News & Notes
- Luis Severino told reporters that he believes he can be stretched out to 100 pitches by the end of the month. After throwing 55 tonight, he’s well on his way and it could take just three more starts. His next one could be in the Bronx or with Trenton/Scranton in the next round. I, for one, am extremely encouraged.
- Dellin Betances will likely get two more relief appearances before joining the Yankees after he started his rehab tonight.
- Giancarlo Stanton played in a simulated game Friday and is scheduled for another Saturday as he nears his return.
- Jordan Montgomery could start for the Thunder in the Eastern League Championship Series, The Trentonian reports.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders ILDS Game 2: (4-2 loss at Durham) … Both runs were scored in the ninth inning … Durham leads the best-of-5 series, 2-0. Game 3 will be in Scranton on Saturday … Durham will start a rehabbing Blake Snell.
- Starter: RHP Michael King: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 6/2 GB/FB — 63 of 103 (61%) pitches were strikes … He allowed two 2-run homers in the second inning and that was it for Durham’s runs.
- In Relief: LHP Rex Brothers: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP
- In Relief: RHP Brady Lail: 1 IP, zeros
- In Relief: LHP Danny Coulombe: 1 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 K
- Hitting Star: C Kyle Higashioka: 2-for-4, solo homer — Has four homers and four two-hit games in his last six.
- On Deck: RF Zack Zehner: 2-for-4, RBI
- On Deck: 1B Erik Kratz: 0-for-3, BB, RF
- Notables: 3B Mandy Alvarez, CF Billy Burns and SS Breyvic Valera each went 1-for-4 … Alvarez doubled … LF Gosuke Katoh drew a walk while PH Francisco Arcia got a hit in the ninth inning.
Double-A Trenton Thunder ELDS Game 2: (12-2 win over Reading) … Everyone in the lineup got a hit except Kyle Holder … The Thunder sweep the series and will play either Bowie or Harrisburg starting Tuesday.
- Rehab Start: RHP Luis Severino: 3+ IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 1/2 GB/FB — 37 of 50 (74%) pitches were strikes … Threw 5 more pitches in the bullpen afterwards … Had velocity up to 97 and induced 10 swinging strikes, throwing 19 pitches at 95+ mph … Here’s one of his strikeouts … and here’s another.
- In Relief: RHP Matt Wivinis: 1 IP, zeros, 1 K
- Rehab: RHP Dellin Betances: 1 IP, zeros, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, Balk — Topped out at 94 mph and got a swinging K on a breaking ball … Aaron Boone said they want two more rehab games before he’s activated.
- In Relief: RHP Albert Abreu: 2 IP, zeros, 4 K
- In Relief: RHP Brooks Kriske: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP
- In Relief: RHP Daniel Alvarez: 1 IP, zeros, 1 BB, 2 K
- Hitting Star: 2B Thairo Estrada: 3-for-3, 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB — Set Trenton franchise postseason record with 5 RBI … played 5 innings in first rehab appearance
- On Deck: RF Alexander Palma: 3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI, 3 R, K
- On Deck: 3B Max Burt: 2-for-4, RBI, 3 R, K
- On Deck: LF Ben Ruta: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
- Notables: CF Rashad Crawford went 1-for-5 with a 2B, 2 R and a K … 2B Diego Castillo pinch ran for Estrada and doubled … 1B Chris Gittens went 1-for-4 with an RBI and BB … DH Isiah Gilliam went 2-for-5 with a R and 3 K.
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RetroRob
Might be better if Severino gets one more start in the minors before facing major league hitters. There’s a better chance he can increase his pitches and innings against less-experienced batters.
One counterargument . Both Severino and Betances have yet to work much with the new MLB. How will the lower seams impact both of their breaking pitches? Neither will have much time to adjust. It took Tanaka 2/3rds of the season before he changed the grip on his splitter. Based on that, maybe the quicker they get to the majors the better.
Last, beginning to wonder if Hicks will even have a chance to make the postseason roster. Hoping Stanton gets a few games in during Trenton’s postseason run next week. Unlike EE, who played most of the season and only missed a month, Stanton has missed almost the entire year. Could take him quite a while to get his swing down.
Steven Tydings
I forgot to mention this in DoTF last night, but Severino and Betances are using the MLB ball when they’re on the mound. They switch back to the MiLB ball when they’re not. So that part isn’t as much of a worry.
RetroRob
Appreciate the update, Steven. Good to hear they’re using the MLB ball.
BillyMartinVanBuren Boys
Imagine being on the Rail Riders and having to face Blake Snell in an elimination game? Even for a couple innings? Damn
Brian Morales
That’s basically what happened to Reading. They had to face a rehabbing Sevy & Betances in their elimination game.
Wes
Concerned Betances isn’t above 94 MPH yet given that hes basically a 2-pitch guy who lives with overwhelming stuff…great news on the rest of the injured squad!
RetroRob
This is the equivalent of March for him. That’s usually where he is in the early going. It may take him the rest of the month to get up to the upper 90s. Hopefully he can be the start of the postseason.