MLB Injury News: Scooter Gennett to DL, Angels Pitching Woes

Although the Major League Baseball season is less than a month underway, there’s been plenty of injuries that have dramatically shifted many teams plans for the rest of the season.

The Los Angeles Angels have two young lefties in Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney plateauing in rehab, while star closer Huston Street is heading to the disabled list.  In the American League East, Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins has struggled to the season, and last season’s breakout star Devon Travis could overtake him upon his impending return from the DL.

In the National League, the rebuilding Milwaukee Brewers lost their starting second baseman Scooter Gennett to a hamstring injury and transferred struggling starter Matt Garza to the 60-day DL.

Here’s a roundup of MLB injury news from the past week.

Next: Angels depth being tested

Injuries Plaguing Angels Pitching Depth

Despite injuries to veteran starter C.J. Wilson and top prospect Andrew Heaney, the Los Angeles Angels rotation has performed admirably this season.  Garrett Richards, Hector Santiago and Nick Tropeano all currently own ERAs below three, while Jered Weaver is having a bounceback season of sorts as he looks to move past his high velocity days.  While Matt Shoemaker has struggled, the rest of the staff has made up for his shortcomings.

Shoemaker may only have another month to earn a long-term spot in the rotation, though, as Wilson is targeting a mid-June return to the big leagues.  Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reported that the 35-year-old is nearing a point in his rehab from shoulder tendinitis where the team is setting a definitive outline to return.

Wilson is currently on track to pitch in his first rehab appearance May 23, with a bullpen session kicking things off May 9.  The team would like Wilson to make four or five starts in the minors before making his season debut.  Last season, Wilson had a bounceback season with a 3.89 ERA and 1.24 WHIP after posting a 4.51 ERA in 2014.

Things get even more interesting with two of the teams young lefties.  Heaney, who has been sidelined with a forearm strain since April 6, will seek additional opinions on the injury in the coming days.  The lefty stopped throwing last week due to continued tightness in his forearm and was sent for an MRI earlier this week, per Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times.

Heaney was expected to make a leap into the role of a number two starter and potential ace for the team this season, as he posted a 3.49 ERA and 3.73 FIP last season.  With the solid performances from the rest of the pitching staff, however, there’s no need to rush Heaney and risk further injury.

After undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2014, the Angels are being conservative in lefty Tyler Skaggs’ recovery.  The 24-year-old has made three rehab appearances this season, but the team will not rush him back to the majors as he’s yet to top four innings in a game, per Fletcher.

Fletcher noted that the team would rather Skaggs be able to finish out the season than burn out toward the end, like the New York Mets experienced with Matt Harvey last season.  Skaggs was a former top prospect with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and enjoyed relative success in his first season with the Angels by posting a 4.30 ERA and 3.55 FIP.

Finally, the team announced veteran closer Huston Street will head to the 15-day DL with a left oblique strain, as reported by Pedro Moura of the LA Times.  The team will likely call up either Cam Bedrosian or Al Albuquerque from Triple-A Salt Lake to take his place on the roster.

Street was enjoying a nice start to the season, as he’s already picked up five saves and has a solid 1.17 ERA.  Setup man Joe Smith will likely take over ninth inning duties in Street’s absence – and he already has one save on the season.  As recently as 2014, Smith posted a 1.81 ERA with 15 saves in 74.2 innings with LAA.

The Angels will continue to do a lot of shuffling with their pitching staff this season, and once healthy, they’ll have the depth to compete at a high level.

Next: The Brewers middle infield issues

Boston Red Sox: Bullpen Help Incoming, Sandoval Questions Loom

Though their bullpen has been markedly improved this season, the Boston Red Sox are expecting more help in the form of Carson Smith on Tuesday, per Michael Silverman of The Boston Herald.  The right-hander was acquired by the team in a trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason, but missed the start of the season due to a forearm strain.

The 26-year-old was a coveted target by the Sox this offseason after finishing 2015 with a 2.31 ERA and 11.83 K/9.  The righty will provide the Sox with yet another dominant setup man to bridge the late innings to closer Craig Kimbrel.  Given Kimbrel’s struggles as of late, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Smith close out games on occasion.

In other, more frustrating news for the Sox, third baseman Pablo Sandoval was back in the clubhouse with teammates this past week and will meet with Dr. James Andrews next Monday to see if surgery will be required to solve his nagging shoulder issues.

With Travis Shaw performing admirably at the hot corner thus far, it’s unlikely the Sox will be in any rush to get Sandoval back on the field anytime soon.

Next: Some badly needed help

Los Angeles Dodgers Gaining Relief Soon

With veteran lefties Scott Kazmir and Alex Wood struggling to perform in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, the team will likely be seeking any help it can get in the near future.  However, the Dodgers may not have to go outside of their organization.  Doug Padilla of ESPN.com reported that Hyun-Jin Ryu threw a “promising” 30-pitch bullpen session earlier this week.  The lefty suffered a groin strain earlier this month in his recovery from labrum surgery, and a timetable for his return is still unclear.

However, the team will likely look to move him back into the rotation in the very near future if things continue to go well in his rehab.  When he last pitched in 2014, the 29-year-old threw 152 innings while managing a 3.38 ERA and 2.62 FIP.  It may take more than a few rehab starts to get Ryu back to where he needs to be to pitch at the major league level.

After signing a three-year deal with the Dodgers and unfortunately suffering an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, right-hander Brandon McCarthy threw a bullpen session earlier this week, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.  McCarthy is still on track for a return midseason – and by that point, will give the Dodgers a serious decision regarding at least one of their current starters.

The Dodgers offense will also face questions regarding starters going forward, as veteran outfielder Carl Crawford was activated from the DL.  Crawford looked solid in limited action to start the season with a .286 average, and will likely take back the starting left field job.  With Trayce Thompson on the roster, though, Crawford may end up in a platoon if he begins to struggle.  It should be noted that Thompson has recently shared time with Joc Pederson in center field, but as Padilla writes, there is no official platoon in place.

Next: Around the majors

Notes From Around the League

• Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis will take live at-bats in extended spring training and is nearing a return to the big league club, per Greg Chisolm of MLB.com.  With Ryan Goins struggling, Travis could conceivably win back his starting position if he comes out strong.

• Philadelphia Phillies starter Charlie Morton will miss the remainder of the season after he undergoes surgery on his torn left hamstring.  Morton was looking to reestablish his big league value with the rebuilding Phillies, but will likely be able to do so when he returns to the team next season.

Next: A's Call Up Top Prospect Manaea

• San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges will miss 6-8 weeks after fracturing his hand, reports AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.