Roster Roundup: July 20-22
Below you’ll find a roundup of notable moves from the past few days, as well as future expected moves and a Minor League Report, which includes a list of recent major league debuts, top prospect promotions, and a few players who are “knocking down the door” to the majors (most Mondays). For this column, any lineup regulars, starting pitchers, or late-inning relievers are considered “notable,” meaning that middle relievers, long relievers, and bench players are excluded. You can always find a full list of updated transactions here.
Lineup Regulars
Houston Astros
7/22/19: INF Aledmys Diaz activated from 10-Day IL.
7/20/19: INF/OF Tyler White designated for assignment.
The 28-year-old White had an .888 OPS with 12 homers in 237 plate appearances in 2018, which is a big reason why the Astros were extremely patient with him despite having so many other players deserving of at-bats. But with Diaz activated from the injured list today, Carlos Correa close to returning, and Kyle Tucker and Joshua Rojas pushing for big league promotions, White finally ran out of time to show he could turn things around.
Minnesota Twins
7/22/19: 1B C.J. Cron (thumb inflammation) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to June 21.
Cron only missed 11 days due to the thumb injury earlier this month, but it clearly wasn’t enough time. He was 4-for-19 with a homer and two doubles since his return. Miguel Sano is playing first base on Monday with impressive rookie Luis Arraez at the hot corner.
San Diego Padres
7/20/19: 2B Luis Urias recalled from Triple-A.
After a terrible start to the season, Ian Kinsler turned things around by slashing .283/.327/.478 with six homers over a span of 147 plate appearances in May and June. Greg Garcia also excelled as a part-time contributor at second base, allowing the Padres to hold off on promoting Urias, whose Triple-A numbers are beyond ridiculous (.315/.398/.600; 19 HR, 19 2B in 339 plate appearances). But Kinsler’s latest slide—he’s 3 for his last 30 with 11 strikeouts—coinciding with the team losing six of seven games coming out of the break finally forced the team to call on the 22-year-old rookie.
Kinsler, who is guaranteed $8MM through the 2020 season, has survived a couple rounds of roster moves to get Travis Jankowski off the 60-Day IL—he was optioned to Triple-A—and top pitching prospects Adrian Morejon and Michel Baez on the 40-man roster. His roster spot appears safe, at least for now.
Tampa Bay Rays
7/21/19: OF Kevin Kiermaier (sprained thumb) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 21.
The oft-injured center fielder, who has averaged only 97 games played over the past three seasons, had avoided the injured list in 2019 until Saturday when he hurt his thumb diving into first base on an infield single. Fortunately, it appears that the 29-year-old, who has a .719 OPS and 10 homers, avoided serious injury and could return in early August. Avisail Garcia and Guillermo Heredia have each made a start in center field since Kiermaier’s injury.
Washington Nationals
7/22/19: 1B Ryan Zimmerman (plantar fascitis) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 22.
The Nats are already well-positioned to deal with Zimmerman’s inability to stay on the field. A Matt Adams and Howie Kendrick platoon has proven to be a more-than-adequate replacement at first base.
Expected Future Moves
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- Arizona Diamondbacks: OF David Peralta, on the injured list since July 4 due to AC joint inflammation, began a rehab assignment on Sunday and should be activated within the next few days.
- Boston Red Sox: 1B Mitch Moreland, who is hitless in 13 at-bats during his current rehab assignment, has rejoined the team and will be activated from the injured list on Tuesday July 23.
- Houston Astros: SS Carlos Correa is four games into his rehab assignment and could return when he’s eligible later this week. He’s been on the injured list since suffering a fractured rib nearly two months ago.
- Minnesota Twins: OF Byron Buxton, who has been out of action since suffering a concussion on July 13, could return in the next day or two.
Starting Pitching
Atlanta Braves
7/21/19: Kevin Gausman activated from 10-Day IL.
After a brutal three-start stretch from May 29-June 10 (8.1 IP, 17 ER, 25 H), Gausman’s status was not totally clear other than he probably wouldn’t be making another start anytime soon. Whether the time off allowed him to heal physically—he was placed on the injured list due to plantar fascitis—or mentally, it appears to have worked. The 28-year-old had one of his best starts of his season on Sunday, allowing one run over seven innings with no walks and eight strikeouts in a 7-1 win over the Nationals.
