Ambulance Chasers: Fade To Grayson

Friends, welcome back to Razzball Ambulance Chasers, your weekly fantasy baseball injury report.

Either this week’s batch of injuries were less devastating than usual or my new emotional baseline around baseball injuries is “terror”. I mean, sure, Mike Trout and Byron Buxton are injured again (expected). And I am wondering if Nolan Jones is Kris Bryant 2.0. These guys must read a lot of Nietzsche and took the whole burning-yourself-in-your-own-flame thing very seriously.

While they are little patches of ash, make way for the THE REAL STARS like Jurickson Profar, Cooper Criswell, Blaze Alexander, and returning ultra star Cole Tucker.

Let’s see who is clearing the paths to glory this week.

Notable Injuries

AL Central

Byron Buxton (OF, MIN), knee: Buxton is on the IL with right knee soreness, but an MRI showed there was no structural damage.  Austin Martin will take Buxton’s spot on the roster. Jurickson Profar continues to be good but is less and less available. In 91 AB, he’s hit .352/.431/.560 4 HR 19 RBIs. Some other in-division options are the even less available Willi Castro or Mark Canha. For the season, Canha may not be as productive as Profar or Castro, but he has had an uptick in production lately with 6 H in his last 20 AB, resulting in 2 RBIs and 3 BB.

Cole Ragans (SP, KCR), calf: Ragans left a game with a left calf cramp. He has dealt with a similar injury in the past and went on the 15-day IL as a result. However, the injury is not expected to have any serious implications. Normally, I would have recommended Ragans’ teammate Alec Marsh, but Marsh is also on the IL after being HBP. In 26.2 IP, Marsh has a  2.70 ERA and 3.14 FIP.

Another inner-division option would be Kenta Maeda. Maeda had a rough start to the season with control issues, but he has been slowly improving over his past few games. In his last 6 IP, he a 7.5 K/9 and 0.0 BB/9. Maeda has shared publicly that he does not pitch well in cold weather. So, as things heat up, perhaps Maeda will too.

Kenta Maeda, Dirty 84mph Splitter. ?? pic.twitter.com/puERUaymt2

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2024

If you’re looking for other options outside of the sad, sad AL Central, I walk through a few other players in the next entries.

AL East

Craig Kimbrel (RP, BAL), back: Kimbrel was experiencing some back issues, but he is back in the line-up after being day-to-day. Should Kimbrel go down again, take a look at the Mets’ Reed Garrett. In 16.7 IP, Garrett has a 0.54 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 15.1 K/9 and 4.3 BB. He had some issues in one of his more recent outings, but we all have bad days, right?

What an absolute weapon Reed Garrett’s splitter is

Coming into today he has a 70.4% whiff rate on itpic.twitter.com/Vht4aXthPw

— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) May 1, 2024

Grayson Rodriguez (SP, BAL), shoulder: Things are suddenly looking gray, son. Rodriguez is out with right shoulder inflammation. He is eligible to return May 15. The good news is that John Means has returned from the IL.  Means is available, but if you do not want to deal with the risk, you could look at Washington’s Trevor Williams who, in 31.7 IP, has a 2.27 ERA,  2.78 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP. He certainly keeps things interesting.

Over the last 50 seasons (since 1975), there have been 21,395 scoreless outings by MLB starters (reg & post, including Wednesday).

Only one of those 21,395 did so while facing a bases-loaded, no-out jam in 2 separate innings.

That one was the @Nationals' Trevor Williams today. pic.twitter.com/kfQxG3XGZ6

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 2, 2024

Yariel Rodríguez (SP, TOR), back: Another back issue sends a pitcher to the IL this week. Rodríguez will be on the IL until at least May 15 with thoracic spine inflammation. According to Dr. Google, this type of injury can heal up in a few weeks but may be a sign of a more serious issue. Yikes.

Check out Boston’s Cooper Criswell as a replacement option. Criswell has only 13.6 IP this season, but he has been rather consistent (other than a seemingly improving FIP) and currently has a 1.65 ERA, 3.21 FIP, and 0.98 WHIP on the season.

Remember when so many Red Sox fans were criticizing the Cooper Criswell $1M signing?

16.1 IP, 1.65 ERA

Pepperidge Farm remembers. pic.twitter.com/Zkgkdxccg8

— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) May 1, 2024

Masataka Yoshida (OF, BOS), thumb: A sprained thumb will keep Yoshida out of action until at least May 9. Alex Cora shared with the media that surgery could be in the picture, but nothing was certain yet.

In place of Yoshida, you might consider Richie Palacios. In 71 AB, the Tampa Bay Ray is hitting .310/.430/.465 for the  with 3 HR , 6 RBIs, and 4 SB.

Surgery hasn't been ruled in or out for Masataka Yoshida (via @IanMBrowne). pic.twitter.com/eWWHRDa0Nl

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) May 2, 2024

AL West

Nathan Eovaldi (SP, TEX), groin: Eovaldi was moved to the IL after experiencing groin tightness. Eovaldi is difficult to replace, but teammate Dane Dunning could be available to supplement your roster in some leagues. In his last 5.3 IP, Dunning has 10 K .

Dane Dunning struck out 10 batters on 69 pitches.

That's the fourth-fewest pitches thrown in a 10-strikeout game since pitches were first tracked in 1988.

— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) April 28, 2024

Chas McCormick (OF, HOU), hamstring: McCormick is out with a hamstring injury and won’t be back until at least May 8. If you’re hurting for OF coverage, Tyler Nevin is on a heater. In 80 AB, Nevin has 4 HR and 10 RBIs. For the season, he is slashing .325/.379/.500.

