Razz-a-ma-tazzers, there are two rules at Razzball that I made up*:
- At Razzball, we keep our promises to bring you honest news about pain.
- At Razzball, we also provide you with actionable fantasy baseball insights.
*Razzball leadership did not sanction or approve of these two rules.
In this edition of Ambulance Chasers, I will provide you with an MLB lockout update as well as a BONUS 2022 SP injury update and outlook.
What is the latest with the MLB lockout?
There is no getting around this one: negotiations between the MLB (MLB leaders and owners) and the MLBPA (players) got ~*spicy*~ this week. The lockout started two months ago. The MLBPA put their demands on the table, and the MLB owners, who promised to offer a counterproposal, have responded with zilch.
The thing about collective bargaining is that there has to be some bargaining, collectively. Thus, the MLB requested that a federal mediator be brought into negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
MLB locks out players
MLB, "WHO DID THIS?!" https://t.co/aL4ILyFTKr
— Razzball (@Razzball) February 3, 2022
In what, I, a classy lady, can only describe as a DICK SWINGING MOVE, the MLBPA said “Nah, what we offered you was reasonable. We do not need a federal mediator involved in this effort.”
Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/KBssy2e66U
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) February 4, 2022
File this edition of Ambulance Chasers under the “moral” and “financial” injury categories. I have seen fans call the lockout a battle of “billionaires vs. millionaires”, which is not accurate. Many of the primary objectives of the MLBPA’s CBA benefit the most vulnerable and underpaid players. These objectives include ending service time manipulation and increasing minimum salaries.
Additionally, a billionaire making their billions off of a few talented millionaires is still a fundamental workers’ rights issue with labor at the center. I will not deny that it is easier for millionaires to sustain themselves and their colleagues or teammates without work for longer than the working masses. However, the power of collective bargaining is on full display via the MLBPA.
As a result of this week’s negotiation stoppage, it is unlikely spring training will start by February 26. As I mentioned in my first edition of Ambulance Chasers, the lack of preseason training and playing time opens the door for increased injuries within the season. #ThoughtsAndPrayers
What is the outlook for starting pitchers, pitching injuries, and beyond in 2022?
2021 was a brutal year for starting pitchers and relief pitchers. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, there are a combination factors attributed to the increased instance of injuries. Reasons cited for increased instances of injury in pitchers include downtime from COVID-19, more focus on velocity in pitching, regulations against sticky substances, and the generally increasing athletic abilities and size of pitchers. According to Sportrac, 185 SPs spent a total of 11,217 days on the IL. COVID-19 related issues were the most common reason for a a stint on the IL. The next three most common reasons SPs were on the IL were Tommy John Surgery (19 players, initial and revision), shoulder strain (13 players), and shoulder inflammation (13 players).
"I really, really want to stay in Tampa," Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow said. "I think it’s a good place, obviously, for me to rehab. And l just want to work to get back to the team I want to play for." #Rays #RaysUp https://t.co/Zc0a6DKa9k
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) February 4, 2022
Players that remained out through the 2021 season include Mike Clevinger, Tyler Glasnow, Justin Verlander, and Spencer Turnbull. Players like Chris Sale, Luis Severino, and Noah Syndergaard spent a large portion of the 2021 season on the IL due to Tommy John Surgery. However, these players were activated towards the end of the season. As a result, Grey feels bullish enough to include them in his Top 60 Starters for 2022 Fantasy Baseball. Kenta Maeda is still recovering from his Tommy John surgery, with a potential return in September 2022.
Players that were most frequently on the IL (outside of Tommy John Surgery and COVID-19 related illness or protocol) were Yu Darvish, Sonny Gray, Dinelson Lamet, and Kwang Hyun Kim.
In conclusion, picking up SPs that are fresh off the IL is tempting. Use caution and pad these pitchers with steadily healthy pitchers.
Are there any SPs that are freshly off the IL that you want to draft this year?
Drop your response in the comments or hit me up on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.
