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 The National League East qualifies as baseball's black-and-blue
division at the All-Star break.
The first-place Washington Nationals have eight players on the
disabled list, including right-hander Stephen Strasburg, right
fielder Jayson Werth, center fielder Denard Span, first baseman Ryan
Zimmerman and second baseman Anthony Rendon.
The second-place New York Mets are even more banged up. Their
10-player DL features third baseman David Wright, catcher Travis
d'Arnaud, right-handers Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz and left-handed
reliever Jerry Blevins.
The third-place Atlanta Braves also have 10 players on the DL,
including starting pitchers Mike Minor and Bronson Arroyo, first
baseman Freddie Freeman and closer Jason Grilli.
Even the division's also-rans, the Miami Marlins (right fielder
Giancarlo Stanton and second baseman Dee Gordon) and the
Philadelphia Phillies (left-hander Cliff Lee and second baseman
Chase Utley) are without several mainstays.
The Sports Xchange asked its 30 baseball correspondents to assess
the local team's injury status at midseason. The team-by-team
rundown:
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
The Diamondbacks will be about as healthy as they have been all
season with the imminent return of their leadoff hitter, Ender
Inciarte. The outfielder, who strained his right hamstring June 15,
is expected back after the break. When healthy, he is table-setter
ahead of the middle of the order, so he was missed. Injuries forced
the D-backs to use six catchers the first half, but they appear to
have found their man in Welington Castillo, who has five homers in
83 at-bats. There is no timetable for the return of RHP Archie
Bradley (shoulder), who beat Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw in his
first major league start in April.
COLORADO ROCKIES
1B Justin Morneau hasn't played since May 13, when he made a diving
attempt for a ground ball and experienced whiplash that left him
with a cervical strain and concussion symptoms. Morneau had a
concussion in 2010 and concussion symptoms the following year. The
Rockies don't know when or if Morneau will return this season. He
has made improvement but has yet to resume baseball activities. LF
Corey Dickerson is on the disabled list for the second time this
season with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Dickerson is running
in cleats, and he said he recently simulated running the bases.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The Dodgers sustained their most costly injuries early in the season
when LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder) and RHP Brandon McCarthy (elbow)
underwent season-ending surgeries. The team made do with RHPs Mike
Bolsinger and Carlos Frias in the rotation for most of the first
half, but it needs to upgrade there before the trade deadline.
Elsewhere, Carl Crawford should return from a torn oblique muscle
soon and rejoin the outfield mix.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Injuries hit the Padres hard. OF/1B Wil Myers has already missed 54
games and is at least a month away following wrist surgery. RHP
Brandon Morrow has been on the disabled list since May 3 with
shoulder inflammation and is almost ready to start a second rehab
assignment. RHP Josh Johnson and LHP Cory Luebke both experienced
setbacks recently in their rehabs from round two of Tommy John
surgery. C Derek Norris is playing with shoulder and knee injuries.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The Giants went into the All-Star break with four contributors -- LF
Nori Aoki, RHP Tim Hudson, RHP Tim Lincecum, and LHP Jeremy Affeldt
-- on the disabled list. None of the injuries is considered serious,
and all are expected to be well rested and ready for reinstatement
by Aug. 1 at the latest. All four of them have been sidelined since
late June, and the Giants endured a seven-game losing streak from
June 30-July 6 before bouncing back to win four of their last five
games prior to the All-Star break.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
CHICAGO CUBS
INF Tommy La Stella appeared in only two games for the Cubs before
sustaining a right oblique injury. He was moved to the 60-day
disabled list last week and doesn't seem likely to be back anytime
soon. LHPs Zac Rosscup (inflamed left shoulder) and Tsuyoshi Wada
(left deltoid inflammation) also remain sidelined, but for the most
part, the Cubs are a relatively healthy team heading into the second
half of the season.
