Ambulance Chasers: Off to Schmidt

Jerry Seinfeld’s voice: “What’s wrong with your back???”
That’s a good question, Jerry. WHAT IS Back Pain? Because we have a lot of back injuries to talk about in this week’s edition of Razzball Ambulance Chasers (sponsored by Aleve). And by many back injuries, I mean almost half of the significant injuries this week are spinal injuries. The good news is that there are some top players as many players are hot this week.
Also, sorry to bury the lede, but RIP Ronald Acuña Jr.
Excuse me??
– Ronald Acuña Jr. (@ronaldacunajr24) May 27, 2024
Significant Injury
AL Central
Kerry Carpenter (OF, DET), spinal inflammation: Carpenter is on IL with back inflammation. At press time, there was no timetable given for his return. You won’t have to look far to find a replacement for Detroit’s Matt Vierling. Vierling is a heater now. In his last 20 AB, he has 4 HRs and 10 RBIs. Son wrote a nice in-depth piece about Vierling that you should check out to deepen your knowledge. If Vierling isn’t readily available in your league, fellow Tiger Mark Canha would also be a decent option.
Matt Vierling has 3 HR and 11 RBI in his last 6 games ? pic.twitter.com/Ze6MrxQiaK
-MLB (@MLB) May 29, 2024
Michael Massey (2B, KCR), back: Michael Massey is taking a vacation in IL. No, not Illinois, silly. Massey is nursing a back with a back. This is a recurring theme for him.
If you’re looking for another 2B, check out Pirate Nick Gonzales. In 64 AB this season, Gonazales is hitting .312/.375/.547, and his recent numbers are even better than that. But how long? Gonzales has a BABIP of 0.386. Therefore, you will probably back off at some point. Another option would be Isiah Kiner-Falefa who suits up at 2B in other leagues. Scroll down to read more about how Falefa is doing (spoiler: surprisingly well).
AL East
Tyler O’Neill (OF, BOS), knee: O’No. O’Neill returns to his warm-up position in IL with right knee inflammation. He is eligible to return on June 5. Enmanuel Valdéz has been called up to replace O’Neill in the lineup.
Lord help me, but I’m going to recommend Isiah Kiner-Falefa as a pickup here. Falefa has had a great run with Toronto so far. In his last 26 AB, he hit .385/.467/.808 with 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 4 BB, and 1 SB. Not bad at all.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – Toronto Blue Jays (4)
pic.twitter.com/HvbvZdKcRv– MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) May 26, 2024
Clarke Schmidt (SP, NYY), lat: Schmidt will be out for a while with a right lat strain. Aaron Boone shared that Schmidt will not be able to throw for 4-6 weeks. That’s without climbing and rehab work. Cubs’ Ben Brown could be an available and useful SP here. He has 10.7 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 this season. If you look at his last 30 days, his K/9 is getting better (12.7), but he’s also starting to slow down (4.2).
The best curveball in baseball is Ben Brown’s and @Amantshontsho
(According to RV’s Baseball Savant)
What makes it so special? ?
Series?
– Adam Naliwajko (@AdamNaliwajko) May 28, 2024
AL West
Evan Carter (OF, TEX), back: Carter has been dealing with back issues for a few weeks now, but avoided IL. Unfortunately, it was his time to join the IL with a lumbar sprain diagnosis. The Rangers had Wyatt Langford, Travis Jankowski, and Ezequiel Duran all take turns in left field. Ezequiel Duran is probably available in your league and not a bad option if you’re not doing well (if you have Evan Carter, chances are you were). He is hitting .284/.342/.343 so far this season.
NL East
Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF, ATL), knee: Your first season fears are coming true. Acuña is out for the 2024 season with a torn ACL. This is his second ACL tear. Obviously, Acuña is not easily replaced. The Braves have Adam Duvall who, despite hitting 2 HR and 3 RBIs in his last 21 AB, is still hitting .190/.277/.524 in most ABs. Maybe some more consistent playing time will help him find his place.
Jarred Kelenic is another Braves option that may be available to you. He’s hitting .256/.299/.376 this season, but he’s just been hot.
Edwin Díaz (RP, NYM), on the shoulder: Buddy, I need you to stay off this list. Struggling Edwin Díaz will be out until at least June 10 with a shoulder injury. Maybe we’ll see him back in the spotlight after that. The Mets called up LHP Josh Walker to replace Edwin.
