MLB Injury Updates: Tigers Woes, Mike Trout Exits Early

Although the MLB season is only nearing June, there have already been several major injuries to stars around the league.  Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber went down for the season in April; Los Angeles Angels’ ace Garrett Richards joined other starters Andrew Heaney, Tyler Skaggs and C.J. Wilson on the disabled list as his season was ended; and Pablo Sandoval had shoulder surgery, in what could possibly end his stint with the Boston Red Sox.

Most recently, Oakland Athletics ace Sonny Gray was placed on the DL in the midst of the worst season of his young career, while the Kansas City Royals lost two of their starters for at least a few weeks.

The Detroit Tigers also have concerns going forward, as Miguel Cabrera and Jordan Zimmermann suffered potentially serious injuries.  Mike Trout tweaked his ankle on May 22 and left early, but all signs indicate that he’ll be fine going forward.

However, many stars are prepping to return from stints on the DL, including Yu Darvish and Alex Rodriguez.  While Darvish has endured a long, grueling rehab from Tommy John Surgery, he’ll likely give the Rangers a major boost behind Cole Hamels as they look to chase down the Seattle Mariners in the American League West.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, will have his work cut out for him as he looks to help the surging Yankees.  It’s more than likely that injuries will continue to shape the landscape of MLB as the summer approaches and the Super Two and trade deadlines loom.

Here’s a roundup of injury news as the end of May nears.

Next: Tigers Stars Go Down

Tigers Worried About Zimmermann, Cabrera Should Be Fine

The Detroit Tigers saw two of their top players fall to injury in a 9-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on May 22.  Miguel Cabrera and Jordan Zimmermann exited the game early, as Cabrera left with a bruised left knee while Zimmermann suffered a groin injury.

Detroit manager Brad Ausmus is reportedly more concerned about Zimmermann’s groin injury as the team has yet to receive MRI results, per Brendan Savage of MLive.com.  Zimmermann has without a doubt been the Tigers best starter this season, as he’s posted a 2.52 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP in 60.2 innings.

While the extent of the injury is unclear, Savage noted that the Tigers have several options in Triple-A, including the rehabbing Shane Greene.  Jason Beck of MLB.com wrote that Greene could simply slot into Zimmermann’s spot in the rotation, while top prospect Michael Fulmer – who replaced Greene in the rotation – could keep his spot in the rotation for the time being.

Greene struggled in three starts this season with a 6.28 ERA, but his 3.63 FIP is much more indicative of how he should pitch going forward.  Fulmer has had a rocky start to his big league career, posting a 5.13 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP in five starts, but impressed throughout the minors last season.

As for Cabrera, the Tigers don’t seem to be too concerned with his knee.  The 33-year-old was hit by a slider from Rays pitcher Dana Eveland, and left the game after making his way to first base. Ausmus said he was simply his in a nerve, and pain shot down his leg, per Kyle Beery of MLB.com.

Cabrera has been one of the Tigers best hitters once again this season, as he’s slashing .315/.388/.537 with nine homers and 26 RBI.  He should return to the lineup in short order.

Next: Trout Leaves Game Early

Trout Exits Early

Angels star Mike Trout was removed toward the end of the Angels’ 10-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles after tweaking his ankle while rounding third base, but should be fine going forward, per Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.

Trout said the injury was more of a precaution, however.

“It’s good,” Trout said to Gonzalez. “It scared me more than anything. It’s fine.”

The injury happened when Trout was nearing third base after Albert Pujols singled up the middle, but was stopped by third-base coach Ron Roenicke.  Trout stayed in the game to later score on a single from Johnny Giavotella, but was removed from the game in the eighth inning.

Gonzalez wrote that Trout would have stayed in the game if it were closer.  Losing Trout may have been the final blow to the injury ridden Angels, who have already lost ten players to the disabled list this season.

The 24-year-old is once again putting up MVP numbers, as he’s hitting .321/.411/.564 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI.  With starters Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney, C.J. Wilson and Tyler Skaggs all injured, the Angels are more reliant than ever on their offense.

However, the Angels offense has been rather mediocre throughout the season, as they’re only 19th in the league with 180 runs scored.  The Angels outfield depth is also thin, as Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry both went down to injury, and Rafael Ortega is currently starting in left field.

Losing Trout would be the final blow to an already brittle roster.  Luckily for the Angels, Trout should be just fine.

