Happy Memorial Day to MLBTR readers! Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world as the long weekend continues:
1. Rutschman being monitored:
Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman departed yesterday’s game after he took a foul ball off his mask during the third inning. According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, the catcher’s removal from the game was precautionary. Interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters (including Rill) that Rutschman will continue to be monitored for 24 hours following the incident, leaving his status ahead of today’s game against the Cardinals uncertain. It’s been a disappointing year at the plate so far for Rutschman, who is hitting .211/.310/.349 with a 93 wRC+, but losing him for any amount of time would be worrisome for the already struggling Orioles with Gary Sanchez already on the shelf. Maverick Handley took over for Rutschman behind the plate in yesterday’s game, and if a trip to the injured list is necessary the Orioles could turn to Chadwick Tromp or David Banuelos.
2. Series Preview: Blue Jays @ Rangers
Neither the Blue Jays nor the Rangers are having the season they were hoping for so far. Both clubs are three games back in the AL Wild Card race. A big series for either side could put them back into the thick of the playoff conversation, but if either club struggles in this series they could quickly find themselves falling even further back in the standings. The series kicks off at 4:05pm ET this afternoon with ace righty Jacob deGrom (2.33 ERA) on the mound for the Rangers while Toronto counters with a veteran of their own in Kevin Gausman (4.05 ERA). Bowden Francis (5.54 ERA) will look to turn his season around for the Jays tomorrow against Nathan Eovaldi (1.60 ERA), who has put himself into the early AL Cy Young discussion. The series will wrap Wednesday with an as-of-yet unannounced starter on the mound for the Jays against Rangers right-hander Tyler Mahle, who has a 1.80 ERA in 11 starts amid his own brilliant campaign.
3. Arenado, Santana nearing milestone:
Just 196 players in MLB history have hit 400 doubles during their career. That number could jump to 198 any day now, however, because both Guardians first baseman Carlos Santana and Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado are within spitting distance of the milestone. Santana hit the 398th double of his career against the Tigers over the weekend, while Arenado sits just one behind him with 397 career two-baggers. The milestone is within reach for both players, but Santana in particular is white hot of late with 1.262 OPS in his past six games and a .262/.410/.492 slash line in the month of May overall. Arenado’s Cardinals are scheduled to face the Orioles and southpaw Cade Povich (4.86 ERA) today, while Santana’s Guardians face a tough matchup against Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1.86 ERA) in their own game this afternoon.
