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1 week ago | 
baseballhq.com | Brian Entrekin |Alain De Leonardis |Sara Sanchez |Brian Rudd
Houston AstrosWith the injury to Spencer Arrighetti, the Astros are searching for a fifth starter. Ryan Gusto made the spot start this past week and allowed three earned runs over four innings, but the Astros had used him out of the bullpen before the start. Last year at Triple-A, Gusto made 29 total appearances with 26 starts and was quite serviceable. He can fill in for now, but he may not be the best option longterm. Lance McCullers Jr. is currently rehabbing his way back from another injury.
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1 week ago | 
baseballhq.com | Sara Sanchez |Brian Rudd |Brian Entrekin
Chicago CubsThe Cubs' offseason moves seem to be paying off, with the team in first place in the division heading into their second West Coast road trip already. They are about to face their first big test with staff ace Justin Steele hitting the IL for the third time in three years with left elbow tendonitis. Steele has missed minimal time with this injury dating back to 2023. But despite some early optimism from the team, reporting late Friday indicated Steele was seeking second opinions.
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2 weeks ago | 
baseballhq.com | Brian Rudd |Brian Entrekin |Mark Gannon
Kansas City RoyalsCarlos Estévez (RHP, KC) has converted three of four save chances so far, with the lone blown save coming on an unearned run in the 10th inning. He has allowed just 1 ER in 5 IP so far, but a peak beneath the hood reveals some troubling signs in the small sample. Estévez has registered a 5/4 K/BB and 6.2% SwK but has been bailed out by a 16% H% and 83% S%. Should Estévez continue to struggle missing bats, the team could turn to Lucas Erceg (RHP, KC) again.
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2 weeks ago | 
baseballhq.com | Brian Entrekin |Brian Rudd |Mark Gannon
Baltimore OriolesFollowing Colton Cowser’s injury and the return of Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore’s position player group looks to be set for the foreseeable future. The lineup against right-handed pitchers seems to be fairly consistent, though Ramón Urías may mix in when one of the nine regulars receives a rest day. Against left-handers, though, the team’s lineup could vary greatly, as there are several regulars at risk of being platooned.
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2 weeks ago | 
baseballhq.com | Brian Entrekin |Brian Rudd |Mark Gannon
Houston AstrosCam Smith was all the buzz through spring training. The hype started as soon as he was part of the Kyle Tucker trade this offseason and built even more after he hit .342 this spring with four home runs. He even learned a new position in the outfield, which was necessary to make the team. Smith did everything right to make the Opening Day roster, but that production has not followed to start the season. Through 21 plate appearances, he is hitting .111 with a 42.9% strikeout rate.
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2 weeks ago | 
baseballhq.com | Brian Rudd |Mark Gannon |Brian Entrekin
Detroit TigersThe bullpen hierarchy was tough to get a read on as the season got underway, but we may be starting to see some clarity. Throughout most of the offseason, Jason Foley (RHP, DET) looked like the favorite for saves after notching 28 of them in 2024, but he didn't even crack the Opening Day roster. He is at Triple-A, where he has opened the season with two perfect frames, as he tries to work his way back to the major league roster.
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3 weeks ago | 
baseballhq.com | Brian Entrekin |Sara Sanchez |Brian Rudd
Boston Red SoxInjuries took a significant toll on Boston’s rotation to enter the season. Three pitchers (Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford) who were originally ticketed for the team’s rotation began the year on the IL. While Crawford’s return still appears to be far away, both Bello and Giolito are making significant strides toward returning to the team’s rotation in April and are slated to make rehab starts for AAA-Worcester this week (Bello on April 1 and Giolito on April 2).
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3 weeks ago | 
baseballhq.com | Brian Entrekin |Sara Sanchez |Brian Rudd |Mark Gannon
Texas RangersThe third base position is once again in flux with the Rangers. Last season, Josh Jung missed most of the season, and the team used Josh Smith and others at the position. Jung is out again, and Smith is getting the early reps at third base. It seems pretty straightforward, but the real question is, who will take over for Josh Smith if Smith struggles or gets hurt? Ezequiel Duran received some time over the weekend, but better options exist.
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1 month ago | 
baseballhq.com | Sara Sanchez |Brian Rudd |Brian Entrekin
NATIONAL LEAGUEColorado RockiesNEWS: The Rockies announced that 2B Thairo Estrada will miss 4-8 weeks with a broken wrist.. IMPACT: HighBHQ SPIN: Estrada was going to be their main second baseman for 2025, but that looks to now be delayed for a month or potentially two. Estrada was having a strong spring batting .400 with 3 steals, which was starting to erase memories of his difficult 2024.
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1 month ago | 
baseballhq.com | Sara Sanchez |Brian Rudd |Brian Entrekin
Chicago CubsThe Cubs dropped both of their games in Japan to the juggernaut Dodgers, but projection systems still see them as the darlings in a relatively weak NL Central. Rookie Matt Shaw grabbed a roster spot, two starts at third base and the first hit of his young career. Moving Shaw to the 26-man roster meant the Cubs designated Keegan Thompson for assignment, but there is roster fallout to keep an eye on here beyond bullpen depth.
