MLB Weekend News: Billy Butler to Face Lefties, Two Padres to DL
After an Opening Week of MLB that saw teams falter in the cold and its brightest stars shine, the league will slowly fall into place as teams build on the momentum of hot starts and look to rebound from any struggles. While the Baltimore Orioles (5-0) remain the only undefeated team in the league, there’s several other teams with only one loss on the season.
The Cincinnati Reds have surprised everyone by jumping out to a 5-1 record, while the Chicago Cubs are still looking strong despite a devastating injury to Kyle Schwarber. Over the in American League, the upstart Minnesota Twins have faltered to the tune of an 0-6 record and will need a spark soon if they have any hopes of catching up to the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers.
On the West Coast, the Oakland Athletics are clinging to a slim lead in the loaded AL West while the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are duking it out in a solid NL West division.
The biggest story, however, is the sudden rise of Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who now leads the league with seven home runs in just six games.
Here’s the latest news from an exciting weekend of major league action.
Next: An albatross of a deal
Billy Butler to Likely Only Face Lefties
After faring far better against left-handed pitchers for most of his career, Athletics’ designated hitter Billy Butler may be relegated to only playing against lefty pitchers this season. Jane Lee of MLB.com noted that Butler has sat in the A’s last four contests after starting the first three games of the season against left-handers.
Athletics manager Bob Melvin said the team will decide who Butler faces on a day-to-day basis, but would not confirm a strict platoon.
He says he’s going to do whatever he can to help the team. He told to me that he’s going to hit his way back into the lineup and the middle of the lineup like he’s used to doing and, for the time being, he’s going to do what’s best for the team and he’s going to be ready if I need him during the course of the game, and I really appreciate that,” Melvin said.
Butler is one of Oakland’s highest-paid players after signing a three-year, $30 million deal prior to last season, and is owner of a career .302 batting average against left-handers as compared to a .286 mark against righties.
Next: A pair of injured Padres
Yangervis Solarte and Tyson Ross Headed to Disabled List
San Diego Padres third baseman Yangervis Solarte was sent to the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring injury, per Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune via MLB Trade Rumors. The team also announced starting pitcher Tyson Ross was placed on he 15-day DL due to inflammation in his right shoulder, retroactive to Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.
Utility man Alexi Amarista was called up to take Solarte’s roster spot, while right-handed reliever Brad Hand – who the team claimed off waivers earlier this week – will join the team for Ross.
After battling with infielders Jemile Weeks and Adam Rosales for a spot with on the major league roster during spring training, Amarista will once again have the chance to prove himself worthy of a major league job. Amarista struggled in 115 games with San Diego last season, as he struggled to hit .204 with a .544 OPS. At 27, it’s unlikely he’ll make any significant improvements this season that warrant extended action with the big league club.
Despite limited action this season, Solarte had played well as he hit .375/.474/.563 with 4 RBI in 19 plate appearances. He’ll rejoin the team in short order and working his way to being one of the Padres top offensive contributors.
On the pitching side of things, the Ross injury is a major blow to a Padres team dependent on the strength of its rotation. Ross has been the team’s ace over the past two seasons, as he made the All-Star team in 2014 and followed it up with a 3.26 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP in 2015.
Lefty Robbie Erlin will take Ross’ spot in the rotation, while Hand will provide extra bullpen depth. In three starts with the team last season, Erlin posted a 4.76 ERA and struggled during his time in Triple-A El Paso. Hand also struggled last season with the Miami Marlins with a 5.30 ERA in 93.1 IP, but could find success in the spacious Petco Park.
Padres manager Andy Green said the Ross move was precautionary and he should return within the next month or so.
Next: Angels pitching staff gets a boost
Jered Weaver Solid in First Start of Season and Tyler Skaggs Looking Healthy
After a career-worst season in 2015 that saw his velocity dip to the low 80s and ERA balloon to 4.64, Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver went six innings while only allowing one run in a win against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
Weaver managed to strike out four despite only throwing his fastball around 82 mph. He was able to use his off-speed pitches to keep hitters off balance, and that could be a major positive for the Angels if Weaver can keep it up for an extended period of time.
At 33, Weaver still should have a few solid years left in the tank – and the Angels will have to hope the veteran can figure out how to effectively pitch without a dominant fastball.
Almost the polar opposite of Weaver, Angels lefty Tyler Skaggs returned to action for the first time since August 2014 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. The 24-year-old made his debut for Triple-A Salt Lake City and went three innings while only allowing one run with one strikeout. According to Tyler Blake Ward of InsideTheHalos.com (via MLB Trade Rumors), Skaggs fastball stayed in the 91-93 mph range, which is right in line with his pre-Tommy John numbers.
A midseason return by Skaggs could be a major boost to the Angels rotation if any of their other starters falter. Skaggs looked promising in his first season with the Angels as he posted a 4.30 ERA with a 3.55 FIP, and at only 24, he has plenty of developing left to do.
Next: Around the league
Minor Notes: Collins, Vazquez, Ethier
- Kansas City Royals lefty reliever Tim Collins will undergo yet another Tommy John Surgery on Friday after having the procedure last done in March 2015, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reported. From 2011-2014, Collins posted a 3.54 ERA and 9.4 K/9 in 211 innings pitched, as MLB Trade Rumors noted.
- Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez, who is recovering from Tommy John Surgery, is progressing quickly and could rejoin the team by the end of the month, per Tim Britton of the Providence Journal. A return by Vazquez could signal the end of Ryan Hanigan‘s career with the Red Sox, as Blake Swihart is firmly entrenched as the team’s starting catcher. Vazquez brings plus defense and a solid bat to the plate, and will likely be a very reliable backup. In the future, however, the Red Sox may look into moving Swihart to first base and using Vazquez as the primary catcher if he proves healthy enough.
Next: Jacob DeGrom out for next start
- After starting the season on the disabled list due to a broken leg, Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier was transferred to the 60-day DL, as MLB Trade Rumors reported. The Dodgers acquired utilityman Zach Walters and outfielder James Ramsay from the Cleveland Indians in a corresponding move.