With 20% of the 2024 regular season in the books, here are three things we’ll be looking at around the baseball world all day today:
1. Inbound Prospect Promotions:
The Guardians plan to pick up the first baseman’s contract Kyle Manzardo before tonight’s game against the Tigers tonight. Cleveland will need to clear space on both of its active rosters and 40 players to accommodate Manzardo’s addition, though the former will be accomplished through the club’s expected placement. Steven Kwan in 10 IL days. Another reported hitter in the majors today is the Giants righty Mason Black. He, too, will need some consistent moves on the 40-man roster before this afternoon’s game against the Phillies.
Acquired from the Rays at last year’s trade deadline in exchange Aaron Civale, the 23-year-old Manzardo has the potential for a 100-base hit and little left to prove in the minor leagues, slashing .303/.375/.642 in 128 trips to the plate at the Triple-A level this year. A full-time first baseman, Manzardo’s defensive limitations make him capable of handling first or DH on the side. Josh Naylor, with Estevan Florial to take over left field in Kwan’s absence. As for Black, he seems ready to step into San Francisco’s rotation after the club lost a left tackle Blake Snell on the injured list and got a combined 4 2/3 innings from starting pitchers Keaton Winn again Logan Webb at the weekend. Black, a 24-year-old with a stellar 1.01 ERA in six starts at Triple-A this season, figures to be tasked with helping give the team’s bullpen some much-needed breathing room.
2. The bell will be opened:
Lambs on the left Justin Steele he has been on the injured list since suffering a hamstring strain on Opening Day. Steele made his first All-Star team in 2023, posted a 3.06 ERA (146 ERA+) with a 3.02 FIP, and finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting last year. He was going 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball when he got hurt.
The Cubs will need to make a corresponding move to make room for Steele on the active roster before the game. Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillonagain Javier Assad all have been outstanding in Steele’s absence, and the return of the staff’s ace should continue to bolster a starting staff that ranks third in the majors with a 3.13 ERA this year. Steele’s return will also allow the club to move Hayden Wesneski or Ben Brown in the bullpen, thus strengthening the relief troops.
3. Could Martin be facing an IL stint?
A veteran right-hander Chris Martin He was outstanding in his first season with the Red Sox last year, posting a career-best 1.05 ERA with a 2.44 FIP in 55 appearances while serving as the starting shortstop. Kenley Jansen. However, things did not go well for the 37-year-old in his second year at the club. Despite striking out a solid 25% of the batters he faced, Martin saw his ERA balloon to 5.11 this season and has made just one appearance since the calendar flipped to May.
Per Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, that absence has been due to Martin dealing with “chronic soreness” in his non-throwing shoulder that may require a trip to the injured list. While Martin’s left shoulder injury is certainly not as bad as his right, Abraham notes that the Red Sox are concerned that the pain could affect his mechanics and adversely affect his pitching arm down the line. If Martin needs a trip to the shelf, to the left Bailey Horn it’s the only relief arm available from the Cubs currently on the 40-man roster. If the club is willing to clear the 40-man cap, the veterans are willing Lucas Luetge again Joely Rodriguez or such hope Luis Guerrero will be available.
