9-5 Baseball Update - 3/15/2021
Teams are preparing their opening day rosters, Strasburg injures his calf, a TWENTY-TWO pitch at-bat, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 15th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the weekend.
This update is a long one and will likely get clipped in e-mail, but you should be able to click “view entire message” to get the full post or just click here.
The Most Important Thing
Yep, that’s right. A 22-pitch at bat yesterday for Mets 2B Luis Guillorme.
Everything Else
Sunday Recaps
Transactions
Many of these moves are just roster cleanup as teams prepare their opening day rosters, but we’ll present them nonetheless. If a team made a multitude of cuts, the full list can be found in the link (to save us both some time.)
3B Maikel Franco will sign with the Orioles, per Jon Heyman. Franco spent last season in Kansas City after playing his first six season with the Phillies. He’s a career .252/.304/.433 hitter. He did not miss a game last season.
RHP Trevor Cahill’s deal with the Pirates is now official. One year, $1.5 million. To make room for Cahill, RHP Blake Cederline was placed on the 60-day IL. Cederline is dealing with a right elbow injury.
The Indians traded INF Mike Freeman to the Reds for cash considerations.
The Reds signed RHP Nick Howard to a minor league deal. Howard was a 1st round pick in 2014 who has not climbed above double-A.
The Reds claimed RHP Carson Fulmer off waivers from the Pirates. Fulmer has a career 6.34 ERA over 105 IP.
The Cubs returned RHP Gray Fenter to the Orioles. The Cubs had selected Fenter as a rule 5 pick.
The Phillies optioned LHP Kyle Dohy, LHP Bailey Falter, LHP Damon Jones, RHP Mauricio Llovera, RHP Adonis Medina, RHP Francisco Morales and OF Simón Muzziotti to the team’s alternate site.
The Rockies optioned RHP Tommy Doyle, INF Elehuris Montero and LHP Helcris Olivarez and reassigned RHP Julian Fernández, C Max George and RHP Heath Holder to minor league camp.
The Indians optioned RHPs Carlos Vargas, Eli Morgan, JC Mejía, 3B Nolan Jones, SS Gabriel Arias, SS Ernie Clement, LHP Sam Hentges and LHP Scott Moss and reaassigned OF Billy Hamilton, 3B Gavin Collins and Kyle Dowdy to minor league camp.
The Diamondbacks optioned RHPs Jeremy Beasley, Humberto Castellanos, Luis Frías, Humberto Mejía, and INF Andrew Young and reassigned LHP Tyler Gilbert, RHP Josh Green, RHP Matt Peacock, LHP Sam Moll and C Jamie Ritchie to minor league camp.
The Twins optioned RHPs Jordan Balazovic, Dakota Chalmers, Jhoan Duran and Bailey Ober to the team’s alternate site and reassigned LHP Danny Coulombe and RHP Ian Gibaut to minor league camp.
The Astros optioned RHPs Forrest Whitley and Nivaldo Rodriguez and reassigned RHPs Alex Santos and Riley Farrell to minor league camp.
The Yankees reassigned RHP Addison Russ and RHP Reggie McClain to minor league camp.
The Orioles optioned RHP Michael Baumann, RHP Isaac Mattson, LHP Zac Lowther and LHP Alexander Wells to the alternate site and reassigned RHP Evan Phillips to minor league camp.
The Royals optioned Daniel Tillo and Angel Zerpa and reassigned LHP Eric Skoglund.
The Nationals had many options and reassignments.
The Cardinals had many options and reassignments.
The Red Sox had many options and reassignments.
The Reds had many options and reassignments.
The Braves had many options and reassignments.
The Rangers had many options and reassignments.
Injuries/Chatter
Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg left his start against the Astros early on Sunday after straining his plantaris muscle in his left calf. Strasburg told reporters that it is “nothing major” and it will not require any long-term recovery. He’s day-to-day.
Reds RHP Sonny Gray was scratched from yesterday’s start due to a mid-back injury. He’s expected to miss the first week of the season, says Bobby Nightengale.
Giants OF Luis Alexander Basabe will be 6-8 weeks with a wrist sprain.
