RosterResource Roundup: April 6-7

by
April 7, 2024

Below you’ll find a roundup of notable moves and roster notes from the past two 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: Last week, we moved our RosterResource pages into regular season mode and introduced a new feature that allows you to view all 30 projected lineups (vs RHP and vs LHP) on one page.

Lineup Regulars

Arizona Diamondbcaks
•SS Geraldo Perdomo (torn knee meniscus) placed on 10-Day IL; INF Kevin Newman has contract selected from minors.

Perdomo will undergo surgery and is expected to miss at least one month. Blaze Alexander will likely get the majority of playing time at shortstop.

The 24-year-old Alexander was flying under the radar as a platoon bat off the bench to begin his big league career, collecting five hits and two walks in his first 14 plate appearances. But he’s under the spotlight now as the starting shortstop. In three games since Perdomo’s injury, he’s 1-for-9 with an error as the Dbacks were swept by the Braves.

Expect Newman to get an occasional start, as well as Jace Peterson, but how often those veterans play will be determined by Alexander’s ability to play well defensively and at the plate.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Boston Red Sox
•SS Trevor Story (dislocated shoulder) placed on 10-Day IL; INF/OF David Hamilton recalled.

No timetable was given, but Story called the injury “significant. It at least sounds like there’s a chance he could miss the remainder of the season. The 31-year-old is three years into a six-year, $140MM contract and has played in only 145 games. For now, it appears that the left-handed hitting Hamilton and right-handed hitting Pablo Reyes could platoon at shortstop.

In his first start in 2024, the 26-year-old Hamilton reached base three times, including his first big league homer to open the scoring in Sunday’s 12-2 win over the Angels.

While speed is Hamilton’s stand-out tool — he stole 70 bases in Double-A back in 2022 and 57 in Triple-A last season — he also had a .363 OBP and showed some power (71 BB, 17 HR in 469 PAs in AAA). He’s also considered an adequate defender at shortstop. We’ll see if it can carry over to the big leagues, but Red Sox fans are probably feeling a lot better now than they were the last two days.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Chicago White Sox
•OF Luis Robert Jr. (strained hip flexor) placed on 10-Day IL; INF Lenyn Sosa recalled.

Robert missed more than three months in 2021 with a torn hip flexor tendon. This one is considered a Grade 2 strain. It’s possible that he returns quicker than in 2021, but it also seems like he’ll miss at least a month or two. Dominic Fletcher is playing center field in his place while Robbie Grossman (0-for-9) and Kevin Pillar (0-for-7) will take on most of Robert’s at-bats, at least until they’re ready to give Oscar Colás another chance.

The 25-year-old Colás, who struggled in 263 big league plate appearances in 2023 (.571 OPS, 71 K) and also didn’t hit much during the spring (3-for-20, 8 K), is off to a 9-for-28 start with Triple-A Charlotte. That’s a very small sample, but things could quickly turn (or might already be turning) from “hey, you never know in this division” to “let’s figure out who is going to be part of the 2025 team”. And Colás is expected to get a long audition at some point.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Milwaukee Brewers
•3B Oliver Dunn had a triple and a single out of the leadoff spot on Sunday. He’s now 7-for-22 with one homer and two stolen bases.

The 26-year-old Dunn might have been the most “who in the heck is that guy” to break camp with their respective team. He was very good in 2023 (.902 OPS, 21 HR, 16 SB, and 81 BB in Double-A), but that was in Double-A and he was 25. The Phillies had acquired him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft during the previous offseason and were probably ecstatic when they were able to flip him to the Brewers for two pretty good prospects (Robert Moore and Hendry Mendez).

Now, Dunn is a starting 3B/DH in the big leagues. He has batted 5th in the lineup three times and just had a big game in his first chance as the leadoff hitter.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

St. Louis Cardinals
•OF Lars Nootbaar could be activated from the 10-Day IL next week.

Nootbaar had only 11 plate appearances before he was injured early in Spring Training so his rehab assignment, which began on April 2, wasn’t expected to be a quick one. But he seems to be getting close.

The Cardinals, in the meantime, aren’t getting much production out of any of their outfielders — Alec Burleson (5-for-29), Victor Scott II (3-for-36), and Jordan Walker (6-for-31) have all struggled at the plate. Taking it slow with Nootbaar might be less likely because of that. It also seems probable that he’ll be limited to a corner outfield spot with some designated hitter starts mixed in, which bodes well for the Scott. But if the rookie continues to struggle, the Cardinals might have to allow Nootbaar to play CF until either Dylan Carlson or Tommy Edman return from the IL.

Roster/Depth Chart  |  Playing Time Projections

Starting Pitching

Atlant Braves
•Spencer Strider (sprained elbow) placed on 15-Day IL; RP Allan Winans recalled.

The Braves, who began the season with one of the best rosters in baseball (on paper), have lost the one pitcher who they probably couldn’t afford to lose. Strider will seek a second opinion, but he has ligament damage and is very likely to require season-ending surgery. The Braves’ pitching depth will now be put to the test.

Winans will be available out of the bullpen for now, but he’ll be an option for Wednesday’s start against the Mets. Bryce Elder, who made 31 starts and was an All-Star in 2023, would’ve been the leading candidate but he pitched on Saturday and threw 80 pitches. He’s more likely to be added to the rotation at another time. Dylan Dodd, AJ Smith-Shawver, Darius Vines, and Huascar Ynoa are all options to start on Wednesday.

