Here’s the latest on some significant members of playoff contenders who are battling injuries down the stretch…
- Stephen Piscotty has been diagnosed with a concussion following his scary outfield collision with Peter Bourjos on Monday. Still, he passed his initial set of neurological tests and there is now optimism that Piscotty will be able to play again before the season is over, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. The rookie outfielder has already been cleared to fly with the Cardinals to Atlanta for their final series of the year.
- Troy Tulowitzki could return to the Blue Jays lineup as early as Thursday’s game against the Orioles, the shortstop told reporters (including Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star). Tulowitzki hasn’t played since September 12, when he suffered a small crack in his left scapula after colliding with center fielder Kevin Pillar while chasing a pop fly.
- Carlos Gomez may return to the Astros lineup tonight, manager A.J. Hinch told Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (audio link). Hinch is “not convinced [Gomez] is completely 100 percent” recovered from his left intercostal strain, but “it’s a risk worth taking” since the Astros are battling for their postseason lives. Gomez played on Sunday and Monday as a pinch-runner and defensive sub, respectively, getting one plate appearance but laying down a sacrifice bunt. A return to the lineup would obviously involve taking full swings, which worries Hinch a bit given the threat of re-injury.
- Stephen Drew may have played his last game of 2015 after being hit with a deflected grounder earlier this month. Drew has been sidelined since Sept. 22 and he tells Fred Kerber of the New York Post that he may have suffered a concussion and also a recurrence of a past inner-ear problem. If Drew is indeed done for the year, it may also mark the end of his Yankees tenure, as the veteran infielder will be a free agent this winter.
Personally, for me, I would like to put down that the top 10 guys I would like us to go after. To bad we can’t acquire torii hunter. 10. Justin Upton:The guy has some things to work out but he is an amazing home run guy. he could make the game interesting and cards have a way to just make things better for players and if cards can’t do it, no one can. 9. Denard Span: I know this guy isn’t the best player but he is fast, caused the nationals a good lead their at the beginning of the season. 8. Jason Werth: I can picture fear the beard. You can see him and three other guys become big later 7. Jordan Zimmerman: I don’t think he will be amazing but I’d like to see him as a fourth option in the rotation. He needs a world series almost as bad as mariners and nationals combined.
6. Max Scherzer: personally he and waignwright would make an excellent team and a 1 to 2 punch in rotation. 5. Troy Tulowitzski: I would like a good leader in a team but the guy is struggling a little so far on postseason. Looking like they are going to get eliminated any way. The guy doesn’t real come out and say cardinal, personally but a leader would be nice. rajai davis, chris carter, ect. could look good for cardinals but without a rbi guy it makes it hard. 4. Elvis andrus: you see that catching on real fast personally. This guy can flat out hit and may not be that impressive to some people but he has potential, speed and he brings excitement. I mean look at the name, alone, I’m all shook up. 3. Dustin Pedroia: I know not exciting but still him or stephen drew would be nice because they are like matt carpenter by swing standards. 2. Chris Davis: he is struggling but he reminds you of matt holliday and if those to met, I wonder what would happen, maybe friends, who knows. Home runs and maybe world series.
1. Justin Verlander: If you get someone now would be a good time, he is struggling and tigers are looking for a bail out. verlander, elvis and chris davis would be an amazing combo add werth and you have a good team. scherzer and waignwright is good because record but if verlander gets good, him and waignwright would be an amazing rivalry to see which guy can come out on top. manny machado, joc peterson, aaron hicks, Chase headley and even paul goldschmidt would be amazing runner ups.
top 10 cards should get 10. justin upton 9. denard span 8 jason werth
7. jordan zimmerman 6. max scherzer 5. troy tulowitzski 4. elvis andrus
3.dustin pedroia 2. chris davis1. justin verlander
lastly the 10 guys I would trade 10. tim cooney 9. peter bourjous 8. tony cruz (maybe for buster posey) 7. pete kozma 6. sam tulovilila 5. lance lynn (i like him but just in case) 4. Trevor Rosenthal these top 4 are important we need a new look on closing. same went for isrenhousen. 3. Mark Reynolds 2. John Lackey (good trades can come out of some but lackey is okay, not amazing some times lyons is good and messes up too. 1. Jhonny peralta (we could get BIG NAMES AND MY 2 of my top 10 players FFT food for thought, to remember that peralta has trouble with low pitches like holliday but unlike holliday that is not his wheel house. These guys are amazing in some ways. Which means he can do many trades at the same time with top 4 guys to get maybe even chris davis, elvis andrus and even jason werth. It was hard to make this list and my top 10 but interesting to talk about.