As the 2023 season continues, here are three things we’ll be watching around the baseball world throughout today:
1. Hendricks scheduled return:
After nearly a year away from the major league to recover from shoulder surgery, the Cubs . veteran Kyle Hendricks is expected to be activated from the injury list to start tonight’s game against the Mets. A key cog in the rotation during the Cubs’ final run, Hendricks was one of the most reliable starters in the game from 2016-2020 as he posted a 3.00 ERA (143 ERA). +) and 3.40 FIP. However, since the beginning of the 2021 season, Hendricks has only made 265 innings of 1/3 with a serious decline. His ERA of 4.78 over the past two campaigns is 13% below the league average, a far cry from the performance that helped him win Cy Young’s vote in 2016 and 2020.
The Cubs are certainly hoping the last remaining member of the 2016 World Series team will be able to return to form and help solidify a rotation that has a lot of uncertainty behind it. Marcus Stroman, Justin SteeleAnd Draw Smyly. buy back the season Jameson Taillon struggled to get an ERA of 8.10 with a FIP of 4.93 in 26 innings of 2/3, while the youngster Hayden Wesneski was recently downgraded to Triple-A after posting a 5.03 ERA and 5.92 FIP in eight major league starts. A corresponding move will be required to make room for Hendricks on tonight’s pre-match active roster, which will begin at 6:40pm CT.
2. Courageously recalling Dodd:
After losing a pair of quality cranks in maximum frying And Kyle Wright for long-term injury, Braves prepare to call left-handed Dylan Dodd to start tonight’s game against the Phillies. Dodd made his MLB debut earlier this season and posted an ERA of 6.46 in three major leagues starting with a 5.69 FIP. Dodd has also struggled in Triple-A this season, with a 6.67 ERA in 27 innings. Despite those worrisome numbers, the Dodd and Braves will be hoping for a recovery tonight. A corresponding move will be required to make room for Dodd on the active roster.
If the young left-hander continues to struggle, further rotational reinforcements could be just around the corner, as a right-hander Michael Soroka continues to return to a major tournament for the first time since the 2020 campaign. Of course, Dodd could also follow in the footsteps of young lefties. Jared Shusterwho also struggled in his first call-up to the majors but has enjoyed smoother results in his two starts since returning to the Majors earlier this month.
3. Jansen leaves with groin problem:
Blue jay catcher Danny Jansen left the match yesterday with what the club call a tight left groin. The severity of the injury is currently unclear, but MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson noted that Tyler HeinemanThe only extra catcher on Toronto’s 40-man roster, was ruled out of a minor league game last night following Jansen’s injury.
In 36 games this season, Jansen has only dropped 0.207/.273/.413 (86 wRC+), but that includes a poor 1 to 25 record at the start of the season. Since coming out of that joke, he’s posted a .250/.314/.510 more mindful slash in 105 number plate appearances, which is pretty consistent with a .260/.339/ performance. 516 of last year. If Jansen misses time, it could mean going back to full-time duties behind the board. Alejandro Kirkwho dropped 0.230/.348/.319 (93 wRC+) in 38 games this season.
