RosterResource Roundup: April 15-17

by
April 18, 2024

Below you’ll find a roundup of notable moves and roster notes 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 and top prospect promotions. 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.

RosterResource News:
•View all 30 projected lineups (vs RHP and vs LHP) on one page, updated daily with 2024 Stats (PA, 2B, HR, BB, K, OPS, wRC+) and 2021-2024 Stats (PA, OPS, wRC+).
•Our 2024 Minor League Power Rankings leaderboard is active. Click HERE to see how the rankings are determined.
•“Knocking Down The Door” will make its debut in this column sometime next week (April 16-21). This feature will highlight minor leaguers who are making a case for a major league promotion
•Jon Becker is writing a weekly “Reliever Roundup” column each Saturday during the regular season.

Lineup Regulars

Atlanta Braves
•4/16: 2B Ozzie Albies (fractured toe) placed on 10-Day IL; INF David Fletcher has contract selected from minors.

The 27-year-old Albies is expected to miss approximately one month after he was hit by a pitch in Monday’s game.

Luis Guillorme and Fletcher will share second base duties while Albies is out of action. The left-handed hitting Guillorme, who hadn’t had an at-bat this season until he started at shortstop in Monday’s game, had a two-run double in Tuesday’s win. Fletcher figures to get his first start on Friday with lefty Andrew Heaney likely to start for the Rangers.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Chicago Cubs
•4/15: OF Seiya Suzuki (strained oblique) placed on 10-Day IL; OF Alexander Canario recalled.

An oblique injury suffered at the beginning of Spring Training in 2023 ended up sidelining Suzuki for a month-and-a-half. He was healthy for the remainder of the season and ended up with 538 plate appearances. The expectation this time is that the 29-year-old will miss approximately four weeks. He was off to a terrific start with a .305/.368/.525 slash line in 68 plate appearances. Mike Tauchman and Canario will likely platoon in right field while Suzuki is out of action.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Chicago White Sox
•4/16: OF Tommy Pham agreed to Minor League contract.
•4/15: DH Eloy Jiménez activated from 10-Day IL; INF/OF Zach Remillard optioned.

Pham will join Triple-A Charlotte this week and could join the White Sox before the end of the month. The 36-year-old will presumably be the starting right fielder — Andrew Benintendi is the left fielder while Jiménez and Gavin Sheets will likely get the majority of designated hitter at-bats — although it would seem that the ultimate goal is to trade him to a contending team as soon as possible.

Jiménez is 0-for-6 with three walks since being activated.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Colorado Rockies
•4/17: 1B/OF Kris Bryant (strained lower back) placed on 10-Day IL; OF Sean Bouchard recalled.

Just when Bryant finally had a couple of good games at the plate — he was 3-for-7 with two doubles on Friday and Saturday after beginning the season with only four hits in 40 at-bats — he’s sidelined by another injury. This is Bryant’s 6th stint on the Injured List since signing with the Rockies prior to the 2022 season.

Michael Toglia has been in the lineup with Bryant out of action, but he could be running out of time to prove himself. Same with first baseman Elehuris Montero, who has been the team’s primary first baseman. Bouchard and Jake Cave could get an opportunity sooner than later, as could some of the team’s prospects down in Triple-A (Jordan Beck, Hunter Goodman, Greg Jones).

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Los Angeles Dodgers
•4/16: OF Andy Pages recalled; OF Taylor Trammell designated for assignment.

The promotion of Pages was partly his own doing — he was 23-for-63 with five homers in Triple-A — but mostly due to the lack of production from Chris Taylor, who has been the team’s primary left fielder since Jason Heyward went on the Injured List. And when I say “lack of”, I mean absolutely nothing. He was 0-for-24 with 12 strikeouts between the time Heyward was placed on the IL and Pages was called up. With Heyward still not nearing a return, the Dodgers figured now was a good time to get a look at their 23-year-old prospect. Thus far, he’s 1-for-7 with four strikeouts in his two starts.

Trammell’s stint with the Dodgers lasted nearly two weeks and he had a total of one start. If the Dodgers do think they can unlock some of his potential, it will have to be in Triple-A if he clears waivers.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Miami Marlins
•4/15: C Christian Bethancourt 베탄코트 (viral illness) and 3B/1B Jake Burger (strained oblique) placed on 10-Day IL; C Jhonny Pereda has contract selected from minors; INF/OF Otto Lopez recalled.

