Ahoy ahoy, Razzball Fam!
This week in injuries is a little slower than last, and the status updates from last week are a roller coaster of positives and negatives.
Bo is still down and out. Nathan Eovaldi is throwing in bullpen sessions. Shane McClanahan is likely done-zo for the season. Jordan Romano may be back Tuesday!
Oh, and Joe Ryan, uhhhh, hid his injury from Twins medical staff?
This is how we find out what happens when you lie to the medical staff. You get Dallas Keuchel.
Joe Ryan hid an injury for seven starts. Now, Dallas Keuchel is on the way. Meanwhile, Sonny Gray won for the first time since April 30. #MNTwins https://t.co/MPeny5LqY7
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 4, 2023
The past is sort of in the past. Let’s jump into the new batch (if I make a Gremlins reference here, will anyone appreciate it?).
Notable Injuries: August 5-August 11
Jake Fraley (OF, CIN)
As Cincinnati falls out of the lead in the NL Central, outfielder Jake Fraley lands on the IL with a stress fracture in his fourth left toe (just now realizing we have “pinky toe” and “big toe”; the rest are just a number). Fraley is able to return August 14.
TJ Hopkins was recalled to replace Fraley. So far, Hopkins debuted on June 3 and has 24 AB in the majors. He has 4 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 stolen base. In the minors, he has been hitting .318/.425/.966 with 16 home runs.
If Hopkins is not the solution to your problems, Mike Tauchman is still 49% unrostered and hitting .354/.430/.598 with a 127 wRC+. Son wrote about Tauchman this week and you can read all about it HERE.
Mike Tauchman, post All-Star break stats:
.363 AVG
1.048 OPS (.425 OBP, .623 SLG)
4 HR
20 RBI
12.6% K%
10.3% BB%— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) August 9, 2023
Zack Greinke (SP, KCR)
39-year-old Greinke hits the IL with right posterior elbow soreness. It has been one of Greinke’s worst seasons in the league, but he is 39, and he does play for Kansas City (don’t get mad at me; I’m a White Sox fan).
It’s not all bad in Kansas City! Greinke’s new teammate Cole Ragans has had a compelling few innings that may form into a breakout. In 12.7 IP, Ragans has a 0.71 ERA, 19 strikeouts to 2 BB, and a 0.50 FIP (that is not a typo). Compelling.
Cole Ragans, 10th and 11th Ks. pic.twitter.com/q8l9sATOzo
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 8, 2023
Brandon Marsh (OF, PHI)
Oof. Brandon Marsh met the outfield wall, and the wall gifted him with a knee contusion that includes a 2-3 week vacation to the IL. How generous.
Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter could be a potential replacement for Marsh on your roster. He hit .303/.367/.461 and 4 HR in his last 89 AB, with the last 27 AB coming in at .481/.500/.667. Additionally, Carpenter is in the 77th percentile of xwOBA. It looks like he has figured some things out.
Brandon Marsh officially put on the IL because of this nasty slam into the wall yesterday. Topper says it’ll be 2-3 weeks before he’s back and Weston Wilson will be called up pic.twitter.com/ZkkVqD5U1b
— Mismatch Philadelphia (@MismatchPhilly) August 6, 2023
Starling Marte (OF, NYM)
Marte has a history of groin injuries, even having surgery to repair tendons in both groins. The injury struck back this week as Marte goes back on the IL with a strained right groin. Early estimates have him out for around at least one more week (but very possibly more).
Marte had been out for a few weeks previously. Not sure if any of you stashed him (bless you). However, there is a small David Peralta renaissance (Peralta’s Last Stand?) occurring right now.
I know, I know. It is a bit of a spicy take, but he has been trending upward in his last few AB (.350/.381/.500 in his last 20 AB). Steamer shows him regressing. So, this gravy train is likely short-term.
Is he Starling Marte? Absolutely not. However, if you are in a bigger league and pickings are slim, Peralta is likely there as he is only 2% rostered.
Josh Jung (3B, TEX)
Josh Jung is questionable for the rest of the season after requiring thumb surgery for a right thumb fracture. As a result, he is questionable for 2023, which stinks for anyone who is a Texans fan.
Mike Moustakas has been on a run since joining the Angels and could be a good replacement for Jung on your roster. In his last 93 AB, Moustakas hit .301/.323/.538 with 5 homeruns. He is currently only 25% rostered.
Mike Moustakas has done more for the angels in four weeks than Anthony Rendon has done in four years pic.twitter.com/eo0f8ANicG
— Jake (@D1SCHER) August 10, 2023
Carlos Rodón (SP, NYY)
Carlos started his season a little late because of injuries, and he returned to his home on the IL with a strained hamstring. His time on the IL may be about more than the hamstring considering he has a 7.33 ERA and shared with the media he didn’t think an IL stint was necessary.
Let’s take a look at Pirates starting pitcher Johan Oviedo. In his last 31 IP, he has a 2.32 ERA with 30 K. He has a 3.90 FIP and 14 BB. So, there is some room for improvement, but overall, he’s still looking pretty, pretty good.
Pirates' Johan Oviedo in his last 3 starts:
20 IP
16 K
11 Hits
2 ER
ERA 0.90
W-L 3-0Like a fine artist ? pic.twitter.com/N3RC02yV2c
— Bloop Curve (@BloopCurve) August 7, 2023
Other Injuries
- Danny Coulombe (RP, BAL), biceps tendinitis
- J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA), concussion
- Michael Grove (SP, LAD), strained lat
- Kevin Kiermaier (OF, TOR), elbow laceration
- A.J. Pollock (OF, SFG), strained oblique
Have a great weekend, folks!
Thanks for stopping by Ambulance Chasers. Hit me up in the comments or on Twitter for other updates.
