Daily Baseball Update - 3/23/2021
In baseball the last 24 hours: teams continue to trip their roster, Pujols exits with an injury, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 23rd, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 24 hours.
9 days until Opening Day! We will focus more on the things that happen on the field when the games actually matter. We’re getting close.
The Most Important Thing
Trevor Bauer’s outing yesterday: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 5 SO, 3 HR.
Everything Else
Monday Recaps
Transactions
The Athletics re-assigned INF Jacob Wilson to minor league camp.
The White Sox announced several roster moves, including optioning RHP Reynaldo Lopez to the team’s alternate site. Optioning Lopez appears to indicate LHP Carlos Rodon will be the team’s fifth starter, notes Vinnie Duber.
The Pirates announced several roster moves.
The Rangers outrighted RHP Joe Gatto to Triple-A Round Rock.
The Rockies announced several roster moves.
The Royals re-assigned RHP Jackson Kowar, LHP Daniel Lynch, INF Bobby Witt Jr. and OF Kyle Isbel to minor league camp.
The Angels optioned several players to Triple-A Salt Lake, including top prospect OF Jo Adell.
The Phillies announced several roster moves.
The Rays announced several roster moves.
The Marlins optioned OF Monte Harrison and 1B Lewin Diaz to Triple-A Jacksonville.
The Mariners announced several roster moves.
Injuries/Chatter
The Mets made an extension offer to OF Michael Conforto, per Jon Heyman. Heyman notes there’s currently not much optimism a deal will get done.
Angels 1B/DH Albert Pujols left yesterday’s game with a left wrist contusion. X-rays were negative and he is considered day to day.
Blue Jays RHP Kirby Yates has been diagnosed with a flexor-pronator strain in his right arm. He’ll miss multiple weeks.
LHP Matthew Boyd will be the opening day starter for the Tigers.
RHP Aaron Nola will be the opening day starter for the Phillies.
Mets 1B/OF Dominic Smith (wrist) returned to the lineup yesterday. He went 0-2.
Yankee LHP Justin Wilson left yesterday’s game early with tightness in his left shoulder.
Tigers RHP Julio Teheran left yesterday’s game due to back tightness.
Maria Guardado relays LHP Alex Wood (back) threw a bullpen session yesterday and will advance to live BP later in the week.
White Sox OF Adam Engel (hamstring) is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.
Notes from Phillies manager Joe Girardi: C JT Realmuto could make his Grapefruit League debut as early as today; OF Adam Haseley (groin) could play within the next few days; RHP Zach Eflin (back) has made good progress and should get the third start of the regular season.
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen was scratched from yesterday’s start due to right lateral forearm soreness.
Angels 2B Franklin Barreto (elbow) will be shut down 4-6 weeks.
Notes from A’s manager Bob Melvin: OF Ramon Laureano will take some more sim game ABs before getting into a game with today and tomorrow a possibility; OF Stephen Piscotty (wrist) should play today.
Posts With Your Toast
Zach Meisel on the many questions at the center of the Cleveland Indians’ messy CF situation.
The free agent fear of SS Javy Baez is being hated by Cubs fans, writes Gordon Wittenmyer.
The Marlins 2B race is likely to go down to the wire, says Christina De Nicola.
Colin Martin writes Jameson Taillon is excited to have the Yankee lineup supporting him.
Joe Posnanski believes it’s time for the White Sox to assume the mantel in the American League.
Cristian Pache’s playmaking could win him the CF job, says Mark Bowman.
Podcast Recommendation
Baseball by the Book chats with author Dave Jordan about his book “Cobra,” the autobiography he co-wrote with Dave Parker.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
A college pitcher’s dream at-bat against the Yankees.
God bless and good day!
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