Nick Fortes will get the majority of starts while Bethancourt is out while Emmanuel Rivera and Lopez will split time at third base until Burger returns. The 28-year-old Burger was off to a fast start with 11 hits in 31 at-bats, including two homers, but was only 2 for his last 26 at the time of his injury.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Milwaukee Brewers
•OF Christian Yelich (strained lower back); INF/OF Owen Miller recalled.

Blake Perkins is expected to be in the lineup on most days until Yelich returns (and maybe beyond). The 27-year-old, who had the game-winning hit in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over the Padres, is hitting .324 with a pair of 3-hit games and two homers on the season.

Roster/Depth Chart |  Playing Time Projections

Minnesota Twins
•OF Trevor Larnach recalled; OF Matt Wallner optioned.

It’s getting to the be that time when even established players will start losing playing time if they haven’t started hitting yet. For a less established player like Wallner, he got only 33 plate appearances (2-for-25, 17 K) before he was sent to Triple-A.

Larnach had only played three games on a Low-A rehab assignment — he was dealing with turf toe earlier in the season — but that was enough for the Twins to call him up and put him right in the middle of their lineup. He’s 1-for-6 in two games.

Roster/Depth Chart |  Playing Time Projections

Oakland Athletics
•4/15: 3B/1B J.D. Davis (strained groin) placed on 10-Day IL; OF Esteury Ruiz recalled.

Abraham Toro is now the starting third baseman but it’s Tyler Nevin who appears to be the beneficiary of the extra at-bats thus far. Ruiz, as was the case prior to his demotion, was on the bench against two right-handed starters and in the lineup against a lefty on Wednesday (CF, batting 1st) . He homered as a pinch-hitter on Monday and homered again on Wednesday in a 1-for-5 performance with his second stolen base of the season.

While keeping Ruiz in Triple-A makes little sense at this point, considering that he’s already proven to be too good for that level, limiting his playing time in the majors in favor of Nevin actually has its merits. The 26-year-old Nevin is out of options and probably doesn’t have a spot on roster once Davis, Miguel Andujar, and Brent Rooker return to action. But he’s intriguing enough because of his bat and defensive versatility that a rebuilding team like the A’s should take a long look before deciding if he has enough value to keep him. After his first career three-hit game on Wednesday, I think he’s probably earned himself at least another week of regular playing time.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Pittsburgh Pirates
•4/16: C Yasmani Grandal (plantar fascitis) began a rehab assignment.

There’s a good chance that Grandal’s eventual return to action will come at the expense of Henry Davis, who is hitting .173 with no homers in 64 plate appearances. Joey Bart (4-for-10, 2 HR, 3 BB) is out of options and interesting enough to keep around for the entire season. A lot can happen between now and whenever Grandal is activated — Bart was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup because he wasn’t feeling good enough after recently being hit in the head with a batting practice home run — but Davis needs to heat up very soon or a Bart-Grandal tandem is the likely scenario.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Seattle Mariners
•4/15: OF Dominic Canzone (sprained AC joint) placed on 10-Day IL; OF Jonatan Clase recalled.

The Mariners’ offense needs a spark and they’re hoping that the speedy Clase can provide one. So far, so good. They’ve won all three games since his promotion. He’s 2-for-11 with a double and walk. He also stole his first base on Wednesday.

 

Roster/Depth Chart |  Playing Time Projections

 

Starting Pitching

Arizona Diamondbacks
•4/19: Jordan Montgomery will be recalled from the minors on Friday.
•4/17: Tommy Henry optioned.

Montgomery will make his Diamondbacks’ debut on Friday against the Giants and Blake Snell. As expected, Henry was the odd man out in the rotation while Ryne Nelson will get at least another month of starts with Eduardo Rodriguez not eligible to return from the 60-Day IL until May 24.

Roster/Depth Chart

Baltimore Orioles
•4/17: Albert Suárez has contract selected from minors.
•4/16: Tyler Wells (elbow inflammation) placed on 15-Day IL.