Next: Rangers Outfield Injury Updates, Darvish Set to Return

Rangers Get Darvish, Lose Hamilton

The Texas Rangers are due to receive a major boost to their rotation this week after Yu Darvish made his fifth rehab start and declared that he’s ready to return to the big league roster.  After going six innings without allowing a run while throwing 87 pitches, Darvish looks to be back in peak form.

Darvish is due to rejoin the Rangers rotation on Saturday, per Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. Per Wilson, Darvish sounded enthusiastic about the his potential return.

“After close to 90 pitches today, I feel good for that,” he said. “It’s hard to tell right now. I have to pitch against those guys. But I feel like I’m good to go.”

In 20 innings throughout his rehab assignment, Darvish only allowed two earned runs while striking out 20 batters.

While the news of Darvish’s return is something to look forward to, the Rangers were dealt a major blow in their outfield as it was announced that Shin Soo Choo was placed on the DL again and Josh Hamilton is out for the year.

Choo, who was just activated from the DL, strained his right hamstring while running the bases against the Houston Astros, per Gerry Fraley of Dallas Morning News.  With the injury, rookie sensation Nomar Mazara will be able to return to right field.  The 21-year-old is hitting .304/.351/.457 with six homers while playing solid defense in the outfield.

While Choo will return in due time, Hamilton’s future remains much less clear.  The 35-year-old will require season ending knee surgery to repair his troublesome left knee, as reported by Fraley.

Hamilton only appeared in one minor league appearance this season, and his future with the team is now up in the air.  Hamilton is under contract for one more season, but at 35, it remains unclear how well he’ll be able to recover from the surgery.

Next: Vogelsong Hit in Face by Pitch

Around the League

A’s Losing Hope

After being swept by the Yankees over the weekend, the Oakland Athletics appear to be ready to sell in the trade market this summer.  With a major league high 13 players on the disabled list, A’s executive VP of baseball operations Billy Beane said that the team doesn’t have the depth to keep up with several of its long term injuries.

Per Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area, Beane implied that the team will not be making any splashy trades come July.

“That would impact any team in baseball, and it’s certainly going to have a greater impact on us, given we’re not going to have the depth or the resources” to compensate for the injuries.

Stiglich added that the A’s have been relentless in their efforts to add prospects in recent years, and that shouldn’t change despite the injury woes.  The A’s are currently 19-26 and eight games back of the Seattle Mariners in the AL West, and their hopes of contention are nearly finished for the season.

Kiermaier Out 8-10 Weeks

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier broke two bones in his left hand while diving for a ball against the Tigers on May 21.  The 26-year-old will have surgery to repair the fractures, which will keep him out for eight to 10 weeks, as reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Kiermaier has established himself as one of the best defensive center fielders over the past three seasons, despite struggling at the plate this season.  Kiermaier was slashing .236/.307/.447 this season in 137 plate appearances, but hit .263 in the past two seasons.  Defensively, Kiermaier’s impact has been much more prevalent – he has a 17.9 UZR/150 and already 9 DRS (he had 42 in 2015).

The loss of Kiermaier could severely impact the Rays (20-21) season going forward as they fight to hang on in the AL East.  The team called up Mike Mahtook to take Kiermaier’s roster spot, and he’ll likely share center field duties with Desmond Jennings.

Lucas Duda Out 4-6 Weeks

New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda was placed on the DL with a lower back stress fracture, and will likely be out for four to six weeks, per multiple sources.  The Mets have no clear replacement for Duda, and it’s been reported that outfielder Michael Conforto has begun taking reps at first base in preparation to start at the position.

Duda had been struggling so far this season, as his OBP is under .300.  His power has remained consistent, though, as he’s hit seven to keep himself on pace for around 30.

Conforto has been among the more productive hitters in the Mets lineup, as he’s slashing .284/.358/.553 with eight homers.  If Conforto shifts to first base, Alejandro De Aza will likely see increased playing time in the outfield.

Alex Gordon Out 3-4 Weeks

Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon will miss three to four weeks after breaking a bone in his right wrist, per Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star.  The team will recall Chelsor Cuthbert, who recently filled in for the injured Mike Moustakas, to take his roster spot.

Ironically, Gordon injured the wrist in a collision with Moustakas, who had just returned from the DL on Saturday.  While the injury isn’t considered to be serious, some time off may be just what Gordon needs this season.

Next: Five teams needing new ballparks

The 32-year-old is currently mired in a trying season in which his batting average has dropped to .211.  Gordon has managed to maintain a .650 OPS by getting on base consistently, but he hasn’t looked himself this season.