Here’s the latest on some notable names who are either preparing to return from the DL or could miss a bit of time…
- Yu Darvish threw six shutout innings in a rehab start today and is on track to return to the majors on Saturday against the Pirates. The Rangers ace told reporters (including Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram) that he felt good after the 87-pitch outing, which wrapped up a very impressive rehab stint that saw Darvish allow just two earned runs over 20 minor league innings. Darvish missed the entire 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since August 2014.
- Jordan Zimmermann left during the sixth inning of today’s game with what has been diagnosed as a right groin strain. The Tigers ace underwent an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, manager Brad Ausmus told MLB.com’s Jason Beck and other media, and it isn’t yet known if Zimmermann will require a DL stint or even a missed start. Needless to say, losing Zimmermann to the DL would be a major blow to a Detroit rotation that entered Sunday with a 4.76 staff ERA, seventh-worst in all of baseball. Zimmermann has been the lone bright spot, and after today’s outing he has a 2.52 ERA over his first 60 2/3 innings as a Tiger. Slugger Miguel Cabrera also suffered a bruised left knee after being hit by a pitch during the same game, though Ausmus doesn’t expect that injury to be too serious.
- Alex Rodriguez will return from the 15-day DL on Tuesday, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi told reporters (including Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News). A-Rod was rumored to be set for activation this weekend but Girardi chose to wait until after the Yankees’ Monday off-day to give the veteran slugger extra time to fully recover a hamstring strain.
- Brewers GM David Stearns updated Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on several injured Milwaukee players. Sean Nolin recently received a PRP injection to see if he can avoid Tommy John surgery; the southpaw suffered a slightly torn UCL during Spring Training. Rule 5 draft pick Zack Jones has spent the entire season on the DL with shoulder stiffness and Stearns hopes Jones can begin a rehab assignment in early June. Former top outfield prospect Rymer Liriano is still recovering after being hit in the face with a pitch during Spring Training and there isn’t any timetable for a return. Stearns said there is a chance Liriano could miss the entire season. Also in the piece, as previously reported, reliever Will Smith will begin a rehab assignment this week with an eye towards returning to the Brewers’ roster in the first week of June.
Will Smith and lucroy at the deadline will bring nice returns.
Only if smith proves he’s healthy. But Lucroy could be a farm system difference maker trade asset
Arod will be a HUGE addition getting back from the DL for the hot yanks. I hope he continues his season this year like he had last year. The yanks are on fire and if they get arod and he hits of how he is capable of then the yanks will be an amazing club
“Amazing” is a strong word for what you have going on up there
What are the chances Jones is really on the “phantom dl”. Rule 5er immediately goes on the dl, lol
Astros fan here, after witnessing the Rangers this weekend, Rangers are about to get scary good. Darvish Hamels at the top with guys like Gallo, Profar, Brinson etc to head a package for another frontline if needed. Plus Chirinos and Choo coming back healthy soon. Along with the emergence of Mazara and even Ryan Rua being fairly impressive.
You know it’s scary when Josh Hamilton is coming off the bench. He may not be the MVP caliber anymore, but he’ll still be a force whenever he comes back.
Not to mention Bush is lights out in the bullpen. The way Diekman, Dyson, and Barnett pitched, they have 4 very capable closers.
Good luck American League…
I like you’re outlook on the Rangers, but Hamilton is just a shell of his former self… unless he’s going through some major psychological therapy while he’s out, I don’t expect anything more than him being a typical pinch hitter.
And I hope you were just listing possible main pieces for trades and not a package with Gallo, Profar, and Brinson, because I don’t think anyone’s going to part with the kind of starter that a package of that caliber would dictate.
I did say “to head a package” regarding the prospects
Hamilton blows. He is useless
The Rymer Liriano situation is a shame. I thought he was on the brink of a breakout, but now he’ll be lucky if he isn’t in AAA or the independent leagues next year.