Daily Baseball Update - 3/26/2021
In baseball the last 24 hours: Eloy Jimenez is out 5-6 months, Kirby Yates has TJS, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 26th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 24 hours.
6 days until Opening Day!
Apologies for no newsletter Wednesday or Thursday. I was placed on the 2-day IL with a non-COVID illness.
The Most Important Thing
Brutal news for the White Sox, as big-time hitting LF Eloy Jimenez will miss 5-6 months with a ruptured pectoral tendon.
In light of the Jimenez news, manager Tony La Russa is trying out 1B/DH Andrew Vaughn in left field.
Everything Else
Thursday Recaps
Transactions
LHP Wade LeBlanc exercised his minor league deal opt-out, per Dan Connolly. He has been granted free agency but could still potentially return to the Orioles.
RHP Carl Edwards Jr. opted out of his minor league deal with the Braves and is now a free agent, relays Mark Bowman.
LHP Kyle Lobstein will sign a minor league deal with the Nationals, per Jesse Dougherty.
RHPs Ivan Nova and Hector Rondon were released by the Phillies.
The Twins announced several roster moves.
The Astros optioned OF Taylor Jones to the alternate training site and reassigned C Korey Lee and C Michael Papierski to minor league camp.
The Tigers optioned C Jake Rogers and INF Isaac Paredes to Triple-A Toledo.
The Rays announced several roster moves.
The Braves optioned OF Guillermo Heredia to the alternate site and re-assigned INF Ryan Goins to minor league camp.
The Mets released RHP Tommy Hunter.
The Red Sox optioned INF Jonathan Arauz to the team’s alternate site.
Injuries/Chatter
Blue Jays RHP Kirby Yates had Tommy John surgery yesterday and will miss the entire 2021 season.
Rays RHP Nick Anderson has a partial tear of elbow ligament and will likely be out past the all-star break, per Marc Topkin.
LHP Gio Gonzalez has announced his retirement from baseball.
Nationals OF Juan Soto was pulled from yesterday’s game in what sounds like a very minor injury. Mark Zuckerman notes the Nats were likely just being “extremely cautious.”
Red Sox C Christian Vazquez was scratched from Thursday’s lineup with an eye contusion and laceration under his eye after he was hit by a thrown ball during practice.
Twins C Mitch Garver left yesterday’s game with a bruised hand after being hit by a foul tip.
Nationals 2B Starlin Castro has a “very mild strain” in his hamstring, manager Dave Martinez told reporters.
Brewers notes relayed by Adam McCalvy: RHP Freddy Peralta will get the final rotation spot in Milwaukee, RHP Josh Lindblom will begin the season in the bullpen. Full Brewers rotation: Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, Adrian Houser, Brett Anderson, & Peralta.
RHP Yu Darvish will be the opening day starter for the Padres.
RHP Chris Bassitt will be the opening day starter for the A’s.
LHP Max Fried will be the opening day starter for the Braves.
Royals LHP Danny Duffy was hit by a comebacker and exited Thursday’s game, but told FS Kansas City that he’s fine.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that RHP Felix Hernandez (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday that was encouraging.
Reds 2B Max Schrock was scratched from yesterday’s lineup with a hamstring strain.
Grayson Greiner has won the Tigers’ backup catcher job, AJ Hinch told reporters.
Pirates 3B Todd Frazier is back in the Pittsburgh lineup after missing some time with back tightness.
Phillies 3B Alec Brohm left yesterday’s game with left leg tightness.
Astros SS Carlos Correa said he’s prepared to become a free agent as talks with the Astros have stalled.
Posts With Your Toast
Brendan Gawlowski gives team positional rankings in center field.
From Hannah Keyser: NL Central GMs field the tough questions about an underwhelming division.
Michael Lorenzen’s new curve has the Reds’ pitcher feeling confident, writes Doug Gray.
The White Sox don’t feel an urgency to replace Eloy Jimenez with a free agent fix, says Vinnie Duber.
A Dave Eiland tip led to Jacob deGrom’s Mets star turn, writes Mike Puma.
Kyle Newman predicts the five Rockies’ players most likely to have a breakout season.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
Former Yankee and AL President Bobby Brown passed away at the age of 96.
God bless and good day!
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