Here is some of the biggest news stories in Major League Baseball:
Josh Donaldson Put On Disabled List After Acquisition
In an expected, yet interesting development, Josh Donaldson has been put on the 10-day disabled list. Acquired by the Cleveland Indians in an August deal, Donaldson has yet to play a game for the Tribe. What is interesting is technically to be traded in August you are supposed to be able to show health before being put on the waiver wire.
Still, this did not blindside the Indians as they knew that he would likely need more time on a rehab assignment before coming up. If the first game was any indication, though, Donaldson might be getting close as he hit a grand slam in his first game for the Indians’ minor league affiliate.
Still, if he can get healthy and return to form, Donaldson could be a game changer for a team that all of the sudden has a potent lineup that could feature Donaldson, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Michael Brantley and Edwin Encarnacion. It is going to be an exciting next couple months.
Francisco Mejia Promoted To Major League Club
One of the more surprising trades of the season came from the Cleveland Indians when, seemingly out of nowhere, they acquired relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from the San Diego Padres for catcher Francisco Mejia. While the Indians have been enjoying the fruits of this trade, it sounds like the Padres will finally get an opportunity as well.
Since being traded to the Padres, he has hit .328/.364/.582 with 8 doubles, a triple, and 7 home runs for the Padres Triple-A affiliate. Now, he will get the opportunity to show what he has with the big club as it was reported he was being promoted on Tuesday.
Long seen as a catcher, he will likely get time both catching and in the outfield for the Padres. Regardless, touted as one of the top prospects in the game, the Padres are hoping that he shows that the trade was a good one for them.
Prospects To Have To Wait One More Season
Let’s be honest, it happens every year. Every year there are players who have proven everything they need to in the minors, yet their respective teams choose to keep them in the minors. This is particularly true of teams that are not in the playoff races, something the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are proving again this year.
Eloy Jimenez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are feeling the effects this year. Both have had great years this year. Jimenez is hitting .337/.384/.577 with a .961 OPS this year. He has 22 home runs, 75 runs batted in and 64 runs scored. For Guerrero Jr., he is hitting .381/.437/.636 with a 1.073 OPS. He has 20 home runs, 78 runs batted in and 67 runs in the Blue Jays system.
Despite the excitement surrounding these players, it all comes down to service time. By waiting until a few weeks into next season, these organizations will get these players for an entire extra year. It is not necessarily fair to the players, but it is what was collectively bargained. As a fan, it is a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, you want to see these players as soon as possible but, on the other, it is nice to have these players in your organization as long as possible.
Again, this generally happens with teams not in contention. For those that are in contention, sometimes they will bring up the best players possible, regardless of service time. One example of this is the Houston Astros, who brought up prized prospect Kyle Tucker to try to see if he could help the big club as they pursue a repeat of last year. Regardless, while they may be talented enough to play now, these types of prospects will have to wait until next season.
NL West Should Be Fun To Watch In September
1.5 games. Coming into Tuesday night, 1.5 games is all that separates three teams in the NL West. The Colorado Rockies are in first, with the Los Angeles Dodgers a half game back and the Diamondbacks 1.5 games back. While that is already exciting, the best is yet to come. All three teams play each other in September….a lot. The Rockies alone play the Dodgers and Diamondbacks a combined 13 more times in the month of September. All that means is that in a divisional race that is already tight and exciting, anything can happen over the next month.
Playoff Contenders Getting Healthy
The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros both have a lot to be happy about. They are the last two World Series winners. They both are leading their divisions. The Cubs have the best record in the National League while the Astros have the best record of anyone in baseball not playing in the AL East.
Over the last couple weeks, they both have something else to smile about…they are both getting healthy. For the Chicago Cubs, they have recently returned Kris Bryant and Addison Russell to the lineup. For the Astros, it has been even a little more significant.
Over the last few weeks they have gotten back Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, Brian McCann and Chris Devenski. Both of these teams are looking for a return to the World Series and when healthy, they have as good of a chance as anyone.
