Baseball Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Utley Ousted
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro made a bold declaration on Tuesday when he admitted that Chase Utley won’t be the team’s everyday second baseman when he returns from the disabled list.
Perhaps this is the first indication that a changing of the guard is underway for the Phillies. The 36-year-old is a six-time All-Star and has been a fixture at second base in Philadelphia for the past 13 seasons. Before landing on the disabled list with right ankle inflammation, he was slashing an atrocious .179/.257/.275 with four homers, 25 RBI and a 32/21 K/BB ratio in 249 plate appearances.
If Utley accumulates 500 plate appearances this season (at 249 currently), his $15 million option for 2015 will vest. Set to see his playing time limited upon his return, it’s a near certainty that he will not reach that goal. There’s even an outside chance, if he comes back from the disabled list with life in his bat, that Utley could be flipped for prospects at the trade deadline.
Cesar Hernandez has been outstanding in his stead, hitting an impressive .301/.386/.383 on the season with 19 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 183 at-bats. He has risen to the top of the Phillies lineup and makes for a nice middle infield option in deeper mixed leagues.
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Sano Doubt About It
Miguel Sano clobbered the first of what should be many big league home runs on Tuesday as the Twins topped the Orioles. He victimized Kevin Gausman for the two-run blast in the first inning, a no-doubter into the seats in left field. He also drew a bases-loaded walk in the game, finishing the night 2-for-3 with three RBI.
The 22-year-old has now hit safely in each of his first six contests with the Twins, hitting .450/.542/.700 overall with a homer and five RBI in 20 at-bats. Those that spent a high percentage of their FAAB budgets to acquire his services have to be feeling very good about the early returns on that investment.
Sano was hitting out of the cleanup spot for the first time in his young career on Tuesday and certainly rewarded Twins manager Paul Molitor for his faith in him. Expect to see the young slugger stationed in the middle of the Twins lineup for the foreseeable future.
Cueto Confounds Nationals
Johnny Cueto stated his case loud and clear to be added to the National League All-Star squad, surrendering just two hits and a walk while striking out a season-high 11 batters over nine shutout innings against the Nationals. It was the right-hander’s first shutout of the 2015 season.
Cueto owns a tremendous 2.61 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 111/21 K/BB ratio over 113 2/3 innings on the season. Even if he doesn’t get added to the team through the Final Vote, he should get the call if any of the National League hurlers selected are unable to pitch in the game.
Set to hit free agency after the conclusion of the season, there’s a growing sentiment around the league that Cueto will be moved at the trade deadline. He certainly put on a strong display for any scouts in attendance on Tuesday, especially in the fifth inning where he stranded a leadoff triple by punching out each of the next three hitters.
Welcome Back!
John Jaso (wrist) returned to the Rays lineup with a bang on Tuesday, going 3-for-5 with a double and a home run in their double header against the Royals. He had been on the shelf since sustaining the injury on Opening Day, but showed absolutely no signs of rust in his return. He remains catcher-eligible in most leagues, should play on a consistent basis and is slated to bat leadoff against right-handed pitching. He should be owned and started in all two-catcher formats, and could even be worth a look in shallow mixed leagues.
Hunter Pence didn’t miss a beat in his return to the Giants lineup, going 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI in Tuesday’s victory over the Mets. He also chipped in with the glove, turning a ridiculous double play with a diving catch into foul ground followed by a perfect throw to the plate to nail Curtis Granderson.
Khris Davis returned to the Brewers’ starting lineup on Tuesday after having been sidelined since late May with a torn meniscus in his right knee. He went 1-for-3 plus a walk and also scored a run. While he will concede some playing time initially to the hot-hitting Gerardo Parra, Davis is definitely worth a look in all deeper leagues, especially where he slots as a fourth or fifth outfielder. With Parra expected to be moved at the trade deadline, Davis should find himself back in an everyday role before long.
American League Quick Hits: Steven Souza landed on the 15-day disabled list with a lacerated right pinkie finger … Andrew Miller (forearm) will rejoin the Yankees bullpen on Wednesday … Corey Kluber fired 6 2/3 shutout innings to beat the Astros on Tuesday … Cody Allen didn’t pitch in a save situation due to a stiff back … Roberto Osuna recorded his fourth save of the season and seems to be gaining security as the Blue Jays closer … Alex Gordon with 4-for-5 with four RBI as the Royals took the nightcap to sweep a doubleheader from the Rays … Albert Pujols crushed his American League-leading 26th home run on Tuesday and also confirmed that he’ll participate in the Home Run Derby.
National League Quick Hits: Kolten Wong was forced to leave Tuesday’s game due to a mild concussion … Jonathan Papelbon reiterated his desire to pitch for a playoff contender and it looks increasingly likely that he’ll don a new uniform before the end of the season … Starling Marte missed his second straight game with an oblique injury … Jayson Werth (wrist) expects to begin a minor league rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break … Jeff Baker was forced to leave Tuesday’s game with a left oblique injury … Denard Span is expected to miss the next few games with a back injury … Mark Melancon picked up his league-leading 28th save, protecting a one-run lead against the Padres … Manny Banuelos pitched 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball to earn his first MLB victory … Matt Cain earned his first victory since July 9, 2014 with six strong innings against the Mets.
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