Ambulance Chasers: All Bets Off Mookie
Welcome back to another exciting episode of Razzball Ambulance Chasers, your legendary baseball injury report.
I’ve been kept busy this week with all the injuries coming out of the Dodgers. Mookie Betts, Walker Buehler, and Yamamoto all left voids on the Dodgers’ roster. It’s a good thing the Dodgers’ pockets are deep because they will be soaked in pickles.
Speaking of teams in a pickle, the Orioles continue to churn out pitchers with the loss of Kyle Bradish this season. Bradish added four SPs and two RPs to the roster, with SP Dean Kremer set to return soon. The Orioles, at press time, are tied with the Yankees for the division lead. It will be interesting to see what the Orioles decide before the trade deadline.
Let’s take a look at who’s riding in the ambulance this week.
Significant Injury
AL East
Bo Bichette (SS, TOR), found: Bichette is in IL for 10 days with a strained calf. He is eligible to return on June 25, but will likely be out for a while as he is in the midst of the worst season of his 5-year career. This season, he hit .237/.286/.342 with 4 HR. Blue Jays prospect Orelvis Martinez was brought up. So, keep your eye on him, but there is another option.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa spent time at SS in Bichette’s absence. I wrote about the hot IKF three weeks ago, and she continues to be great. In his last 96 AB (last 30 days), he is hitting .302/.356/.427 with 2 HR and 17 RBIs.
One of the few bright spots for the Blue Jays has definitely been the play of Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Better than league average, 94th percentile in Outs Above Average. It’s been pretty solid so far this season
— Josh Goldberg (@JGoldberg12) June 6, 2024
Kyle Bradish (SP, BAL), elbow: Big upset as Kyle Bradish returns to IL. This time is good as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The news comes after the Orioles announced that Tyler Wells will be out for the season with an internal procedure for his UCL brace. To add to all this, Danny Couloumbe will be out for most of the season as he recovers from a dislocated elbow.
The Orioles still have starters Corbin Burnes, Cole Irvin, Cade Povich, Grayson Rodriguez, and Albert Suárez. They may need to raise another arm at some point. Cade Povich may be available in your league, but he has a projected FIP of 4.40 and his BB rate shows it.
White Sox RHP Jonathan Cannon could be a useful addition to the roster. Cannon is still a rookie, but he had a non-rookie performance when he nearly shut out the White Sox vs. Astros earlier this week.
My favorite Jonathan Cannon stats so far:
Only 6 walks in 32.1 MLB innings.
Guy is a rookie pitching as a 10 year vet.pic.twitter.com/3v64VoVcIf
— Mike (@ChiSoxFanMike) June 19, 2024
Yimi García (RP, TOR), elbow: García takes a pitstop (hopefully) in IL with elbow ulnar neuritis of the right elbow. He had an MRI which showed no structural damage. He is eligible to return on July 2, but it will likely take longer. This is a difficult position for the Blue Jays under Jordan Romano, who is also a few weeks away from returning.
Chad Green will be stepping into the role of Yimi. Green is probably available in your league. In his 15.7 IP on the season, he has a 1.72 ERA, 4.74 FIP, 7.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9. His xFIP is 3.89. So, we can see a little improvement. However, the sample size is relatively small.
An interesting option is Boston’s Zack Kelly. In 25.3 IP, Kelly has a 1.78 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Like most pitchers coming up, his FIP isn’t outstanding, but his last 5.3 IP is 0.59. An important note is that his BABIP for the season is 0.141.
#RedSox reliever Zack Kelly ranks in the 87th percentile in ground ball rate (52.1%) this season. Only 13% are trained #MLB pitchers this season had the highest GB rate.
– Red Sox Nation Stats (@RSNStats) June 19, 2024
Anthony Rizzo (1B, NYY), arm: Mr. Rizzo goes on the 60-day IL with a broken arm from a fall trying to avoid a concussion on the field. He will be out for about 8 weeks. Ben Rice was called up to fill Rizzo’s spot on the roster. Gray wrote the entire jingle for Ben Rice. So, I think it’s good.
Ben Rice has had 9 plate appearances so far, striking out 8/9 times.
Once he didn’t, he left pic.twitter.com/lb6cFte60P– Post Parm Volpe (@VolpeParm11) June 20, 2024
AL West
Justin Verlander (SP, HOU), neck: And he’s coming back! Verlander was sent to the 15-day IL with neck discomfort. He is eligible to return on June 30. RP Nick Hernandez will step up to replace Verlander in the lineup. A timeline for Verlander’s acquisition had not been shared at press time. Hopefully, you were able to add Hunter Brown to your list.
If you need an AL-specific pitcher, Jonathan Cannon, who I mentioned above, would fit the bill here. Angel’s Tyler Anderson could also be an option if he is injured. His stats want you to pick him up, but should you?
2024 AL Pitching WAR Leaders
Tyler Anderson (3.6)
Tarik Skubal (3.5)
Erick Fedde (3.4)
Seth Lugo (3.3)All Leaders: pic.twitter.com/CApWTGNwhr
– Baseball Ref (@baseball_ref) June 18, 2024
NL Central
Mike Tauchman (OF, CHC), groin: Michael T. will be on IL for about 4 weeks with groin strain. You can expect to see him in mid-July if all goes well. If he’s still available in your league, look for Brendan Donovan. In his last 90 AB, he is slashing 0.311/0.361/0.467 with 3 HR. It will probably go backwards at some point, but who cares about the future? Not me!
