brewers to take a more commanding lead in the divisional race.

This afternoon’s game will see youngster Hayden Wesneski (0.87 ERA) make his second start of the season after moving out of a multi-inning relief role to cover for injured rookie Jordan Wicks. Wesneski will take the ball opposite right-hander Joe Ross (5.40 ERA) at 1:20pm local time this afternoon. Saturday’s game will feature Brewers youngster Tobias Myers (4.50 ERA) facing Cubs veteran Jameson Taillon (1.50 ERA). Javier Assad (1.97 ERA) is expected to take the mound for Chicago on Sunday, and Milwaukee has announced staff ace Freddy Peralta (3.21 ERA) as their probable starter for the game amid a five-game suspension for throwing at Rays outfielder Jose Siri. Peralta is currently appealing.

2. Eovaldi to undergo MRI:

The Rangers’ rotation may have been dealt a major blow yesterday when veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi exited his start against the Nationals in the sixth inning due to a bout of right groin tightness. As noted by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that the club is “being cautious” with the 34-year-old, and that he may “need some rest” before returning to the rotation. Grant adds that an MRI has been scheduled for today to determine the severity of Eovaldi’s injury.

Eovaldi has excelled with a 2.61 ERA and a solid 3.55 FIP across seven starts this season. In the event of an IL placement, the Rangers could turn to Jack Leiter or Owen White could take the ball in Eovaldi’s stead, though both former top prospects struggled in cups of coffee at the big league level earlier this season.

3. Mets 40-man move incoming:

The Mets are set to begin a three-game set against the Rays today, and Game 2 of the series tomorrow will mark the big league debut of one of the club’s top pitching prospects. Right-hander Christian Scott has emerged as a consensus top-100 prospect after posting a 3.20 ERA with an excellent 38.3% strikeout rate in five starts at the Triple-A level this year, and he’ll be promoted to the big leagues to take the ball opposite Rays righty Zack Littell (3.27 ERA) on Saturday.

The Mets will need to make corresponding moves to accommodate Scott on both the 40-man and active rosters. The transaction to clear space on the 40-man roster could be telling regarding the timetable of veteran lefty Brooks Raley, who is facing a potentially lengthy absence due to an elbow issue that may ultimately require surgery. If the Mets expect Raley to be out until July, they could transfer him to the 60-day IL to make room for Scott without needing to risk losing a player from the organization.

As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Who will start today for the Orioles?

The Orioles are looking to secure a four-game series win over the Yankees after winning the first two games but dropping Game 3 last night. With the clubs tied for first in the AL East, the division lead is on the line. Baltimore has yet to announce who will take the mound opposite Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodon (2.48 ERA). The most obvious choice would be right-hander Kyle Bradish, who is expected to make his 2024 debut this week after missing the first five weeks of the season with a UCL sprain. The righty enjoyed a breakout 2023 season that saw him post a 2.83 ERA and 3.27 FIP across 30 starts en route to a fourth-place finish in AL Cy Young award voting.

Things could get tricky for the Orioles if Bradish isn’t ready to go yet. Recently activated lefty John Means would be on just three days of rest if he took the ball. The same goes for right-hander Albert Suarez. Left-hander Cole Irvin would be on regular rest, but he’s started just one game on regular rest this season and didn’t make it out of the fifth inning, allowing two runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Twins.

2. Buxton to undergo MRI:

Oft-injured Twins center fielder Byron Buxton could be staring down another trip to the injured list after he was pulled from yesterday’s game against the White Sox due to a bout of knee soreness. As noted by Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune, Buxton is set to undergo an MRI when the Twins return to Minneapolis today according to manager Rocco Baldelli. Buxton suffered the knee injury on an attempted steal of second base.

Buxton has hit .250/.300/.391 for an essentially average 99 wRC+. Even so, he’d be sorely missed by Minnesota in the event he requires a trip to the injured list. After all, his +3 Outs Above Average this season ranks in the 94th percentile per Statcast, making him a valuable player even with a league-average bat. Should Buxton require a trip to the shelf, the Twins would likely turn to Austin Martin in center field. The youngster hit .226/.294/.371 (93 wRC+) in his first taste of big league action earlier this season but was just optioned to Triple-A to make room for Carlos Correa.

3. Matz to undergo MRI:

Buxton isn’t the only player set to undergo imaging today, as The Athletic’s Katie Woo notes that Cardinals lefty Steven Matz is also set to receive an MRI. As noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker, the news regarding Matz comes on the heels of manager Oli Marmol noting that the lefty has been dealing with lower back tightness since a brutal seven-run, 4 1/3 inning start against the Diamondbacks on April 23.

The issue seemingly impacted Matz during his start in Detroit earlier this week, as his velocity was down while he allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings of work on just 73 pitches before being removed from the game. Should Matz require a trip to the IL, the Cardinals could turn to lefty Zack Thompson to round out their rotation as they did while Sonny Gray was on the shelf earlier this season. Another option could be to call up a player on the 40-man roster who has not yet made their MLB debut, such as top prospect Sem Robberse, who’s out to a brilliant start in Triple-A.