Cincinnati Reds
7/22/19: Tyler Mahle (strained hamstring) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 20.
With Alex Wood not quite ready to return—he’s made three rehab appearances, none longer than two innings—the Reds will need to fill Mahle’s turn in the rotation on Wednesday. Lucas Sims, who was brilliant in his only start of the season back in May, is expected to fill in.
Colorado Rockies
7/21/19: Antonio Senzatela optioned to Triple-A
Senzatela has been mostly good in 2019, giving his team a chance to win on most occasions and always bouncing back when he does have a bad start. But he’s struggled as of late, allowing 21 runs and 21 hits in 11 innings over his last three starts. Jeff Hoffman is the leading candidate to take his rotation spot.
Detroit Tigers
7/21/19: Tyler Alexander recalled from Triple-A.
7/20/19: Spencer Turnbull (strained upper back) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to June 18.
Alexander’s second big league start came 18 days after an impressive debut, which is a bit surprising when you consider how bad the Tigers’ rotation has been outside of Turnbull and staff ace Matthew Boyd. In any case, the 25-year-old allowed one run on three hits over seven innings and shouldn’t be heading back to Toledo anytime soon.
Houston Astros
7/20/19: Jose Urquidy recalled from Triple-A.
The 24-year-old Urquidy was masterful in his third big league start, striking out nine and allowing only a pair of baserunners—Shin-Soo Choo homered in the fourth and Hunter Pence singled in the seventh—to lead the Astros to victory over the Rangers. He’s in line for a start this weekend in St. Louis.
Los Angeles Angels
7/20/19: Andrew Heaney (shoulder inflammation) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 17.
7/21/19: Dillon Peters recalled from Triple-A.
Not including those who have served as “openers”, Peters was the 10th pitcher to make a start for the Angels in 2019. He didn’t disappoint, pitching five scoreless innings in a 9-3 win over the Mariners. The 26-year-old, who was acquired from the Marlins this past offseason, should get another start this weekend against the Orioles.
Milwaukee Brewers
7/22/19: Brandon Woodruff (strained oblique) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 22.
7/20/19: Gio Gonzalez activated from 10-Day IL.
Woodruff was on the rotation bubble in spring training, but he’s emerged as the Brewers’ best starting pitcher. Now that he’s expected to miss six weeks, they’ll need more from guys like Gio Gonzalez, who allowed three runs in four innings on Saturday and has yet to get past the sixth inning in any of his seven starts in 2019.
New York Mets
7/20/19: Walker Lockett recalled from Triple-A.
It took six tries, but Lockett finally had a good big league start as he cooled off a red-hot Giants team in Saturday’s 11-4 victory (5 IP, ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 3 K). With Zack Wheeler expected back from the injured list on Friday, the 25-year-old Lockett will likely return to Triple-A in the coming days. He’ll probably be in a better mood than during any of his previous demotions, though, when he had to be wondering if he would get another chance.
Philadelphia Phillies
7/21/19: Drew Smyly signed to MLB contract.
Taking a flyer on Smyly looks like a really smart move thus far. The 30-year-old allowed one run and four hits over six innings with eight strikeouts in a 2-1 road win over the Pirates. Nick Pivetta, who was moved to the bullpen to accommodate Smyly, made his first relief appearance on Saturday, allowing one run in two innings.
San Francisco Giants
7/21/19: Conner Menez has contract purchased from minors.
A “Knocking Down The Door” pick last month, Menez continued to shine down in Triple-A before finally getting the call on Sunday. The 24-year-old lefty allowed two earned runs in five innings while striking out six. He was optioned back to the minors today, but could return in early August when the Giants need a fifth starter again.
Toronto Blue Jays
7/22/19: Ryan Borucki activated from 60-Day IL.
7/22/19: Trent Thornton (elbow inflammation) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 21.
