Howdy, Razzfriends!
I want to put it on the record that I do not have testicles (in the literal sense). However, I try to empathize with the plight of those who get hit in the Crotch metropolitan area. Whether you sympathize or empathize, you probably felt something for Lars Nootbaar when he took a ball to the junk during a game with the A’s earlier this week.
A's broadcast calls Lars Nootbaar's foul ball
?? Vince Cotroneo
? Dallas Braden#stlcards pic.twitter.com/5LzCa7ggeE— VHS (@VanHicklestein) August 17, 2023
It’s reported that Nootbaar has no structural damage and is expected to return soon. Hopefully, to a standing ovation.
Even though Lars dodged a bullet, some other players were not as lucky this week. Let’s jump in.
Notable Injuries August 12-18
José Abreu (1B, HOU)
Abreu has had a relatively low injury year, but he hit IL with lumbar spine inflammation. Since hitting the IL, Abreu shared that the injury had been nagging him for some time, which may explain to an unknown extent why he is having a career low season (75 wRC+, -1.2 fWAR).
In the interim, Jon Singleton will serve as the first baseman. In 54 AB this season, Singleton is hitting .130/.266/.259 with 2 HR.
Last week, I mentioned Mike Moustakas is potentially available to pick up at 1B. In his last 100 AB, Moustakas has hit 4 HR and is slashing .290/.317/.480.
Mike Moustakas since joining the #Angels:
– 35 Games
– .285 AVG
– 7 HR
– 14 XBH
– 23 RBI6 of those 7 homers have been to tie or take the lead. #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/2mEG5nz1Py
— Angels Muse (6-6) (@AngelsMuse_) August 10, 2023
Ozzie Albies (2B, ATL)
Animal rescue philanthropist Ozzie Albies will likely be out until at least August 24 with what was first called cramping and is now being called a strained hamstring by various reports. Luckily, Ozzie was seen running drills yesterday, per Mark Bowman. So, the outlook seems positive, but the Braves have not shared a return timeline.
Good sign. Ozzie is doing some running drills on the field on the field right now.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 18, 2023
As a result of Albies’ injury, Vaughn Grissom has been recalled to the Braves. In his 65 AB in the majors this year, Grissom hit .277/.314/.622 with 7 RBIs. However, Grissom is spending most of his time on the bench right now.
Nicky Lopez has been replacing Albies at 2B. Lopez was traded from Kansas City to Atlanta last month, and maybe the change of scenery was good for him. In his last 35 AB, Lopez is hitting .286/.314/.400. In his last 17 AB, his stats are bumped up to .412/.412/.647 with 1 HR.
The @Braves' Nicky Lopez is the 1st player to record 7+ hits and 8+ RBI in his first two starts with a team since RBI became official in 1920. pic.twitter.com/x7V2QIer7B
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 15, 2023
Nolan Gorman (2B, STL)
Gorman hit the IL with a strained lower back, retroactive to August 14. It was reported by Jeff Jones that Gorman had an injection in his back. The Cardinals have not shared a timeline for return yet. Gorman is difficult to replace for both the Cards and rosters.
Outfielder Richie Palacios was recalled from Triple-A to take Gorman’s spot on the roster. In Gorman’s absence and with Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar day-to-day, José Fermín was placed at 2B. However, you are good to skip that one. Masyn Winn was recalled Friday and might be worth a look.
The Brewers’ Brice Turang is only 29% rostered. Turang is slashing .269/.374/.397 and 3 HR in his last 78 AB. One thing to keep in mind if you pick up Turang is his weakness when hitting against lefties (.158/.238/.158) compared to righties (.225/.296/.352). So, expect him to sit for those games.
