The Tigers announced yesterday that outfielder Cameron Maybin has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a Grade 2 sprain of his left thumb. Maybin will join third baseman Nick Castellanos and right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey on the disabled list (as can be seen on their depth chart), adding to a growing contingent of injured Tigers as Detroit tries to chase down Cleveland for the American League Central Division lead. The loss is a tough one for Detroit, as Maybin’s on-base percentage this season checks in just under .400, and his overall .325/.394/.398 slash is highly impressive even if some regression is inevitable (.382 BABIP). Maybin’s 14.9 percent strikeout rate and 10 percent walk rate are both career-bests, however, so some of the gains are legitimate. The Tigers will announce a corresponding move later today.
More from the AL Central…
- Twins right-hander Phil Hughes hopes to begin throwing again in three to four weeks after undergoing surgery to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome earlier this summer, he tells Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. (Hughes is also recovered from a femur fracture he sustained when he was struck by a line drive.) The righty explains to Berardino that the issue has been building up over time and may have begun back in his disappointing 2015 season. “It’s something that can come on slowly,” said Hughes. “It was more something that probably came along a little bit last year and didn’t really come to a head until this year, when I was really having some problems with it.” Hughes had a breakout season in 2014, his first with the Twins, which prompted the club to tack three years and $42MM onto the remaining two years and $16MM he was owed at the time. If TOS has been the root of Hughes’ struggles since Opening Day 2015, there’s some hope for a rebound with a healthy 2017 season.
- A couple other items of note from Berardino’s column: Firstly, 2015 first-rounder and current top 50 prospect Tyler Jay was tested for TOS after experiencing some shoulder/neck problems following a promotion to Double-A, but results were negative. Secondly, Berardino writes that the Twins’ GM search won’t pick up much steam until after the Major League Baseball owners meetings on Aug. 17-18.
- The emergence of Cheslor Cuthbert gives the Royals some interesting options when it comes to constructing their 2017 roster, writes Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star. Cuthbert has taken over the regular third base job following Mike Moustakas’ torn ACL, and he’s responded with a .301/.339/.449 slash line and nine homers on the season. However, the Royals plan to have Moustakas back in 2017 — his final year before free agency — when he is already guaranteed an $8.7MM salary. Further adding to the muddled scene is former first-round pick Hunter Dozier, whom the team believes to be about Major League ready from an offensive standpoint. GM Dayton Moore spoke about the possibility of his younger players being versatile enough to handle multiple positions, which would indeed give manager Ned Yost additional options to work more than one of said bats into his lineup. Additionally, Dodd notes that Kendrys Morales is likely to hit the open market this winter, so the Royals can use a the DH slot and second base to work Cuthbert into the lineup more often.
Anyone remember the return the Braves got for Maybin?
Ian Krol & Gabe Speier
Thanks!
Poor Gabe Speier. Traded 3 times before he was 21….
Don’t forget DET took on Maybin’s salary, which wasn’t massive but enough to be considered a salary dump by SD in the Kimbrel/Upton salary dump (along with Carlos Quentin).
ATL made out well to just get Maybin’s money off the books, plus some nice play during 2015.
And maybin is hurt…….again. This is why Preller didnt keep him. Productive, but never healthy.
Yup, exactly. Flashes of why he drafted so high just to be disappointed with injury after injury. Preller might be able to try to put Jay on waivers now as he is set to go on a rehab assignment in the next week or two, maybe he gets to Detriot, they pull him back and try to work out a deal.
Hanging in, looking in at WC, do the Tigers make a move?
A few weeks ago it looked like they were well on their way to win the division the way they were playing. It’s always sad to see injuries plague a team.
Just wonder if there is something out there to keep them afloat.
Part of their winning streak occurred before JD came back. Part occurred after Nick got injured. Maybin missed games during the streak. Zimmerman only pitched the game that ended the streak. They have pieces that can cover short term: Norris for Zimmerman, JD for Nick, and McGehee for Aviles.