Opener: Tigers, Snell, Middleton

With the calendar now moved to June, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on in the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. The Tigers roster arrives:

Tigers set to promote third base/outfield prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy in the big leagues today. Corresponding moves to free up space on the active and 40-man rosters will be necessary, although one has already been revealed as Detroit reportedly selected the former No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Spencer Torkelson at Triple-A Toledo.

Torkelson, 24, had what appeared to be an exceptional second half last year with the Tigers as he slashed .261/.345/.576 with 16 homers in his final 48 games. That strong production unfortunately hasn’t carried over into the 2024 campaign, and the slugger has hit a paltry .201/.266/.330 with just four home runs in 54 games so far this season. Veterans Gio Urshela And Marc Canha are among the first options capable of stepping into Torkelson’s shoes.

Malloy is in his second season with the Tigers organization after leaving the Braves in the Joe Jimenez trade and has only hit at the Triple-A level since arriving in Toledo. He slashed .277/.417/.474 last season and has a very similar slash line of .252/.410/.473 in 45 games this season. Malloy has plenty of experience at the hot corner, but the Tigers said before the season that he would play exclusively outfield this year.

2. Snell to the IL?

Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake SnellThe 2024 campaign has been nothing short of disastrous. The San Francisco southpaw has already spent time on the injured list due to a groin strain and has a lousy 9.51 ERA with an 11.8% walk rate against a 26 strikeout rate, 1% over six starts this season. All of this happened before Snell suffered a groin injury yesterday that forced him out of his start against the Yankees in the fifth inning.

Snell is expected to undergo an MRI today and appears set to take a second trip to the injured list since signing with the Giants. With Alex Cobb, Robbie Ray, Keaton WinnAnd Tristan Beck already on the IL, the Giants will only have three regular starters in their rotation: Logan Webb, Kyle HarrisonAnd Jordan Hicks. Long reliever Spencer Howard could play an important role in bullpen games for the Giants and Triple-A arms Black Mason, Landen RouppAnd Kai Wei Teng could all be options to replace Snell in the club’s rotation.

3. Middleton’s meeting with Tommy John specialist:

The Cardinals are without a veteran reliever Keynan Middleton, who signed a one-year pact with the club worth $6 million during the offseason, for the entire regular season thus far. It now appears possible that Middleton’s absence from the club’s bullpen could last the entire season. Middleton is reportedly set to meet UCL expert Dr Christopher Ahmad for a second opinion. Besides costing Middleton the rest of the season, the surgery would surely prompt the Cardinals to decline their $6 million 2025 club option on the veteran right-hander in favor of a $1 million buyout.