Things That Make You Go “Hmmmm…”
Johnny Cueto will return to the Giants rotation on Thursday versus the Cardinals. Cueto has been out since the beginning of May with an elbow injury, but has progressed well and pitched great in multiple minor league rehab assignments. Derek Holland will be moved to the bullpen as a result of Cueto returning to the Majors. Jeff Samardzija is also scheduled to rejoin the Giants rotation this weekend and will take the place of either Dereck Rodriguez , Chris Stratton , or Andrew Suarez .
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Minnesota Twins are “open to trading their impending free agents.” This would likely include Eduardo Escobar , Brian Dozier , Lance Lynn , and Zach Duke . Joe Mauer is a free agent at the end of the season, but has a full no-trade clause and would likely not waive it, while it is also unlikely he would garner much on the open market anyway. Dozier and Escobar would likely get decent returns for the Twins and would be highly sought after on the trade market.
Robinson Canó is expected to start a minor league assignment at the beginning of August in preparation for the end of his suspension for performance enhancing drugs. Cano’s 80-suspension will officially be up on August 14th, so he would figure to get about two weeks of at bats to ramp up to return to the Mariners. There has been talk within the Mariners organization that Cano will not necessarily play everyday at second base. Dee Gordon has played virtually everyday at second base with Cano on suspension and the Mariners may not want to move him off of the position.
Colby Rasmus has walked away from baseball for the second time in two years. He was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday and will take time away from the team. While it isn’t official retirement, it seems unlikely he will play again at this point.
That Happened?!?
Aaron Hicks blasted his 15th home run of the season, tying his career high in home runs. Hicks is hitting .261/.347/.509, but is hitting .276/.340/.644 with nine home runs over the last 30 days. He has a long history of injury, but plays great defense and as long as he is in the potent Yankees lineup, he is an extremely valuable outfielder.
Shohei Ohtani was activated from the 10-Day DL on Tuesday and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Ohtani is not going to pitch for the time being as he recovers from a partially torn UCL. It is a bit surprising that the Angels are even willing to play Ohtani, even just as a hitter, considering the damage to his elbow. Ohtani is hitting .280/.361/.517 with six home runs in just 133 plate appearances, but he struggles against left handed pitching and has struggled since starting off the year hot at the plate. He is hitting just .243/.349/.419 since May 1st.
Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run home run versus the Nationals on Tuesday. Bogaerts is quietly putting together a really nice season. Through 69 games, he is hitting .276/.341/.504 with 13 home runs and two stolen bases for the Red Sox. Getting to hit in the potent Boston lineup, Bogaerts is showing the last year’s power dip was more fluke than fact.
Shane Bieber pitched six innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and walk versus the Royals. Bieber wasn’t especially sharp early, but after the rough start to pitch four scoreless in the outing. Bieber isn’t overwhelming with his stuff, but has good command and throws a ton of average to above average pitches. Bieber will likely never be a fantasy star, but he has the stuff to be a mid-rotation mainstay.
What We’ll Be Watching Today
Garrett Richards will be reactivated today to start versus the Mariners. Richards has been on the DL since mid-June with a hamstring injury. Considering he only had one rehab start and is facing one of the hottest teams in the Majors right now in Seattle, it might be best to leave him on your bench even though Richards has been great when on the mound this season.
Clayton Holmes versus Max Muncy . Holmes makes his first Major League start for the Pirates. He has been good in AAA this year as a starter, but struggles with control. Muncy crushed two more home runs yesterday versus the Pirates and is sporting an impressive 19% walk rate along with 20 long balls.
Gerrit Cole versus Mike Minor . Cole has been fantastic all season. Minor has been great in his last three starts.
Sean Manaea versus the Padres. Manaea struggled through the month of May, but Manaea has a sub-3 ERA since and the Padres strikeout at the third highest rate in the Major Leagues versus left-handed pitching.
Mark Trumbo versus Aaron Nola . Trumbo has eight home runs in his last 15 games, but faces off against one of the best young pitchers in the game in Aaron Nola .
Fireworks. Freedom. America.
Baseball. Lots of baseball.