Despite the strong outing his last time out, there are some causes for concern. Over his final six starts from August 25 until September 24, Scherzer gave up 25 earned runs over 25 innings for a 9 ERA and 6.18 FIP. As positive as his last start was, there's a chance he could be knocked out of the game early.
Manoah can still clear waivers and stay with the Blue Jays but it would be just as shocking to see all of the other 29 teams let the 6'6" 285lbs right hander just swim on by without making a claim on him. He has potential, he's shown flashes of it as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. And while General Manager Ross Atkins comments about the decision don't feel great to hear as a fan, they unfortunately seem logical from a business stand point.
A second-rounder in the 2023 draft, Sproat made it all the way to Triple-A during his first pro season last year and this year has spent the entire season at the level. In 26 appearances (25 starts) with Syracuse this year, he's posted a 4.24 ERA with a 22.1% strikeout rate across 121 innings of work. Sproat joins Nolan McLean and as pitching prospects who have come up to help impact the club down the stretch.
Flaherty, at his best, is a perfectly viable Game 2 starter. But his performance this season has fluctuated as wildly as it did for the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year's playoffs, when he followed his two best starts with poor ones. He warrants only so much trust. With the emerging Melton, Holton and perhaps Brant Hurter, who is currently on the injured list with back soreness at Triple A, the Tigers will not lack for bulk-inning candidates.
The Braves announced Friday that they've selected the contract of right-hander John Brebbia from Triple-A Gwinnett. Atlanta also recalled righty Nathan Wiles from Gwinnett, while lefty and righty Wander Suero were optioned to Triple-A. The Braves already had a pair of 40-man vacancies, so they won't need a corresponding 40-man move to accommodate Brebbia's addition. The pair of promotions will provide manager Brian Snitker with some fresh arms after yesterday's blowout loss to the division-rival Phillies.