As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Article XX(B) opt-out opportunities today:

The most recent collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLBPA included a trio of automatic opt-out dates for certain big league veterans who landed minor league deals over the winter. Today is the second of those three uniform opt-out dates, though the opportunity currently applies to far fewer players than it did the first time around, when more than 30 veterans were eligible to opt out.

This time, just seven players are eligible for the uniform opt-out opportunity: Angels outfielder Jake Marisnick, Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto, Cubs outfielder David Peralta, Rangers right-hander Shane Greene, Red Sox right-hander Michael Fulmer, and Red Sox catcher Roberto Perez. MLBTR’s Anthony Franco took a look at each of those players’ performance this season and the case for them to opt out. Any player in the aforementioned group who decides to remain with his current organization will get their third and final automatic opt-out opportunity a month from today on June 1.

2. Brewers, Rays face potential suspensions:

Things got heated during Milwaukee’s 8-2 victory over Tampa Bay last night when Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta and manager Pat Murphy were both ejected from the game after Peralta hit Rays center fielder Jose Siri with a pitch. Later in the game, the benches cleared when a skirmish broke out between Siri and Brewers right-hander Abner Uribe which included Uribe landing a slap on Siri before the two were separated. Both Uribe and Siri were ejected from the game following the incident, and it appears likely that suspensions for both players could be in the cards later today. Randy Arozarena would likely slide over to center field in Siri’s absence, while a combination of Joel Payamps, Trevor Megill, and Hoby Milner would likely take on late-inning duties with the Brewers while Uribe serves a suspension.

3. Sanchez to undergo MRI:

Before the eventful later innings of the game had gotten starter, veteran catcher Gary Sanchez was removed from the first inning of the Brewers’ game last night with a bout of right hamstring tightness. Murphy told reporters (including Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) after the game that Sanchez will undergo an MRI on his hamstring to determine the severity of the issue. Rosiak also notes that Eric Haase was pulled from last night’s game at the Triple-A level and would likely take the place of Sanchez, who is in a backup role behind All-Star backstop William Contreras with Milwaukee, should he require a trip to the injured list. Sanchez has been a solid source of power off the bench for the Brewers this season but has hit for a low average, slashing .208/.283/.458 with three doubles and three homers in just 53 trips to the plate.

As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Astros, Rockies promoting prospects:

The Astros are off to their worst start in recent memory this season with a 9-19 record. Even though it remains early in the 2024 campaign, it’s becoming more and more difficult to imagine the club returning to the ALCS for a ninth consecutive season without some changes. It’s possible that needed change could be coming today, when first base/outfield prospect Joey Loperfido will reportedly be called up prior to tonight’s game against the Guardians. Loperfido is off to a sizzling start at Triple-A, slashing .287/.393/.713 with a whopping 13 homers in 123 trips to the plate.

Loperfido likely isn’t the only prospect getting the call to the big leagues today. The Rockies are expected to call up top outfield prospect Jordan Beck prior to this evening’s game against the Marlins in Miami. The 23-year-old Beck has gotten off to a hot start of his own with a .307/.405/.594 slash line in 121 trips to the plate and figures to take the roster spot of outfielder Nolan Jones, who is likely to hit the injured list today. Beck will try to provide a spark for a struggling Rockies offense that ranks just bottom three in the majors with a 79 wRC+. Neither Beck nor Loperfido is currently on his club’s 40-man roster, meaning Houston and Colorado will both need to make a corresponding 40-man move to accommodate their incoming youngster.

2. Darvish to be activated:

The Padres are set to activate veteran right-hander Yu Darvish from the injured list to take on the Reds, manager Mike Shildt told reporters (including MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell) last night. Darvish, 37, was placed on the IL two weeks ago due to tightness in his neck following a pair of difficult starts against the Cubs and Dodgers that saw him surrender a combined seven runs on five walks and eight hits in eight innings of work. Despite that pair of rough outings, Darvish has been solid overall this season with a 4.18 ERA and 3.79 FIP in 23 2/3 innings of work that have seen him strike out 21.8% of batters faced. The Padres will need to make a corresponding active roster move to accommodate Darvish’s return. The veteran righty will try to get back on track opposite former teammate Nick Martinez.

3. MLBTR Chat today:

The 2024 season is now in full swing, and some clubs have gotten off to surprisingly strong starts while a handful of others have unexpectedly struggled to open the year. If you have questions regarding your favorite club’s start to the campaign, or perhaps questions that look ahead to this summer’s trade deadline and the 2024-25 offseason, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a live chat with readers today at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.

As the 2024 MLB regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1: Series Preview: Yankees @ Orioles

The top two teams in a crowded AL East division are set to clash for the first time this season in a four-game set that starts tonight. The Orioles host the Yankees at Camden Yards starting at 6:35pm local time, when right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (4.45 ERA) will face fellow righty Clarke Schmidt (3.55 ERA). Dean Kremer (4.61 ERA) and Corbin Burnes (2.55 ERA) are set to take the mound opposite Nestor Cortes (3.50 ERA) and Luis Gil (4.01 ERA), respectively, over the next two days. The Orioles have yet to announce who will face lefty Carlos Rodon (2.48 ERA) in the series finale, but right-hander Kyle Bradish (2.83 ERA in 2023) will likely make his season debut that day.

