Slow news day, but still some stuff to talk about.
Weather Issues
There is an “extreme thunderstorm watch” in effect for Kansas City, so the Blue Jays/Royals game is in doubt.
What’s Happening
Yasiel Puig has been suspended for two games by Major League Baseball for an incident with Giants backup catcher Nick Hundley that led to a benches clearing “brawl.” Puig will play while he appeals the decision, but expect that he will miss at least one game even if the league decides to shorten the suspension.
Nomar Mazara has been activated off of the DL and is expected to tonight’s lineup. The Rangers been optioned to AAA as the corresponding move. Mazara has had a nice season hitting .272/.332/.450 with 15 home runs in 388 plate appearances for the Rangers and has made some nice strides versus left-handed pitching as well. This year versus lefties, he is hitting .256/.297/. 463 with six homers as opposed to last season when he hit .228/.286/.317 versus southpaws. Willie Calhoun has been a disappointment for fantasy owners. He was one of the top sleeper prospects this season, but only recently made it to the Majors after struggling defensively. Calhoun has a bright future as a hitter in the Majors, but needs to either get better on defense or be the full-time DH.
Adam Jones has reportedly cleared waivers. He is now eligible to be traded, but that seems somewhat unlikely as he allegedly vetoed a trade to send him to Philadelphia. Jones recently bought Cal Ripken’s old home in the Baltimore area, so he may not want to uproot right now.
Blake Snell threw five innings versus the Yankees, striking out six in the outing. Snell has been fantastic this year and should now have quelled any rumors about rust or injury potentially holding him back rest of the season. Snell is a top 10 pitcher ROS.
Tommy Pham came off of the DL today and went 2-for-3 and a walk versus the Yankees. Pham was unable to get much going after the trade to Tampa because he got hurt. However, Pham sports great contact with strength and speed, so he is a guy to buy low on.
Quick Hits
Yusei Kikuchi is expected to be posted by the Seibu Lions. The 27-year-old lefty should come with plenty of fanfare as he is looked as a potential mid rotation starter and potentially even better, depending on the scout you ask.
Charlie Blackmon is not in tonight’s lineup for the Rockies.
Ronald Acuna will play tonight after being hit by a pitch in his last game. The MRI’s and X-rays came back negative.
Matt Carpenter is back in the lineup after being hit by a pitch in last night’s game.