Jackie Bradley Jr. underwent an MRI on his right knee this morning and he isn’t in today’s Red Sox lineup, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports (Twitter link). Bradley took an awkward step while rounding first base during a flyout in the ninth inning of yesterday’s 4-1 loss to the Tigers, though he told Abraham and other reporters after the game that he was “all good…everything is intact” and joked that he was “built like Secretariat.” Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Abraham that the MRI didn’t reveal anything that would require a DL stint for Bradley, so it seems like Boston is simply being careful with its center fielder. Given how the Red Sox roster has already been decimated by a flu bug, it’s hard to blame the team for guarding against Bradley potentially aggravating a minor injury. Here’s more from around the AL East…
- The Rays didn’t seek out a reunion with Melvin Upton for multiple reasons, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes, one of which was the club’s desire to give Peter Bourjos a chance. Bourjos was only just acquired in a late-March trade with the White Sox, and like Upton, is a right-handed hitting outfielder capable of playing all three outfield spots. Upton has been the much better hitter than Bourjos over the course of his career, though Upton’s own run-creating numbers have been well below the league average in three of the last four seasons. Upton signed a minor league deal with the Giants after being released by the Blue Jays at the end of Spring Training.
- Roberto Osuna reported no pain during a 24-pitch simulated game yesterday, the Blue Jays closer told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and other media. Osuna began the season on the DL due to a cervical spasm, though the injury was thought to be fairly minor and Osuna is on pace to be activated for Toronto’s home opener on April 11.
- With so much uncertainty within the Yankees lineup, ESPN.com’s Andrew Marchand opines that an extended DL stint for Gary Sanchez could ruin the team’s chances of contending. The Yankees are off to a rough start both on the field and with the injury bug, as Sanchez and Didi Gregorius are on the DL and Greg Bird has been bothered by a sore ankle. (Not to mention the concerning reports on the elbow of top pitching prospect James Kaprielian.) Speaking of Bird, the first baseman tells MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch (Twitter link) and other reporters that his ankle is feeling better, though he is currently bothered by the flu.
Yankees ? Contending ? First of all it’s way to early in the season yet for contending talk for any teams . It’s a long season wit lots of injuries and cold and hot streaks . The Yankees have a lot of younger talent yet , but give this team a good full season of playing and see what happens . Not a Yankees fan but they would compete for wild card I won’t deny that
Fair enough.
It does seem like the yanks have a couple issues though. They don’t seem to have a ton of power, especially without Sanchez. They’re starting two singles-hitting outfielders, Headley is just a 12-15 hr guy, gregorious had a decent power year but he’s hurt, Castro isn’t much of a power bat. Judge might not ever hit enough to get to the power. Bird doesn’t seem like a huge power bat.
The starting pitching depth is thin and that bullpen might get worked hard, offsetting how good it is. Everything has to go right for them and so far it’s not looking good. But it’s also the first week.
All good points David.
Big blow for the Yanks losing Didi and Sanchez and the rotation is a work in progress. Great bp but they need the kids to play decent. Not impossible but a challenge.
Bird indeed has 20HR power and let’s see how the season progresses with Judge. By the way they have Holiday and Carter also Frazier is in AAA!
NY has plenty of power. No argument on Bird. I thought NY signed Carter cheap
Fair enough. Holliday isn’t quite the power guy he once was and Carter is a bench player, Bird’s career high in the minors was 20, and that was in single-A. He seems underpowered for a first baseman. The pitching rotation seems like the bigger problem. I think not much separates the entire AL East in terms of talent, so it’s probably a moot point in terms of making the postseason, at least the wildcard. It’s just odd to see a Yankees team without a single obvious 30+ HR guy. Maybe Judge,, if he can get himself sorted out, but guys that big rarely do. But I suppose if they get 6 guys with 20 homers that’might be enough, with the bullpen, to overcome a shaky starting staff.
Sox were the chalks on paper with Sale, Porcello and Price. With the injuries? The Sox pen is ordinary.
Bird and Judge can hit them a long way but that doesn’t mean they will hit 30. Carter could do it if he was full time but those K’s take him out of the lineup. NY needs things to go right in the rotation.
The Jays could win the AL East. They have the starting rotation, good lineup even with the loss of EE and a decent bp.
O’s have rotation issues and Rays have line up problems.
Your trolling because you ain’t no Yankee fan. If you are you need to watch a little more because half the stuff you spewed is absolute bull
Hey Buddie,
Your a West Coast Padres fan as your past posts point out, so comments about the AL East fall a bit short.
Id stick to what you know of now.
If JBJ was to go on the DL who would get called up to replace him? Castillo?
I don’t think it would be Rusney. Sox seem determined to reset the cap this year.
Brentz maybe?
Brentz would be my guess. Its either him or Bogusevic
It would seem like the worst-case scenario is they use the 10-day DL, just play Young everyday, slide Betts to center and call up a reliever and play with a short bench. Neither Brentz nor Bogusevic is on the 40-man, although I suppose if Bradley is disabled they can just purchase one of them.
Holt can also fill in if needed in the OF. My take is they won’t call up a reliever, if only because 9 in the bp is over doing it.
Good point on the 40 man roster. Right now, it looks like they are carrying 39. Also wouldn’t surprise me if Price or Thornburg were moved to the 60 day.
Wow, didn’t realize they were already carrying 8 in the ‘pen. I just know how Farrell loves to use his relievers.
My bad, you’re right. I forgot Marrero was also up. 5 man bench. Abad hasn’t made an appearance yet. Looks like he’s in Farrell’s dog house.
That’s right I forgot they didn’t have a full 40 man roster. I bet that if JBJ goes on the DL Bogarts comes back and Hernandez stays. This allows Holt to focus on the OF and Hernandez can take Holts spot as the utility infielder
PeteAbe tweeted that DD said there was nothing on JBJ’s MRI that indicated a need to put him on the DL.
Freakish injury. Hope he’s back tomorrow.
Not a yankee fan but way too early for anyone to be out of contention
Sox caught a break when Kinsler missed the bag on a DP. They appealed and won. Benintendi singles and ties the game.
Now its up to the Sox bp. for better or worse.
The bad part of the Red Sox / Tigers series is having to watch two bullpens built by DD. He needs to assign that part of the roster to someone else, because it’s definitely not his strong point.
Certainly was an adventure yesterday. Well stated.