Because the 2024 common season continues, listed here are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day at the moment:
1. Biggio in DFA limbo:
After a number of seasons of struggles as a possible “change of surroundings” candidate, the Blue Jays made the considerably shocking choice to designate infielder Cavan Biggio for task on Friday. Whereas the 29-year-old has hit a paltry .200/.323/.291 with an 88 wRC+ in 44 video games this season, Biggio entered the present marketing campaign with a profession .229/.345/.389 (105 wRC+) slash line, together with an above-average determine in a multi-positional position final season with expertise at first, second, and third base in addition to proper discipline. Biggio is now about midway via his seven-day DFA window, throughout which the Blue Jays will both have to show Biggio to waivers or work out a commerce to maneuver him elsewhere.
As a left-handed bat with the power to play throughout the infield and a stroll fee that’s been north of 10% each season of his profession, Biggio affords loads of qualities that might make him a pretty bench piece for groups. Then again, Biggio’s lack of energy manufacturing over the previous 4 years might be a crimson flag, whereas the roughly $2.78MM left on his contract may make bringing him into the fold a barely dearer proposition.
2. Bregman day-to-day after HBP:
Astros followers suffered an harm scare final night time when third baseman Alex Bregman was struck on the wrist by a pitch through the membership’s sport towards the Angels. As famous by MLB.com’s Harm Tracker, it’s the second time previously week that Bregman has been hit in that hand after a pitch received away from Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante on Tuesday. Luckily, it seems that the veteran infielder received away with no severe harm, as Bregman himself instructed reporters (together with MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart) that x-rays on his wrist got here again adverse and that he’s at present day-to-day.
Houston is off at the moment, giving Bregman a minimum of sooner or later to relaxation earlier than any additional choices are made. Regardless of a troublesome begin to the season for the 30-year-old, the Astros would certainly hate to lose Bregman for even a sport or two within the midst of his first prolonged sizzling streak. The pending free agent is using an 11-game hitting streak and has slashed a incredible .381/.447/.833 with 5 homers, a triple, and two doubles in his previous 47 plate appearances.
3. Sequence Preview: Yankees @ Royals
After struggling via a three-game collection towards the Dodgers within the Bronx, the Yankees head to Kansas Metropolis for a four-game set that might wind up being a postseason preview. The Yankees maintain the AL’s greatest document however have a lead of simply 2.5 video games over the Orioles within the AL East, whereas the Royals sit 4 video games again of Cleveland within the AL Central at 39-27. A win for the Royals on this collection may assist the membership make up vital floor towards Cleveland whereas additionally opening the door for the Orioles to sneak again into first place. A collection win by the Yankees would protect the established order atop each divisions.
The collection is about to start at 7:10pm native time this night, when Royals righty Seth Lugo (2.13 ERA) takes on Yankees lefty Carlos Rodon (3.08 ERA). Tomorrow’s sport will see veteran Yankees righty Marcus Stroman (3.04 ERA) face off towards Brady Singer (2.76 ERA). Journeyman Cody Poteet (1.72 ERA) is about to take the mound for the Yankees on Wednesday in a sport the place Okay.C. has but to announce a starter. The collection wraps Thursday with right-hander Alec Marsh (4.05 ERA) on the mound for Kansas Metropolis reverse Yankees southpaw Nestor Cortes (3.68 ERA). Wanting past the pitching matchups, Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone instructed reporters (together with these at MLB.com) that Juan Soto figures to return to the membership’s lineup throughout this collection after lacking the previous three video games as a result of elbow irritation.