Deadline Takes, Suspensions, Jamo Surgery, & Stuff...

With Corey D gone and Gregory out until August or so, expect to see a lot of Melky and Joey O (after suspension) in the outfield. It would be a good time to give a pup some time, but there's not much push from Indy, with Pablo Reyes or Jason Martin. Reyes is hitting .274 and has a nice glove, but was at sea swinging earlier in the year, although he was OK in 2018. Martin did moderately better at the MLB level (.250 BA), but is hitting .249 in AAA. We suspect JB Shuck won't get the call,but... If they bring up Tuck, maybe Fraze gets to return to his old Swiss Army knife role; he does have 137 big league games in the OF.

There's not much MLB-ready material for the pasture; maybe the Bucs will try to sign Corey in the off season or will look to add through FA. And forget about moving Starling; he is irreplaceable as Pittsburgh has nothing resembling a center fielder in the pipeline.

The Nightmare Remains - 2018 Topps Big League Gold

No complaints about hanging on to Felipe Vazquez; he's under control until 2023, so there's no reason to take a discounted package. Apparently the Dodgers reevaluated their top five and thought they had more vale in LA. But it seemed like every day one more top prospect's name was struck from the LA  list, and C Keibert Ruiz and some mix of second-tier guys weren't enough.

Guys they didn't move - Frankie Liriano (5.32 ERA since June 1st), Melky Cabrera (.283 since June 1st), and Jung Ho Kang (.207/33% K rate since June 8th return). None have been living up to their hot starts in the past few weeks. We're surprised that Frank and The Melk Man didn't draw some interest, but apparently the offers, if any, didn't provide more value than keeping the pair, especially with a short bullpen and Corey traded. JHK may make it through the season; Kevin Kramer is batting .262 and Ke'Bryan Hayes just .248, so no one is really threatening his spot, although it would be nice to see Kramer get a taste.

Notes:

• The Brawlgame suspensions were announced: For Pittsburgh, RHP Keone Kela was given a 10-game suspension, OF José Osuna received a five-game suspension, RHP Kyle Crick got three games and manager Clint Hurdle was suspended for two games. For Cincy, RHP Amir Garrett was given an eight-game suspension, manager David Bell received a six-game suspension, RHP Jared Hughes was suspended for three games and former Reds/now Indians OF Yasiel Puig received a three-game suspension. We thought KK was gonna get banged hard for admitting he tossed a buzzball at Dietrich (apparently zipped lips aren't his thing), but feel like Bell, for all his aggravating and then leaving the locker room after being ejected, deserved more time. It does the bullpen no favors for either club.

Jamo to face elbow surgery - 2019 Donruss

• Jameson Taillon is tentatively scheduled to undergo surgery on his elbow flexor tendon sometime in the next few weeks, The Athletic’s Rob Biertempfel reports (paywall). The procedure will keep Taillon out of action for roughly seven to nine months. Kinda wish they hadn't piddled away so much time (he went on the IL May 4th) reaching a decision...
• Remember Jordan Lyles? Yep, the guy that gave up 39 runs in 36-2/3 IP for Pittsburgh in his last nine outings with one quality start. He went five innings for Milwaukee, giving up a run on three hits and two walks with four K. Jordan and the Brew Crew won last night, 4-2. So we'll see if he's regaining form - he did have a nice start against Philly a couple of outings ago - or just being a tease.
• Oldies: The Braves picked up Mark Melancon while Daniel Hudson and Hunter Strickland moved to the Nats.