Diamondbacks News
(Arizona Sports) Diamondbacks going back to closer-by-matchups
The Diamondbacks are going to play the matchups with a bullpen that has been deeper than in previous seasons.
“I’ve made an adjustment,” Lovullo told Diamondbacks broadcaster Todd Walsh on the postgame show. “I’m going to mix up some roles a little bit and get Paul back on his feet. … We’re going to have roles, matchups to get it done.”
(SI.com) Evaluating All 6 D-backs Closer Options After Paul Sewald Demotion
Manager Torey Lovullo did note
that, for now, the D-backs would likely go based on matchups. But a closer-by-committee tends to be more successful when there is one or two primary closers.
Arizona currently carries eight relievers. They’ve all had some level of success this year and have overperformed as a group.
With the exceptions of Sewald and of right-hander Gerardo Carrillo — who is a rookie, and currently the long man of the bullpen — let’s take a look at the potential closer committee members
(Arizona Sports) Diamondbacks will not make a trade that leads to luxury tax penalties
The Diamondbacks are only $6-7 million away from facing luxury tax penalties for the first time in franchise history, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported.
The club will not set off those penalties, which include an increasing tax rate and the loss of money it receives from redistribution.
MLB News
The Angels struck a deal to send both starting catcher Logan O’Hoppe and relief pitcher Chase Silseth to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, just days ahead of the MLB trade deadline. In return, they’ll acquire minor-league infielder Angel Arredondo.
The move was announced minutes before the Angels and Houston Astros were set to start the third game of their series in Anaheim. O’Hoppe, who started behind the plate in the Angels’ 3-2 loss on Tuesday, was not in the lineup.
Skubal made history early in his start on Wednesday. He entered the game with 999 career strikeouts and fanned Taylor Ward, the game’s first hitter, to join the 1,000-strikeout club. Skubal got there in 857 career innings, far and away the fewest in Tigers history. The previous franchise record holder, Max Scherzer, recorded his 1,000th strikeout in 944 ⅔ innings.
(NBC Sports) CC Sabathia: Detroit Tigers “have to trade” Tarik Skubal at deadline
As the Tigers (51-58) fade in the AL Central and Wild Card races, Sabathia believes now is the ideal time for Detroit to acquire “all the pieces” it needs to replenish its farm system and MLB roster. A potential deal for Skubal could see the Tigers “run through” a team’s farm, with multiple top prospects and MLB-ready talent likely coming back to Detroit in any deal for the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner.
That’s why Sabathia is adamant about the rare opportunity Detroit has in front of it, saying it “makes no sense” to keep Skubal when the chance to re-tool on the fly is on the table.
Boston Red Sox infielder Curtis Mead is tentatively expected to miss 6-8 weeks due to the wrist fracture he sustained in his first game with the team, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported Wednesday.
The timeline threatens to sideline Mead for most if not all of the remainder of the regular season.
