Every time you look up, it seems likely someone is being removed from a game with some sort of physical malady. As Jeff Mans pointed out in this tweet, the DL was used nearly 700 times last season, and we sure seem on our way to another obnoxiously huge number in 2019. Ray reviews some of the recent health news on the diamond.
HITTERS
Miguel Andujar (shoulder) got some really good news. Surgery is still a potential outcome here, but he’s incrementally making strides. He’s not a very good defender, OK he’s flat out bad, and it sounds like that fact, combined with concerns about throwing (he apparently look solid throwing Friday), could push Andujar into the designated hitter spot if he’s able to swing at full power. Of course, it’s not an ideal scenario as Giancarlo Stanton at DH would likely be what the team wants to do. Still, if Stanton can play in the outfield, Andujar could DH. It’s also possible that Andujar could see some time at first base, though the Yankees clearly don’t want to bench Luke Voit. Many options to getting Miguel on the field, but still physical hurdles he needs to clear before any of that happens. Note that the Yankees took the ultimate flyer Friday adding Logan Morrison in the hopes that he will be able to contribute something. Speaking of Stanton (biceps), it sounds like he could return during the Yankees road trip which starts April 22nd.
Andrew Benintendi is finally back in the lineup Friday. He fouled a ball off his foot back on Sunday, but he should be good to go moving forward. He’s batting leadoff Friday for the Red Sox.
Ian Desmond is missing time with leg soreness. In fact, he sat out three straight games. Not really clear what the injury is or isn’t, but it’s kept him out of the lineup. Saw him up close and personal last Sunday in San Francisco, and he hit the ball hard a couple of times, was moving well, and made a nice diving catch in center field. Something must have happened since then, but we just don’t have much clarity as to if he will end up on the DL or not.
Brian Dozier has an injured toe, but he returned to action Thursday and should be in their daily for the Nationals moving forward.
Didi Gregorius (Tommy John surgery) continues to progress without a hiccup. Some time around mid-season he will likely return to action for the Yankees.
Josh Harrison (hand) received good news when x-rays showed no break in his hand. Like so many players these days, he screwed up while trying to bunt, leading to the injury. He’s been a total disaster in his first season with the Tigers (.355 OPS), but he isn’t going to miss any time.
Manny Margot has been placed on the paternity list Friday. His roster spot will be taken by an unusable Jose Pirela.
Eduardo Nunez has been placed on the DL with a mid-back strain. Meanwhile, Dustin Pedroia (knee) has also been placed on the DL, though he expects to return in 10 days. The team is calling up Tzu-Wei Lin and Michael Chavis. The hope, from a fantasy perspective, is that Chavis will be started at second base on a consistent basis in their absence. He’s a corner infielder, but he has played second base this season down on the farm. The 2014 1st round draft pick was hitting .250/.354/.600 with four homers in 12 games at AAA. Chavis has a strong power bat, and he’s done a better job of hitting later in the count. He’s also not afraid to take a walk. Hard to envision him carving out a permanent role this time around, unless he just kills it.
Daniel Murphy (finger) will not need surgery. That’s great. He’s also started baseball activities. We don’t’ have a return date yet, but it sounds possible that he will be back on the field by the end of the month.
Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is taking batting practice with his teammates Friday as he keeps pushing to return to action a bit earlier than the team hoped for. It sounds like his recovery has gone off without a hitch, an ideal scenario really, and he hopes to be activated by the end of the month though the team continues to insist they are targeting early May for the sluggers return. Any way you look at it, he’s getting close.
Why is there poop on the streets of San Francisco?
Gary Sanchez (calf) will likely need at least a single game in the minors before being activated (he caught a bullpen session Friday). To me, one game seems stupid, why not give him a least three or so, but there it is. Sounds like he will be good to go as a reinsertion in your lineup next week.
Jean Segura (hamstring) remains sidelined (this article was written before Friday’s lineup was announced). It’s unclear when he will return, and its possible a DL stint could still be backdated. For now, Scott Kingery continues to ably fill-in.
Christin Stewart (quad strain) has been placed on the DL. It sounds like Dustin Peterson will see a lot of work. The 24 year old Peterson ahs all of 34 big league appearances leading to a .182 wOBA. Peterson has moderate power, little on base prowess, and is just an AL-only addition.
Mike Trout (groin) has served as the DH since returning to action, but he’s expected to return to center field Friday. Hopefully, he will start running soon.
Joey Wendle (hamstring) played his second extended spring game Thursday and feels like he is good to go. The question becomes – how will he, Brandon Lowe, Daniel Robertson and Yandy Diaz be used? It’s a potentially messy fantasy situation. Before you say – just put Wendle the bench, realize that Wendle went .300-7-61-62-16 last season, which is one hell of a first full season.
Mike Zunino is away on the paternity list.
HURLERS
Gio Gonzalez has changed agents, and it sounds like he might be close to becoming a free agent again. Gio can opt out of his deal Saturday, at which time the Yankees will have 48 hours to bring him to the bigs, or he becomes a free agent. It sure sounds like that he will become a free agent and look to latch on as a fifth starter with someone.
Jon Lester (hamstring) is set to throw a simulated game soon. Sounds like he could be back relatively quickly from the injury.
Tyler Skaggs (ankle) should throw off the mound this weekend. This will be his first time on the hill since the injury occurred, and it’s looking like he could return next week for the Halos.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin) will return to the Dodgers rotation Saturday against the Brewers, a surprisingly quick return for a hurler who missed so much time last season with a groin injury. Meanwhile, Rich Hill (knee) will make one more rehab start on Monday. If that goes well, he will return to the rotation for his next outing.
If you haven’t heard by now, and how could you not have? Julio Urias has been moved to the Dodgers’ bullpen.