Roster/Depth Chart

Cleveland Guardians
•Shane Bieber (Tommy John surgery) placed on 15-Day IL; RP Peter Strzelecki recalled.

Unlike the common “drip, drip, drip” of information that leads up to the eventual news that a pitcher will require season-ending Tommy John surgery, we were treated to a “just rip the band-aid off” version on Saturday morning. Without any warning signs — no elbow or forearm soreness; no drop in velocity — it was announced that Bieber’s season was over after two brilliant starts (12 IP, 0 R, BB, 20 K).

Not only is this devastating news for the Guardians, but Bieber is no longer on track for a huge payday when he becomes a free agent after this season at age 29. He’ll likely have to settle for a short-term deal, possibly similar to the two-year, $22MM contract that Tyler Mahle signed with the Rangers this past offseason. Mahle, 29, underwent Tommy John surgery last May, which gives him a chance to pitch in the 2nd half of this season before he’s ready to go for a full season in 2025. He’d become a free agent again prior to his age-31 season.

The Guardians will have to rely further on their young pitchers, although veterans Carlos Carrasco and Tyler Beede could help to pick up the slack. Xzavion Curry, who is on the 15-Day IL while recovering from a viral infection, could be a rotation option once when he’s ready. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in his first appearance on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus.

Roster/Depth Chart

Milwaukee Brewers
•Jakob Junis (shoulder impingement) placed on 15-Day IL; SP Aaron Ashby recalled.

After just one start (4 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K), Junis’ season is on pause for at least a couple weeks after experiencing shoulder discomfort. Ashby, who made 19 starts in the majors back in 2022 before missing most of 2023 with a shoulder injury, will start on Monday. He’ll need to be very good if he wants to stay in the rotation for more than one start, though, because Wade Miley will likely be activated from the 15-Day IL next week.

Roster/Depth Chart

St. Louis Cardinals
•Sonny Gray will be activated from 15-Day IL on Tuesday.

Gray, who signed a three-year, $75MM contract this past offseason, will make his Cardinals’ debut on Tuesday at home against the Phillies. Zack Thompson made two starts in his place, allowing 8 ER in 10.1 IP.

Roster/Depth Chart

 

Click HERE to view our Starting Pitcher Probables Grid.

 

Late-Inning Relievers

Chicago Cubs
•Julian Merryweather (strained shoulder) placed on 15-Day IL; Daniel Palencia recalled.

After a breakout season in 2023 (3.38 ERA, 72 IP, 98 K), Merryweather has continued to look the part as a reliable high-leverage relief pitcher. But, at least for the next two weeks, the Cubs will have to rely on others to step up. Héctor Neris, Mark Leiter Jr., and Drew Smyly are their top setup options to bridge the gap to closer Adbert Alzolay.

Roster/Depth Chart

Kansas City Royals
James McArthur’s first save of  2024 only transpired because Will Smith was in trouble, had blown his previous save chance, and a right-handed batter was coming to bat with the tying and winning runs on base. But he got the job done and, seemingly, earned his way back into manager Matt Quatraro’s circle of trust.

While Quatraro did stay away from both Smith and McArthur on Saturday, opting to go with veteran Chris Stratton to close out a 3-0 win over the White Sox, he went right back to them on Sunday with the game on the line. Only this time, with the Royals leading 5-3, it was Smith who pitched the 8th inning (IP, 0 R, H, K) and McArthur came on to start the 9th inning. He did allow a walk and single, but pitched a scoreless inning with a pair of strikeouts to pick up his 2nd save. He now has six saves in his last 11 appearances dating back to last September.

Smith’s bounce-back inning should also keep him in the mix for save chances, but McArthur’s performance is another step towards him becoming the team’s primary closer.

Roster/Depth Chart

Tampa Bay Rays
Pete Fairbanks did not pitch in either of the team’s close wins on Saturday and Sunday as Colin Poche and Shawn Armstrong each picked up saves against the Rockies at Coors Field. But it wasn’t workload or injury-related. The Rays’ closer walked all three batters he faced in Friday’s game, leading to a walk-off loss when the next batter, Ryan McMahon, hit a grand slam against Jason Adam. After the game, Fairbanks complained about the baseballs, which are stored in a humidor at Coors Field.

Whether he had a point or not, it made sense to not test out the theory again during the team’s remaining games against the Rockies. It’s unlikely that his role will change at all moving forward.

It was probably a good thing to see a few other relievers come through when they were needed considering that the Rays’ bullpen is last in the majors with a 7.47 ERA.

Roster/Depth Chart

Texas Rangers
•Josh Sborz (strained rotator cuff) placed on 15-Day IL; Grant Anderson recalled.

Sborz, who struggled with a 5.50 ERA during the 2023 regular season before becoming one of the Rangers’ most valuable pitchers in the playoffs, will be out for at least the next two weeks. After three consecutive scoreless outings to begin the 2024 season, it was a good sign that his post-season dominance would continue. The offseason additions of David Robertson and Kirby Yates, who have combined for 8.2 scoreless innings, should give the team a good chance to hold leads late in the game.

Roster/Depth Chart

 

Click HERE to view our Closer Depth Chart.

 

Minor League Report

Major League Debuts 

  • 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





 

Comments are closed.