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.
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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.