CINCINNATI REDS
The Reds began the season in relatively good health, but by
mid-June, they had nine players on the disabled list, including RHP
Homer Bailey, SS Zack Cozart, and C Devin Mesoraco, who are lost for
the season. Bailey began the season on the DL following Tommy John
surgery, and he sustained an unrelated elbow injury after making
just two starts in his return. Since Opening Day, 10 Reds players
have made 11 appearances on the DL.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
The situation is improving. RHP Wily Peralta (oblique) and RHP Matt
Garza (right shoulder tendinitis) are due back after the All-Star
break. Injuries have been a problem for the Brewers -- Milwaukee was
without CF Carlos Gomez, C Jonathan Lucroy, SS Jean Segura, 2B
Scooter Gennett and OF Khris Davis -- for stretches during the first
half, but even when those players were healthy, they weren't playing
up to their averages.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
The Pirates are relatively healthy beyond Josh Harrison, who is
being replaced in the leadoff spot of the batting order by RF
Gregory Polanco. Harrison sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament
in his left thumb in early July, and he underwent surgery July 8. He
is expected to be out until late August. Five other Pittsburgh
players are on the disabled list, but none of them were projected to
be major contributors.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Injuries have been a factor since day one, St. Louis losing 217
man-games to injury off its Opening Day roster. At one point in
June, 20 percent of its 25-man roster from April 5 was serving DL
time. The loss of guys like RHP Adam Wainwright, RHP Jordan Walden,
LF Matt Holliday and 1B Matt Adams hasn't cost this team as dearly
as most felt it would, although it is not a deep team at this point.
Holliday and Walden could be back before July is over, as could LHP
Jaime Garcia.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
ATLANTA BRAVES
The Braves lost LHP Mike Minor for the season with shoulder woes,
but they were otherwise free of major long-term injuries until
closer Jason Grilli went down for the season last weekend with a
ruptured Achilles tendon. 1B Freddie Freeman's wrist injury could
linger, though, and that would be a major problem. The Braves are
much better stocked to avoid losses in the pitching staff than with
their position players. The organization is extremely short of power
bats.
MIAMI MARLINS
The Marlins shouldn't use injuries as a complete crutch -- there are
plenty of examples of players who under-performed while perfectly
healthy, a list that includes closer Steve Cishek, CF Marcell Ozuna,
1B Michael Morse (before he got hurt), RHP Mat Latos and long-gone C
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, just to name a few. But, to be fair, the
Marlins did not enjoy even one day when their two best players, RHP
Jose Fernandez and RF Giancarlo Stanton, were healthy
simultaneously. In addition, 2014 All-Star RHP Henderson Alvarez
remains on the disabled list, and he hasn't been himself all year.
All-Star 2B Dee Gordon dislocated his left thumb Saturday and could
miss a couple of weeks.
NEW YORK METS
Not good. The Mets didn't begin the year with much depth, and they
hit the All-Star break with 10 players on the disabled list and at
least two more, Cuddyer and CF Juan Lagares, playing through
injuries that clearly are hampering their play. Anything the Mets
get in the second half from 3B David Wright, C Travis d'Arnaud and
LHP Jerry Blevins -- a reliever who threw 5 1/3 perfect innings
before suffering a broken forearm on April 19 -- will be a bonus.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Keep an eye on 2B Chase Utley. The 36-year-old, hitting .179 and
stomaching the worst season of his decorated career, will return at
some point after the All-Star break. There is no timetable, but the
bigger question is what will be Utley's role when he gets back on
the field? On July 7 in Los Angeles, Amaro was asked by reporters if
Utley would be the primary second baseman once healthy, and he
responded candidly. "Not for me he's not," Amaro said. "Cesar
Hernandez is our best second baseman. I would assume that Cesar
would be our second baseman. I think that's fair."
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
The Nationals are pretty much the walking wounded at this point,
with key members of the starting lineup and rotation having missed
major time this season. If players like OF Jayson Werth, 1B Ryan
Zimmerman and 2B Anthony Rendon can begin playing every day, it
would be like the team making a major trade. RHP Stephen Strasburg
is expected to return in the second half from an oblique injury, and
the hope is he can retain some of the strong form he was showing
before being sidelined.
