The Angels announced Tuesday that they’ve placed outfielder Justin Upton on the 10-day disabled list due to a laceration on his index finger. Jack Magruder of MLB.com writes that Upton required stitches after he sustained a severe cut at his home on a wine glass that had broken. Upton expressed frustration and regret over incurring an off-field injury in this manner, though it sounds as if he’ll only require a short-term absence from the team. The Angels aren’t contending for the postseason anyhow, but Upton would surely like to be on the field competing and pursuing a third consecutive 30-homer season. The slugger is in the first season of a five-year, $106MM extension with the Angels and has batted .267/.352/.474 with 26 big flies on the year.
Some more injury news from around the league…
- The White Sox will be without Jose Abreu for the next two weeks after he underwent outpatient surgery on his groin area, writes Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Abreu reported to Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday complaining of pain in his abdomen and was hospitalized prior to the start of the game. He figures to be formally placed on the 10-day disabled list tomorrow, giving the Sox an open roster spot. The ChiSox also lost Leury Garcia to a Grade 2 hamstring strain that could end his season, as he’s projected to miss anywhere from three to six weeks with the injury.
- There’s heightened “concern” regarding Ervin Santana following the right-hander’s visit with a hand specialist, tweets Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Twins skipper Paul Molitor told reporters that Santana is slated to undergo followup x-rays and an MRI to further determine the extent of the damage in his still-ailing right middle finger. The organization isn’t sure whether Santana will return in 2018, but Molitor said that it’s looking “less likely.” Santana has made just five starts in 2018 and struggled to an 8.03 ERA after undergoing surgery on that finger back in February. The Twins hold a $14MM club option on him, but given his injuries and poor performance, that seems unlikely to be exercised.
- The Indians could welcome Edwin Encarnacion back to the lineup as soon as Thursday, writes MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian, but they’ve received less encouraging news on outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall and right-hander Nick Goody. Chisenhall hasn’t progressed as quickly as the team would’ve hoped as he rehabs a severe calf strain and is still working his way back at the team’s Spring Training facility in Arizona, per manager Terry Francona. Goody, meanwhile, suffered a setback in his rehab from an elbow injury. He’s been shelved for three and a half months and is slated to meet with Dr. Keith Meister and Dr. James Andrews later this week.
Thank god Melky and Allen stepped it up as of late in the Tribe outfield. Lonnie is damn good against RHP if he could just stay on the field
Shout out to Andrew Miller: 1.0 IP, zero hits or walks, and 2 strikeouts in today’s win over Boston. (Now 3.27 ERA)
Why does everyone think Andrew Miller is done…?
Not sure about done but he isn’t what he was from 2014-17 when he averaged a 1.72 ERA, a 0.789 WHIP and 2.3 BB9. Now his ERA, WHIP (1.318) and BB9 (5.3) have all about doubled.
He’s been great lately. His numbers are inflated this year because of a slow start and pain in his knee.
Injuries do that. Everyone declines eventually, but I doubt that this is his decline
Tribe needs to make a move before the 31st since both Lonnie and Martin won’t be back.
Who would they take off the 25-man roster to make room?
I’ve wondered the same thing all of a sudden, but Guyer has such limited use (he occasionally hits lefties but can’t do anything else) so he’d still be my pick
Heck, he’s always been my pick, but for some reason Francona likes him. Even brought him in for defensive purposes tonight, replacing Melky.
Though unfortunate, Abreu’s injury may pave the way for Eloy to arrive. Also likely ends Abreu’s chances at 5 straight years of 25 HR and 100 RBI to start a career, a feat that has only been accomplished by Albert Pujols.
The Sox have to bring up Eloy now. They probably were planning to do so by this weekend anyway. I would have to believe they didn’t want to overshadow Kopech’s debut. Now w Abreu going down, they can bring Eloy up and maybe sell even more tixs before heading to Detroit this weekend.
Joe DiMaggio was also in that exclusive club. The “Yankee Clipper” met the criteria for his first 6 seasons while Albert Pujols accomplished the feat for 10 years with the Cardinals.
Ralph Kiner didn’t quite get there his rookie year, but he led the league in homers his first 7 years and had 35 in his 8th. – 329 home runs in his first 8 seasons. That, to me is just as impressive, if not more.