Here’s the latest on some injury situations around baseball…
- J.J. Hardy fouled a ball off his left foot today, leaving behind an injury that is being termed as just a contusion for now since x-rays were negative. The Orioles shortstop will undergo a CT scan on Monday to check for any further damage, manager Buck Showalter told reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko). Hardy was plagued by injuries last season and already missed some time this season with calf and shoulder issues. Hardy is hitting .244/.291/.410 with two homers in 86 plate appearances.
- In other Orioles injury news, closer Zach Britton will undergo an MRI on his left ankle on Monday. X-rays were negative on Britton’s ankle, which he sprained during Saturday’s game. Showalter hinted that the O’s will use a closer-by-committee based on situations, though if Britton has to miss a significant amount of a time, you would think ideally a single reliever may emerge as the top replacement closer. Be sure to follow @CloserNews (MLBTR’s sister Twitter site) for more on Britton’s status and news about all ninth-inning situations around baseball.
- Josh Hamilton felt soreness in his left knee while running the bases in a rehab game today, as Rangers GM Jon Daniels told reporters (including Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Hamilton was pulled from the game and given a cortisone shot, with an eye towards getting back on the field next week. Hamilton’s bothersome left knee has undergone two operations within the last eight months and this latest setback is another ominous sign for the former AL MVP.
- Henderson Alvarez looked good in a rehab start on Saturday, and Athletics manager Bob Melvin told reporters (including MLB.com’s Willie Bans) that the righty could be ready to make his A’s debut during a mid-May homestand. Alvarez missed most of 2015 due to shoulder problems that required required last July, and after the Marlins non-tendered him, the A’s inked Alvarez to a one-year deal worth $4MM in guaranteed money.
- Joe Kelly tells WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford that his right shoulder is feeling much better after he began strengthening exercises targeting the muscles around his labrum. The Red Sox righty is hopeful that these new exercises will get him back from the DL in due course and also help solve what has been a long-term nagging injury for Kelly over his career.
Considering a huge majority of Hamilton’s salary is being paid by the Angels is he insured by the Angels or the Rangers?
I doubt highly that either team would be able to get insurance on his contract.
Most large contracts are insured for 50-75%
Most are, but given Hamilton’s history, not just with injury but the opiate abuse and alcohol abuse, I doubt his contract was insured.
I see Joe Kelly as a productive reliever, not a starter. Kelly throws too hard to sustain consistent 100-pitch efforts. Kelly to the bullpen, please.
He’s also not very good when he throws as hard as he can and too much adrenaline makes him throw harder. He’s a bad fit in the pen.
I respectfully disagree. I think Kelly’s output is more easily harnessed in short bursts, not 100-pitch episodes. It’s possible we are both right, he might be one of those in-between guys, entirely fit for neither duty.
I could see Kelly becoming a very dominant reliever as well. Look at guys like wade Davis and Andrew Miller, who were mediocre starters who have turned into ace relievers.
I think the question is not “will he become a dominate reliever” and more of a question of what is he now compared to what can he be. Right now, Kelly is a very good #5 starter. A #5 starter is an undervalued asset… a guy expected to pitch every fifth day and keep the team in the game which is what Kelly is capable of.
So when we’re evaluating Kelly’s future we have to ask: Is Kelly more likely to become a dominate reliever like we think/hope he can or should we keep him as an above average #5 starter.
Joe was solid in relief during his stl run. They want him to start due to his arsenal. I agree however, I think the pen would be his best chance to have continued success.
Good points, Purple. However, considering two central factors, the fact that fifth starters are the most easily replaced starters and, second, Kelly’s recurring health concerns, I see JK in the bullpen. But, certainly, fifth starters are undervalued – agreed.
I’ve always been puzzled by this desire for teams to try Kelly in the rotation too. He only really throws two pitches, has great velocity that he can’t sustain through a lineup two or three times, and has an injury history. That profile screams reliever, right? He could be a very good one.