The Oakland A’s face off against the Toronto Blue Jays in a few hours, but in the meantime here are a few links and updates.
All-Star voting
The Oakland A’s are in last place, but they have one player making noise in the All-Star voting.
It won’t be easy for him to pass two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera in terms of popularity and name power, but it’s not impossible. Cabrera is absolutely not having an All-Star season right now, and it’s not even close — his numbers include an .811 OPS, a 117 wRC+, and 5 homers. Meanwhile, Alonso is currently a top-five hitter in all of baseball.
Two hot months don’t necessarily boost you over the established superstar, but when that superstar is also (relatively) slumping? If there’s one thing A’s fans know about online voting, it’s that it’s not over till it’s over!
Injury updates
- SS Marcus Semien had been eyeing a June return, but now July is looking more likely, reports Susan Slusser of the S.F. Chronicle. Key quote from Bob Melvin: “I hate to put a number on it but I would say June is probably going to be tough.” Click through for more details.
- That report from Slusser also includes updates on RHPs Kendall Graveman, Chris Bassitt, and Bobby Wahl.
- LHP Sean Doolittle made his second rehab outing for High-A Stockton on Tuesday, and he struck out the side on 14 pitches. Ports play-by-play announcer Zack Bayrouty’s report: “Doolittle sat 93-95 mph with his fastball and, of his 14 pitches, threw two sliders.”
- More from Slusser: OF Khris Davis left Monday’s game with calf tightness, but is already feeling better. (He is in the lineup Tuesday as the DH.)
- Update on RHP Ryan Dull, via Slusser: “Ryan Dull says he still can’t push off on his right knee, it’s coming along slowly. Can’t do anything but wait until it heals.”
Minor Leagues
- The Dominican Summer League has started play, and OF Lazaro Armenteros has officially made his Rookie League debut. Lazarito has played in two games, going 0-for-5 with 2 BB, 4 Ks, and a stolen base. Several other notable international signings are on that DSL team, including infielders Marcos Brito and Yerdel Vargas.
- RHP Brendan Butler (30th round, 2015) had been dominating for Single-A Beloit, and now he has been promoted to High-A Stockton.
- Slusser wonders how much longer until the A’s start clearing space for their prospects, at the expense of their (mostly disappointing) veteran free agent signings.
- Also this:
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Nope, it was a bird.
You know things are going bad for the Blue Jays when even the birds are against them. Or is a territorial thing, with California birds trying to ward off the ornithologic Canadian intruders?
Oh yeah, one last update. If you’re wondering where the Weekly Bernie link roundup has gone, fear not! Bernie has been busy with the end of his school year, but he’ll be back soon.