Daily Baseball Update - 9/18/2021
In baseball: The Mets are courting Billy Beane, Kluber picks up a W against his former team, & more.
Good morning.
It’s September 18th, 2021 and here’s everything going on in the world of baseball.
The Most Important Thing(s)
Very interesting news from Jon Heyman, as reportedly A’s President Bill Beane is being courted by Steve Cohen and the Mets. Beane has had a multitude of opportunities to leave Oakland in the past and has resisted. This one will be interesting.
Everything Else
Friday Recaps
Friday Notables
Joey Gallo, Yankees: 3-4, 2 HR
Corey Kluber of the Yankees, in his first career start against his former team, Cleveland, was very solid: 6 IP, 4 K, 2 BB 4 H, 0 ER
Jarred Kelenic, Mariners: 2-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Luis Castillo, Reds: 6.1 IP, 10 K, 2 BB, 5 H, 0 ER
Dylan Cease, White Sox: 5 IP, 10 K, 2 BB, 4 H, 0 ER
Kevin Gausman, Giants pitcher, had the game-winning sac-fly in San Francisco’s victory over Atlanta.
Standings Update
Today’s Schedule
Transactions
Angels moves: selected the contract of LHP Jhonathan Diaz from Triple-A Salt Lake; activated RHP Jose Marte from the 10-day injured list; placed RHP Junior Guerra on the 10-day injured list; RHP Elvis Peguero returned to Salt Lake.
Astros moves: sent RHP Tyler Ivey on a rehab assignment to FCL Astros; optioned C Garrett Stubbs to Triple-A Sugar Land; activated C Jason Castro from the 10-day injured list.
Braves moves: sent RHP Josh Tomlin on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Cubs moves: activated LHP Adam Morgan from the bereavement list; placed RHP Manuel Rodriguez (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list.
Diamondbacks moves: activated RF Kole Calhoun from the 10-day injured list; placed 1B Seth Beer (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list retroactive to September 15, 2021.
Giants moves: activated 2B Donovan Solano from the 10-day injured list; recalled RHP Jay Jackson from Triple-A Sacramento; placed LHP Jake McGee (oblique) on the 10-day injured list retroactive to September 14, 2021; optioned SS Thairo Estrada to Sacramento.
Indians moves: recalled RHP J.C. Mejia from Triple-A Columbus; optioned LHP Alex Young to Columbus.
Mariners moves: sent 1B Jose Marmolejos outright to Triple-A Tacoma.
Marlins moves: transferred RHP Pablo Lopez from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list; transferred 3B Brian Anderson (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list; placed C Jorge Alfaro (calf) on the 10-day injured list retroactive to September 16, 2021; optioned 2B Isan Diaz to Triple-A Jacksonville; selected the contract of C Payton Henry and C Nick Fortes from Jacksonville.
Mets moves: optioned RHP Jake Reed to Triple-A Syracuse; activated CF Brandon Nimmo from the 10-day injured list; recalled LHP Thomas Szapucki from Syracuse; placed LHP Thomas Szapucki on the 60-day injured list; activated RHP Jordan Yamamoto from the 60-day injured list; optioned RHP Jordan Yamamoto to Syracuse.
Orioles moves: optioned 2B Jahmai Jones to Triple-A Norfolk; recalled RHP Dusten Knight from Norfolk.
Padres moves: optioned RHP Shaun Anderson to Triple-A El Paso; selected the contract of RHP Vince Velasquez from El Paso; designated LHP Nick Ramirez for assignment.
Phillies moves: recalled LHP Damon Jones from Triple-A Lehigh Valley; optioned RHP JD Hammer to Lehigh Valley.
Rangers moves: activated 3B Andy Ibanez from the 10-day injured list; optioned C Yohel Pozo to Triple-A Round Rock.
Red Sox moves: activated LHP Chris Sale from the 10-day injured list; designated RHP Michael Feliz for assignment; activated RHP Matt Barnes from the 10-day injured list; optioned RHP Ryan Brasier to Triple-A Worcester; sent CF Jarren Duran on a rehab assignment to Worcester.
Reds moves: activated LF Jesse Winker from the 10-day injured list; placed CF Tyler Naquin (ribs) on the 10-day injured list retroactive to September 14, 2021; released RHP Brad Brach.
Royals moves: placed RHP Brady Singer on the 10-day injured list; selected the contract of RHP Jon Heasley from Double-A Northwest Arkansas; activated CF Michael Taylor; optioned CF Edward Olivares to Omaha; sent C Cam Gallagher on a rehab assignment to Omaha.
Twins moves: sent C Mitch Garver on a rehab assignment to Triple-A St. Paul; selected the contract of RHP Nick Vincent from St. Paul; optioned LHP Andrew Albers to St. Paul.
Yankees moves: placed RHP Sal Romano on the 10-day injured list retroactive to September 15, 2021; recalled RHP Clarke Schmidt from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Injuries/Chatter
Good news: Shohei Ohtani isn’t done pitching this season, after all. He’ll be on the mound for the Angels Sunday against Oakland.
MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to extend Braves OF Marcell Ozuna’s administrative leave through Sept. 24th, David O’Brien reported. Ozuna is facing domestic violence charges.
MLB will require non-playing personnel (managers, coaches, athletic trainers, etc.) to be vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to gain access to field and other restricted areas in postseason, per Ken Rosenthal.
The Royals announced that Gene Watson has returned to the team as VP/Assitant GM of major league scouting, relays Alec Lewis.
Dodgers INF Gavin Lux was hit by a pitching machine in the forearm and will be out this weeknd, manager Dave Roberts said. X-rays were negative.
Reds OF Jesse Winker, in his first appearance after coming off the IL, was removed from last night’s game after being hit by a pitch.
RHP Brad Keller has officially been shut down for the rest of this season, Royals manager Mike Matheny announced.
Rays SS Wander Franco is not expected to need more time off when he returns from the IL on 9/21, manager Kevin Cash said. Great news. America needs Wander at 100% for the playoffs.
Rangers LHP John King underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. INF Sherten Apostel had surgery to repair knee cartilage. Both players are expected to be ready for next year’s Spring Training.
Posts With Your Toast
Attrition is catching up to Oakland’s bullpen and their playoff odds, opines Owen McGrattan.
Thomas Harrigan explains how the Cardinals got back in the playoff race.
Random Baseball Rewind
I am an avid reader, and usually anti-audiobook, but if you’re going to listen to a baseball audiobook, The Glory of Their Times is the one to choose. Here’s author Lawrence Ritter’s interview from the book with Smoky Joe Wood. Take the time for this one if you can:
Foul Tips
Despite having the best batting average in baseball, Starling Marte won’t win the batting title. Sarah Langs explains.
God bless and good day!!
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