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Ambulance Chasers: Not So Fast-ez, Vince Velasquez

May 6, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Injury Report |

by:

Listen Razzball Fam,

We have reached a new era where I am post-apology in terms of puns in the Razzball Ambulance Chasers title. This is a new era of assertiveness in choosing stupidity, the likes of which you’ve never seen. Welcome.

NWO being tuff.

Last week was a little slow, but this week is also a new world order. There was an absolute explosion of elbow and shoulder injuries and updates: Robbie Ray, Kyle Wright, Luis Garcia, Vince Velasquez, and more.

It is wild that a month ago, Vince Velasquez was, well, Vince Velasquez. However, we have transcended the Vince we have known for a hot minute and moved into the Vince Era (Vincera, if you will). What a hidden gem for rosters everywhere.

Velasquez is no longer a one trick pony. While he has been known for his solid fastball, he relied on it way too heavily throughout his career– until now. In 2023, he has already used his slider twice as much this year as he did the entire 2022 season, and it seems to be working for him.

A chart that shows a huge increase in the number of sliders and less dependence on his fastball in 2023.

However, the Vince Era has been cut short, at least temporarily. The Pittsburgh Pirates, who are first in the NL Central (I am still processing this), were playing against the Tampa Bay Rays when Velasquez’s velocity dropped. He was removed from the game after 3 IP for right elbow discomfort.

Velasquez has dealt with this issue before without any long term consequences. He did have a right elbow flexor strain in 2017 that hindered him, but ultimately, it was a loss of blood flow to his middle finger that required surgery and put him on the 60-day IL that year. So, I would personally hold him if you have the room and depth. Maybe he will move beyond being a two-pitch pitcher. Regardless, the changes to his repertoire have added a little gas to his tank.

Enough about Vince, let’s get to the business.

Notable Injuries (Week of April 29-May 5)

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Acuña’s has been diligent about protecting his let, but his protective gear just missed protecting his knee. Huascar Brazoban delivered the pitch that hit Acuña’s knee and fear in the hearts of many fantasy managers. Acuña was able to finish his at-bat and even went back in to play defense. The Braves announced that Acuña is okay and will not face any time on the IL. Whew!

This is the second time this week Acuña was HBP. On Monday, he was struck in the shoulder against in a game against the Mets.

Brandon Crawford (SS, SFG)

Crawford hasn’t had his best season, and it just got worse after an MRI showed he has an IL-worthy strained calf. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise for Crawford to get rest after a 2023 slashing  .169/.244/.352 with a -0.1 fWAR.  He will be eligible to return May 11 and has been playing catch and hitting but not running.

Thairo Estrada (.342/.400/.509) will replace Crawford at SS with David Villar and Brett Wisely platooning 2B. You are good to skip Villar and Wisely for now.

Jacob deGrom (SP, TEX)

That didn’t take long. deGrom is back on the IL with right elbow inflammation. Bruce Bochy said it will probably be at least two weeks until deGrom returns, but he also mentioned deGrom hasn’t been throwing.

The fact Dane Dunning is performing so well makes it a little easier to swallow deGrom’s absence.  Dunning was a starter for the Rangers, but he was sent to the bullpen once deGrom joined the Rangers. So far in 2023, Dunning has a 1.77 ERA across 20.1 IP. Comparably, deGrom has a 2.67 ERA across 30.1 IP.

That doesn’t tell the whole story obviously. deGrom’s strikeout rate per nine is 13.35 while Dunning’s is 4.81. Additionally, projections show Dunning’s ERA and FIP regressing. Most projections have him solidly above a 4.0 ERA and FIP.

By the time this post is published, Dunning will have already played his first game (against the Angels) as a starter in 2023. He does not traditionally perform well against the Angels, and he may need to kick off some rust. I wouldn’t judge this single performance if it is lackluster.

Pete Fairbanks (RP, TBR)

The dominant Pete is going through it! The Rays reliever has an impressive 1.13 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 24 innings this year.  However, the Rays reliever has been sidelined while suffering with both forearm inflammation and a flair-up of Raynaud’s syndrome. Fairbanks started suffering from Raynaud’s syndrome symptoms on a road trip to Chicago against the White Sox. One major symptom is the blood flow to the fingers, especially when exposed to cold weather, is limited. Who needs fingers to pitch, am I right?

Fairbanks has also been experiencing a separate ailment: a strained forearm. There has not been a timeline give for a return, but Fairbanks reported, per Tricia Whitaker, that “it should be a minimum stint.”

Jason Adam, another Rays reliever, has replaced Fairbanks in the interim. Adam has been performing well with a save against the Pirates. Adam has a 1.56 ERA with 11.68 K/9.

Luis Garcia (SP, HOU)

There is trouble in Texas (besides deGrom)! Garcia is out with elbow discomfort that will require Tommy John surgery. It is a pretty wild turn of events considering Garcia has never been on the IL throughout his career in the majors and minors.

29-year-old pitcher Matt Gage was recalled to replace Luis Garcia’s spot on the roster. Gage has only played 14.2 innings in the majors (split between Toronto and Houston), but he has done well with keeping a 1.38 ERA so far. Keep him on your list.

