MLB Rumors: Aaron Judge to the injured list?
The New York Yankees just cannot stay healthy. Just as Aaron Judge got red hot the last few weeks, he may now be headed back to the injured list, along with starting pitcher Nestor Cortes.
The goal for now it would seem is to allow Judge to sit out a few games and hope his injured toe heals naturally without an IL stint. But given Judge and the Yankees' luck of late, should that be expected?
Judge made an incredible leaping catch against the wall at Dodger Stadium over the weekend. It was the kind of play that only a 6-foot-7 giant could make, but it may also cost him some playing time.
Judge did not play in the series finale on Sunday, but did comment about the possibility of an injured list stint.
"If I'm on it, I'm on it," Judge said, per the New York Times. "But I'm trying not to be, you know? Who knows? I've got no answer yet. But I'm hoping today and tomorrow, I have a little bit of rest and it will be good to go on, hopefully, Tuesday. We'll take it day to day right now."
That's not exactly an encouraging answer, especially from an oft-injured player who has already ended up on the IL once this season. When healthy, Judge is arguably the best player in baseball, neck-and-neck with Shohei Ohtani. His durability has been a longstanding issue, however.
"I don't know what they've got planned for me, if it's X-rays or M.R.I.s," Judge continued.
Over his last 19 games, Judge is hitting .348 with 14 home runs. It's an electric pace, and it may all come to a screeching halt.
MLB Rumors: NY Mets to DFA Tomas Nido?
The New York Mets fan frustration is boiling over.
After a series win over the Philadelphia Phillies reinvigorated the team and fanbase, a loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday dropped the Mets back down the .500. This team takes one step forward followed by two steps back. It's a theme.
Tomas Nido alone likely isn't to blame for New York's struggles, but he isn't needed at this juncture. Fans booed Nido over the weekend. The New York Post outlined why Nido may not be on the roster shortly, as Francisco Alvarez and Oscar Narvaez, once he returns from the IL, are the two favorites to receive starts at catcher.
"Francisco Alvarez pinch-hit for Nido in the bottom of the ninth and flied to center, but it's becoming increasingly evident there might not be room for Nido on the roster once Omar Narvaez returns from the strained left calf that has had him on the IL since early April."
Still Buck Showalter hasn't ruled out the possibility of carrying three catchers on the active roster once Narvaez returns. It would be a surprise, but nothing Showalter and Billy Eppler do at this point should be shocking.
Rising Apple's Tim Boyle suggested Narvaez could replace Nido over the weekend:
"Nido's lack of minor league options would make him a DFA candidate. Do the Mets risk letting another ball club claim him off waivers? Anyone in need of a quality backup could definitely use him. However, there is no certainty of it. The chance of Nido slipping past the other 29 teams and accepting a minor league assignment does exist."
That may explain why Nido, a player who has spent plenty of time with the organization, posted this instagram message on Sunday.
If it's the end for Nido, he should have a few suitors in a weak catcher market.
MLB Rumors: Who would replace Oli Marmol with Cardinals?
St. Louis Cardinals fans have called for Oli Marmol's job all season, and they may get their wish eventually. It's unclear if that would happen in the middle of a season, though it worked well last season when the Phillies fired Joe Girardi in favor of Rob Thomson, who was already on staff.
This is why if Marmol is let go for his mismanagement, he should be replaced by bench coach Joe McEwing, who is the team's current bench coach. McEwing is basically the right-hand man to Marmol in St. Louis. FanSided's Kevin Henry outlined why McEwing is a good candidate:
"McEwing is in his first season as the bench coach for the Cardinals after serving as a bench coach and third base coach with the Chicago White Sox since 2012. He was a constant on the south side of Chicago as the team went through managerial changes and upheaval, including last season when Tony La Russa stepped away to focus on his health during the campaign…
McEwing has experience navigating through difficult times while in Chicago and he has plenty of big league experience as a coach and as a manager. Making the move to McEwing would make sense on a number of levels from an organizational standpoint if the Cardinals were to make a switch."
Marmol's most recent mistakes cost the Cards dearly, as they suffered a series sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates. St. Louis sits in last place in a dreadful decision, with no sign of turning things around soon.
Why wait until it gets worse?
If John Mozeliak and the Cards front office is tired with the on-field product, they have a worthy scapegoat and a clear replacement.