[to top of second column] |
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
HOUSTON ASTROS
The Astros will welcome INF Jed Lowrie (thumb) and RHP Scott Feldman
(knee) back from the disabled list in the near future. The same
doesn't hold true for OF George Springer, who fractured his right
wrist July 1 and is expected to miss at least six weeks despite not
needing surgery. And while the Astros have tapped their farm system
to supplement their outfield depth (Preston Tucker, Domingo Santana,
Alex Presley, L.J. Hoes), Springer will continue to be missed until
he returns.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
The Angels weathered the few injuries they sustained this year.
Among the current core players, only RHP Jered Weaver spent time on
the disabled list. LHP Andrew Heaney pitched well enough in Weaver's
absence to merit consideration as a full-time starter. RHPs Mike
Morin and Corey Rasmus, both relievers, have not been missed.
However, Collin Cowgill's sprained right hand, an injury that landed
the outfielder on the disabled list, hurts the Angels' depth at
their most vulnerable position. When OF Josh Hamilton missed the
first two months last season because of a torn thumb ligament,
Cowgill batted .287 during that time while providing alert defense.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
The A's hoped to tread water through the All-Star break, then get
two big-time shots in the arm with the possible returns of injured
RHPs Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin. At least half of that isn't
going to happen. Parker reinjured his surgically repaired right
elbow and had his clock reset for 2016. Griffin could return from
his own elbow surgery later this month, but now he is bothered by a
sore shoulder. It never ends. OF Coco Crisp (cervical strain), like
Parker a big-time question mark, and closer Sean Doolittle (strained
shoulder) complete the grand slam of critical A's injuries that
crippled not only the team's first half but also any possible
resurgence after the All-Star break.
SEATTLE MARINERS
Seattle's only significant injuries came to a rotation that thus far
has been able to overcome. The maturity of RHP Taijuan Walker and
the unexpected rise of rookie LHP Mike Montgomery helped the
Mariners move on without RHP Hisashi Iwakuma and LHP James Paxton.
Iwakuma is back, while Paxton's injury has lingered. Thanks in large
part to Montgomery, that hasn't been a huge factor. Losing LHP
Charlie Furbush, the team's most consistent reliever, just before
the All-Star break was a big blow, but he should be back before
long.
TEXAS RANGERS
The Rangers were dealt a big blow to their rotation in spring
training when RHP Yu Darvish was lost for the season to Tommy John
surgery. Then they lost LHP Derek Holland to a strained muscle after
one start, and he hasn't pitched since April 10. The good news for
Texas is that another pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery, LHP
Martin Perez, is scheduled to join the rotation Friday. He was a
front-of-the rotation starter before getting hurt last season.
Holland should give the team a boost when he returns in August, too.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
The White Sox rested 1B Jose Abreu on Sunday to help allow a sore
leg and right index finger to heal. Part of a White Sox's decline in
power can be attributed to relative struggles by the 2014 AL Rookie
of the Year. Entering the All-Star break, he had 14 home runs and a
.492 slugging percentage. Last year this time he had 29 homers and a
.630 slugging numbers. Abreu's average is .296, about the same as
last year. Two injured relievers, RHPs Matt Albers and Nate Jones,
could return from the disabled list in the next few weeks.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
OF Nick Swisher, out since June 14 due to left knee inflammation, is
progressing toward a minor league rehab assignment, but there is no
firm timetable for his return. The Indians' struggling offense could
use a boost, but it won't likely come from Swisher even when he does
come back. When he went on the DL he was hitting .198 with two home
runs and eight RBIs. LHP Nick Hagadone (lower back strain) is
expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday. The
Indians miss him since he is the No. 2 lefty in the bullpen. RHP
Josh Tomlin (right shoulder surgery) is due to make at least three
more rehab starts before he is activated.
