Because the march in direction of the postseason continues, listed here are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world right now:
1. Castillo to bear MRI:
Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo is scheduled to bear an MRI after struggling a left hamstring pressure in yesterday’s recreation towards the Cardinals. It’s been a relative down season for Castillo by his lofty requirements, because the 31-year-old has pitched to a 3.64 ERA (102 ERA+) with a 3.93 FIP in 175 1/3 innings of labor by means of 30 begins. Castillo has nonetheless been a key a part of Seattle’s playoff hopes as he kinds a rotation (alongside Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo, and Bryce Miller) that’s arguably the best in the complete sport.
That wonderful rotation can be key to the membership maintaining the final vestiges of its playoff hopes alive. At 73-71, Seattle has only a 7.7% likelihood (per FanGraphs) of creating it into the postseason with about three weeks to go within the common season. That precarious positioning makes even a single missed begin probably devastating for the Mariners, however an extended absence may put a dent of their probabilities of success within the playoffs even within the unbelievable occasion that they handle to squeak into the postseason. Righty Emerson Hancock (4.76 ERA, 5.43 FIP in 9 large league begins), would probably take over Castillo’s rotation spot have been the veteran to go on the injured record.
2. Graterol to return:
As famous by MLB.com’s Harm Tracker, the Dodgers are anticipated to activate right-hander Brusdar Graterol from the injured record earlier than right now’s recreation towards the Cubs. Graterol suffered a hamstring pressure simply over a month in the past in his first look of the 2024 season after a season-long battle with shoulder irritation. The membership might want to make an activate roster transfer with a view to activate Graterol.
The 26-year-old was dominant for L.A. final 12 months with a 1.20 ERA and three.03 FIP in 67 1/3 innings of labor, and the Dodgers are certainly hoping he can carry that form of elite manufacturing to the again of their bullpen down the stretch and into the playoffs. In any case, the membership’s 4.35 ERA and 4.47 FIP out of the bullpen because the begin of July are each under common, with the latter determine touchdown within the backside six amongst all large league golf equipment. The membership’s struggles to shut out video games have been largely solved by the deadline addition of Michael Kopech, however the return of Graterol ought to give the membership one other late-inning possibility alongside Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, and Daniel Hudson.
3. Will the Braves carry up Biggio?
The Braves acted rapidly on the heels of reports that their damage substitute for Ozzie Albies, veteran Whit Merrifield, had himself suffered a notable damage when he fouled a ball off his foot, leading to a small fracture. Whereas a go to with a specialist decided that Merrifield wouldn’t additional irritate the problem by ending out the season and would be capable of return to the sphere as quickly because the ache in his foot allowed, that didn’t cease Atlanta brass from buying second baseman Cavan Biggio over the weekend. Although Biggio wouldn’t be eligible for the postseason, will the Braves nonetheless look to pick his contract to the massive league roster? Such a transfer would require the membership to not solely clear a spot on the lively roster, but additionally make a 40-man roster transfer with a view to accommodate Biggio.
