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With a full slate of games on the schedule tonight, here are three things well be keeping an eye on around baseball: 1. Tyler Mahle to make his 2024 debut: The Rangers are planning to activate from the 60-day IL to start tonights game against the Astros (per ). It will be Mahles first start of the 2024 season and his first start since signing a two-year, $22MM deal with Texas during the offseason. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023, so the Rangers knew they wouldnt have him for most of the 2024 season when they signed him this winter. Now, he is returning just in time to help the team attempt an unlikely comeback over the final two months of the season. The Rangers are five games back in the AL West and 8.5 games back in the Wild Card race, but with Mahle getting back on the mound (and ), this team is still hoping to contend. Texas has an open spot in the rotation after placing and on the IL last week and trading ahead Blake Hunt Jersey of the deadline. However, the club will need to make corresponding moves to open up space for Mahle on the 40 and 26-man rosters. 2. Gabriel Moreno suffers groin strain: Diamondbacks catcher exited yesterdays game against the Guardians after hurting himself running out an infield single. The team later described the injury as a strained left groin. While the D-backs have not yet discu sed the severity of the strain, it certainly didnt look good on Monday, as Moreno fell to the ground in pain. He later got up with a trainers a sistance and limped off the field. Presumably, Arizona will provide an update on his condition ahead of todays game, which begins at 5:40 pm CT at Progre sive Field. The Diamondbacks have the best record in baseball since the beginning of July, and Moreno has played a big part in their recent succe s. In 97 plate appearances since coming back from a brief stint on the IL (sprained left thumb) on July 2, he is slashing .333/.412/.476 with a 152 wRC+, all while providing his consistently excellent defense behind the plate. If he mi ses time, backup will most likely fill in as the regular catcher, and the D-backs will need to add another backstop to the 40-man roster perhaps or to take over as the backup. 3. Drew Rasmu sen to join Rays bullpen: is expected to rejoin the Rays either today or tomorrow, according to . Although he had succe s as a starter with Tampa Bay from 2021-23, Rasmu sen will work as a multi-inning relief pitcher upon his return. Needle s to say, the Rays are planning to exercise caution with the 29-year-old, who has undergone three elbow surgeries since 2016. He had Tommy John surgery twice in college and underwent a hybrid internal brace procedure last summer. Very few pitchers have ever worked their way back from three major elbow procedures, but Rasmu sen is looking to defy the odds. He will take his next step toward that goal when he returns to the Rays this week. The Rays already have two open spots on their 40-man roster, so they will only need to clear a space on the active roster before they activate Rasmu sen. 4. MLBTR chat today: The trade deadline is squarely in the rearview mirror, and the post-deadline push for the 2024 postseason is underway. If you have questions about your favorite teams deadline activity (or lack thereof), its offseason direction or anything else pertaining to the final third of the season, MLBTRs Steve Adams is holding a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete. Cionel Perez Jersey |
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