Ambulance Chasers: Scherz Gettin’ Rough Out There
Hello Razzballers!
It’s that time of the season when most injuries become season-ending injuries. This week Jordan Westburg and Kodai Senga moved into that spot (or close to it). Additionally, chronically injured players such as Mike Trout and Evan Carter will not be able to return as they are officially out for the season. As the baseball Bible says, “The Baseball Lord deals injuries and removes players.”
Honestly, we might have to start asking what benefit the King of Baseball brings us. I’ve been questioning my Baseball Faith lately.
I know I’m not the only one questioning their Baseball Faith as news of Max Scherzer’s recent trip to IL hit the press yesterday evening. Right shoulder fatigue does not sound fatal, but news was still developing at press time. On July 30 (before the IL announcement), Scherzer explained how the fatigue felt and how it affected his performance.
Max Scherzer with arm fatigue hitting him for the fourth time tonight… pic.twitter.com/Q0WDmMKOEX
– Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) July 31, 2024
Let’s explore the full buffet of recent baseball injuries.
Significant Injury
AL Central
Riley Greene (OF, DET), muscle: Greene visits IL with a right hamstring strain. There is no current timeline for recovery, but minor strains can take 3-8 weeks to heal. Fortunately, this injury is less serious than some of the rare accidents Greene has experienced over the past few years. Ryan Vilade was reinstated in Greene’s place. Vilade hit his first major league HR a few weeks ago. In 32 AB in MLB, he is hitting .250/.294/.344.
Minnesota’s Matt Wallner’s streak makes him a good option here. In his last 44 AB, Wallner has 5 HR and 9 RBIs (.364/.451/.818). 2 of those 5 HRs happened in the last 7 days.
Here’s where Matt Wallner would rank in avg exit velo, hard hit % and barrel % if he had enough plate appearances to qualify: pic.twitter.com/tPYc2v7klv
— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) August 1, 2024
AL East
Jorge Mateo (2B/SS, BAL), elbow: Late last week, Mateo hit the 10-day IL with a left elbow dislocation (partial elbow dislocation). However, he was soon moved to IL for 60 days. This move allowed Jackson Holliday to be returned to the Orioles. Holiday will take over for Mateo at 2B. Holliday has struggled a bit in his return, and by “slight”, I mean 7 AB (at press time).
Now, I’m going to throw out the names of the other guys.
Mateo’s teammate Ramon Urias is fit and available.
Jeff McNeil and Gavin Lux are other worthy 2B options that haven’t changed in the past month and are available. Like Seattle’s Jorge Polanco. If being in the AL doesn’t matter to you, Santiago Espinal and Geraldo Perdomo are NL options.
If you’re in a tough situation or just want to get a surprise, Seattle’s Dylan Moore and Josh Rojas are both eligible at 2B and available in most leagues. Romy Gonzalez is an amazing choice here as well. I didn’t see him being consistent this season, which I think is socially acceptable to admit. Additionally, Gonzalez is on the latest heater.
This is the Red Sox 1B production since Triston Casas was injured on 4/20.
Romy Gonzalez really hasn’t been a 1B more than just happens to play there during this timeline. That’s why the average game was so well received … because Dalbec and Cooper were terrible. pic.twitter.com/niTihHsbiy
— Jordan Leandre (@JordanLeandre55) August 2, 2024
Jordan Westburg (2B/3B, BAL), hand: Westerburg is now questionable for the season after suffering a broken right hand after being hit by a pitch. This injury replaced the Orioles’ no. 3 prospect 3B Coby Mayo. Steamer projected Mayo to hit .240/.317/.421. He has been ranked 3% in RCL leagues so far.
The Baltimore Orioles named Coby Mayo MLB’s No. 15
Mayo is hitting .308/.384/.619 with 23 home runs in 81 Triple-A games this season pic.twitter.com/nRE3C6AUQZ
— ?am Brice (@kambrice1tv) August 2, 2024
AL West
Jon Gray (SP, TEX), groin: Jon Gray is going through the revolving door that Texas Rangers pitchers use to get to IL. Gray strained his groin while warming up before his start against the Blue Jays last weekend. He is currently expected to be out for one month. As for the replacement, I’ve talked about JP Sears from Oakland before, and he’ll fit in here. In his last 13.0 IP last week, he has 8.3 K/9 and 0.7 BB/9. However, his ERA and FIP stink. Therefore, you may have to put up with minor inconsistencies. If that’s not your cup of tea, I have options in the NL entries below.
JP Sears SHOVED tonight in SF. #Athletics pic.twitter.com/7FYvAEEShH
– Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) July 31, 2024
Max Scherzer (SP, TEX), shoulder: If things with Jon Gray didn’t make the Rangers scream, Max Scherzer returning to IL with right shoulder fatigue probably did. This was a developing story when it was published, and I’m sure it gave some people a big headache. If the injury is truly fatigue and nothing else, Scherzer will be rested and out for very long. However, not enough information is currently known to do much beyond speculation.
Rangers fixtures for Friday:
– RHP Max Scherzer was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to 7/31) with right shoulder strain.
– LHP Walter Pennington (#52) recalled from Round Rock (AAA).
— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) August 2, 2024
NL Central
Lance Lynn (SP, STL), knee: Lance Lynn will have a limited stay on the IL after experiencing right knee inflammation. He received injections to help with the swelling. So, you can expect to see him back in mid-August. The natural change here, perhaps permanently, is to take on Lynn’s colleague Michael McGreevy who made his debut earlier this week. In 7 IP, McGreevy has a 1.20 ERA and a 2.60 FIP. He has thrown 3.9 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9.
