the Angels not sure if third base and top winter acquisition Anthony Rendon It will be ready when they open their season on Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com rebroadcasts. Rendón, a former Nationals star who the Angels signed a seven-year, $ 245MM contract in free agency, has been dealing with oblique pain since last week. If he can’t hit the field in a few days, the Angels are expected to use David Fletcher and Matt Thaiss in the hot corner, by Bollinger. The Angels’ infield could also be missing Luis Rengifo, who Bollinger writes has a “great chance” of being left out of the game by hamstring pain.
- Astros second base Jose Altuve He left the team’s preseason game against the Royals on Tuesday with a bruise on his left leg, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Now there is some question as to whether the former MVP will be healthy enough to go when the Astros season begins. “We hope it will be ready on Friday” manager Dusty Baker said. We will analyze it tomorrow and see where it is in the morning. Usually the day after that, you’re pretty sore. “
- “It will be a while” before left-handed Cole Hamels debuts in 2020, Brave Manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday (via Mark Bowman of MLB.com). Hamels dealt with shoulder swelling during spring training and has recently struggled with triceps tendonitis, thus preventing him from facing live hitters in recent months. Considering how short this season will be, the Braves may have trouble making much of Hamels. They inked the old workhorse for a one-year, $ 18MM contract over the winter. That guarantee turned into roughly $ 7MM prorated as the season went from 162 games to 60.
- Puppies first base Anthony Rizzo, who has been battling rib and back problems, appears to be making progress. Manager David Ross said Tuesday (via Jordan Bastian of MLB.com) that “looks like all thumbs today“As far as Rizzo is concerned. He is scheduled to start the team’s exhibition game against Minnesota on Wednesday. Meanwhile, left-handed Jose Quintana – who had surgery on his left thumb three weeks ago – issued an encouraging update on his condition (according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune), saying he doesn’t feel any pain. However, it is not yet clear when he will be able to climb the mound this season.
- Orioles left handed John means He’ll miss Opening Day because of arm fatigue, Joe Trezza of MLB.com tweeted. As a result, the signing of the low season minor league and his left-handed teammate Tommy Milone The Orioles’ opener against Boston will begin on Friday. It is unknown when Means will be able to debut in 2020, but the Orioles surely expect it to be sooner rather than later. After all, the 27-year-old Means was one of the few bright spots on Baltimore’s private talent roster last season as he posted a 3.60 / 4.41 FIP ERA with 7.03 K / 9 and 2.21 BB / 9 in 155 entries.