The 34-year-old Suárez nearly made the team out of Spring Training so it wasn’t a surprise when he got the call to take Wells’ rotation spot. In his first MLB appearance since 2017, he pitched 5.2 scoreless innings (3 H, 0 BB, 4 K) in the Orioles’ 4-2 win over the Twins. With John Means struggling on his rehab assignment, it’s likely that the O’s will give Suárez at least one more start. In any case, he’s likely to stay on the roster and pitch out of the bullpen if he’s not needed in the rotation.

Kyle Bradish is one step closer to returning after pitching three scoreless innings (H, 0 BB, 4 K) in his first rehab start on Tuesday. That’s pretty good for a guy with a partially torn elbow ligament. If it continues to stay intact, he could be back with the Orioles by late April or early May.

Roster/Depth Chart

Boston Red Sox
•4/17: Garrett Whitlock (strained oblique) placed on 15-Day IL.

The Red Sox rotation continues to be decimated by injuries, although Whitlock’s oblique strain is considered mild and he could return when eligible. In the meantime, they’ll likely turn to Chase Anderson or Naoyuki Uwasawa when Whitlock’s spot comes up over the weekend.

Roster/Depth Chart

Chicago Cubs
•4/18: Jameson Taillon will be activated from 15-Day IL on Thursday.

Taillon’s return could force the Cubs to make a difficult decision. Will the odd man out be Ben Brown, who has been dominant in his last three appearances (14.2 IP, 2 ER, 14 K), or 11-year veteran Kyle Hendricks, who has been knocked around in all four of his starts? It’s early enough that giving Hendricks a few more chances to turn things around wouldn’t be a surprise. But neither will some type of injury that forces him to the Injured List for at least a few weeks.

Roster/Depth Chart

Chicago White Sox
•4/16: Jonathan Cannon has contract selected from minors.
•4/15: Nick Nastrini has contract selected from minors.

The White Sox aren’t going to win very often so any chance for the fans to get a glimpse at the future is a good thing. And, in back-to-back games, they got to see very impressive MLB debuts from Nastrini (5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K) and Cannon (5 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 3 K). Both could stick around for now, at least until Mike Clevinger is ready to join the team.

Roster/Depth Chart

Cleveland Guardians
•4/17: Ben Lively activated from 15-Day IL; Curry optioned.
•4/15: Xzavion Curry activated from 15-Day IL.

After Curry had an impressive debut on Monday (5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, BB, 3 K), he was sent to the minors so Lively could be activated for his Guardians’ debut on Wednesday. The 32-year-old wasn’t as good as Curry but he still gave the team a chance to win, allowing two earned runs in five innings (3 H, BB, 7 K) in the team’s 2-0 loss to the Red Sox. He’ll likely remain in the rotation while Curry will have to wait for his next chance.

Roster/Depth Chart

Miami Marlins
•4/15: Edward Cabrera activated from 15-Day IL; Max Meyer optioned.

Meyer’s demotion was disappointing, although it’s understandable given his workload limitations in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. And after Cabrera’s 2024 debut (6 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 10 K), followed by Ryan Weathers (6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 10 K) and Trevor Rogers (5.2 IP, ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K) on Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s clear that the Marlins’ rotation is the least of their worries.

Roster/Depth Chart

San Diego Padres
•4/17: Yu Darvish (neck tightness) placed on 15-Day IL.

The Padres are about to play 13 games in a row without a day off and they’ll need a replacement for Darvish for at least two of those games. Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez are the likely candidates.

Roster/Depth Chart

Texas Rangers
•4/18: Jack Leiter will have contract selected from minors on Thursday.
•4/15: Michael Lorenzen activated from 15-Day IL.

Lorenzen had a successful Rangers’ debut, pitching five shutout innings (3 H, 5 BB, 4 K) in a 1-0 win over the Tigers.

Leiter’s MLB debut doesn’t have the hype that would’ve been anticipated after he was chosen with the 2nd overall pick in the 2021 draft, partly due to his struggles on the mound in 2022 and 2023 but also because this appears to be just a spot start to give the Rangers’ starters an extra day of rest. But the 23-year-old has earned this call-up, allowing six earned runs in 14.1 innings with three walks and 25 strikeouts in his three Triple-A starts.