Michael McGreevy marks the start of his Major League career in the win column. ? pic.twitter.com/PN7EigBwDK
-MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2024
Trevor Megill (RP, MIL), back: Megill is on 15-day IL with a lower back. His return time was uncertain at press time. However, Devin Williams is back to work. Looks like he’s still getting back into the swing of things with 1 K and 1 BB in 1 IP.
The Mets’ Jose Butto is a decent and available option in other leagues. They may be listed as SP. Marlin Andrew Nardi has had a rough season but will have more opportunity as the Marlins bullpen is depleted.
LRP Andrew Nardi (MIA):
Nardi is having an interesting year compared to last season.
5.03 ERA this season, however, the on-base metrics are high, with a 2.75 SIERA, 2.95 xERA and 24.2% K-BB%.
Big stuff guy (29.8% Whiff% — 34.6% Chase).
SL: .242 xwOBA | 33.1% Whiff% | 43.5% Chase% pic.twitter.com/bDvD0cbysm
— Pat (@PatSullivan05) July 25, 2024
NL East
Reynaldo Lopez (SP, ATL), arm: Technically, Lopez is not in the IL, but he is a DTD with arm strength. They may be re-instated in IL. That’s usually a good thing.
However, Justin Toscano, Braves writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, shared that Reylo hasn’t had a BP session since he started having the arm problem. Although nothing official, that doesn’t sound good. Fortunately, Max Fried is back and could play on Sunday.
The Braves have yet to announce their starting lineup for Sunday. Important thing to note: Brian Snitker said Reynaldo López hasn’t had a bullpen session since dealing with arm stiffness.
– Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 2, 2024
Prepare for a possible Reylo injury by checking out Philadelphia’s Tyler Phillips, who is coming off a complete game shutout just weeks after his MLB debut.
Tyler Phillips just threw a complete game against the team he grew up rooting for.
Baseball is the best. pic.twitter.com/44EryQXAPc
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 28, 2024
Kodai Senga (SP, NYM), calf: Senga has returned to IL after suffering a calf injury. Unfortunately, this means that Senga is likely to do the season with Carlos Mendoza. You probably wouldn’t count on Senga too much, but just in case, Arizona Diamondback Ryne Nelson is available for pickup. In his last 37.3 IP, Nelson threw 8.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9.
“I think it’s fair to say he’s done for the regular season.”
Carlos Mendoza says Kodai Senga has a “high range” left calf type: pic.twitter.com/Z7iOuXEnsx
– SNY (@SNYtv) July 27, 2024
NL West
Christian Walker (1B, ARI), oblique: Walker is walking down to the IL with mild left oblique strain. He is currently expected to return in late August. If you’ve been searching high and low for what to do, Josh Bell has always had some great information, which will benefit you. In his last 13 AB games, Bell has hit 2 HRs and 4 RBIs (.385/.467/.923). In his last 6 games, Bell has hit 5 HR.
Josh Bell hits his 5th HR in his last 6 games. ? pic.twitter.com/qv2QdAiRcc
-MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
Injury Updates
Here are your lightning damage updates. I’ve done my best to review the team’s changes since the trade deadline here.
- Mookie Betts (2B/SS/OF, LAD), hand: hitting the tee; he might be back in the next week or two.
- Walker Buehler (SP, LAD), hip: struggle in the renewal assignment.
- Kerry Carpenter (OF, DET), back: live BP and active foundations.
- Evan Carter (OF, TEX), back: is expected to miss the rest of the season.
- Triston Casas (1B, BOS), ribs: started the renovation work!
- Alex Cobb (SP, CLE), hip: it is expected to start the renovation work soon.
- Yu Darvish (SP, SDP), groin: you have been moved to a restricted list for a personal matter; return not yet confirmed.
- Tommy Edman (SS, LAD), wrist: renewal assignment.
- Vaughn Grissom (2B/SS, BOS), hamstring: will return to the Red Sox’s roster or preferred next week.
- Michael Harris II (OF, ATL), hamstring: return is still planned for this month.
- Liam Hendriks (RP, BOS) elbow: may increase progression immediately followed by reactivation.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2B/3B/SS/OF, PIT), knee: renewal assignment.
- Matt McLain (2B/SS, CIN), shoulder: go back to rehab for rib cage stress reaction; will start the renovation work in August or around August 12.
- Mason Miller (RP, OAK), finger: throwing BP times.
- Max Muncy (3B, LAD), oblique: visited a chiropractor and feels better about Fabian Ardaya; there are no updates to the timeline coming back.
- Joe Musgrove (SP, SDP), elbow: start the repair work tomorrow.
- Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, ARI), shoulder: is expected to start the season next Tuesday.
- Julio Rodriguez (OF, SEA), ankle: simple operations have begun but the timeline is still uncertain.
- Fernando Tatís Jr. (OF, SDP), leg: bat swings and lower body workouts by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune; the timeline for the restoration has not been confirmed.
- Mike Trout (OF, LAA), knee): RIP.
- Kyle Tucker (OF, HOU), shin: placed on IL for 60 days; we may not see him again this season.
- Justin Verlander (SP, HOU), neck: can start renovation work soon.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP, LAD), shoulder: BP times.
That’s it for this week! Good week!
Would you like more injury-related (but mostly random) content? We will see each other Twitter or BlueSky.
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