Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Injury Roundup: Post Trade Deadline Injury Blues

By Nick Fustor

Aug 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) removes Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar (31) from the game during the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) removes Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar (31) from the game during the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next

Relievers

Ken Giles can finally win the Houston Astros’ closer job with the injury to Luke Gregerson.  Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Ken Giles can finally win the Houston Astros’ closer job with the injury to Luke Gregerson.  Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Luke Hochevar

After losing Wade Davis to the DL last week, the Royals received yet another blow to their bullpen with the loss of Hochevar.  The 32-year-old underwent surgery to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome, an issue that impacts the neck and shoulders, as reported by AP.

Hochevar will miss six months, and the Royals are hopeful he’ll be back by spring training.  While Hochevar’s loss doesn’t hurt as much as Davis, it’s yet another blow to a team struggling to stay afloat in the AL Central.

After reinvigorating his career as a reliever in 2013, Hochever has been nothing short of consistent for Kansas City.  This season, he has a 3.86 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 37.1 innings pitched.  In the 40 games he appeared in this season, he only gave up more than two runs three times.

The Royals bullpen, which was once so dominant, is now faltering – which is clearly part of the team’s overall issues this season.

Luke Gregerson

The Houston Astros placed late-inning reliever Gregerson on the DL with an oblique strain, a move that now opens the door for Giles to take over as closer.  Giles, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, struggled to start the season after losing out on the closer job to Gregerson, but has slowly rebounded since then.

Gregerson, despite his consistency this season, lost the closer role to Will Harris recently.  But with Harris’ struggles, Giles will now likely take the job.

Losing Gregerson will hurt the Astros with Harris’ struggles, but if Giles can step up, the team should be able to push through without him.  Gregerson has racked up strikeouts this season while posting a 3.09 ERA and 2.42 FIP with 14 saves.

Harris has been even more impressive, but has given up seven runs in his last 5.2 innings pitched. Giles, who has a 3.80 ERA and 2.76 FIP, is striking out batters at a career-best 13.29 K/9 – which typically the main trait of a dominant closer.

If Giles falters in the role, the Astros will need to figure out something quick if they hope to make a legitimate run at the Texas Rangers atop the AL West.

Trevor Rosenthal

Rosenthal has struggled mightily for the Cardinals this season, but he may return to form soon after some time off the field.  The 26-year-old received platelet-rich plasma injections, which could solve the issues with his right shoulder.

He currently has an unsightly 5.13 ERA while allowing 5.29 BB/9, but has a dominant 12.96 K/9. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes Rosenthal may not return until late August.

Next: Broken Beak

Home/MLB News