DETROIT TIGERS
The loss of 1B Miguel Cabrera to a severe left calf injury will take
its toll over the five to seven weeks remaining until he returns but
the solid hitting of DH Victor Martinez since he missed more than a
month with left knee inflammation plus solid production by OFs
Yoenis Cespedes and J.D. Martinez has minimized his loss in the
short term. RHP Justin Verlander, who missed more than two months
with a right triceps problem, turned in a solid start prior to the
break and C Alex Avila has looked good over the two weeks since he
came back from a knee problem. The graying of Detroit's roster means
injuries cannot be unexpected.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Alex Gordon's groin injury was a severe blow to the club. Gordon is
the best defensive left fielder in the majors. Jarrod Dyson and
rookie Paulo Orlando will platoon in left until Gordon returns, but
Gordon is irreplaceable. The rotation should be getting healthier.
LHP Jason Vargas should be back soon after the break. Also, RHP
Kevin Medlen, who won 15 games in 2013 for the Braves but sat out
last year after Tommy John surgery, has been rehabbing in the minors
and could be major league ready in July.
MINNESOTA TWINS
Unlike years past, Minnesota remained relatively healthy in the
first half. Where the Twins have sustained injuries, they were able
to weather them because of depth at those spots. RHP Ricky Nolasco
was scheduled to undergo right ankle surgery this week, and there is
no timetable for his return. Fortunately for the club, there are
several options who are capable fill-ins. CF Byron Buxton struggled
before hitting the 15-day disabled list with a strained thumb, but
is likely to return later this month. Whether it is with the Twins
or with Triple-A Rochester is anyone's guess.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Injuries to SS J.J. Hardy, 2B Jonathan Schoop and C Matt Wieters
kept each out for extended periods in the first half, and that
really hurt the team on both offense and defense. Schoop just
returned a week ago, and that makes the Orioles extremely strong up
the middle. Wieters, recovering from Tommy John surgery, has been
catching every other day and when he goes daily, that will help
also. CF Adam Jones remained banged up, but overall the Orioles are
much healthier now.
BOSTON RED SOX
2B Dustin Pedroia (hamstring) is poised to return Friday night in
Anaheim, which figures to give the offense another lift. However,
RHP Clay Buchholz (elbow) went on the disabled list last weekend,
and he won't so much as throw a ball for another week. That is a
significant blow to an already pitching-needy team. OF/1B Daniel
Nava (thumb), C Blake Swihart (foot) and RHP Heath Hembree
(shoulder) are all on minor league rehab assignments.
NEW YORK YANKEES
For the most part, the Yankees have avoided significant injuries
this year even though OF Jacoby Ellsbury missed a month and a half
and RHP Masahiro Tanaka missed a month. Players with question marks
due to age or recent injury history have stayed healthy. LHP CC
Sabathia's knee is fine even if his ERA is not. 1B Mark Teixeira's
wrist healed, RHP Michael Pineda has not had any shoulder issues,
and the only health issue with DH Alex Rodriguez was a minor case of
"tired legs" in May. The only regular currently on the disabled list
is RF Carlos Beltran, who is expected to return this weekend from an
oblique injury.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
The Rays' injury concerns improved massively in the last two weeks,
with LHP Matt Moore and RHP Jake Odorizzi returning to the rotation
and two key bats returning, C John Jaso and 1B James Loney. Rookie
OF Steven Souza will be back soon, and the team could get LHP Drew
Smyly and OF Desmond Jennings back in August, though the key concern
is just not losing any players to injuries in the second half.
However, Tampa Bay lost SS Asdrubal Cabrera to the disabled list
Sunday due to a strained right hamstring.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
RHP Aaron Sanchez started to emerge as a key part of the rotation
when he was lost with a strained right lat after his June 5 start.
His possible late-July return would be welcome, either in the
rotation or the bullpen, if he can recapture his May form. LF
Michael Saunders could return in August, although there is no
timetable set. He required surgery to remove part of his left
meniscus after he stepped on a sprinkler head during spring training
in late February. He made a premature comeback in May and returned
to the disabled list with a bone bruise in the knee.
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