A happy Saturday to you and yours, Razzfam!
It has been a slow week in terms of injuries. I’ve been hanging out next to the highway in my Alero waiting for the ambulances to pass. It’s given me time to think about something.
I know most of you are super into astrology. So, you definitely know that Mercury is in retrograde right now. I think it is no coincidence that there have been two Garretts (Garretti?) injured recently: Garrett Whitlock and Garrett Mitchell. There are currently eight active Garretts in the MLB, and we are moving at a rate where we lose 25% of Garretts every two weeks.
As I mentioned, it has been a slow week for injuries. A slow week for me is a wonderful week for fantasy baseball managers. There are also many key players that are scheduled to return to action soon including Tim Anderson, Michael Harris II, Bryce Harper, Liam Hendriks, Raisel Iglesias, and Justin Verlander. You can fast-track to those updates by scrolling down to the last bulleted list on this page.
Before we get into the good news, let’s check out some of the newer injuries.
Notable Injuries (April 22-28)
Adam Cimber (RP, TOR)
Adam Cimber is down and out with a strained upper back (rhomboid). That stinks! The story here though is mostly Nate Pearson.
Pearson has been having a solid run in Triple-A this year. He has recorded 16 SO in 8.1 IP with a 2.16 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. While it is still early, Pearson is worth a look.
Nate Pearson has faced 30 batters at AAA Buffalo this season, striking out 15 of them!! ?
That's a 50% K rate, which would rank 2nd-highest across all MiLB levels if he had enough innings to qualify. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/ty5t6rymuG
— Thomas Hall (@Hall_Thomas_) April 21, 2023
Nate Pearson Winter League & 2023 AAA Stats
20 Games
20.1 Innings
0.89 ERA
0.93 WHIP
14.2 K/9
0 HR Allowed pic.twitter.com/XvOsj7cBT9— Chris Black (@DownToBlack) April 24, 2023
Aaron Judge (OF, NYY)
Judge is not on the IL yet, and hopefully, he won’t be. However, he has been dealing with hip discomfort that was serious enough to require an MRI. The Yankees promoted Jake Bauers to the roster as a precautionary move.
After Aaron Judge's injury, the Yankees have ZERO excuse not to call up Jake Bauers…
Bauers has 9 homers and 20 RBIs already, hitting .319 with a .460 OBP.
Option Franchy Cordero back to Triple-A and call the guy up, it's time! pic.twitter.com/g2D8nsrSBY
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) April 28, 2023
Germán Márquez (SP, COL)
Márquez is out with elbow inflammation. He is expected to be out for at least 6 weeks. He had just returned from dealing with right forearm tightness. During his Márquez’s injury, utility Nolan Jones was promoted but has since been sent back down. Jones has been slashing .338/.451/.716 in Triple-A, and some Rockies fans were clamoring to see more of him in the Bigs. Certainly, they will see him again.
Connor Seabold was recalled to cover for Márquez on his most recent IL stint. In the MLB, he has a 5.23 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 10.1 IP.
I know he's basically playing on the moon, but Nolan Jones just launched his 8th homer of the season. Small sample, but zone whiff and K numbers are way down to start the year. 3 of his 8 homers have come off LHP. Not even 25 yet, Jones is showing improvements.
?:@ABQTopes pic.twitter.com/AEr89GanMf
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) April 23, 2023
Wil Myers (1B/OF, CIN)
Wil Myers is out with an undisclosed illness. He has also recently suffered neck spasms. Myers has slashed .222/.292/.321 lately. Not his best work, but, hey, maybe a little rest will help (I can be positive!).
In the interim, Jake Fraley is in RF, Stuart Fairchild was starting in LF as of yesterday, and Spencer Steer is at 1B. The Reds also picked up Henry Ramos to DH. Tyler Stephenson has been serving as the DH, but he is still been considered the primary catcher.
There is no timeline for Myers return, but, as of now, there is no reason to think he will be out for long.
#CincinnatiReds Rake Report 04/25/23:
Total Pitches: 140 ?