Roster/Depth Chart

Washington Nationals
•4/15: Mitchell Parker recalled.

Parker pitched five strong innings (2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K) to beat the Dodgers on the road in his MLB debut. He’s scheduled to face the Astros at home on Sunday.

Roster/Depth Chart

 

Click HERE to view our Starting Pitcher Probables Grid.

 

Late-Inning Relievers

Los Angeles Angels
•4/17: Robert Stephenson (elbow discomfort) will miss the 2024 season.

The 31-year-old, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract this past offseason, missed Spring Training due to shoulder inflammation but appeared to be making progress with the start of a rehab assignment over the weekend. His first appearance, however, lasted only one batter. After a four-pitch walk, he left the game with elbow discomfort. If he requires Tommy John surgery, a return to action by mid-2025 would likely be the expectation.

There is a clause in Stephenson’s contract that a $2.5MM club option will be added in 2027 if he spends 130 consecutive days on the injured list with an elbow ligament injury. If this is the case, the Angels could still have him for most of three seasons at a total of $35.5 million.

Matt Moore (7 IP, 2 ER), Luis García (5 IP, 0 R, H in last 6 appearances), and Adam Cimber (10 IP, ER) have done a good job getting the ball to closer Carlos Estévez, although losing Stephenson will be tough to overcome. He was one of the best relievers in baseball after he joined the Rays last June.

Roster/Depth Chart

Milwaukee Brewers
After Uribe made an appearance in the 4th inning of Tuesday’s game with his team losing 4-1 and then in the 8th inning of a scoreless tie on Wednesday, it’s pretty clear that manager Pat Murphy is going to be much less predictable than expected with how he deploys his top relievers. It’s also possible he’s settled on Joel Payamps as his closer. The 30-year-old picked up his 2nd save on Wednesday and has not given up a run in seven of his eight appearances this season. Trevor Megill (7-Day IL) could also return this weekend after tossing a pair of scoreless innings in two rehab outings.

Roster/Depth Chart

Texas Rangers
Kirby Yates was the next man up after Jose Leclerc was removed from the closer’s role and it’s possible he’s about to run away with the job. The former All-Star, who had a 1.19 ERA and 41 saves for the Padres in 2019, picked up his first save on Monday and then notched his 2nd win of the season on Wednesday after pitching 1.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. He’s up to 7.1 scoreless innings with only one hit allowed and nine strikeouts.

Roster/Depth Chart

Toronto Blue Jays
•4/16: RP Jordan Romano and RP Erik Swanson activated from 15-Day IL; RP Nate Pearson optioned; RP Mitch White designated for assignment.

Romano was thrown right into the fire with a two-run lead in the 9th inning of Tuesday’s game against the Yankees. He allowed one run but held on for his 1st save of 2024. Despite only throwing 11 pitches, he was held out of Wednesday’s game in favor of Swanson, who also entered with a two-run lead in the 9th inning. Unlike Romano, Swanson’s debut was not a success. He allowed a homer, single, and double before leaving the game with only one out. By the time the inning was over, the Yankees had taken a 6-4 lead.

Yimi García (pitched 3 of last 4 days) and Chad Green (shoulder soreness) were unavailable, which is why Swanson got the call in his first game back.

Roster/Depth Chart

 

Click HERE to view our Closer Depth Chart.

 

