Call to the pen
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1 player from each MLB team who has been a disappointment

By Noah Yingling

May 9, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Jarred Kelenic (10) returns to the dugout after striking out against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Jarred Kelenic (10) returns to the dugout after striking out against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Aug 29, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) comes into pitch in the ninth inning aghast the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Earlier this week, we look at one surprise player for each MLB team thus far through the season (roughly 20 percent through the season). Today, we will look at the exact opposite: a surprise for each team in a bad way.

These are primarily players who have big contracts that were just signed this offseason or top prospects who haven’t lived up to their hype (at least yet). However, there are some players who have had good seasons in recent years that are off to slow starts.

All stats are entering play on Saturday.

Here is 1 disappointing surprise for each MLB team so far, starting in the National League West

Los Angeles Dodgers: Justin Turner

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner falls into the latter category of the kinds of players that we mentioned above.

Entering Saturday, he was hitting .211/.264/.349 with an OPS+ of 74. That is the lowest on the team of anyone with at least 30 plate appearances. He also has the lowest WAR on the team at -0.4.

San Diego Padres: Dinelson Lamet

Just two years ago, Dinelson Lamet finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting for the San Diego Padres. But he has dealt with arm issues since late in that season.

He didn’t pitch in the 2020 playoffs for the Padres, only pitched in 47 innings in 2021 with an 89 ERA+, and this year, he was even worse.

In 10 relief outings, he had an ERA of 9.72.

With the team signing Robinson Canó, they optioned Lamet to the minors and he is a trade candidate.

San Francisco Giants: Jake McGee

Jake McGee was the closer for the San Francisco Giants last year and was great (62 games, 2.72 ERA, 31 saves, 3.35 FIP, 0.905 WHIP).

This year, he has been awful. In 11 games, he has a 9.58 ERA and a 1.935 WHIP. He has had some massive bad luck (4.39 FIP) but it still is a significant regression from 2021.

McGee is currently on the IL with back tightness.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Mark Melancon

2021 All-Star Mark Melancon is off to a rough start for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The closer has an 0-4 record with a 6.17 ERA in 13 games. However, he had seven saves entering Saturday.

Given that a pitching guru (pitching coach Brent Strom) is there, Melancon’s struggles likely won’t last long but it’s a bit of a rough start (and rough stretch, particularly in the last week) for him.

Colorado Rockies: Germán Márquez

Entering Saturday, Germán Márquez had been the worst starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies after he was an All-Star in 2021 and their Opening Day starter in 2020 and 2021.

He was 0-3 with a 6.47 ERA in six starts. He had some bad luck (4.98 FIP) but that is still way too high for someone who is supposed to be your best starter. His hit rate has also gone up by 50 percent and his strikeout rate has dropped nearly 20 percent.

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