With more than 20% of the 2024 season in the books, here are four things we’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the day today:
1. Pepiot to the IL?
Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot was struck in the leg by a pitch during the third inning of his start against the Mets over the weekend, and while both initial x-rays were negative and a follow-up CT scan did not reveal a fracture, manager Kevin Cash told reporters (including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times) last night that the right-hander is still likely to require a trip to the injured list. It’s an unfortunate turn of events for the Rays, as Pepiot had carried a strong 3.12 ERA and 3.32 FIP into his abbreviated start over the weekend and had established himself as a reliable arm in the club’s rotation since joining the Rays in the Tyler Glasnow trade this past winter.
Left-hander Jacob Lopez is the only pitcher on the 40-man roster to be drawing starts at the Triple- A level, but he’s struggled badly in both the major and minor leagues this season. If the club doesn’t want to insert Lopez into the rotation while Pepiot is out, former top prospect Brendan McKay could be an option after performing excellently across five starts at the Double-A level this season. Of course, the Rays could also simply rely on their bullpen to cover the innings lost from Pepiot’s injury, as they frequently have in the past when short on starting pitching.
2. Thomas to undergo MRI:
Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas “felt a little something” in his hamstring over the weekend and took Monday off to try and avoid the issue worsening, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters (including MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert), but upon returning to baseball activity yesterday Thomas still didn’t feel completely normal. As a result, Arizona brass decided to send the 24-year-old for an MRI to further evaluate the situation. Thomas appeared in just four games this season before going on the injured list at the end of March due to a strained hamstring.
While Corbin Carroll has performed well defensively in center field and Jake McCarthy has hit well in Thomas’s stead, a notable setback would still be a costly hit to the team’s depth. A delayed return from Thomas, who’s played just four games this season, puts off a tricky decision on how to handle the outfield mix going forward. Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. entered the season as the clear starters at the outfield corners but both have struggled to this point — Gurriel has faded after a blistering start — while McCarthy has excelled despite opening the season in a bench role.
3. Red Sox to shuffle roster:
A handful of roster moves are expected for the Red Sox later today, headlined by the return of right-hander Nick Pivetta from the injured list. Also returning from the injured list is utility infielder Romy Gonzalez, with righty Naoyuki Uwasawa headed to Triple-A and infielder Zack Short poised to be designated for assignment in the corresponding moves.
Pivetta’s return to the rotation comes as the Red Sox are set to face longtime ace Chris Sale in Atlanta for the first time since he was swapped to the Braves in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom. While Grissom has only just returned from the injured list after being sidelined by groin and hamstring issues to this point in the season, Sale has enjoyed a renaissance with the Braves as he’s posted a solid 3.44 ERA with an even better 3.01 FIP across six starts. He’ll toe the rubber opposite Pivetta at 7:20pm local time this evening.
4. MLBTR Chat Today:
The 2024 season is now in full swing, and two teams recently got a head start on trade season with the Luis Arraez trade. If you have questions regarding your favorite club’s start to the campaign, or perhaps questions that look ahead to this summer’s trade deadline and the 2024-25 offseason, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a live chat with readers today at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.
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