As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Doubleheader in Atlanta:
A game between the Padres and Braves was rained out on Saturday, and the lost contest will be made up for today in the form of a split doubleheader. Game 1 is scheduled for 12:20pm local time while Game 2 is scheduled for 6:20pm local time, with fans who had tickets to Saturday night’s postponed game eligible to use them during today’s second contest this evening per MLB.com.
Game 1 will feature a pitchers’ duel between right-handers Dylan Cease (2.45 ERA) and Reynaldo Lopez (1.34 ERA). while Game 2 will see young righty Randy Vasquez (6.32 ERA) face off against veteran southpaw Chris Sale (2.54 ERA). Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud was sidelined this weekend due to dizziness after a foul ball struck his mask, and while he’s expected to be back in action today, Atlanta would likely need to add another catcher to the roster if he’s suffered any sort of setback.
2. Cardinals roster move incoming:
The Cardinals are poised to promote right-hander Ryan Loutos today for what would be his major league debut if he makes it into a game. The Cardinals will need to clear space on both their 40-man and active rosters to accommodate the addition of Loutos, who signed with St. Louis as an undrafted free agent back in 2021 but has impressed with a 1.72 ERA and 3.06 FIP in 13 appearances at the Triple-A level for the club this year.
The 40-man roster move could be a relatively simple one, as catcher Willson Contreras is a candidate for the 60-day injured list after suffering a fractured arm that will reportedly sideline him for around ten weeks. The player who Loutos will replace on the active roster is less clear, although speculatively speaking it could make some sense for the Cardinals to swap out optionable right-hander Nick Robertson for a fresher arm on the heels of Robertson throwing 58 pitches across three innings of work during last night’s game.
3. Who’s joining the White Sox rotation?
The White Sox are reportedly planning to designate veteran right-hander Brad Keller for assignment today following a tough start in the Bronx over the weekend where he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits, including four home runs, and a walk over four inning. Keller, 28, will have the opportunity to elect free agency in search of another opportunity should he not be traded or claimed before clearing waivers.
What remains unclear is how the White Sox plan to replace the veteran righty in their rotation. Right-hander Michael Soroka is stretched out to start but was only just moved to the bullpen last week to accommodate Keller. Lefty Jared Shuster has starting experience and has looked good in seven multi-inning relief appearances, but he’s thrown in the vicinity of just 25 pitches per outing in recent weeks and would likely need to be stretched out further to be a realistic starting option. That could leave the club to turn to a hurler not currently on the active roster such as Nick Nastrini or Jonathan Cannon, both of whom made their MLB debuts earlier this season but have since been optioned back to Triple-A Charlotte.