Tyler Nevin is the hottest hitter in baseball! 10-for-24 with 3 HR over the last week! pic.twitter.com/DjvsjtFU7r

— Discuss Baseball (@discussbaseball) May 3, 2024

Miguel Sanó (DH, LAA), knee: Sanó hit the IL with left knee discomfort. He is eligible to return on May 8. If you’re looking for a replacement, you could check out Tampa Bay’s Harold Ramirez who, in 89 AB, is hitting .303/.326/.429. Ramirez is projected to regress, and he seems to be on that path judging by his last few games.

I am also going to be controversial and propose Cole Tucker here. Cole Tucker’s return has been intriguing. He’s only had 8 AB, but in that time, he has already had 3 H, 1 RBI, and 2 SB. The family life is good for him.

Cole Tucker's first hit as an Angel ties it up! ?#RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/tLemDIAiMF

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 30, 2024

Mike Trout (OF, LAA), knee: It’s a bummer to see Trout back here. He’s out with a torn knee meniscus that required surgery. The Angels shared they expect Trout to return this season, but they haven’t given a specific timeline. This is another place Tyler Nevin, who I mentioned above, would be useful.

NL Central

Tommy Edman (UTIL, STL), wrist: Tommy Edman is back on the IL as his right wrist continues to bother him. If you’re still holding onto Edman, it is time to make some changes. Mike Tauchman is trying to recapture his 2023 Hot Girl Summer. In 76 AB, he has 23 H, 3 HR, 10 RBIs, and 17 BB (.303/.418/.513).

Mike Tauchman appreciation:

– 0.9 WAR
– .294 BA
– .429 OBP
– .500 SLG
– 18% walk rate / 19% strikeout rate
– .413 wOBA / 164 wRC+ pic.twitter.com/thNBGXxUF9

— Brendan Miller (@brendan_cubs) April 29, 2024

Wade Miley (SP, MIL), elbow: You don’t want to walk a Miley in Wade’s shoes. Miley hits the IL because, well, he needs Tommy John. He will, of course, be out for the season, but his teammate Colin Rea could be good for your roster. In 33.7 IP, Colin Rea is holding down a 2.67 ERA. with 23 K. His FIP has been a little nuts over his last 12 IP (5 BB), but it is expected to smooth out.

Colin Rea with another great outing:
6 IP
4 hits
5 K’s
0 ER

2024:
6 games
2.67 ERA
1.22 WHIP

He’s a legit starter. pic.twitter.com/vTLksmTgqg

— Ryan (@BrewPackOnYT) May 1, 2024

NL West

Zac Gallen (SP, ARI), hamstring: Sorry to Norman for not getting Gallen into Ambulance Chasers last week. Your wait won’t be too long because Gallen is expected back next Tuesday. If all goes well, you don’t have to worry. However, if all does not go well (!), take a look at Gallen’s teammate Slade Cecconi. In 11 IP, Cecconi has a 2.25 ERA, 2.78 FIP ,and 11 K. In the last 7 days, he has thrown 12.0 K/9 with 1.5 BB/9. He has low volume right now, but I am into Slayin’ Slade.

#Dbacks RHP Slade Cecconi is absolutely dealing through 4: 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 55 pitches

Meanwhile the Arizona offense is reeling: 2 for 14, BB, 9 K

— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) April 28, 2024

Nolan Jones (OF, COL), back: It feels like many luscious-eyebrowed Rockies outfielders that are under-performing show up regularly in this article. Nolan Jones has returned to the IL with a strained lower back. He is eligible to return on May 9. Washington’s Jacob Young could improve your Nolan Jones-shaped void. Young has 22 H and 12 SB in 72 AB.  His BABIP is high, but so, is his sprint speed (98th percentile).

Injury Updates

Now, it’s time for some injury updates. If I missed anyone that you want to talk about, I will see you in the comments!

• Cody Bellinger (OF, CHC), rib: resumed baseball activity.
  
• Brayan Bello (SP, BOS), back: may be back at the end of next week.
• Jake Burger (3B/1B, MIA), oblique: began rehab assignment; timeline for return is mid-May.
• Triston Casas (1B, BOS), ribs: out until at least June 21.
• Alex Cobb (SP, SDP), hip: resumed throwing.
• Gerrit Cole (SP, NYY), elbow: throwing off a mound today.
• Brandon Drury (1B/2B, LAA), hamstring: was back in line-up, but migraines have slowed him down.
• Braxton Garrett (SP, MIA), shoulder: rehabbin’.
• Merrill Kelly (SP, ARI), shoulder: 60-day IL. Oof.
• DJ LeMahieu (1B/3B, NYY), foot: resuming activities after foot inflammation slowed down rehab.
• Brandon Lowe (2B, TBR), oblique: starting rehab on Tuesday.
• Sean Murphy (C, ATL), oblique: hitting lightly.
• Nick Pivetta (SP, BOS), elbow: rehabbin’.
• Max Scherzer (SP, TEX), back: sore thumb slows down rehab.
• Justin Steele (SP, CHC), hamstring: returns Monday.
• Seiya Suzuki (OF, CHC), oblique: BP.
• Alek Thomas (OF, ARI), hamstring: could return next week with Paul Sewald.
• Gavin Williams (SP, CLE), elbow: throwing again after a setback in rehab (elbow soreness).
• Christian Yelich (OF, MIL), back: throwing, but this may take a while.

That’s it for this week. Protect your elbows and obliques!

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Who has devastated your team this week? Share with me in the comments. You can also find me on  Twitter or BlueSky.