The Opener Prospect Promotions Steele Marti

With 20% of the 2024 regular season now in the books, here are three things well be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today: 1. Prospect promotions incoming: The Guardians to select the contract of first baseman prior to todays game against the Tigers this evening. Cleveland will need to make room on both its active and 40-man rosters to accommodate the addition of Manzardo, though the former will be accomplished by the clubs expected placement of outfielder on the 10-day IL. Also receiving the bump to the majors today is Giants right-hander . He too will require corresponding moves on both the 40-man and active rosters before this afternoons Darren Baker Jersey game against the Phillies. Acquired from the Rays at last years trade deadline in exchange for , the 23-year-old Manzardo is a consensus top-100 talent with little left to prove in the minor leagues, slashing an incredible .303/.375/.642 in 128 trips to the plate at the Triple-A level this year. A full-time first baseman, Manzardos defensive limitations leave him likely to handle either first or DH alongside , with moving to occupy left field in Kwans absence. As for Black, he appears poised to step into the San Francisco rotation after the club lost left-hander to the injured list and received a combined 4 2/3 innings from starting pitchers and over the weekend. Black, a 24-year-old with an excellent 1.01 ERA in six starts at the Triple-A level this season, figures to be tasked with helping to give the clubs bullpen a much-needed breather. 2. Steele to be activated: Cubs left-hander has been on the injured list since on Opening Day. Steele made his first All-Star team in 2023, posted a 3.06 ERA (146 ERA+) with a 3.02 FIP, and finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting last year. Hed been cruising through 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball at the time of his injury. The Cubs will need to make a corresponding move to make room for Steele on the active roster prior to the game. , , and have all been outstanding in Steeles absence, and the staff aces return should further bolster a starting staff that ranks third in the majors with a 3.13 ERA this year. Steeles return will also allow the club to move either or to the bullpen, thereby strengthening the relief corps. 3. Could Martin be facing an IL stint? Veteran right-hander was dominant in his first season with the Red Sox last year, pitching to a sterling 1.05 ERA with a 2.44 FIP in 55 appearances while acting as the primary set-up man for closer . Things havent gone quite as smoothly for the 37-year-old in his second year with the club, however. While hes struck out a strong 25% of batters faced, Martin has seen his ERA balloon to 5.11 this season and has made just one appearance since the calendar flipped to May. Per , that absence has been due to Martin dealing with lingering sorene s in his non-throwing shoulder that could ultimately require a trip to the injured list. While an injury in Martins left shoulder is certainly not as serious as one in his right would be, Abraham notes that the Red Sox are concerned that the sorene s could impact his mechanics and negatively impact his throwing arm down the line. Should Martin require a trip to the shelf, left-hander is the only relief arm available to come up from the minors currently on the 40-man roster. If the club is willing to clear a 40-man spot, veterans like and or a prospect like would become available. Amos Willingham Jersey