The Nationals announced today that right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who exited with a potential injury in his most recent start, had “some nerve impingement that has been alleviated,” as Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post tweets. Earlier in the day, skipper Dusty Baker had told MASNsports.com’s Dan Kolko that Strasburg is feeling better and may actually take the hill for his next scheduled start (Twitter link). Chelsea Janes of the Post, meanwhile, tweets that Strasburg kept in line with typical between-starts routine by playing catch today as well. Janes further adds that Strasburg did not undergo an MRI but did have an ultrasound procedure, which compared favorably to previous exams. It’s been reported that a more serious Strasburg injury may well have impacted the Nats’ deadline plans, but it seems that they’ve avoided that scenario. Janes reported yesterday that in such a case, the bullpen would continue to be a larger priority.
Some more relevant injury news with the deadline less than a week away…
- While Clayton Kershaw’s injury is obviously a blow to the Dodgers, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times offers a bit more encouraging detail on the situation. While the team was initially fearful that Kershaw had again injured the disk that he herniated last season, manager Dave Roberts told reporters that a scan confirmed that this injury does not involve last year’s herniated disk. That was the Dodgers’ greatest concern, according to Roberts, who called it a “safe bet” that Kershaw would make it back to the team later during the regular season. Shaikin notes that even the back end of the projected four to six week timeline would have Kershaw back in the rotation in early September. Regarding the potential that Kershaw’s injury pushes the Dodgers to make a run at Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish, Roberts simply stated that every team in baseball would love to have Darvish, but stressed that he has no plans to try to persuade the front office into action: “I can’t put the pressure on. I’m not going to put the pressure on.”
- The Marlins announced today that first baseman Justin Bour and shortstop JT Riddle have been placed on the 10-day DL due to a right oblique strain and left biceps tendinitis, respectively. There was no timetable given for the return of either player, but oblique strains typically cost a player at least a month. Bour didn’t seem especially likely to be moved anyhow, but the fact that he looks to be facing an absence of a few weeks further limits the chance of any trade involving the 29-year-old slugger.
- While both Aaron Hicks and Tyler Austin are progressing in their rehab from their respective oblique and hamstring strains, it doesn’t sound as if either is on the verge of a minor league rehab assignment just yet. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch tweets that both are hitting off a tee and playing soft toss, per Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Each has been out since late June, and Girardi told reporters that they’re both at about the same spot in their recovery process, though he declined a specific timetable for either player’s return.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets that Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis ran the bases on Tuesday, and manager Terry Francona said he could play in rehab games as soon as this coming weekend. That would seem to represent an accelerated timeline, as Francona suggested back on Friday that Kipnis was still “weeks, not days” away from returning to the team.
But the pressure is on.
In Dodger deception Talk , that Means their be all in going after Darvish!
Dave has to say those things. He’s not gonna come out and say we have a hole in our rotation and we need to find someone to fill it. The team is hot right now and all confidence is high. He’s not gonna make statements that show the team needs to make improvements. That’s a decision solely for the front office to make.
He doesn’t have to say anything, actually. Now I like Dave Roberts as a manager but I know he’s also a pretty good company man. For him to signal the team’s need and his desire so publicly is unusual. If they now go out and get somebody else (or nobody) it will be on the record that Roberts thought Darvish was the one they needed.
He was asked about Darvish and said any team would want him. Not what you surmised at all. Reading comprehension is important.
“It’s a fact we would be better with him, as would 29 other teams.”
Note, he did not say that about anybody else, including Verlander. So, yes indeed, reading comprehension is part of the deal.
Haha yeah what’s he talking about
We need a healthy Jason kipnis. Adds another weapon to our lineup.
Let’s have a vote. Darvish or Gray for dodgers? I vote Darvish
Kershaw’s injury is now being described by the team as a Grade 1 strain (least severe). Unless he experiences some sort of unusual setback, he’s probably out for a month or so. Given the calendar they’d probably like to get him a rehab start or two before the end of the minor league season. Either way if all this holds he should be able to make at least a few starts in September and be good to go for the postseason.