The Cardinals, Marlins, and Phillies have born the brunt of the misery in this young baseball season thus far with Covid outbreaks and cancelled games. This week, we’ve got a group of other teams that are getting put through the ringer with your more traditional injury issues…..”injuries classic” we’ll call it. We’ve also lost some more big time arms for the remainder of the season as the herd starts to thin here.
Mike Soroka is out for the season after suffering an achilles injury in his latest start. It’s a brutal blow for the young righty, and even a bigger blow for the Braves, who are now in a real crunch for arms. This solidifies Touki Toussaint and Sean Newcomb’s spots in the rotation, but the rest of the rotation couldn’t really be worse shape given the recent DFA of Mike Foltynewicz and Cole Hamels still ailing. Without a trade, it’s hard to see any potential fill in being roster worthy here.
The Braves also placed Ozzie Albies on the IL with a wrist injury. He’s been playing through it the last week, so it seems like it will be a short stint for him. You don’t want Adeiny Hechavarria, or at least, you better hope you don’t or you’re in trouble.
The Braves’ division mates up in Flushing are also dealing with a brutal injury and, we’ll call it oddity, week. Yoenis Cespedes has gone nuclear again with a “he said, she said” opt-out/no-show this week. Adding to the misery this week are minor issues with Jeff McNeil (back) and Ahmed Rosario (quad). They’re both day to day as of now, but there’s certainly issues to watch here, especially with Rosario. If the quad keeps acting up, it could really hamper his ability to steal bases, which is probably why you drafted him. Robinson Cano is also sidelined, and this one seems a bit more significant as he was placed on the IL with a groin strain. Cano was the Mets’ hottest hitter and a nice surprise on the season thus far. On the up side, there are now more ABs for J.D. Davis, Dom Smith, and Brian Dozier might even be worth a flier depending on your league set up.
Some positive N.L East news to report…..Juan Soto is on the verge of being cleared after recovering from Covid.
The White Sox are next up on the misery loves company list. Like the Mets and Braves, they’re dealing with a bevy of injuries. Newly promoted 2B Nick Madrigal and slugger Edwin Encarnacion both left the game Tuesday with shoulder injuries and are being re-evaluated later this week. Carlos Rodon is already on the IL with shoulder soreness, and his season is definitely in jeopardy. The White Sox are already missing Tim Anderson, and with Leury Garcia already taking his ABs, there’s not a real roster worthy pickup here to look for that will step into the Edwin/Madrigal spots.
The Cardinals situation is a complete mess. It looks like they’ll be able to start play again shortly, but they’ll be without Yadier Molina and Carlos Martinez (among others), due to Covid, when they do.
Justin Verlander is already gone for the season for the ‘Stros, and it looks like you’ll be able to add Roberto Osuna to that list shortly. Osuna is currently sidelined with an arm injury and, according to Dusty Baker, we’re in “thoughts and prayers” territory. Ryan Pressly is the assumed heir apparent to the closer role, but I’d keep an eye on Blake Taylor, who’s off to a hot start so far this season out of the Houston pen.
Another guy that’s not going to be pitching again this year is Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani left his last start with a forearm strain, and is essentially shut down for the season on the mound. FWIW, this makes things a lot less complicated for Ohtani owners, and will actually lead to a boost in his value as a hitter as he’ll undoubtedly be lined up for more regular at bats. Still, it’s unfortunate, as Ohtani is generally one of the most exciting players in the game given what he can do.
