brad mills blue jays

A’s one-dollar man Brad Mills is starting tonight

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By Aaron GleemanJun 20, 2014, 10:15 AM EDT

Earlier this week the A’s purchased Triple-A left-hander Brad Mills from the Brewers for one dollar and tonight he’ll join Oakland’s rotation by starting against Boston in place of the injured Drew Pomeranz.

Mills’ minor-league contract basically allowed him to opt out if he wasn’t in the majors by now, but technically the Brewers had to offer him around for a buck and the A’s gladly snatched him up for $24,999 less than a standard waiver claim.

Mills is 29 years old with a 7.76 ERA in 53 innings as a big leaguer, but he pitched very well at Triple-A for the Brewers’ affiliate with a 1.56 ERA and 77/18 K/BB ratio in 75 innings.

And really, what else can you buy for a buck these days?

Editor’s Note: Hardball Talk’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-day $40,000 Fantasy Baseball league for Friday night’s MLB games. It’s $25 to join and first prize is $6,000. Starts at 7:05pm ET on Friday. Here’s the FanDuel link.

Steven Matz to undergo “imminent” elbow surgery

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 14: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets pitches in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on August 14, 2016 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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By Bill BaerSep 27, 2016, 4:37 PM EDT

Mets GM Sandy Alderson addressed the media about the status of starter Steven Matz on Tuesday afternoon. Alderson said that Matz will undergo “imminent” elbow surgery to address a bone spur in the lefty’s elbow, Marc Carig of Newsday reports. That will end Matz’s season.

Matz was expected to return this past Friday, but was scratched due to shoulder soreness. According to Carig, the shoulder doesn’t appear to be a major issue.

Matz, 25, finishes the season with a 9-8 record, a 3.40 ERA, and a 129/31 K/BB ratio in 132 1/3 innings. It was a pretty good showing for his first full season in the majors.

The Mets enter Tuesday’s action a half-game up on the Giants for the first of two National League Wild Card slots. If the Mets can secure one of those slots and then advance to the NLDS, they will likely use a rotation that includes Noah Syndergaard, Bartolo Colon, Seth Lugo, and Robert Gsellman.

Dillon Gee was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs and shoulder

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 5: Dillon Gee #53 of the Kansas City Royals throws in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium on August 5, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
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By Bill BaerSep 27, 2016, 4:25 PM EDT

Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports that Royals pitcher Dillon Gee has been shut down for the year after being hospitalized in Detroit due to blood clots in his lungs and shoulder. Gee first began experiencing shortness of breath on Sunday after playing the Tigers, Dodd adds.

Blood clots are a serious thing, so here’s hoping that Gee recovers quickly and painlessly.

In 14 starts and 19 relief appearances for the Royals spanning 125 innings this season, Gee put up a 4.68 ERA and an 89/37 K/BB ratio.