Roster Roundup: July 27-29

by
July 29, 2019

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. 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

Atlanta Braves
7/27/19: SS Dansby Swanson (foot contusion) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 24.
7/27/19: OF Nick Markakis (fractured wrist) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 27.
7/27/19: OF Adam Duvall recalled from Triple-A.

With Swanson and Markakis sidelined and struggling rookie Austin Riley playing much less often, the Braves’ lineup looks much different all of a sudden with Johan Camargo, Ender Inciarte, and Duvall thrust into regular roles. Inicarte and Duvall, both former All-Stars, have combined for eight hits, including three homers, over the past two games. The Braves could look to acquire an outfielder before the deadline, however, as Markakis isn’t expected to return until sometime in September.

Roster Resource

Chicago White Sox
7/28/19: OF Eloy Jimenez activated from 10-Day IL.

The 22-year-old rookie was back in the lineup, batting fifth and serving as the designated hitter, after a 12-day stint on the injured list with an ulnar nerve contusion. He went 0-for-3 and was the victim of a highly questionable third strike call from Angel Hernandez, resulting in the ejection of White Sox manager Rick Renteria.

Roster Resource

Kansas City Royals
7/27/19: 1B Ryan O’Hearn recalled from Triple-A.
7/27/19: 1B Lucas Duda designated for assignment.

O’Hearn was demoted to Triple-A last month after slashing .188/.286/.333 with six homers and 52 strikeouts in 213 plate appearances. He’s fortunate that the rebuilding Royals can afford to give him another shot, which comes a month-and-a-half later. While he did scratch out an infield single, he’s just 1-for-8 with four strikeouts in two games since his return.

Roster Resource

Los Angeles Dodgers
7/29/19: INF/OF Enrique Hernandez (wrist discomfort) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 26.

The Dodgers could’ve called up one of the best middle infield prospects in baseball, Gavin Lux, to replace Hernandez, but they opted to acquire versatile journeyman Kristopher Negron to fill the roster spot. The thinking, presumably, is that the 21-year-old Lux, who has a 1.054 OPS and 21 homers between Triple-A and Double-A, could benefit from at least another few weeks of regular playing time before possibly joining the major league team for the stretch run and possibly the playoffs.

Roster Resource

New York Mets
7/27/19: OF Dominic Smith (stress reaction in foot) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 27.

One of the biggest surprise contributors in baseball, Smith has probably done enough to solidify his future as a big league regular despite his recent struggles and, now, a stint on the injured list. He’s probably not the best fit with the Mets, so general manager Brodie Van Wagenen is fortunate that the 24-year-old has significantly boosted his trade value.

Roster Resource

Tampa Bay Rays
7/28/19: INF/OF Eric Sogard acquired from Blue Jays.

The injury to Brandon Lowe and a lack of production from Joey Wendle likely played a part in the team’s acquisition of Sogard, another left-handed hitter who can play just about any position and is slashing .304/.369/.486 as the Blue Jays’ primary leadoff man.

Roster Resource

Toronto Blue Jays
7/29/19: SS Bo Bichette has contract purchased from minors.

One of my July 1 “Knocking Down The Door” picks, the 21-year-old Bichette is making his big league debut less than a month later. Freddy Galvis, at least until he’s traded, will move over to second base to accommodate Bichette, who joins a group of young players (Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Danny Jansen) expected to form the core of the Blue Jays roster for years to come.

Roster Resource

 

Starting Pitching

Atlanta Braves
7/27/19: Max Fried activated from 10-Day IL.

Fried was cruising in his return, heading into the sixth inning with a 14-1 lead over the Phillies. He only retired one more batter, though, and allowed a pair of two-run homers before exiting. The 25-year-old lefty did pick up his 11th victory, however, and did not appear to be affected by the blister that forced him to the injured list.

Roster Resource

Baltimore Orioles
7/29/19: David Hess recalled from Triple-A.

Hess is making his 14th start of the season, although it’s his first since being removed from the rotation in mid-June with his ERA near 7.00.

Roster Resource

Cincinnati Reds
7/28/19: Alex Wood activated from 60-Day IL.

Wood’s long-awaited Reds’ debut went very well as he pitched four scoreless innings against the Rockies before allowing a two-run homer to David Dahl in the fifth. After the 28-year-old lefty exited with two outs, the bullpen followed up with 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a 3-2 Reds’ victory.

Roster Resource

Colorado Rockies
7/27/19: Chi Chi Gonzalez recalled from Triple-A.

The Rockies have lost all four games that Gonzalez has started, although he has yet to allow more than three earned runs in a game. The 27-year-old, who allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings on Friday, could be headed back to Triple-A if he’s not needed in the bullpen since the Rockies won’t need a fifth starter again until August 10.

Roster Resource

Los Angeles Dodgers
7/26/19: Ross Stripling (biceps tendinitis) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 25.