Donnie delivers a 3-run dinger in the first inning!#ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/zpQP2h8LfH
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 20, 2024
NL East
Michael Harris II (OF, ATL), hamstring: Harris left the June 14 game with a left hamstring strain. He is eligible to return on June 25, but it is more likely that he will return in July. Ramón Laureano, who was DFA’ed by the Rangers last month, replaced Harris on the roster.
Let’s go south to visit Jesús Sánchez at the Marlins. In his last 77 AB, he hit 4 HR and 10 RBI. Did I mention his BABIP is insane?
Jesús Sánchez hits a three-run home run?? pic.twitter.com/P4u0wqjYmA
– Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 18, 2024
NL West
Mookie Betts (2B/SS/OF, LAD), hand: It’s been a bad injury week for the Dodgers with Mookie Betts suffering a serious injury. Bettors took the 98 mph fastball to the hands. Unfortunately, his left hand was broken. Although no surgery is required, he is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. So, an August comeback is currently in the picture.
Miguel Rojas stepped in for Mookie at shortstop.
For your plan, Rojas would be a great place. He currently has a 117 wrC+. In his last 18 AB, he is hitting 0.333/0.333/0.556 with 1 HR and 8 RBIs. Apparently, he might also have some mystical powers because the Dodgers are 21-0 when he hits a hit.
Miguel Rojas refused to let the Dodgers lose when given the chance this season? pic.twitter.com/KXC2nQ2qhu
– Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 19, 2024
Also, surprise and my IKF proposal is related to this entry.
Walker Buehler (SP, LAD), hip: Old friend Walker Buehler has rejoined IL with hip discomfort after taking a line to that thang (his hip). Buehler has struggled a lot this season (5.84 ERA, 6.03 FIP; all with a high BABIP). He is eligible to return on July 4, but a return timetable had not been shared at press time. Fortunately, Bobby Miller recently joined the list.
You don’t have to go far to find a potential James Paxton, I’m not saying it’s a good option, but if you have Buehler you’re probably comfortable with the smell of a fart in a paper lunch bag.
If you prefer the salty scent of a fart coast sack, Jose Quintana is available.
Corbin Carroll (OF, ARI), normal body: Corbin Carroll didn’t join IL, but man, he continues to look bad. An MRI on his side came back clean after he left the game with side pain. Bless you if you still have hope for CC. It’s hard to watch.
Carroll’s teammate, Jake McCarthy, is busy right now, but his BABIP is much higher. Another option is the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman. After struggling for a while, he’s gaining steam with 3 HR and 7 RBIs in his last 21 AB.
Better Call Hunter
Hunter Goodman is 4-for-4 with 2 HR and 4 RBI tonight. pic.twitter.com/ig080Mtwl5
-MLB (@MLB) June 16, 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP, LAD), shoulder: What better way to end our significant injury than with another Dodger? Yamamoto hits IL with a pressured spinning top. He is eligible to return on July 1, but will be out longer than that. There was no timeline for a return at press time, but early speculation ranged from weeks (rolling closer to months) to some speculation it could be the end of the season. Dave Roberts shared that it’s not the end of the season, but hey, look at Kyle Bradish. I will keep you posted on this over the next few weeks. Mom-oh-no. 🙁
Roberts gave an update to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Rotator cuff is tight and won’t take the baseball for a few weeks. It will be rested and not a season-ending injury, Roberts said.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 16, 2024
Injury Updates
Here are a few quick injury updates for this week. If I missed someone, hit me up in the comments.
- Kerry Carpenter (OF, DET), back: targeting a mid-July return.
- Evan Carter (OF, TEX), back: starts hitting the show next week with Michael Bier.
- Triston Casas (1B, BOS), ribs: I want to come back in early July.
- Wilson Contreras (C, STL), arm: you have completed the repair work.
- Tommy Edman (2B/SS/OF, STL), arm: coming back around the All-Star Break.
- Ty France (1B, SEA), heel: it has been restored.
- Vaughn Grissom (2B/SS, BOS), hamstring: expected to return in July.
- Eloy Jiménez (DH, CWS), hamstring: he can come back next week.
- Nolan Jones (OF, COL), knee: he came back but now he is ill and is no longer on the list.
- Josh Jung (3B, TEX), arm: he started the repair work
- Dean Kremer (SP, BAL), triceps: he started the repair work.
- Max Muncy (3B, LAD), oblique: there is no timeline for recovery.
- Lars Nootbaar (OF, STL), oblique: shooting to be returned before July.
- Robbie Ray (SP, SEA), elbow: he started the repair work.
- Jordan Romano (RP, TOR), elbow: it will start taking out the mound soon.
- Jeffrey Springs (SP, TBR), elbow: he started the repair work.
- Kyle Tucker (OF, HOU), shin: had not started baseball activities at press time.
- JT Realmuto (C, PHI), knee: shared that he intends to return before the All-Star break.
- Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL), hamstring: he started the repair work.
- Max Scherzer (SP, TEX), back: he should make his debut today.
- Kodai Senga (SP, NYM), applause: will start dealing with hitters soon.
- Alek Thomas (OF, ARI), hamstring: he played a rehab game yesterday.
- Gavin Williams (SP, CLE), elbow: you are on rehab assignments.
- Bryan Woo (SP, SEA), arm: back at it but with a terrible performance against Cleveland.
Not as good a start from Jeffrey Springs today in Nashville, but still a lot of work.
2 IP
2 H
2 K
0 BB
0 ER
31 points pic.twitter.com/wio1C0LsQx— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) June 19, 2024
Have a nice week. Stay safe there!
I was known to play a little bit Twitter and BlueSky.