Since the All-Star break, just two rookies across MLB (minimum 50 PA) have posted a >10 BB% and <20 K%:
1. Sal Frelick
2. Brice Turang pic.twitter.com/HJSUCMyibF— The Barrel Banter (@thebarrelmke) August 14, 2023
Manuel Margot (OF, TBR)
The Ray Manuel Margot is out because of loose bodies in his elbow. This injury required surgical intervention. I am not a medical professional, but Google tells me that loose bodies are small pieces of bone or cartilage that break off and float around within the elbow. Margot will be out for about 3-4 weeks.
The Rays have a platoon, which Margot was a part of, in center and right field that includes Jose Siri, Josh Lowe, and Luke Raley. Siri will likely see more playing time. As of yesterday, Siri was out with a sprained finger, and Luke Raley was listed as his replacement in center field.
But! Siri probably will not be available for your roster. This is where I would suggest taking a look at Stone Garrett who has a 117 wRC+ and 1.3 fWAR with 9 HR across 256 PA. And he is only 1% rostered, but that will change if he continues to be hot.
Stone Garrett – Washington Nationals (8) pic.twitter.com/dXHqUyQ9ts
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 17, 2023
Steven Matz (SP, STL)
Matz is out with a strained lat, and the Cards have shared that it is likely Matz won’t be throwing for at least three weeks. Woof.
This means Adam Wainwright will be coming back onto the scene a bit more, but the odds are not in his favor with an 8.42 ERA and 6.06 FIP. Also, woof.
If you are looking for a starting pitcher, Matt Strahm has been locked in the past month. In his last 15 IP, Strahm has 14 K and 3 walks with a 1.80 ERA and 2.63 FIP (even through a lower BABIP).
Matt Strahm pitched two scoreless innings of relief with a strikeout & Craig Kimbrel had a 1-2-3 eighth inning with two strikeouts for Philadelphia in the win.#FormerRedSox https://t.co/7MhLMceKb5
— Richard Slate (@RichSlate) August 17, 2023
Other Injuries
Here are some other fellas who are injured:
- Yency Almonte (RP, LAD), sprained knee
- JJ Bleday (OF/DH, OAK), sprained knee
- Huascar Brazoban (RP, MIA), strained hamstring
- Willi Castro (INF/OF, MIN), strained oblique
- Ji-Man Choi (1B, SDP), strained oblique
- Angel Felipe (RP, OAK), sprained elbow
- Cam Gallagher (C, CLE), concussion
- Marco Gonzales (SP, SEA), nerve decompression (surgery in the forearm; out for the season)
- Joe Kelly (RP, LAD), forearm inflammation
- Kevin Kelly (RP, TBR), sprained ankle
- Tom Murphy (C, SEA), sprained thumb
- Mark Vientos (3B, NYM), wrist tendonitis
- Josh Walker (RP, NYM), strained oblique
And here are some injury updates:
- Michael Brantley (DH, HOU), rehabbin’
- Oneil Cruz (SS, PIT), cleared to run
- Nathan Eovaldi (SP, TEX), throwing bullpen sessions and may return later this month
- Jake Fraley (RF, CIN), outlook uncertain and MRI scheduled
- Hunter Greene (SP, CIN), should return tomorrow (Sunday, Aug. 20)
- Ryan Helsley (RP, STL), cleared to resume rehab after experiencing forearm and back pain
- Aaron Hicks (CF, BAL), activated
- Jonathan India (2B, CIN), got a second opinion which showed injury more significant than originally diagnosed; return delayed
- Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN), rehabbin’
- John Means (SP, BAL), rehabbing but won’t be back before Aug. 30
- Carlos Rodón (SP, NYY), may return next week
- Mike Trout (CF, LAA), Trout has been mostly mum about his injury, but this week he shared he thinks he will return soon and will soon face live batting practice
- Kyle Wright (SP, ATL), throwing off the mound; out until at least Sept. 5
That’s all folks. Good luck out there this week, and have a nice weekend!
Oh hey there, I hope you are having a great week, but how is your roster holding up? I will be here for the comments, and you can always find me on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.