CHICAGO — As the baseball season heats up, teams across Major League Baseball are navigating injuries, roster changes, and playoff aspirations, making today a significant one in the league.
The Chicago Cubs are facing uncertainty with their pitching staff. After losing ace Justin Steele to elbow surgery last month, the team now awaits further information on fellow lefty Shota Imanaga. He exited his start against the Milwaukee Brewers after six innings with what the team has identified as a hamstring strain. Tests are ongoing, and Chicago will soon decide if he requires a stint on the injured list. With both Steele and Javier Assad already sidelined, a third injury would significantly challenge the Cubs’ rotation depth. In the wings, Jordan Wicks and top prospect Cade Horton await opportunities at Triple-A, while Chris Flexen could transition from a long relief role to starting, mirroring the adjustment Colin Rea made following Steele’s injury.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays are poised to make roster moves after reportedly signing right-handers Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena to major league contracts. These additions are aimed at strengthening the team’s pitching depth, with both players capable of pitching in the rotation or relief roles. Before finalizing these signings, the Blue Jays must officially announce them and make necessary adjustments to their 40-man roster. Currently, pitchers Max Scherzer, Nick Sandlin, and Erik Swanson are on the 15-day injured list, leaving the team in a tight spot. To integrate Turnbull and Urena without moving any injured pitchers to the 60-day list, the Jays may need to designate someone for assignment or consider trading a player to clear the required roster space.
Tonight marks the start of an exciting interleague series at Yankee Stadium, where the San Diego Padres will battle the New York Yankees. The game is set to begin at 7:05 p.m. local time. San Diego’s Nick Pivetta, boasting a stellar 1.78 ERA from six starts, is tasked with facing the formidable Yankees lineup led by Aaron Judge. He will square off against Carlos Rodon, who carries a 3.43 ERA through seven starts. The matchup on Tuesday is also anticipated to feature a duel between former Yankee Michael King, who has posted a 2.09 ERA in seven starts, and Clarke Schmidt, whose numbers reflect a 5.52 ERA over three starts, following a delay in his schedule.
The series finale will see Dylan Cease, currently with a 5.61 ERA this season, take on Yankees ace Max Fried, who has dominated with a remarkable 1.01 ERA across seven starts. While Cease struggled earlier this season, allowing nine runs in a single outing against the Athletics, he has shown resilience by decreasing his ERA consistently throughout his last four starts.
As the 22-11 Padres vie for supremacy in the National League, where they are just half a game behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, the 19-15 Yankees aim to fortify their position in the American League East, holding a two-game advantage. With playoff implications hanging in the balance, both teams are eager to make their mark in this pivotal series.