As the Yanks Looking for Field Service Help, Randal Grichuk is, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, a “name that came up in the team’s scouting” (via twitter). Now in his second season with the rockiesGrichuk missed most of April to recover from off-season sports hernia surgery but has since peaked at .300/.364/.473 (112 wRC+) in 225 plate appearances. Grichuk is a post-season free agent and would be a loan-only player for New York, and is owed around $3.89 million for the remainder of the 2023 season. Exactly who owes Grichuk that money isn’t exactly known, as the Blue Jays paid Grichuk $4.333 million of the total $9.333 million that year, which is the Rockies’ 2023 financial obligation (and thus the obligation for everyone commercial applicant) may be technically possible, depending on how Grichuk’s salary was split.
Regardless, Grichuk would still be considered a relatively cheap acquisition for the Yankees. Grichuk can play at least passable defense in all three outfield positions, making him a useful flexible option for New York both before and after Aaron Richter returns from the injured list. While his splits this season indicate far more success at Coors Field than away stadiums, Grichuk at least has a solid track record at Yankee Stadium, with a .279/.333/.532 slash line and seven homers over 120 career streaks. PA in the Bronx. The ailing Rockies are reportedly open to a move up to free agents like Grichuk, though there is a slight question mark over his health as Grichuk missed Colorado’s recent games with a groin strain.
Here’s more from across the NL West…
- Padres catcher Luis Campusano has missed most of the 2023 season after undergoing thumb surgery in early May, leaving the club to rely on the troubles Austin Nola and signing during the season Gary Sanchez behind the plate. Luckily, Campusano appears to be on the verge of a return, as the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee writes that the backstop is in the “final stages” of his Triple-A rehab stint and is expected to return to the club during his current road trip (runs through July 23). According to Acee, Campusano’s return will result in a timeshare with Sanchez, although gametime details are expected to be “performance-based”. Sanchez has hit .197/.279/.426 (94 wRC+) in 136 plate appearances with the Padres, while Campusano hit a .238/.227/.429 (70 wRC+) slash line before his trip to IL, albeit in just 22 trips to the plate.
- stick with it Padresthe club announced today that it is a left-hander Adrian Morejon was placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation of his right knee. It’s been a tough road for Morejon, who has pitched just 47 2/3 innings since the start of the 2021 season due to surgery by Tommy John and an elbow sprain that sent him into the 60-day IL early in the season. Morejon will be replaced by the right-hander in the active squad Matt Waldronwho has a 3.86 ERA in 4 2/3 innings this season with the Padres.
- Luis Gonzalez underwent back surgery in March, but Giants Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters (including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle) announced today that the outfielder will begin rehab. It will be a while before Gonzalez bounces back from the long layoff, but his recovery should be in line with the August schedule that Farhan Zaidi, president of the Giants’ baseball division, recently outlined. Gonzalez made a solid contribution to the 2022 club, hitting .254/.323/.360 over 350 PA in his rookie season.
- Add some more to the post rockies News, Brendan Rodgers And Tyler Kinley will begin rehab sessions at the Rockies’ High-A affiliate Monday, according to Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders (Twitter link). Neither player has featured this season as Rodgers underwent shoulder surgery during spring training and Kinley is recovering from elbow surgery just over a year ago.