Good Swing Decision?: 85.0% ?Most Disciplined: Spencer Steer
Least Disciplined: Stuart Fairchild#CIN #ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/xpENdLewRe— MLB Rake Report (@MLBRakeReport) April 26, 2023
Trevor Rogers (SP, MIA)
Trevor Rogers is on a visit to the IL with strained biceps. There is no timetable for his return at the moment. A mild strain can take up to 6 weeks to heal, but that is worst-case scenario.
Bryan Hoeing has replaced Rogers on the roster. Hoeing made his MLB debut last year. This year, he only has 3.2 IP and has struggled within those innings. He currently has a 9.82 ERA and a 2.18 WHIP with 2 SO in one game. Hoeing will get a second start tomorrow against the Cubs.
In the event Hoeing stinks up the place, the Marlins can turn to Devin Smeltzer, who is also struggling but a little more experienced and has pretty cool glasses.
Bryan Hoeing gets the start tomorrow in ATL
Career MLB numbers;
12.2 IP
19 H
17 R
17 ER
6 K
5 BB1-1
12.08 ERA— Peter Pratt ? (@MiamiMarlins_UK) April 24, 2023
Garrett Whitlock (SP, BOS)
Another Garrett joins the Garruminati. This week’s Garrett is Garrett Whitlock. Whitlock is on the IL with elbow discomfort (ulnar neuritis). This is the same injury Jeffrey Springs experienced before he went out for the season with Tommy John surgery. Whitlock will be out until at least May 10.
It is, however, Brayan Bello season again. Bello was sent back down just four days before he was recalled when Whitlck went down. Bello has a 9.82 ERA in 7.1 IP in the MLB this year. He has had some control issues this year (6.35 FIP).
Other Injuries and Injury Updates
There have been a few other injuries and treatment updates:
- Matt Bush (RP, MIL), shoulder tendinitis (rotator cuff)
- Yu Chang (INF, BOS), hamate surgery, out at least 6 weeks
- Yandy Díaz (3B, TBR), shoulder issues (seriousness undetermined at time of publication)
- Austin Hays (OF, BAL), hand injury (no serious damage)
- Adrián Martínez (SP, OAK), strained elbow, undetermined timeline
- Garrett Mitchell (OF, MIL), shoulder surgery
- Yoán Moncada (3B, CWS), protruding disc with nerve impingement
- Logan O’Hoppe (C, LAA), torn labrum, out 4-6 months
- Austin Warren (RP, LAA), elbow discomfort
On the rehab front, there is a lot of good news this week:
- José Altuve (2B, HOU), could be back as soon as late May
- Yordan Álvarez (DH/LF, HOU), day-to-day but improving
- Tim Anderson (SS, CWS), expected to return next week
- Orlando Arcia (SS, ATL), could return as soon as May 5
- Chris Bassitt (SP, TOR), supposedly pitching tomorrow
- Travis d’Arnaud (C, ATL), taking batting practice
- Tyler Glasnow (SP, TBR), throwing in bullpen sessions; may return late May
- Randal Grichuk (OF, COL), should come off the IL this weekend
- Bryce Harper (DH, PHI), traveling with the team and taking BP; could be back very soon
- Michael Harris II (CF, ATL), rehabbing in the minors (Update: He back!)
- Liam Hendriks (RP, CWS), cancer-free and rehabbing in the minors until mid-May
- Raisel Iglesias (RP, ATL), rehabbing in the minors; may return next week
- Ramon Laureano (OF, OAK), began rehab assignment
- J.D. Martinez (DH, LAD), moved to IL
- Corey Seager (SS, TEX), expected to return late May
- Will Smith (C/DH, LAD), activated
- Justin Verlander (SP, NYM), expected to return May 2
- Adam Wainwright (SP, STL), rehabbing but his return with the Cardinals has been delayed by a few days; he should return soon
- A lot of Yankees may be returning in May: Carlos Rodón, Harrison Bader, Luis Severino, and others.
All right, that’s it for this week! Good luck out there!
Any returns have you excited about this week? Hit me up in the comments or on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.
