The latest on some injury situations from around baseball….
- Marcus Stroman was originally scheduled to start for the Blue Jays against the Red Sox tonight, but the team has opted to instead use Derek Law as an opener and Thomas Pannone as a bulk pitcher. Stroman left his last outing with a left pectoral cramp, and the Jays will delay his next start by at least one day, though “there’s a chance that he won’t pitch until after the All-Star break,” manager Charlie Montoyo told media (including MLB.com’s Alexis Brudnicki. “He’s still the same way, day to day,” Montoyo said. “But again, if he’s not 100 percent, we’re not going to pitch him….If he plays catch today and feels like he could throw a bullpen or something nice and easy, that he could go, then we’ll pitch him.” Stroman’s injury isn’t thought to be serious, though the Blue Jays are being as cautious as possible with their ace, particularly given his status as one of the game’s top trade deadline candidates.
- A.J. Pollock is beginning his minor league rehab assignment tonight with the Dodgers’ high-A affiliate in Rancho Cucamonga, as per the team’s Twitter feed. Pollock has been out of action since late April, when a staph infection in his right elbow led to surgery to remove metalwork in that elbow from a previous procedure in 2016. The outfielder had managed only a .223/.287/.330 slash line over his first 115 plate appearances as a Dodger before hitting the IL, and is hopeful of returning to the Los Angeles roster after the All-Star break.
- Reds manager David Bell provided updates on several injured members of the Cincinnati roster in his pregame meeting with reporters, including Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Alex Wood is slated to begin a rehab assignment this week, as the lefty will pitch for the first time this season after being beset with back problems since Spring Training. Wandy Peralta (hip) may need a minor league rehab game or two, though he had a bullpen session today and is pretty close to a return. Cody Reed (knee strain) is back “throwing” since hitting the IL in late May, Bell said, though “he’s probably still a couple of weeks away from pitching.”
- There has also been “no talk of IL at this point” about Scooter Gennett, Bell said, after Gennett left Wednesday’s game with tightness in his left groin. Gennett didn’t play today, as Bell decided to give the veteran two full days of rest since the Reds have an off-day on Friday. Gennett only recently returned from a right groin strain that had sidelined him since March 22.
Stroman is not an ace. He might be the best the Jays have …but he’s not that
I don’t he’s in the midst of his second ace-caliber season. One more next year and that would be 3 in 4 years. I’d agree he’s not there yet, but he’s pretty close.
I’ll be your huckleberry KodionPhaneuf….
Stroman is an All-Star.
Stroman wants the ball in big games.
Stroman has shown he can come through in big games.
Stroman instantly makes any pitching staff much better.
Stroman is arguably an ace. Regardless, he is a bonafide All-Star. Close enough.
I don’t disagree with your assessment except for performance. An Ace has to dominate, be feared almost, respected for certain. Stroman doesn’t have that.
He started out as one, or near it. But he has not gone deep often enough or posted the kinds of numbers that batters are intimidated by. It’s subjective either way but the measure I use shows him well short of top-line. More of an excellent mid-rotation innings-eater …when healthy.
Don’t get me wrong: I’d want him on my team, just not as the lead horse
So by your definition of ace, I can think of about 3-4 in the entire league… fair assessment? Sale, Kershaw, Verlander, and Sherzer. Mad bums numbers no longer reflect ace material… can’t think of anyone else except Snell, who is less proven over time.
Severino isn’t an ace either
Really negging get over it kids a beast
Exactly…Stroman is not an Ace. But…. He’d be better than any Cardinals starters.
All precautionary. Nothing to see here with Stroman. Yet.
Woo, Pollock! Come back soon!
He will come back, play for a month, then go back on the DL, then come back for a week, then go on the DL again. What a dumb signing.
Stroman is not an ace, he is at best a three. He is pitching well at the moment but it’s a long season at the end of the day he is likely just a three not a one.
He’s a 2 at best. We’ll see over the next couple years the downfall of the ace. This is a league catering to hitters and creating jobs at the pitchers position a-la Tommy John. The new “ace” will be a 6-inning guy at a 3 ERA. Downfall.