clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Our Noticias, 8/17/20: Mattingly snaps at ump; Marlins/Mets series preview

Meanwhile, key reinforcements are getting back into baseball shape in Jupiter with hopes of rejoining the active roster later this month.

Atlanta Braves v Miami Marlins Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Good enough, I guess

Every Marlins player who was infected during the infamous COVID-19 outbreak earlier this season has resumed baseball activities at the team’s alternate training site. This is despite the fact that some of them aren’t virus-free yet, as Jon Heyman explains:

If that policy is good enough for epidemiologists, then it’s good enough for me. Though it goes without saying that the Marlins will be (deservedly) excoriated if any of their personnel in Jupiter contracts COVID in the near future.

Per insider Craig Mish, Miguel Rojas appears to be ahead of his teammates in his “rehab assignment.” He took at-bats during a simulated game on Saturday. On Twitter, he describes the challenge of facing Marlins top prospect Sixto Sánchez, but proudly shares footage of the base hit he got against him.

@MRojasOfficial/Twitter

Mets series preview

The Fish (9-6) continue their homestand by hosting the last-place Mets (9-14) for four games.

Probable starters: Monday—RHP Robert Gsellman (9.00 ERA, 5.47 FIP in 3.0 IP) and RHP Jordan Yamamoto (9.82 ERA, 8.59 FIP in 7.1 IP); Tuesday—LHP David Peterson (2.91 ERA, 4.01 FIP in 21.2 IP) and RHP Humberto Mejía (3.86 ERA, 6.14 FIP in 2.1 IP)

Notable absences: Jacob deGrom was lined up to start Wednesday’s game, but those plans are potentially in jeopardy due to a stiff neck. He’ll be pitching a bullpen session on Monday. Assuming he completes it with no concerns, the dominant ace will make that scheduled start. Meanwhile, fellow right-hander Michael Wacha (shoulder inflammation) is unavailable. Corey Dickerson (bereavement list) is expected to return to the Marlins active roster midway through the series. The entire offense has been lifeless in two games without him, batting .138 and scoring only one run. With the possible exception of Rojas, you won’t be seeing any of Miami’s COVID reinforcements quite yet.

Mattingly snaps at bad umps

For three straight series, the same umpiring crew has been working Marlins games. It’s been hard to ignore their inconsistent strike zones.

Midway through Sunday’s game, Don Mattingly finally snapped at James Hoye:

That’s the first time he has been ejected in 2020 and therefore the first time bench coach/offensive coordinator James Rowson has assumed the duties of acting manager. Rowson interviewed for the managerial opening with his former team, the Minnesota Twins, and he is, in my opinion, the leading internal candidate to become Miami’s skipper after Mattingly’s contract expires.

Walk-off links