LHP Clayton Kershaw will be the Dodgers’ opening day starter.
RHP Shane Bieber will be the opening day starter for Cleveland.
RHP Zack Greinke will be the opening day starter for Houston.
RHP Kenta Maeda will be the opening day starter for Minnesota.
Mariners LHP Roenis Elias has a serious issue with his left elbow/forearm, relays Corey Brock. He’s talking to multiple doctors about what to do next.
Red RHP TJ Antone felt a tweak in his groin before yesterday’s start, but he expects to be find and should be ready for the season.
Red Sox INF prospect Jeter Downs left yesterday’s game with left side soreness. Chris Cotillo relays that manager Alex Cora does not think it is serious.
Notes from Brewers manager Craig Counsell: OF Derek Fisher will miss some time with a hamstring strain; RHP Adrian Houser right thumb injury is “more like a cramp.” He should be ready for the beginning of the season; RHP Ray Black will be back by the end of the week; RHP Thomas Jankins is shut down with a flexor strain; RHP Zack Brown is shut down with shoulder fatigue; OF Lorenzo Cain should get game action by the weekend; An MRI revealed that 2B Mark Mathias’ shoulder injury is serious.
Notes from Rockies manager Bud Black: RHP Daniel Bard will be the team’s closer this season; the training staff is encouraged by the right hamstring of 2B Brendan Rogers after he strained it on Saturday.
A’s RHP Trevor Rosenthal threw a bullpen session yesterday, relays Martin Gallegos. He'll get two days off and his next appearance will come in a Cactus League game.
Notes from Pirates manager Derek Shelton relayed by Mike Persak: OF Anthony Alford performed “baseball activities” today; C Tony Wolters is fine after being hit by a pitch Saturday.
Notes from Nationals manager Dave Martinez: LHP Jon Lester and RHP Tanner Rainey both threw live batting practice on Sunday and both looked good. The team may give Lester a little more time at the beginning of the season to prepare. Rainey is dealing with a minor muscle strain by his right collarbone; RHP Aaron Barrett underwent surgery on his right knee last week.
Rays OF Brett Phillips left Sunday’s game against the Braves early after tweaking his hamstring.
Phillies RHP Connor Brogdon was pulled from yesterday’s game but manager Joe Girardi says he’s fine. Girardi told reporters Brogdon had a rib “kind of get out” (whatever that means.)
Cubs INF Nico Hoerner was scratched from yesterday’s lineup against the Angels with lower back tightness.
Indians manager Terry Francona seemed to indicate Andrés Giménez will be the team’s opening day SS.
Padres C Austin Nola has a fractured middle finger, manager Jayce Tingler says.
Mets RHP Carlos Carrasco told reporters he’d be ready for his first turn in the rotation to begin the season.
White Sox C Yasmani Grandal says he’s “not going to rush it” when asked if he’d be ready to start the season. Grandal injured his knee in a spring training drill at the start of camp.
Notes from Rays manager Kevin Cash: 1B Ji-Man Choi will be shut down 7-10 days due to right knee inflammation.
Notes from A’s manager Bob Melvin: RHP Mike Fiers may not be ready for the season due to a hip injury. He’s having an MRI today; LHP AJ Puk would be the top option to fill the rotation spot if Fiers is not ready to begin the season.
Posts With Your Toast
Blue Jays RHP prospect Alek Manoah flashed massive potential in 3 no-hit innings yesterday, writes Arden Zwelling.
Tony La Russa is leaning toward using Yoan Moncada in the middle of the lineup, relays Daryl Van Schouwen.
Kyle Newman believes the Rockies’ slim chance of contention rests solely upon the starting rotation.
C Salvardo Perez is thriving in a dual role as competitor and teacher, writes Lynn Worthy.
With the DH back in the NL, Thomas Harrigan gives his top pitchers to watch hit this season.
Dan Szymborski lists his pitching candidates with bust potential.
Podcast Recommendation
Effectively Wild previews the White Sox and Diamondbacks.
Random Baseball Rewind
God bless and good day!
If you like what we’re doing here, please tell your friends!