Expected to be an important part of the Blue Jays’ rotation, Borucki will finally make his 2019 debut on Monday after missing close to four months with an elbow injury. Over his last five starts of his rookie season, the left-hander had a 2.65 ERA with only 19 hits allowed in 34 innings.
Thornton has made 21 starts and pitched 99 innings this season. It’s now known whether his injury is serious or if the team is just being cautious with the rookie.
Washington Nationals
7/21/19: Joe Ross recalled from Triple-A.
7/21/19: Austin Voth (biceps tendinitis) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 18.
Expected Future Moves
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- Baltimore Orioles: Dylan Bundy will be activated from the 10-Day IL on Tuesday July 23.
- New York Mets: Zack Wheeler is in line to return from the 10-Day IL on Friday July 26.
- Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer is expected to return from the 10-Day IL on either Thursday July 25 or Friday July 26.
Late-Inning Relievers
Boston Red Sox
7/20/19: Nathan Eovaldi activated from 60-Day IL.
Eovaldi, who has not pitched since being activated, could be eased in as the Red Sox closer with Brandon Workman (1.84 ERA, 12.7 K/9, 5 saves) proving to be a trustworthy option as of late. The 29-year-old Eovaldi, who signed a four-year, $68MM contract during the offseason, is expected to pitch in Monday’s game.
Cincinnati Reds
7/20/19: Raisel Iglesias reinstated from Paternity list.
Iglesias returned to action on Sunday, pitching the ninth inning with his team down 2-1 to the Cardinals. He struck out two batters, but allowed one run on a solo homer to Yairo Munoz. Michael Lorenzen picked up the team’s lone save while Iglesias was out.
Texas Rangers
7/22/19: Shawn Kelley (biceps soreness) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 19.
Jose Leclerc (4.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K in last 5 appearances) could finally be back in the closer’s role with Kelley out, although Chris Martin, who has zero walks and 31 strikeouts over his last 25 2/3 innings, could also be in the mix.
Minor League Report
Major League Debuts (July 19-July 21)
- Adrian Morejon, SP, San Diego Padres: 2.1 IP, ER, 3 H, 0 BB, K 7/21/19
- Zach Green, 3B, San Francisco Giants: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, K 7/21/19
- Conner Menez, SP, San Francisco Giants: 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K 7/21/19
Promotions (June 23-July 22): Top 130 Prospects
- Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays #2 High-A Charlotte 6/25/19
- Keston Hiura, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers #13 MLB 6/27/19
- Brendan McKay, SP/DH, Tampa Bay Rays #14 MLB 6/29/19
- Dustin May, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers #21 Triple-A Oklahoma City 6/27/19
- MacKenzie Gore, SP, San Diego Padres #22 Double-A Amarillo 7/13/19
- Gavin Lux, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers #23 Triple-A Oklahoma City 6/27/19
- Vidal Brujan, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays #26 Double-A Montgomery 6/27/19
- Kyle Wright, RP, Atlanta Braves #39 MLB 6/24/19
- A.J. Puk, SP, Oakland Athletics #40 Double-A Midland 6/28/19
- Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox #43 Triple-A Charlotte 7/8/19
- Jesus Sanchez, OF, Tampa Bay Ray #54 Triple-A Durham 7/11/19
- Dylan Cease, SP, Chicago White Sox #58 MLB 7/3/19
- Nolan Jones, 3B, Cleveland Indians #65 Double-A Akron 7/8/19
- Bryse Wilson, SP, Atlanta Braves #72 MLB 6/27/19
- Will Smith, C, Los Angeles Dodgers #80 MLB 6/23/19
- Andrew Knizner, C, St. Louis Cardinals #82 MLB 7/11/19
- Adrian Morejon, RP, San Diego Padres #86 MLB 7/21/19
- Trevor Larnach, OF, Minnesota Twins #99 Double-A Pensacola 7/16/19
- Yu Chang, INF, Cleveland Indians #103 MLB 6/28/19
- Michel Baez, RP, San Diego Padres #129 MLB 7/21/19
The prospect promotion update rules. Not super easy to find such a concise update in one space. Thanks!