Welcome to another week of Ambulance Chasers, your Razzball fantasy baseball injury report. I am beginning to wonder about my job security because the number of MLB injuries has dropped off significantly in the past two weeks. However, this job in injury is normal. There was a study that found most MLB shoulder injuries occur in April followed by May and June, which is what we have seen so far this year. Another study found that hamstring injuries were highest in April and May.
However, some teams *COUGH* The Mets *COUGH* have had a difficult few weeks in terms of injuries as they inch closer to the post-season. Today, I am here to share a batch of four Mets, amongst others, whose ambulances I have chased down, fearlessly and, honestly, kind of dangerously to other drivers. There may be a warrant out for me. Who is to say? Don’t mind that.
Let’s jump into the injuries, Razzfriends!
American League Injuries
AL Central
Chicago White Sox
Leury Garcia (INF/OF): The White Sox Great Value Swiss Army Guy is out with a strained lower back. He is eligible to return on August 26. As Luis Robert is still DTD, Garcia’s absence puts more pressure on the Sox infield and outfield. During these times, you can expect to see Elvis Andrus, Romy Gonzalez, and/or Lenyn Sosa see increased playing time. However, you could also upgrade to someone like Christopher Morel or José Iglesias.
Detroit Tigers
Tarik Skubal (SP): As the Tigers descent into madness and chaos continues, the news that Skubal will be out for the season because of flexor tendon surgery indicates a curse of some sort. Skubal had been having his best season in the majors with a 3.25 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Skubal is the sixth Tigers starter or prospect to undergo Tommy John surgery since 2020. Eric Lauer and Cole Irvin are two SPs worth looking into if you need to replace Skubal. Irvin has been a little shaky the last week though.
AL East
New York Yankees
Clay Holmes (RP): The Yankees have also suffered some injury setbacks lately. Holmes will be out until at least August 29 after experiencing back spasms. As a result, the Yankees called up outfielder Estevan Florial (OF), Oswaldo Cabrera (INF), and Ron Marinaccio (RP) and demoted Tim Locastro and Miguel Andujar.
Cabrera appeared in his first MLB game and went 2-4 with a double.
¡Bienvenido al Show, Oswaldo Cabrera! ?
¡Felicidades por tu primer hit en @LasMayores! ?#LosDelBronx pic.twitter.com/LRTFF6HMRT
— Yankees Béisbol (@Yankees_Beisbol) August 19, 2022
AL West
Houston Astros
Aledmys Diaz (INF/OF): Last week, I wrote about Díaz as a replacement for Michael Brantley Jr. Unfortunately, Díaz will be out with a strained groin until at least August 27. The Astros recalled JJ Matijevic (.200/.254/.300) to replace Díaz.
The Houston Astros have placed IF Aledmys Díaz on the 10-day IL due to left groin discomfort. We have recalled IF JJ Matijevic from Triple A Sugar Land and has joined the club in Chicago.
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 17, 2022
Oakland Athletics
Ramon Laureano (OF): Laureano is out with a strained oblique until August 25. Cal Stephenson, Tony Kemp, and Seth Brown continue to start in the outfield with Skye Bolt and Chad Pinder as backup options.
National League Injuries
NL East
Atlanta Braves
Chadwick Tromp (C): Tromp, who was impressive in his debut with the Braves this week, has been sent to the IL with a strained quad. He is eligible to return on August 24.
Chadwick Tromp with a 3-hit game in his Braves debut ?pic.twitter.com/qyDduMQfhC
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) August 13, 2022
Ehire Adrianza (INF/OF): Adrianza has been out with a viral infection. He is eligible for rehab starting today and should only need to play one or two rehab games. Look for him to make a big splash in the ATL.
New York Mets
Carlos Carrasco (SP): Carrasco hits the IL with a strained oblique and will be out until August 31. Although MRI showed that the oblique strain is low severity, he will still be out for 3-4 weeks. David Peterson and Trevor Williams may be potential replacements for Carrasco.
Eduardo Escobar (3B): Escobar has also been bitten by the strained oblique bug. He is eligible to return around August 31. Brett Baty has replaced Escobar for now. Baty homered in his first MLB career at-bat.
.@baty_brett’s family’s reaction to his home run is everything. ? pic.twitter.com/RYu0IHcGme
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 18, 2022
Tomas Nido (C): Nido has been out with flu-like symptoms. He missed the Braves series but there are hopes he will be back at it in the Phillies series this weekend.
Luis Guillorme (INF): Guillorme is out for 3-4 weeks with a strained groin. Deven Marrero was called up to replace Guillorme.
Miami Marlins
Anthony Bender (RP): Bender is out with a strained elbow. He is eligible to return on August 29. Andrew Nardi was recalled to replace Bender, and let’s just say the Marlins are down with the Nardi Party.
Andrew Nardi's first career strikeout is a beauuuuuuuty, 96 at the knees ? pic.twitter.com/YBYBmED3hw
— Fish On First Spaces (@MarlinsSpaces) August 17, 2022
Philadelphia Phillies
Brandon Marsh (OF): The Phillies are in a bit of an outfield pickle. Marsh is out with a sprained ankle. He is eligible to return around August 27. Bryce Harper was moved to the 60-day IL. While Nick Maton could play in the outfield sometimes, the Phillies picked up Bradley Zimmer to pad their outfield.
The Phillies have claimed OF Bradley Zimmer off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. To make room for Zimmer, OF Bryce Harper was transferred to the 60-day IL and OF Brandon Marsh was placed on the 10-day IL with a left ankle sprain (retro to 8/17).
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 18, 2022
Corey Knebel (RP): Knebel is out after straining his lat in a pitch to Francisco Lindor. Knebel will be out until at least around August 30. His lat injury is recurring. Sam Coonrod returned from the 60-day IL and replaces Knebel. So good luck to all involved.
Washington Nationals
Luis Garcia (INF): Garcia is out with a strained groin. Garcia is eligible to return around August 23. CJ Abrams has been recalled to replace Garcia, and Abrams is doing just fine.
CJ Abrams: fast. pic.twitter.com/gA1rZz1ONt
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 17, 2022
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers
Walker Buehler (SP): Sadly, Buehler is out for the season to have elbow surgery. Some idiots (it was not me) thought this might be his best season ever (AGAIN I SWEAR IT WAS NOT ME; do not go digging through past Razzball articles). Regardless, this is a tough situation for the Dodgers as they move closer and closer to the playoffs and down several key pitchers.
San Diego Padres
Tayler Scott (RP): Scott was out with a right middle finger laceration. He is eligible to return on August 28. Steven Wilson has replaced Scott on the Padres.
Lightening Round Updates
DJ LeMahieu (INF): Back in action.
Kris Bryant (OF): Out of action and in a boot.
Kole Calhoun (OF): Started his rehab assignment.
Jack Flaherty (SP): Started his rehab assignment.
Jonathan India (INF): Back in the line-up for now.
Clayton Kershaw (SP): Still out with a purposefully vague return timeline; said he felt confident returning for the post-season.
Tylor Megill (SP): Threw in his first bullpen session on August 14.
Omar Narvaez (C): Started his rehab assignment (as did Trevor Rosenthal).
Drew Pomeranz (RP): Started his rehab assignment (walked two and gave up a home run).
Giancarlo Stanton (OF): Per Aaron Boone, he will start rehab this weekend.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (INF): lol
Have a fantastic weekend, Razzfolks!
Who have you lost on your roster? What changes did you make to your line-up? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.