Howdy Razzkin!
First, the title is outsourced this week. My predecessor JKJ casually dropped “Anthony Rendoff” in the Razzball chat I am not supposed to talk about, and there was no way I was not going to use it for this edition of Ambulance Chasers. Thank you and, also, damn you, JKJ!
It got a little busier on the injury front this week, and we lost a few big names or potential game changers. With many of these injuries, there is a silver lining. Maybe you’ll even find yourself with an upgrade. There are quite a few hidden gems and breakout players available right now.
Let’s see how another’s loss can be your gain starting today!
Notable Injuries Week of May 13-May 19
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (OF, MIA)
Jazz is out for about 4-6 weeks with foot contusion sustained from colliding with the outfield wall while attempting to make a catch. The injury initially looked worse, but x-rays showed there was no serious damage. Jazz has not been the player you might expect to be on the cover of The Show. He has transitioned from 2B to CF this season. Although he has slashed .229/.291/.403 over 159 PA, he still has 14 SB and seven HR.
This is bad timing as Marlins OF Jesús Sánchez is also on the IL (more about that below).
These injuries thin out the Marlins depth, but they have a few options. Peyton Burdick and Jorge Soler are options. Jon Berti, Garrett Hampson, and Joey Wendle could also pivot to the outfield or where needed.
Obviously, there are options outside of the Marlins for your team. I am not paid by the Chicago White Sox to offer up 3B Jake Burger, but he has had 10 HR and 20 RBI this season. Another option could be Lane Thomas, who I mentioned in last week’s Razzball Ambulance Chasers.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Is going on the IL with turf toe after a hard crash into the wall in Saturday’s game, per the Marlins.
Their manager Skip Schumacher just told reporters he expects Jazz to miss 4-6 weeks.
Wishing him a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/ZGlQBSRCuD
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) May 16, 2023
C.J. Cron (1B, COL)
Cron has been put on the IL with back spasms. It hasn’t been Cron’s best season. He has been slashing .228/.277/.426 this season,
Michael Toglia has been recalled from Triple-A. Toglia has been holding up in the MLB. In seven AB, he has two hits and is hitting .286. So, while he is not necessarily the solution for your line-up, he is someone to keep your eye on.
2-run homer by Toglia ? His 8th on this season ? pic.twitter.com/nyhz7uRNdd
— Portland Pilots Baseball (@PortlandBSB) May 13, 2023
Ian Hamilton (RP, NYY)
Ian Hamilton has been a sneaky star this season with a 1.27 ERA and 1.66 FIP. Unfortunately, Hamilton is on the 15-day IL with a strained groin and is expected to be out 2-4 weeks. Nick Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A to replace Hamilton. Ramirez had a 2.84 ERA and 3.46 FIP in the majors this year.
Folks, Yennier Canó could still be available in your league, and Bryan Abreu (1.27 ERA, 2.55 FIP) is another potentially available option. Don’t sleep on ’em.
Dustin May (SP, LAD)
The Dodgers SP May will be out with a strained flexor for 4-6 weeks. Initially, speculation was that the injury was worse. So, maybe that was a dodged bullet, but if you have May, you will probably still need a replacement.
Dodgers prospect Gavin Stone was called up to replace May for now. People seem to like the guy.
Gavin Stone with a whopping 24 whiffs at Triple-A tonight, 17 on the changeup alone.
Finished with a 10:3 K:BB in 5 2/3 IP, allowed 2 ER on 5 hits. pic.twitter.com/jgUFTGlP5u
— Brendan Tuma (@toomuchtuma) May 17, 2023
Joc Pederson (DH/OF, SFG)
Joc is on the IL after sustaining a hand contusion. Luckily, none of his bones were broken, and he should return by late May.
Luckily for the Giants, Mike Yastrzemski returned from his IL stint. Yastrzemski has been performing marginally better than Pederson. So, while it would be better to have both, if you are going to have one of them injured, it sort of worked out. In general, it stinks.
#SFGiants roster moves:
• OF Joc Pederson placed on the 10-day Injured List with a right hand contusion (retroactive to May 13).
• OF Mike Yastrzemski reinstated from the 10-day Injured List.— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 16, 2023
Anthony Rendon (3B, LAA)
Anthony Rendon was just hitting his stride this season when BOOM- left groin tightness! Now he is Anthony RendOFF (haha). Anyway, that guy is out (AGAIN). While it is not a surprise he is back on the IL (sorry sorry sorry), someone has to replace him! Taylor Ward, Luis Renfigo, and Gio Urshela could fill in some voids here.
The Angels have shared that the injury is not serious, and he could return as early as May 24 (though I would expect he will be out slightly longer, barring any big issues). Rendon is the 4th best batter on the Angels, which is a pretty big deal considering the people in front of him are Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Hunter Renfroe. So, I would personally hold him.
Also, he isn’t afraid to throw hands.
“He’s insane for this” and it’s just Anthony Rendon throwing hands all of a sudden pic.twitter.com/iWNBJ4VhOH
— ? (@teeejaybae) May 19, 2023
Jose Trevino (C, NYY)
Trevino goes down with a hamstring injury, but the real story here is that Ben Rortvedt will finally be making his Yankees debut. Rortvedt has been through it over the past few seasons. He had an aneurysm in his shoulder and dealt with a lingering oblique injury and left knee surgery.
Rortvedt slashed .327/.421/.612 over his last 14 games in the minors (from A to Triple-A). So, at a minimum, this is something to follow.
If you need a more established catcher, Blake Sabol and Yan Gomes might be available in your league.
Ben Rortvedt on what he wants Yankees fans to know about him: Very hard-nosed, goes out and competes everyday, and really gives it all. pic.twitter.com/Lib4PrMrve
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 18, 2023
Other Injuries and Injury Updates
Here were some other recent injuries that could affect your line-up:
- Jorge Alcala (RP, MIN), strained forearm
- Elvis Andrus (2B, CWS), strained oblique
- Luis Campusano (C, SDP), thumb surgery
- Dylan Carlson (OF, STL), ankle (moved to IL)
- Brad Boxberger (RP, CHC), strained forearm
- Ryan Feltner (SP, COL), a friggin’ skull fracture
- Max Kepler (OF, MIN), strained hamstring
- Casey Legumina (RP, CIN), ankle contusion
- Seth Lugo (SP, SDP), strained calf
- Wade Miley (P, MIL), strained lat
- Jesús Sánchez (OF, MIA), strained hamstring
- John Schreiber (RP, BOS), strained lat
- Austin Slater (OF, SFG), hamstring
- Luke Voit (1B, MIL), strained neck
And here are some updates on the rehab front:
- Jose Altuve (2B, HOU), activated!
- Tyler Glasnow (SP, TBR), rehabbing again
- Triston McKenzie (SP, CLE), rehabbing
- Garrett Whitlock (SP, BOS), rehabbing
That’s all for this week’s bloodshed! Have a great weekend.
Who hurtin’ has hurt your line-up this week? Hit me up in the comments or on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.