The Athletics seem to be receiving more promising news on the pitching front, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has reported (Twitter links). Southpaw Sean Manaea is said to be “well ahead” of schedule in his effort to return from shoulder surgery. Whether that means there’s real hope he’ll be able to make it back on the MLB mound this season isn’t clear, but it appears that’s at least a possibility given that Manaea is beginning to throw. Meanwhile, youngster James Kaprielian seems to be making a quick recovery from the lat issue that sidelined him at the outset of camp. The last thing anyone wanted to see was another significant health problem for him, so that’s certainly promising news.
More on the injury front …
- Tigers righty Chris Smith appears headed for Tommy John surgery, as Evan Woodberry of MLive.com was among those to report on Twitter. It’s dreadful news for a hurler who has only briefly touched the majors but seemed to have a shot at earning a pen spot in Detroit. Smith pitched to a 3.93 ERA with 10.6 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 last year at the Triple-A level.
- The Rays will likely go without righty Ian Gibaut to open the season, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. It seems the broader prognosis for his lat injury is a good one, but the club will likely take things slow with the 25-year-old hurler. Gibaut hasn’t yet thrown at the game’s highest level, but has generally torched minor-league hitters throughout his four seasons as a pro. Last year, he worked to a 2.09 ERA with 12.1 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 over 56 Triple-A frames.
- Veteran utilityman Sean Rodriguez has a meniscus tear that may require surgery, per Matt Breen of Philly.com (Twitter link). That likely won’t make for a terribly lengthy absence, but obviously knocks out any chance of him breaking camp with the Phillies. Rodriguez could certainly still challenge for a job in Philadelphia or elsewhere after working back to health.
- White Sox prospect Luis Alexander Basabe has a hamate fracture, as MLB.com’s Scott Merkin recently reported on Twitter. That’ll keep him from full game action for about three months, according to initial estimates. Basabe, 22, isn’t a near-term consideration at the MLB level, so this news won’t have much of an immediate impact. It will slow his start to the season, though, which is unfortunate — particularly since he was looking to bounce back from a tepid showing at Double-A and tough trip through the Arizona Fall League.
I hate being a Sox fan sometimes…true definition of gluten for punishment
That’s why I’m on a gluten free diet
I know I prefer my teams gluten free
You won a World Series not that long ago. Stop whining!
You can thank Reinsdorf and his diaper changer Williams for that.
Gluten is the deadliest sin of them all
Former future hall of Famer Kap would be throwing 106 mph by now if he was still in NY.
I’m still kind of excited for him. I think he’ll make a good comeback for the A’s.
The A’s have a great crop of young pitchers. Manaea, Kaprielian, Puk, Luzardo, Cotton. If they can all come back to good form from injuries and stay healthy, the A’s have a bright future.
If Kap can stay healthy he’s a huge piece of the puzzle for the As. I’m a big Yankees fan. I really wasn’t enamored with him being sent for Gray. And especially no now that Gray got dumped for no return pretty much. But they other 2 pieces I wasn’t upset about losing. Torres is wayyyy better then Mateo and Frazier is wayyyy better the Fowler. But I always thought it Kap could stay healthy (big if apparently) that he’s a better pitcher then Gray.
Excellent Post. I totally agree.
Shed Long looks promising, at least. On top of that you got a first round pick while getting rid of Gray. A rotation of Severino, Happ, Paxton, Tanaka and Sabathia still looks pretty good. Chance Adams should continue to progress and could make a big factor, and Montgomery could be back for the stretch drive if his TJ recovery doesn’t suffer any setbacks, too.
Shed Long was traded to Seattle immediately for OF Josh Stowers.
You’re right. That slipped my mind. That said, Stowers looks decent, too, despite being a few more years away from being a potential factor in the Majors.
Nothing on the passing of Cafardo? He has brought way too many clicks here to not be recognized.
I was about to say the same thing.
Todd recognized him in the chat. I’m betting they are doing a larger piece on him and that takes time. Better to have a nice write up, rather than a hurried blurb.
R.I.P.
“Rest in Peace to this man, this great man, a man who bought many clicks to an aggregator-style website, causing its owners to make some money.”‘
Is this really who we’ve become?
RIP Cafardo, respect to his decades of work.
I’m sure MLB Trade Rumors Family will pass on Condolences to his family … like they do to for evvvverybody who dies
Havent seen anything on here about how the Reds are going to use Lorenzen as a RP/CF this year, which is great news as he’s one of like 5 guys who can actually mash and pitch. Can’t wait for the NL to get the DH so those 5 or so pitchers who can hit will have a spot to!
“Can’t wait for the NL to get the DH” Not gonna happen…
It will in the next few years. It almost seems inevitable.
Just like it seemed inevitable Hillary was going to be elected president a couple of years ago?
As much as I dislike the DH, I think we’re going to see it quite soon in the NL. It’s a win-win between the league and players. More offense and more jobs
I found it interesting that 53.7% of the 240 players polled last July by the Athletic said no to the DH in the NL. I agree with them
By most accounts, the NL DH is a very real possibility even before the next CBA.
I’m pretty sure they did a while ago.
I think it’s clear from the up and down votes on this post who has 10+ accounts…
I really thought Gibaut would have made the opening day roster. Sucks he’s injured
Happy to hear James is recovering well.