Cincinnati Reds' Tyler Mahle discusses trade rumors: 'It doesn't hurt my feelings'
Tyler Mahle will see his name floated in many trade rumors over the next week and a half, but that’s nothing new to him.
Mahle was a part of trade rumors all winter before the start of the season. Now he’s one of the top pitchers available on the trade market, along with teammate Luis Castillo, with several contenders showing interest in preliminary trade discussions.
“It is what it is,” Mahle said. “I’ve said this before: I understand it’s a business. That’s all it is, really. It doesn’t hurt my feelings or anything. I’m going to go out there and pitch. That’s all I can do and all I can control.”
More: Tyler Stephenson has another injury scare and exits the game for the Reds
More: Cincinnati Reds' Luis Castillo strikes out two of four batters in All-Star Game outing
More: Cincinnati Reds, landing Cam Collier in first round, receive good reviews on draft class
Mahle, on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain, is scheduled to return Sunday. That lines him up for two starts ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, a key window to show opposing teams he’s healthy.
He performed well before the injury, which Mahle always labeled a minor issue. He posted a 2.58 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings in his last seven starts.
Mahle, who pitched poorly in April, entered the All-Star break with a 3-7 record and a 4.48 ERA, but he’s rated highly in fielding independent metrics. Plus, he’s pitched better on the road. The 27-year-old righty is 0-5 with a 4.99 ERA at Great American Ball Park and 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA in any other ballpark.
As trade chatter picks up following the MLB Draft, Mahle likes to stay updated on which teams are reportedly showing interest.
“For myself, I like to keep updated,” he said. “I know what’s going on. It’s just fun to listen to see what everyone has to say and all that stuff. Like I said, it doesn’t change my mind on anything. I just like to sit back and watch what everyone is saying.”
Mahle won’t become a free agent until after the 2023 season, eligible for his final year of salary arbitration next winter, so the Reds are expected to maintain a high asking price for Mahle during trade talks.
Have the Reds ever approached Mahle about a contract extension?
“Not really, no,” Mahle said. “But I think that’s between me and them.”
More: A pitch clock could be enforced in MLB in 2023, but Reds players see issues with it
More: 'One of my favorites': How Luis Castillo impresses Reds teammates behind the scenes
More: Reds outfielder Tommy Pham explains his unique, detailed approach on defense
One thing that could affect which teams are pursuing Mahle is his vaccination status. He didn’t travel with the Reds to Toronto in May because he was unvaccinated, forfeiting about $96,000.
It’s something on the mind for all American League teams, particularly AL East clubs, with the chance they play in Toronto during the postseason. The Blue Jays showed interest in Mahle last offseason, too.
Some players, including Kansas City’s Whit Merrifield, said they’d consider taking the COVID vaccine if they were acquired by a playoff team.
“I don’t think so, but we’ll see,” said Mahle, asked if he’d become vaccinated for a playoff contender. “I think I’d have to deal with that when it comes.”
Reds pitching rotation: What's next for Luis Castillo?
Luis Castillo, the top pitcher on the trade market, is scheduled to make his first start following the All-Star break on Tuesday or Wednesday, manager David Bell said.
He’ll be pitching on at least a couple of more days than regular rest after throwing an inning in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
“He’s the only one that pitched obviously,” Bell said. “Give him a normal break between his inning at the All-Star Game and his next start.”
The Reds will carry a six-man rotation until the trade deadline, which is what they did at the beginning of July before Mahle’s injury.
“I don’t plan on that being the case long term, though,” Bell said. “I think it’ll change organically, or we’ll change it.”
Reds injuries: 16 players on IL, including 3 rehabbing in Louisville
The Reds returned from the All-Star break with 16 players on the injured list, including three players on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville.
Outfielders Aristides Aquino and Jake Fraley are four games into their rehab assignment at Triple-A. There is no firm timeline for their return, Bell said, but both players have progressed from their injuries. Aquino was out with a high ankle sprain and Fraley fractured a bone in his toe on his last rehab assignment.
Right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn is scheduled to make his next rehab start Saturday for Louisville. Dunn’s rehab assignment ends next week, and it’s possible he could be optioned to Louisville because the Reds already have a six-man rotation.
Injured Reds catcher Aramis Garcia, sidelined with a strained finger on his catching hand, still had pain with his finger through the All-Star break.
Right-handed pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, which usually takes 12 to 15 months to recover. The Reds hope he will return in the second half of the 2023 season.
Reds prospects: Matt McLain, Jay Allen return
Two of the Reds’ top position player prospects returned from the injured list Friday.
Shortstop Matt McLain, the club’s 2021 first-round pick, was activated from the IL at Double-A Chattanooga after he dealt with a wrist injury. Outfielder Jay Allen, the No. 30 overall pick in 2021, returned from an oblique injury.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tyler Mahle unconcerned about MLB trade rumors; Luis Castillo schedule