Minor League Report

Major League Debuts 

  • Jonathan Cannon, SP, Chicago White Sox: 5 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 3 K  4/17/24
  • Jhonny Pereda, C, Miami Marlins: 0-for-2, K  4/17/24
  • David Bañuelos, PH, Baltimore Orioles: 0-for-1  4/16/24
  • Forrest Whitley, RP, Houston Astros: 0.2 IP, 0 R, H, BB, 0 K  4/16/24
  • Andy Pages, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers: 1-for-4, R, 2 K  4/16/24
  • Jair Camargo, C, Minnesota Twins: 0-for-0, BB, R  4/16/24
  • Nick Nastrini, SP, Chicago White Sox: 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K  4/15/24
  • Jonatan Clase, LF, Seattle Mariners: 1-for-4, RBI, K  4/15/24
  • Ricky Vanasco, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, K  4/15/24
  • Mitchell Parker, SP, Washington Nationals: 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K, W  4/15/24
  • Cole Winn, RP, Texas Rangers: 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, K  4/14/24
  • Yariel Rodriguez, SP, Toronto Blue Jays: 3.2 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K  4/13/24
  • Max Schuemann, PR, Oakland Athletics: 0-for-0, R  4/12/24
  • Tyler Jay, RP, New York Mets: 2 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, K 4/11/24
  • Jackson Holliday, 2B, Baltimore Orioles: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K  4/10/24
  • Spencer Arrighetti, SP, Houston Astros: 3 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K  4/10/24
  • Dedniel Núñez, RP, New York Mets: 2 IP, ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K  4/9/24
  • Davis Wendzel, 3B, Texas Rangers: 0-for-3  4/9/24
  • Blair Henley, SP, Houston Astros: 0.1 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 0 K  4/8/24
  • Josh Maciejewski, RP, New York Yankees: IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K  4/8/24
  • Wenceel Pérez, PH, Detroit Tigers: 0-for-2, K  4/8/24
  • Pedro Pagés, PH, St. Louis Cardinals: 0-for-1, K  4/7/24
  • Justin Foscue, 2B, Texas Rangers: 0-for-1  4/5/24
  • Ryan Fernandez, RP, St. Louis Cardinals: IP, 0 R, H, BB, 3 K  4/3/24
  • Jorge Barrosa, PH, Arizona Diamondbacks: 1-for-1, 2B  4/1/24
  • Shota Imanaga, SP, Chicago Cubs: 6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 9 K, W  4/1/24
  • Nick Avila, RP, San Francisco Giants: 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K  4/1/24
  • Matt Sauer, RP, Kansas City Royals: IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, K  3/31/24
  • Kai-Wei Teng, RP, San Francisco Giants: 3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K  3/31/24
  • Justin Slaten, RP, Boston Red Sox: 0 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 0 K  3/30/24
  • Ben Brown, RP, Chicago Cubs: 1.2 IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, K  3/30/24
  • Jordan Leasure, RP, Chicago White Sox: IP, 0 R, H, BB, K, Hold  3/30/24
  • Cade Smith, RP, Cleveland Guardians: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 5 K  3/30/24
  • Oliver Dunn, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers: 1-for-4, K  3/30/24
  • Austin Martin, PR, Minnesota Twins: 0-for-0  3/30/24
  • Jared Jones, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates: 5 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 10 K, W  3/30/24
  • Austin Shenton, PR, Tampa Bay Rays: 0-for-1  3/30/24
  • Trey Lipscomb, 3B, Washington Nationals: 1-for-4, SB 3/30/24
  • Nasim Nuñez, PR, Washington Nationals: 0-for-0, SB 3/30/24
  • Clayton Beeter, RP, New York Yankees: IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 0 K  3/29/24
  • Mitch Spence, RP, Oakland Athletics: 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K  3/29/24
  • Landen Roupp, RP, San Francisco Giants: IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K  3/29/24
  • Blaze Alexander, DH, Arizona Diamondbacks: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 K  3/28/24
  • Anthony Molina, RP, Colorado Rockies: 0.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, BB  3/28/24
  • Colt Keith, 2B, Detroit Tigers: 1-for-4  3/28/24
  • Darell Hernaiz, PH, Oakland Athletics: 0-for-1  3/28/24
  • Victor Scott II, CF, St. Louis Cardinals: 0-for-3, SB, K  3/28/24
  • Jung Hoo Lee 이정후, CF, San Francisco Giants: 1-for-3, RBI, K, CS  3/28/24
  • Erik Miller, RP, San Francisco Giants: IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, K  3/28/24
  • Wyatt Langford, DH, Texas Rangers: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K  3/28/24
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers: IP, 5 ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K  3/21/24
  • Stephen Kolek, RP, San Diego Padres: 0.2 IP, 2 ER, 0 H, BB  3/21/24
  • Jackson Merrill, CF, San Diego Padres: 0-for-3   3/20/24
  • Graham Pauley, PH, San Diego Padres: 0-for-1, K  3/20/24
  • Yuki Matsui, RP, San Diego Padres: 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, K  3/20/24

Promotions: Top 101 Prospects





 

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