MLB Weekly Digest March 11th Edition

Read Time:4 Minute, 9 Second

The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher receiving offers, another starting pitcher will be sidelined when the season begins and a reliever signs a multi-year extension.

Houston Astros Present One and Two-Year Offers to Starting Pitcher Dallas Keuchel

Dallas Keuchel remains a free agent, but it’s not for lack of offers. He has received one and two-year offers from the Houston Astros. The left-hander is seeking a bigger deal, but his terms are unknown, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

#Astros have made both one- and two-year offers to free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel, sources tell The Athletic. Offers not in range Keuchel is seeking. Desired terms not known.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 7, 2019

The market for Keuchel hasn’t developed as he’s coming off a good but not great 2018 campaign.

The starter posted a 3.74 ERA in 204 2/3 innings pitched (34 starts) with 153 strikeouts, 58 walks issued, 18 home runs surrendered, a 108 ERA+, a 3.79 FIP and 1.31 WHIP.

The previous year in 2017, Keuchel authored a 2.90 ERA in 145 2/3 innings pitched (23 starts) with 125 strikeouts, 47 walks issued, 15 home runs yielded, a 141 ERA+, a 3.79 FIP and a 1.11 WHIP.

Keuchel is just three years removed from winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2015 with the Astros.

He hasn’t been that same pitcher but is still a solid starter who can provide quality innings.

The important aspect regarding Keuchel moving forward is the respective team which signs him will have to wait several weeks before he appears in the regular season.

He’s already missed the start of spring training, and it’s crucial for starting pitchers to go through spring training to slowly build up their arm strength for the upcoming season.

The longer he waits to sign a deal, it will delay him from pitching in the regular season.

New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Luis Severino Shut Down Two Weeks with Shoulder Injury

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino felt discomfort in his right shoulder before his last scheduled spring training start.

He underwent an MRI, which revealed rotator cuff inflammation and has been shut down for two weeks, said manager Aaron Boone, per Lindsey Adler of The Athletic.

Luis Severino has “rotator cuff inflammation,” Aaron Boone says. He’s shut down for two weeks.

— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) March 5, 2019

Severino will receive an injection and anti-inflammatories, before resuming a throwing program, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Luis Severino’s MRI showed rotator cuff inflammation. He will be shut down for two weeks, receive an injection and anti-inflammatories, then resume his throwing program.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 5, 2019

Severino won’t be available to start Opening Day for the team as Boone mentioned over the weekend that Masahiro Tanaka would start in place of him, per James Wagner of the New York Times.

Masahiro Tanaka will start opening day for the Yankees, per Aaron Boone, in place of Luis Severino (shoulder). He’ll be followed by James Paxton and J.A. Happ.

— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) March 9, 2019

The good sign for the Yankees regarding Severino is the MRI showed just inflammation as it could’ve been worse.

The club has discussed signing free-agent starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez even before the injury to Severino, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Gio Gonzalez has been discussed at least by some Yankees people, even before Luis Severino was scratched with shoulder “discomfort.” Rotation depth one of their only issues.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 5, 2019

The possible addition of Gonzalez would allow the Yankees to have Severino’s injury heal properly.

Texas Rangers Sign Reliever Jose Leclerc to Multi-Year Contract Extension

The Texas Rangers have signed reliever Jose Leclerc to a four-year, $14.75 million contract extension, which includes two club options for 2023 and 2024, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

Rangers make the Leclerc extension official. It is 4 years through 2022 for $14.75 mm; 2 club options for $6 and $6.25 mm for 2023, 2024, per source.

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) March 6, 2019

Leclerc is coming off a phenomenal 2018 season for the Rangers as he posted a 1.56 ERA in 57 2/3 innings pitched (59 games) with 12 saves, 85 strikeouts, 25 walks surrendered, and one home run allowed.

The deal is terrific for the Rangers as the contract covers his final pre-arbitration year and all three arbitration years.

The two club options would cover his two free agent years.

If Leclerc builds on his impressive 2018 season, the Rangers will have a stellar reliever at a bargain.

The right-hander was already under team control for the next four years, and the extension ensures they won’t go through arbitration with Leclerc.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

[email protected]

http://ngscsports.com