Yoenis Cespedes Fractures Ankle
If Yoenis Cespedes didn’t have bad luck, he might not have any luck at all. Already out until midseason due to surgery on his heels, the outfielder’s season may now be in jeopardy after suffering ankle fractures in what Mets’ general manager Brodie Van Wagenen is characterizing a “violent fall.” Unfortunately for Mets’ fans, Cespedes has been a bit of a disappointment since being signed a few years ago. Cespedes’ best season was in 2015, one spent with both Detroit and the New York Mets, where he hit .291/.328/.542 with 35 home runs, 105 runs batted in and 101 runs scored. His stellar played was enough to resign him to a 4-year, $110 million contract. Sadly, it has been all downhill from there. In 2016, he hit .280/.354/.530 with 31 home runs, 86 runs batted in and 72 runs, but in 2017 and 2018 combined he only played 119 games and, once again, this season it doesn’t appear he will play at all. At 34 next year, it is likely that as good as his tenure with the Mets started, the ending will leave something to be desired.
Braves and Mariners Make Minor Trade
In a minor trade, the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners have swapped some major league relievers. In the deal, the Atlanta Braves receive Anthony Swarzak and about $2 million dollars for left-hander Jesse Biddle and righty Arodys Vizcaino. While the inclusion of Vizcaino, who has served at times as the Braves’ closer, it is worth remembering that he is out for the season after having shoulder surgery and will be a free agent at the end of the year. Thus, his inclusion was really just for salary purposes. For Biddle, after a pretty solid season last year, he has been largely disappointing this season, having given up 7 earned runs in just over 11 innings. Out of options, it was either release or trade him when the Braves designated him for assignment. In return, the Braves pick up Anthony Swarzak. The righty-handed reliever also has had recent seasons of success, but this year he is 2-2 with a 5.27 ERA, a 1.61 WHIP and 3 saves. In 13.2 innings he has 17 strikeouts and 8 walks. He has been especially prone to the home run ball this season, having given up 6 already. Both Biddle and Swarzak will look to get their careers turned around in their new homes.
Cardinals Release Luke Gregerson
The St. Louis Cardinals have cut ties with one of their relievers after having requested unconditional release waivers on reliever Luke Gregerson. With about $3.5 million left on his contract plus a $1 million buyout on a 2020 option, it is likely that he will clear waivers. Since being signed by the Cardinals prior to the 2018 season, Gregerson has been battling injuries ranging from hamstring strains to should inpingements. While Gregerson largely struggled with the Cardinals, he had some great years with both the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros. In 2014, with the Oakland A’s, he pitched 72.1 innings with a 2.12 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. In those innings he allowed just 58 hits, 17 earned runs and struck out 59 versus 15 walks. The following year, with the Houston Astros, he had a career high 31 saves with a 3.10 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. It remains to be seen whether anyone will take a flyer on the veteran relieving, but wherever it is, it won’t be with the Cardinals.
Brendan Rodgers Makes His Debut
In the wake of a minor injury to Trevor Story, the Colorado Rockies have promoted top prospect Brendan Rodgers to the big club. While Story isn’t expected to miss too much time, there is belief that Rodgers could shift over to second to fill a relatively quiet position as the Rockies look to add to their offense. In his first two games, Rodgers has gone just 1 for 8 with a run batted in, but the 22 year old is largely seen as one of the best prospects in the game (MLB ranked him as the 10th best prospect in the game prior to the season) and the Rockies are hoping that translates to the big club.
David Price Activated From Injured List
The Boston Red Sox welcomed back one of the main cogs of their starting rotation Monday when David Price was activated from the injured list and started against the Toronto Blue Jays. Price earned the win in Boston’s 12-2 win on Monday after pitching 5 innings, allowing 3 hits, 0 walks, 2 runs (0 earned runs) and striking out 4. Price had been on the injured list after dealing with elbow tendinitis. For a Boston team that is trying to come back from a slow start, Price was a welcomed return. With Nathan Eovaldi also on the injured list, there was not a whole lot of certainty behind Chris Sale, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez. The Red Sox, who sit in third place in the AL East and are 4 games back at the time of this writing, desperately need to have their pitching continue to pick up the slack. Boston’s pitching staff currently ranks 17th in the majors with a 4.36 ERA.
Brewers’ Rotation Close To Getting Help
It has been a long journey for Brewers’ starter Jimmy Nelson. Since having surgery in September of 2017 on a partially torn labrum, Nelson has yet to play at a major league level. In 2017, Nelson looked like he was on the cusp of being a top, or near top, of the rotation starter. As a 28 year old, he went 12-6 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.249 WHIP and had 199 strikeouts in 175.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately, the torn labrum not only was a hit to Nelson’s career path, but also the Brewers‘ rotation. While it is hard to expect him to be the same pitcher that he was in 2017, especially after this long of a layoff, it could still be a huge boost for a Brewers’ rotation that currently ranks 14th in the majors with a 4.24 ERA. In his last rehab start, Nelson went 5.1 innings, striking out 8 and allowing no runs in an 86-pitch outing. He will likely make one more outing later in the week before finally rejoining the Brewers early next week.