Baltimore sits just one game back of New York entering play, but the Yankees that have been the hotter team of late. New York took two of three from the Brewers in Milwaukee this weekend, while the Orioles lost two of three to the A’s. In particular, the Yankees enjoyed scorching hot weekends from a trio of key sluggers who had struggled so far in 2024: Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo combined to go 16-for-41 with five homers, one of which was the 300th of Rizzo’s career. Will the Orioles pitching staff, which could be without closer Craig Kimbrel for the time being, be able to cool off the Bronx Bombers?

2. Yoshida exits game with injury:

Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida exited yesterday’s game against the Cubs after jamming his hand on a swing, as noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker. The club had not scheduled imaging on Yoshida’s hand after last night’s game, with Yoshida telling reporters via an interpreter that the current plan is to “just wait and see how it feels” today before determining next steps. If Yoshida were to be forced to take a seat for a few days by the injury, it would be an unfortunate turn of events as the 30-year-old had just begun to heat up after a slow start to the season with a .318/.375/.477 slash line in his last 13 games. Should Yoshida miss time, the club could turn to outfielder Rob Refsnyder or perhaps newly acquired first baseman Garrett Cooper to take the outfielder’s at-bats, which have primarily come as a DH this season.

3. Royals roster move incoming:

The Royals are off to a 17-12 start that has them just 2.5 games back of the Guardians for the AL Central lead. Kansas City’s rotation of Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, Alec Marsh, and Brady Singer has combined for a 2.98 ERA that ranks third in the majors. With Marsh having been placed on the injured list last week, however, the club will need to turn to a new arm to take the ball against the Blue Jays in Toronto today.

Per Jaylon T. Thompson of the Kansas City Star, that fresh arm will be right-hander Jonathan Bowlan. Bowlan made his MLB debut last year and has just three innings of big league experience under his belt. He’s impressed this season with a 2.57 ERA and a 25% strikeout rate through four Triple-A starts and will look to continue that momentum in the majors opposite righty Yariel Rodriguez this evening. Bowlan is already on the 40-man roster, but the Royals will need to make an active roster move before tonight’s game to accommodate the addition of the righty.

As the 2024 season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:

1. Martinez to debut:

The Mets are expected to activate veteran slugger J.D. Martinez for his club debut today, as manager Carlos Mendoza indicated earlier this week. The club won’t need to make a 40-man move to accommodate Martinez but will need to clear space on the active roster prior to tonight’s game against the Cardinals. Martinez, 36, lingered on the free agent market deep into Spring Training but ultimately landed in Queens on a one-year deal just before Opening Day.

Despite that relatively modest contract, Martinez was among the most fearsome hitters available in free agency this winter. A six-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger award winner, the veteran has a .293/.359/.550 slash line since he first joined the Tigers more than a decade ago. The 2023 season saw Martinez revamp his swing to prioritize power over contact, and it resulted in him slugging .572 with 33 homers in just 113 games for the Dodgers last year. That power production should allow Martinez to transform a Mets lineup that offers little in the way of slugging outside of first baseman Pete Alonso.

2. Early season pitchers’ duel in Boston:

The Cubs are set to open a three-game set against the Red Sox in Fenway Park at 7:10pm local time this evening, and two of the league’s best performers to this point in the 2024 campaign are set to face off on the mound. Boston is set start Kutter Crawford, whose 0.66 ERA in 27 1/3 innings of work this season is the lowest among all right-handed starters in the majors (min. 20 innings). Meanwhile, Chicago will counter with offseason addition Shota Imanaga, whose 0.84 ERA in 21 1/3 frames is the lowest among all lefty starters with that same qualifier this season. While each hurler’s start to the 2024 season has been surprisingly dominant, both appear to have mostly earned that strong production to this point in the season; Imanaga’s 2.06 FIP leads all starters, while Crawford’s 2.26 figure is only bested by Tanner Houck among righty starters.

3. Rizzo approaching milestone:

Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo has struggled somewhat early in the 2024 campaign, slashing just .242/.312/.354 in 109 trips to the plate. He’s heated up in recent days, however, slashing .294/.333/.647 with two home runs in his past five games. In addition to bringing his season line closer to league average, Rizzo’s pair of long balls have put a notable milestone in sight. With 298 homers now under his belt, just two more will make him the 161st member of the 300 home run club in MLB history.

With the Yankees headed to Miller Park for a three-game set against the Brewers this weekend, Rizzo could be in prime position to reach the milestone in the coming days. The 34-year-old slugger is plenty familiar with the Brewers’ ballpark from ten seasons with their division-rival Cubs and is a career .243/.319/.482 hitter with 17 homers in 314 trips to the plate in his time hitting in Milwaukee. In addition to his solid track record against the Brewers, Rizzo will benefit from park factors this weekend: Miller Park has the fifth-most homer-friendly ballpark in the majors for left-handed batters in recent years per Statcast, just behind Rizzo’s home ballpark of Yankee Stadium.