With summer storms peppering much of the country today, we’ve got our own torrent of pitcher-related news to sort through. Out of D.C., we hear from MLB.com’s Jamal Collier that Nationals ace Max Scherzer threw 15 pitches off of a mound this afternoon (Twitter link). The superlative hurler has been dealing with inflammation in the bursa sac under his right shoulder blade and hasn’t appeared in a game since a seven-inning win against the Royals on July 6th. That Scherzer is throwing again–and could possibly throw another bullpen on Monday–is a sign that he apparently took well to a recent cortisone shot in his ailing back. Given the notoriously fickle nature of back injuries, the Nats are likely to be over the moon at this positive step in Scherzer’s recovery.
The latest on a few other waylaid hurlers…
- The Orioles’ Dylan Bundy will apparently come off the injured list as soon as he is eligible, with MLB.com’s Joe Trezza reporting that the righty will start Tuesday in Arizona (link). Bundy, who has never really delivered on the promise that was conferred upon him when he was selected 4th overall in the 2011 draft, has a 5.28 ERA and 5.32 FIP in 92 innings this year. He has been on the shelf since July 13th with right knee tendinitis.
- Chris McCosky of the Detroit News has reported on separate channels that Tigers starter Spencer Turnbull has suffered a back injury that will usher him to the IL. Apparently, Turnbull, who has put together a quietly effective 2019 campaign, experienced a strain during a workout Friday–a strain that persisted in a post-workout game of catch (Twitter link). In a subsequent piece, McCosky cogently points out that this injury could actually serve as a convenient means of limiting Turnbull’s innings–the 26-year-old was expected to pitch around 140 frames this year and had already logged 98.2 entering the weekend (link).
- Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Reds will welcome back two bullpen stalwarts with the activation of Amir Garrett and Raisel Iglesias from the injured list and paternity list, respectively (Twitter link). Garrett has been sidelined since July 4th with a left lat strain–an injury he presumably incurred from striking out most of the league this season en route to a 13.14 K/9 rate across 37 innings. To accommodate these moves, the Reds optioned righties Jimmy Herget and, as MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reported, Matt Bowman (link).
- In concerning news, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has relayed to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com that veteran reliever Scott Alexander has been shut down for foreseeable future with a “nerve and thumb problem” (link). Alexander has been solid in 17-plus innings for Los Angeles this year, but injuries have been a prominent theme. Originally sidelined in June with a forearm ailment, issues with Alexander’s thumb have subsequently followed, and this latest language regarding his nerve is certainly ominous from a medical perspective. The lefty has posted a 3.63 ERA on the season.
Make a move twins
Apparently, Dylan Chase is somewhat skeptical of many of the reports that are out there.
+1
I always knew Sherzer had problems with his “bursa” sac. He just seems like that kinda guy.
Dodger-Pirates: Gavin Lux (plus maybe a lower level prospect or 2) for Felipe Vasquez who hangs up first?
The Dodgers. But only after they put the Pirates on speaker phone so everyone can laugh at them.
Yeah i doubt that. I think they’d value an elite controllable reliever over a prospect that either ends up at 2B or is blocked at SS
Dodgers won’t and can’t give up Lux (who will start at 2nd next year) but maybe May and/or Smith/Ruiz and Beaty/Garlick. Thank God Friedman held onto the previous untouchables. Sad possible ending to Alexander’s career if it’s nerve damage. Really needing a “lights out” reliever right now with Kenley occasionally dancing on a wire.
Alexander was never going to be that shutdown guy anyway. His work this year has been about as solid as a bowl of jello (nearly as many walks as strikeouts, for a start). Some of that possibly due to an incipient injury but he has never been a whole lot better than that, or especially effective against lefties.
The LA Times ran an article a couple of days ago that included quotes from Friedman about how the trade deadline is shaping up this year. Not very encouraging in terms of the Dodgers needs and the number of teams who are prepared to deal possible solutions at a price Friedman will be willing to pay. Also lots of other condenders have similar needs. This site probably won’t link the article so here it is:
latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2019-07-20/dodger…