The Opener: Royals, Lopez, Cubs


On the eve of this summer time’s commerce deadline, listed below are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day in the present day:

1. Royals dealing with potential bullpen accidents:

Yesterday’s 7-3 loss to the Cubs was a very brutal one for the Royals, as relievers John Schreiber and Hunter Harvey each exited the sport as a result of damage considerations, leaving a bullpen that’s already an apparent weak point for Kansas Metropolis in an much more precarious place. After being acquired from the Purple Sox over the offseason, Schreiber has posted a 4.14 ERA and a very good 3.26 FIP in 37 innings of labor. Harvey was acquired simply earlier than the All-Star break from the Nationals and sports activities a 4.15 ERA and three.38 FIP in 47 2/3 innings this 12 months.

As famous by MLB.com’s Damage Tracker, Schreiber “tweaked” his knee on a play and first base and limped off the sector earlier than being changed by Harvey to begin the subsequent inning. Harvey then recorded two outs within the seventh earlier than surrendering back-to-back walks and exiting as a result of again spasms. Per supervisor Matt Quatraro, Schreiber is about to bear imaging and the membership expects to know extra in regards to the standing of each gamers in the present day. The lack of both arm would absolutely exacerbate the Royals’ want for bullpen assist, which has seen them related to Angels righty Luis Garcia and Marlins lefty Tanner Scott in latest days.

2. Lopez to obtain imaging outcomes:

The Braves additionally acquired a significant damage scare yesterday when right-hander Reynaldo Lopez exited yesterday’s sport as a result of forearm tightness. Lopez has paired with veteran Chris Sale to assist make up for the lack of ace hurler Spencer Strider this 12 months as he’s posted a sterling 2.06 ERA with a 3.16 FIP by 19 begins. Lopez was set to bear an MRI to find out the severity of the problem final evening. A severe damage might pressure the Braves to leap into the marketplace for beginning pitching even because the membership figures to prioritize including to its beleaguered outfield. With as many as ten contenders already out there for beginning pitching assist, the addition of Atlanta to that group might make the push for rotation arms the speak of the league over the ultimate day and a half earlier than the deadline.

3. What’s subsequent for the Cubs?

The Cubs entered deadline season trying like possible sellers this summer time however have as a substitute centered on this level on including gamers with long-term staff management. They picked up right-hander Nate Pearson (managed by 2026) from the Blue Jays on Saturday earlier than swinging essentially the most shocking deal of the deadline to this point yesterday to purchase third baseman Isaac Paredes (managed by 2027) from the Rays.

Given these buy-side acquisitions, it might hardly be a shock to see the Cubs try and accumulate extra long-term belongings on the large league degree, and so they’ve even been related to shorter-term belongings like Giants southpaw Blake Snell. Alternatively, right-hander Jameson Taillon has acquired loads of curiosity on the commerce market, and it stays attainable he or a bullpen arm like Mark Leiter Jr. get shipped out by president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and his workers because the deadline approaches.

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