The Opener: Graceffo, Harper, Schwarber, Wade

With July simply across the nook, listed below are three issues to control round baseball right now:

1. Graceffo to affix Cardinals’ bullpen:

The Cardinals are expected to advertise Gordon Graceffo forward of this night’s matchup with the Reds. Though he has been a starter within the minors, the right-hander will likely be accessible out of the bullpen tonight. St. Louis can liberate a spot for Graceffo on the 40-man roster by transferring Steven Matz to the 60-day IL. Nevertheless, the group might want to make an extra corresponding transfer to open a spot on the energetic roster.

Graceffo, 24, is extensively thought of one of many higher pitching prospects within the group. He has made 14 begins this 12 months for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, pitching to a 3.84 ERA with a 21.4% strikeout fee and an 8.9% stroll fee. Whereas his Triple-A numbers don’t leap off the web page, they characterize an enchancment from his stats with the Redbirds final season; in 21 video games (18 begins) at Triple-A in 2023, Graceffo posted a 4.92 ERA with a 20.9% strikeout fee and 11.6% stroll fee.

2. Harm updates approaching Harper, Schwarber:

On the identical day they misplaced Spencer Turnbull for the next six to eight weeks, the Phillies had two extra harm scares, this time to a pair of their greatest hitters. Bryce Harper, who was lately named the beginning first baseman for the NL All-Star group, limped his approach again to the dugout after hurting his left hamstring on the ultimate play of yesterday’s recreation towards the Marlins. In accordance with Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harper felt his hamstring “seize” as he ran to first base. He talked about that he’s uncertain how apprehensive he needs to be in regards to the extent of the harm as a result of he has by no means skilled this explicit situation earlier than.

In the meantime, leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber exited Thursday’s recreation early with what the group referred to as “left groin tightness” (per Coffey). Schwarber is within the midst of one other sturdy season with Philadelphia in his first 12 months as a full-time DH, with 17 dwelling runs and an .820 OPS. Coffey noted that the Phillies will present updates on each sluggers right now, maybe throughout supervisor Rob Thomson’s media availability this afternoon at roughly 2:25 pm CT.

3. Giants to activate Wade:

Giants supervisor Bob Melvin instructed reporters (together with Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic) that first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. is ready to rejoin the group right now. Meaning he’ll be eligible for tonight’s contest towards the Dodgers at Oracle Park. Presumably, he’ll slot again into the center of the order towards rookie right-hander Landon Knack. Wade hardly ever performs towards left-handed pitchers, however he has been San Francisco’s best bat towards right-handed pitching this season.

Certainly, Wade was one of many hottest hitters in MLB over the primary two months of the 2024 marketing campaign, slashing .333/.470/.426 (166 wRC+) throughout 52 video games. Nevertheless, he has been out since late Could with a left hamstring pressure. The Giants, who’ve gone 11-16 since Wade landed on the IL, will certainly be happy to have him again within the lineup. San Francisco might want to make a corresponding transfer to place Wade again on the energetic roster.