If you need a specific category rather than giving you SV, Dodger Blake Treinen has very low volume but has had promising performances lately. In the small sample size of 8.7 IP he has thrown this season, he has a 0.00 ERA and a 0.71 FIP.
Blake Treinen’s Ridiculous Slider Movement (offset home plate view). ? pic.twitter.com/U4IMyqShnb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 29, 2024
This is my first chance to talk about Jeremiah Estrada, and I’m going to take it. This season, Estrada has 15.5 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. In his past 4.7 IP, he has a 24.9 K/9. Sheesh! I should add his BABIP for the season is 0.160.
After setting the Padres record for most consecutive strikeouts (10), Jeremiah Estrada explains his transition… what nickname does he have for it ? pic.twitter.com/I0d4GZg0xB
— Chase Izidoro (@chaseizi) May 26, 2024
AJ Minter (RP), ATL), hip: Minter hits IL with hip inflammation. He is eligible to return on June 14. The Braves called up RHP Jimmy Herget to fill Minter’s roster spot. Herget performed well in his small 3.0 IP: 12 K/9 and 3 BB/9.
LET’S GOOOOO?? THE JIMMY HERGET SEASON pic.twitter.com/tH4XCfuglS
– Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) May 25, 2024
NL West
Justin Lawrence (RP, COL), shoulder: Reliever Justin Lawrence was sent to IL with a right shoulder strain. He is eligible to return on June 10. Tyler Kinley moved to Lawrence and struggled a bit in his 5 IP.
Minnesota’s Griffin Jax is probably available in your league. In 23.3 IP this season, Jax has 5 SV with a 2.31 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. Additionally, he has 12.0 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9.
LaMonte Wade Jr. (1B/OF, SFG), muscle: LaMonte Wade Jr. he suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for at least a month. Enter fellow bully Wilmer Flores. In his last 17 AB, Flores is hitting .294/.294/.412. It’s not great if you look beyond that, BUT you’re probably in your league if you need an easy pick up.
Connor Joe is less available (for good reasons), BUT he is still available in other leagues. In his last 22 AB, he hit .409/.500/.545 (9 H, 5 R, and 3 BB). In 175 AB this season, Joe hit .286/.357/.463 with 6 HR and a 133 wRc+.
WILMER TIES IT. DID IT AGAIN? pic.twitter.com/u5SFH14jGc
– SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) May 23, 2024
Injury Updates
Here is your quick injury review section. I had to answer this article early on Friday because I am traveling. So, hit me up in the comments if I missed someone, want to chat about someone else, or any of the big injury news that happened yesterday. You know I love company!
- Gerrit Cole (SP, NYY), elbow: he could begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday, per Bryan Hoch at MLB.com.
- Brandon Drury (1B/2B, LAA), hamstring: targeting a mid-June return via Rhett Bollinger at MLB.com.
- Zach Eflin (SP, TBR), back: may be activated next week.
- Josh Jung (3B, TEX), arm: hitting balls off the tee.
- Dean Kremer (SP, BAL), triceps: expected to play catch soon per Jake Rill of MLB.com.
- Steven Kwan (OF, CLE), leg: renewal assignment.
- Royce Lewis (3B, MIN), quadricep: renewal assignment.
- John Means (SP, BAL), arm: end-of-season UCL preparation.
- Bobby Miller (SP, LAD), shoulder inflammation: renewal assignment.
- Max Muncy (3B, LAD), oblique: it still hasn’t flown; there is no return date.
- Luis Robert (OF, CWS), hip: renewal assignment.
- Trea Turner (SS, PHI), muscle: June’s return is still awaited.
- Max Scherzer (SP, TEX), back: threw a bullpen session with Evan Grant.
- Alek Thomas (OF, ARI), hamstring: he started an easy run via Steve Gilbert at MLB.com.
- Gavin Williams (SP, CLE), elbow: renewal assignment.
- Garrett Whitlock (SP, BOS), elbow: out of season.
Gavin Williams 1st pitch 97.0 MPH but then gives up a solo HR to first batter David Dahl.
– CleGuardPro (@CleGuardPro) May 30, 2024
That’s it in this week’s edition of Ambulance Chasers. I’m going out next week to enjoy the great outdoors. Smell later!
If you’d like to get my usual thoughts (and threats?) follow me on Twitter or BlueSky.