The Indians have not given much indication as to the medical issue that forced just-acquired outfielder Leonys Martin to the disabled list, but indications are that it’s a rather concerning health matter of some kind. As Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer writes, manager Terry Francona explained yesterday that Martin does not wish to publicize details of his situation at present, but the 30-year-old ballplayer is presently receiving treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. MLBTR joins those around the game in extending its best wishes to Martin and his family. We hope to see him back to full health as soon as possible.
Here are some other recent notes from the American League Central:
- Twins righty Ervin Santana had some choice words for the front office after his start last night, as Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports. Santana suggested that the organizational higher-ups have given up on the team despite the fact that the players are still “not giving upon” on the season. “They took our pieces away, and it’s difficult to play without our good pieces,” said the veteran hurler. It’s hard to argue with his characterization, of course, as the Twins have dealt away multiple quality veterans. Frankly, though, that has seemed an advisable course given the roster’s struggles in advance of the trade deadline. Santana himself could end up on the move, though he has struggled through four starts since returning from a lengthy stint on the disabled list.
- Katie Strang of The Athletic took a worthwhile look at Tigers prospect Franklin Perez in a subscription piece. His injury-riddled campaign has impacted the team’s broader rebuilding efforts, as it has robbed one of the organization’s most promising players of a key season. While it’s never good to hear of lat and shoulder issues in a pitcher, the Detroit front office remains bullish on Perez. Fortunately, too, the organization is relatively rich in quality pitching prospects. Strang explains that the hope is to get him back to full health over the offseason, then launch him at Double-A to open the year. The post includes a lengthy chat with Astros international guru Oz Ocampo, who explains that Perez was “pretty much a finished product” from the time he entered the Houston system. Perez, of course, headlined the return in last August’s Justin Verlander swap.
Excuse me, Erv….your finger was supposedly bothering you at the end of last season, and was an excuse for your choking on the mound with a three run first inning lead in the wild card game…and you didn’t have surgery until January? Are you kidding me? You are reason number ONE why the Twins were sellers this year.
How about Polanco’s suspension? How about Sano eating himself off the field? We got these same quotes from Brian Dozier before he was traded for a bag of baseballs. He didn’t apparently have a mirror either – to look at his own horrid season as a reason for the trades. Lance Lynn was terrible. Logan Morrison’s swing would be a great golf stroke.
Just once, I’d love to hear baseball players say – hey, its OUR fault…or even better – hey, its MY fault.
This!!!
Well said.
I’m wondering if Ervin realizes he’s not helping the team at all when he’s on the field either. That 6.5 ERA isn’t helping the twins win any ballgames.
If he keeps this up he might be settling for an invite to spring training next year instead of a guaranteed deal. #SmellMinorLeagueBaseball
Dozier talked his way out of town. Maybe Santana is applying the same strategy.
Erv WOULD have gotten out of town right quick—and onto a contender—if he had performed well, given up a few less homers in his recent starts. He still can get out by August 31st if he just pitches well enough.
I agree there is a lot of mess, but also as a returning pitcher you walk into zero defense up the middle and feel easy plays and questionable should be made it’s hard.
Nicely said. They tried to contend with this group but it just did not work out. Like you said, Polanco had the suspension. Reed hasn’t been his usual self. Lynn, Dozier, and sano had poor season. Instead of taking a step foward, a lot of thing went the other way with this team. Now they just have to hope things turn around next year
Preach.
Well stated.
Add to that: Buxton tanking with injuries and poor performance, Castro going down for the entire year, Kepler’s lack of improvement, Mauer’s continued underperforming (in relation to his contract), the mass failure of the relief corps that were signed as free agents (Duke, Reed, Rodney), total failure of Phil Hughes (though not due to lack of effort), under performance by free agent Lance Lynn, total tanking by free agent Logan Morrison as compared to last year, Dozier’s stinky first half performance, failure of manager, pitching coach and bullpen coach to correctly utilize: Pressly, Hildenberger, questionable roster utilization decisions with pitchers: Hale, Kinley, Bard, and Sanchez, ongoing front office use of and regard for the “kid” pitchers in the organization, failure to explore an extension with Escobar until the last few minutes of the trade deadline (he probably won’t be ever coming back), failure to resign Derek Rodriguez as a minor league free agent and the questionable returns on the trades of 2018. Gee, can’t imagine why the “2018 team” has been such an utter failure. Levine, Flavey, Molitor, all of you take a look in the mirror, because the problem is in front of you .
Duke was better in MIN than he was last year in STL. I’m pretty confident that they can sign Escobar back in FA if they wish to do that too. I can’t imagine he’s going to have a huge market.
You can add JT Chargois, Randy Rosario,and Nick Burdi to the questionable roster decisions.
I wonder if Erv delaying surgery was his response to the Twins FO not being interested when his agent approached them about an extension late last season. I was getting tired of Dozier’s barking about how the front office didn’t believe in them, while he ignored everyone trying to help him become a better, more complete player. If he wasn’t always just looking to pull EVERYTHING he could have been a lot less streaky and been a great player. Erv’s delayed surgery and leisurely rehab combined with his 80 game suspension to start off this contract means he’s basically missed half of it, largely due to his own actions. I was excited when they signed him, but now I’m going to be as sad to see him leave as I was to see Lance Lynn and Ricky Nolasco go
God bless you sir/ma’am. This is what a real twins fan look like.
Dozier hitting .230. Probably will not hit 25 homers this season. Is a FA after this season & may get a big raise. Escobar ok player but Twins have Sano. . Maybe they got good prospects in return. Kintzler traded last fall & already ditched by Nats as clubhouse poison. Morrison a disappointment this year. Twins need new faces who can perform.
Dozier is one of the most overrated players in the game. Yes, those first inning solo homeruns are exciting, especially for him, but when it’s close and late, he is a failure in clutch situations. He started himself off on a hot first couple of games with the Dodgers, but I have a feeling by the end of August, Dodger fans will be saying “he’s just Forsythe with a little more power.”
I doubt that the 31 year old 2nd baseman gets a big raise in free agency. My guess is that he will begin spring training with the other unsigned players and he will anoint himself as the leader of the 2019 collision bandwagon, just as he anointed himself as leader of the Twins clubhouse.
Players on both teams are writing Leonys Martin’s name on their caps toady, this might be very serious and tragic.
Shut up troll, how is a sickness even remotely funny to make a joke out of?
Only a troll or an absolute moron would view what I wrote as a joke. Guess you outed yourself there. Praying for Leonys.
He is a first rate POS the and a bigot but I don’t see him trying to make any humor based on that comment.
oh lol here’s the gang up by loser yankee fans, where rocky7?
grow up
Quit thinking this whole site revolves around you, @$$hole. You have a comment for everything and everyone knows just what a POS you are.
I dont know who he is…
Ervin is probably frustrated because hitters are smacking his stuff around pretty good. I don’t believe his next contract will come anywhere near what he is making now.