The Astros may also utilize J.P. France, who has only played in the minors at this point. He has a 2.33 ERA and 3.06 FIP in the minors.

Tyler O’Neill (OF, STL)

O’Neill is on the 10-day IL with a strained lower back. No timetable for O’Neill’s return has been shared.

Utility man Juan Yepez was recalled from Memphis. In a small sample size of 12 PA with the Cards, Yepez is slashing .333/.333/.583. Comparably, O’Neill has slashed .228/.283/.337 in 99 PA.

Robbie Ray (SP, SEA)

It’s been a tough year for Robbie Ray, and now his season has come to a close. Ray underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a flexor tendon and the ulnar collateral ligament.

Ray’s decline has been noticeable with runs given up in his competitor’s last 50 plate appearances.

Robbie Ray's rising wxOBA across plate appearances

 

So, what now? If you had Ray on your roster, you could go outside the Mariners for someone like Justin Steele or Graham Ashcraft, both of who are doing pretty, pretty good. As for the Mariners, they may seek out a trade to replace Ray at some point.

https://twitter.com/bst_232520/status/1654524000603602957

Vince Velasquez (SP, PITT)

I mostly covered Velasquez above. The Pirates are getting to a dangerous spot in terms of pitching depth. Who will replace him? The Pirates could call up prospect Luis Ortiz or may look elsewhere, but right now, the answer is uncertain.

José Urquidy (SP, HOU)

There is more trouble in Texas! Urquidy kicked off the Astros week of pitching injuries with shoulder discomfort. Urquidy has not had his best season. He has a 5.20 ERA. Brandon Bielak was called up to cover José Urquidy’s spot on the roster. Honestly, you can skip both of these guys. They have similar ERAs and control issues.

Kyle Wright (SP, ATL)

The Atlanta starter Kyle Wright is out with a shoulder strain. There was no mention of any serious injury or a timetable for return.

Dylan Dodd, Jared Shuster, and Mike Soroka could all be potential replacements if Wright is out on a lengthy IL stint. You are good to skip Dodd and Shuster for now. Soroka is still a far cry from the 2019 Sororka. However, I am personally keeping an eye on him, just in case.

Mike Yastrzemski (OF, SFG)

Yastrzemski strained his hamstring after making a diving catch against the Padres. Yastrzemski has been playing catch again. However, Brett Wisely was called up to replace Yastrzemski on the roster.

Wisely has been struggling. He is currently slashing .042/.042/.042 (I had to check this across a few sources several times, but it is correct) in 25 PA.

Other Injuries and Injury Updates

Sadly, that’s not all the folks who were injured this week. Here are some more injuries or prognosis updates:

  • Ehire Adrianza (INF/OF), elbow inflammation
  • Jake Burger (3B, CWS), strained oblique
  • Kutter Crawford (SP, BOS), strained hamstring
  • Noah Davis (SP, COL), elbow inflammation
  • Aledmys Díaz (INF/OF, OAK), strained hamstring
  • Yan Gomes (C, CHC), concussion
  • Romy González (2B/RF, CWS), shoulder inflammation
  • Kyle Isbel (OF, KCR), strained hamstring
  • Zack Kelly (RP, BOS), elbow surgery (ulnar nerve transplant)
  • Chad Kuhl (SP, WSN), foot metatarsalgia
  • Dinelson Lamet (RP, COL), lower back tightness
  • Jonathan Loáisiga  (RP, NYY), elbow surgery (bone chip removal)
  • Nicky Lopez (INF, KCR), appendicitis
  • Germán Márquez (SP, COL), Tommy John surgery
  • Easton McGee (SP, COL), strained forearm
  • Garrett Mitchell (OF, MIL), yep, shoulder surgery
  • Cristian Pache (CF/LF, ATL), torn meniscus
  • José Quijada (RP, LAA), Tommy John surgery
  • Wilking Rodríguez (RP, STL), arthroscopic shoulder surgery
  • Lou Trivino (RP, NYY), Tommy John surgery
  • Jake Woodford (SP, STL), shoulder inflammation

It’s not all bad news! Here is a mixed bag of rehab news:

  • Travis d’Arnaud (C, ATL), on rehab assignment.
  • Kyle Farmer (INF, MIN), began his rehab assignment on Tuesday.
  • Tyler Glasnow (SP, TBR), began rehab assignment on Friday.
  • Michael Harris II (CF, ATL), knee injury; no serious injury and may avoid the IL.
  • Liam Hendriks (RP, CWS), begins rehab assignment this weekend.
  • Bryce Harper (RF, PHI), returned yesterday and now has the record of the shortest recovery period timeline after having Tommy John surgery. Incredible!
  • Justin Verlander (SP, NYM), back in action and had a rough Mets debut.
  • Adam Wainwright (SP, STL), should make his debut with the Cardinals today.

Happy Bryce Harper Return Week! Any injuries I missed or you want a specific update on? Hit me up in the comments or on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.

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