MARCH 20, 2021•MLB.COM
Matheny tabs Keller for Opening Day startSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The news wasn’t so much of a surprise as it was a statement about how the Royals view their leader on the mound. Brad K...
Named Opening Day starterKeller will start Opening Day against the Rangers on April 1, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.
ImpactKeller avoided arbitration with the Royals in January, and he'll take the mound for Kansas City to begin the regular season in the second Opening Day start of his career. The right-hander has made three Cactus League starts this spring, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 15 hits and seven walks while striking out six over 9.1 innings.
MARCH 20, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Mike Trout: Future Hall of Famer… even at his worstLast season, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels checked off the final box for his future Baseball Hall of Fame eligibility. That final box...
MARCH 20, 2021•CALLTOTHEPEN.COM
LA Angels: Halos could use these top prospects in the bullpenThe future of Angels pitching rests on the arms of top prospects (No.2) Reid Detmers and (No.4) Chris Rodriguez. It's doubtful either pitche...
MARCH 20, 2021•HALOHANGOUT.COM
Won't be be ready for Opening DayBard (hip) isn't expected to be ready for game action in time for Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
ImpactBard has been struggling with hip discomfort for the past two weeks and recently received an injection to try to relieve the pain. The right-hander is now likely to open the season on the injured list or at the team's alternate training site, but he could still make an impact out of the bullpen after returning to full health.
MARCH 20, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Opening Day status unclearSlegers (back) felt better Friday, according to coach Joe Maddon, but it's uncertain whether he'll be ready by Opening Day, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
ImpactSlegers has been out since experiencing back spasms in early March, and he had a throwing session canceled Thursday due to tightness. With less than two weeks to go until Opening Day, that leaves the right-hander's status in serious doubt. Maddon indicated Friday that he doesn't know when Slegers will be back on the mound, but he hasn't ruled out the reliever from opening the season on the big-league roster just yet, stating, "Let's give it a brief period of time here and see where he's at."
MARCH 20, 2021•ROTOWIRE
In running for bullpen roleSandoval is among a group of pitchers vying for a spot on the Opening Day roster in a relief role, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
ImpactThe Angels are dealing with a number of injury concerns in the bullpen, potentially opening the door for Sandoval -- or another pitcher currently on the roster bubble -- to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. Sandoval has been used as a starter in 15 of his 19 big-league appearances, but with the team's starting rotation essentially set, his best path to major-league innings early in the campaign is likely out of the bullpen. Sandoval has struggled with his control this spring, yielding eight walks in 10 innings, but he has also struck out 13 and given up only five hits.
MARCH 20, 2021•ROTOWIRE