Unless the Dodgers acquire a starting pitcher by Wednesday’s trade deadline, Stripling will likely return to the rotation when he’s healthy. The 29-year-old is having another productive season, giving the Dodgers quality innings as both a starter and reliever for the fourth consecutive season.

Roster Resource

Milwaukee Brewers
7/29/19: Jordan Lyles acquired from Pirates.

The Brewers have addressed their injury-riddled rotation by re-acquiring Lyles from the Pirates. Last season, he was acquired from the Padres in August as a bullpen piece who could add rotation depth, but he wasn’t called on to make one start. This time around, he could make his first start as a Brewer as early as Wednesday in Oakland.

Roster Resource

New York Mets
7/28/19: Marcus Stroman acquired from Blue Jays.

Stroman to New York wasn’t a surprise. Stroman to the Mets was quite a surprise, however, although rumors of the Mets’ potential interest had recently popped up in what some assumed had to be part of three-team trade that had the 28-year-old coming to San Diego for prospects before being sent to the Mets in another package for Noah Syndergaard. Instead, the Mets traded Jason Vargas to the Phillies to make room for Stroman, keeping open several possibilities. They can still trade Syndergaard and/or Zack Wheeler, but it’s also possible that they believe the addition of Stroman could spark a run at a Wild Card spot.

Roster Resource

New York Yankeees
7/28/19: CC Sabathia (knee inflammation) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 28.

With two upcoming off-days, it was a good time to get the 39-year-old lefty some rest before the stretch run. It could be as simple as that, but it also wouldn’t be a surprise if the Yankees acquire a starting pitcher to bolster their struggling rotation and Sabathia’s stint on the injured list lasts much longer than 10 days.

Roster Resource

Philadelphia Phillies
7/29/19: Jason Vargas acquired from Mets.

The Phillies, who were without a lefty in their rotation since Cole Hamels was traded in 2015, now have two with Vargas and recently-signed Drew Smyly. The 36-year-old Vargas, who has an $8MM club option in 2020, has a 3.27 ERA over his last 16 starts with only 67 hits allowed in 88 innings.

Roster Resource

Toronto Blue Jays
7/29/19: Thomas Pannone recalled from Triple-A.

Roster Resource

Washington Nationals
7/29/19: Max Scherzer (strained rhomboid) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to July 26.
7/29/19: Erick Fedde recalled from Double-A.

Scherzer’s injury is being described as “mild”, so the Nationals, currently tied for a Wild Card spot, are hopeful that their ace can return in early August.

Roster Resource

Late-Inning Relievers

Arizona Diamondbacks
7/28/19: Greg Holland removed from closer’s role.

Archie Bradley has been dominant over his last nine appearances (11 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 6 BB, 19 K), but the Diamondbacks will be going with a committee, at least for now, to replace Holland, who blew his fifth save in 22 chances on Thursday. Bradley, who was moved into a low-leverage role after struggling early in the season, and Yoan Lopez, who has been terrific overall but shaky as of late, are the leading candidates for saves.

Roster Resource

Minnesota Twins
7/27/19: Sergio Romo acquired from Marlins.

Romo, who hadn’t allowed an earned run in his last 11 appearances with the Marlins, will likely set up for Taylor Rogers in Minnesota with an occasional save chance.

Roster Resource

Seattle Mariners
7/28/19: Hunter Strickland activated from 60-Day IL.

Strickland picked up saves in both Mariners victories during the team’s opening series in Japan before allowing three earned runs in a blown save during his third appearance. He was placed on the injured list after that and didn’t make his fourth appearance until four months later. The 30-year-old, who retired the side in order on nine pitches with his team down 2-1 in the eight inning, should be able to work his way into at least a co-closer role with Roenis Elias before long, assuming neither are traded.

Roster Resource

 

Minor League Report

Major League Debuts (July 26-July 28)

  • Jeremy Walker, RP, Atlanta Braves: IP,  0 R, H, 0 BB, 0 K  7/26/19
  • Jose Rodriguez, RP, Los Angeles Angels: 1.2 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 2 K  7/27/19
  • Ryan Court, PH, Seattle Mariners: 0-for-1  7/26/19

Promotions (June 30-July 29): Top 130 Prospects

  • Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays #9  MLB 7/29/19
  • Brendan McKay, SP/DH, Tampa Bay Rays #14  MLB 7/19/19
  • MacKenzie Gore, SP, San Diego Padres #22  Double-A Amarillo 7/13/19
  • Luis Urias, 2B, San Diego Padres #24  MLB 7/20/19
  • Kyle Wright, RP, Atlanta Braves #39  MLB 7/18/19
  • A.J. Puk, SP, Oakland Athletics #40  Triple-A Las Vegas 7/23/19
  • 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 7/16/19
  • Jose Suarez, SP, Los Angeles Angels #79  MLB 7/25/19
  • Will Smith, C, Los Angeles Dodgers #80  MLB 7/26/19
  • 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
  • Michel Baez, RP, San Diego Padres #129  MLB 7/21/19





 

Comments are closed.