The Yankees today placed closer Andrew Miller on the disabled list with a strained left flexor mass. Manager Joe Girardi told reporters, including the New York Daily News’ Anthony McCarron, that an MRI on Wednesday morning revealed the injury. Miller will not throw for the next 10 to 14 days, and he will be re-evaluated after that time. Though the Yankees have an excellent alternative in Dellin Betances, the loss of Miller weakens the team’s relief corps substantially. After signing a four-year, $36MM contract this winter, Miller has been excellent in pinstripes, yielding just three runs with a 43-to-10 K/BB ratio in 26 1/3 innings as the team’s closer.
That’s far from the only notable injury around the league today, however. Here’s the latest…
- Lance Lynn is back in St. Louis for an MRI on his right forearm, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lynn left Sunday’s outing after five innings due to tightness in his forearm and said the following day that he’s experienced the issue before. Earlier reports indicated that the Cardinals didn’t expect the injury to be serious, but Goold now writes that there is some concern among team officials. GM John Mozeliak would not address the situation until Friday when asked by Goold via email.
- Reds shortstop Zack Cozart is likely headed to the disabled list with a knee injury, writes C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Manager Bryan Price told reporters after the game that Cozart underwent an MRI that will be checked out tonight by team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek, but a stint on the DL seems likely. “It’s a collective sadness that he’s going to miss some time,” said Price. “It looks pretty certain he’ll miss some time.” The Reds will likely turn to offseason acquisition Eugenio Suarez, notes Rosecrans, but the loss of Cozart simply adds another name to a growing list of contributors for the Reds. Devin Mesoraco has scarcely played this season due to a hip impingement, and Marlon Byrd will be out for an extended period of time due to a fractured wrist. With the Reds 11 games out of the division lead, each notable injury will only fuel speculation that the team will begin selling off pieces in the near future.
- The Rays will be without Desmond Jennings for an unknown period of time after the outfielder underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the plica band in his left knee, writes Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune. Inflammation in the band caused it to compress on his knee, leading to pain whenever Jennings would try to extend the leg fully. Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters yesterday that the best case scenario for Jennings would be three to four weeks (via Sports Talk Florida’s Matt Stein, on Twitter), but the possibility that he’ll miss more time is certainly present.
I was at the Yankee game last night, and with a five run lead and a couple of Washington runners on, and one out to go–one out, Girardi brought in Miller. I have no idea whether the injury is related, but what possible reason could he have had to do it?
It was Miller Time?
Yankee fans want to know the same thing, Girardi is a fine manager but his bullpen management has been highly suspect at points lately, as that game illustrates, he brought Betances in last night in a very strange spot also, which didn’t exactly do them any favors today. Apparently though, it’s something Miller had been dealing with for a few days and just hadn’t said anything until after last night.
Say the same thing about Farrell. He has this peeve of mine.. Every time he even warms up Uehara? He brings him in, even if they end up being behind, or way ahead and it’s cost them, like last week when they couldn’t use him 3 days in a row and Layne/Taz had to combo up on a save situation.
Managers need to get flexible. Don Zimmer was the worst dolt on pens and blew out Bill Campbell’s arm and really his career from mismanagement. Managers really need to think about how to properly use a pen and one would think a former catcher and pitcher would know huh?