Less than two weeks after being drafted second overall, Druw Jones’ pro debut will now likely be put off until 2023 due to a left shoulder injury suffered in Jones’ first batting-practice session with the Diamondbacks. Jones received an MRI yesterday but it isn’t known yet if surgery could be required, Arizona farm director Josh Barfield told reporters (including MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert).
Most pundits tabbed Jones as the top player available in the 2022 draft class, though after the Orioles opted for Jackson Holliday with the first overall pick, the D’Backs jumped to select Jones in the second spot. The 18-year-old was tentatively slated to start playing Arizona Complex League games this week, and possibly further minor league action later in the season if all went well. Now, Jones probably won’t officially get onto the field until next season, and even the start of the 2023 season might not be a sure thing if he indeed has to get surgery.
More injury notes from around baseball…
- The Orioles placed right-hander Tyler Wells on the 15-day injured list due to discomfort in his lower left side. Baltimore also optioned left-hander Nick Vespi to Triple-A and called up righties Logan Gillaspie and Beau Sulser in corresponding moves. After making his big league debut as a reliever in 2021, Wells became a solid member of the Orioles rotation this year, posting a 3.90 ERA over 20 starts and 94 2/3 innings. However, his side injury forced him to make an early exit from his start yesterday against the Rays, and the full extent of Wells’ injury (i.e. a possible oblique problem) isn’t yet known.
- The Mariners placed Diego Castillo on the 15-day IL due to right shoulder inflammation, with a placement retroactive to July 26. Righty Matt Brash was recalled from Triple-A to take Castillo’s roster spot. This is the third time in four seasons that shoulder inflammation has sent Castillo to the IL, though he was able to return within 2-3 weeks in each of those previous stints. It was almost exactly one year ago that the Mariners acquired Castillo from the Rays in a pre-deadline trade, and the righty has continued his quality work in a Seattle uniform, posting a 3.53 ERA over 58 2/3 innings as a Mariner. Walks have been an issue for Castillo this season, but has mitigated these control problems with above-average strikeout and hard-contact numbers, as well as a career-best 9.7% home run rate.
Still not a word about Trout though. Biggest story in sports. He’s basically done.
Well it’s not the biggest story in sports so…
It is. A generational level superstar who was the best player in MLB for roughly a decade (whose prime ended with the 2019 season at the latest) is likely done to a large degree and the other big aspect of it is that is basically forces Anaheim to trade Ohtani- although Ohtani should have been/should be traded regardless.
Are you seriously saying Trout’s prime may have ended before the year he won an MVP?
While I agree there should be a trout post I think you’re jumping ahead hear. Doctors have said it’s manageable and will need to be monitored, no one has suggested he is ‘done’
Yes, arguably. Doesn’t mean he wasn’t MVP level in 2019. 2018 is the last season he was a complete player and the last season he played at least 140 games.
Dusty: Swinging a bat is 1 of the most aggravating things someone can do with that type of injury. Assuming he keeps playing, he can be counted on for around 3 WAR per year going forward, that’s it. Before this injury (and before the 2021 season, after seeing the weaknesses in 2020), I was saying he was roughly a 5 WAR player, now that’s downgraded to 3 WAR.
That’s all conjecture
Didn’t they say the same thing about David Wright?
I just read about Trout. The way it’s being described, his career is not over. His back condition is something he will have to manage. Don’t think that’s the biggest story in baseball.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/28/sport/mike-trout-back-condition-spt-intl/index.html
Theopener where did you get your medical degree from? Actually don’t answer that and embarrass yourself, just stop pretending like you can predict the future.
Diminished at the minimum. Will produce around 3 WAR per year going forward if he keeps playing.
Doctor, shouldn’t you be tending to your patients rather than wasting time here?
Iverbure: You’re right in a way. Because after seeing the huge decline in 2020, I assumed he would produce around 5 WAR per season beginning in 2021- yet I was wrong for 2021- it ended up being only 2 WAR. Might end up being wrong about 2022 (although, again, I was saying ‘around 5 WAR’ after 2020, so it’s still basically right if it’s anything from 4-6 WAR and it’s currently 4), but was definitely wrong about last year.
Actually- Zero chance he posts more than 6 WAR this year, so the prediction for this year was right since 4-6 WAR was the prediction range up until the latest injury. The prediction range going forward assuming he keeps playing is 2-4 WAR.
From what I’ve read, Trout’s Dx is “costovertebral dysfunction.”
More simply, a problem where the rib meets the 5th thoracic vertebrae.
Wright’s Dx was cervical spinal stenosis( a narrowing of the spinal column in the cervical section).
oh…o.k.doctor. darn
Well said opener
Trout’s condition is a big story and definitely deserves attention. He may not be done, but it’s likely to alter his career. For those of us that remember seeing the difference between Don Mattingly before and after his back issues (and Ken Griffey with his leg issues), it’s disappointing to see a player go from perennial MVP candidate to just an above average player. Nobody wants to see that happen with Trout or any other player…
stop being so dramatic…Mick Mars is doing just fine!
Ohtani needs to get out of this cursed franchise before he catches the virus trout and rendon has
This is not a Trout article. Save it.
Are you insinuating he would be up this year
I think he meant pro as in any level.
Trying to give Reds fans and contending teams fans heart attacks seeing Castillo under the injury post.
How dare you put just the last name Castillo…bout had a stroke…
josh barfield is a thing huh? neat
and the O’s breathe a sigh of relief and pat themselves on the back for not taking Jones. I wonder if he had undisclosed shoulder problems pre-draft ?
He was probably trying to show off for Thomas, Marte and the guys and ended up hurting himself like the dumb*** kid he is
Can you please make your speculation scenario even more specific?
That “dumb***” kid has $8 Million more dollars than you do.
@johnrealtime I could but I wont
@sufferfortribe 2 You don’t know that 😉
Hoping it’s not an oblique injury for Wells, but it didn’t look good. He’s having a solid year as a starter. Big loss for the O’s if he’s out for a while.
Still the game’s most underrated SP, IMO.
Very true. The Orioles really got a steal from the Twins when they selected Wells in the rule 5 pick. I hope they shut him down the rest of the season.
With his injury issues it’s probably a good idea. He has yet to throw 120 innings in a pro season. Shut him down or simply manage his innings more going forward and see if you can get him beyond that 120 mark next season. BAL’s first season where they are a real serious contender (i.e. more than just a WC contender) is probably 2024 anyways, but keeping him on track for 2023 allows him to hopefully be a big piece for them next year even if he’s still innings limited.
I missed the game. Heard about his injury next morning while driving to work. Immediately thought elbow or shoulder. A delicate injury but with proper rest and treatment he’ll be fine. Grateful it’s not related to his TJ injury. And @DarkSide830, agreed, maybe time to shut him down anyway. Could be an omen?
Is Trout done done like Prince Fielder’s career ended or is he done as a full time player who’s worth his full contract? Like can he just not play at all anymore or will he limp through his contract in fits and spurts of productivity and extended IL stints?
Not enough info yet to say. At the minimum he’s going to be a much less valuable player going forward. He was already declining in general since 2018 and was already a 5 WAR level player at best before this latest injury. Expecting an average of around 3 WAR per year if he keeps playing.
Fake headline! NOT Luis Castillo LOL
Didn’t the Diamondbacks previous #1 pick, Jordan Lawlar, also have to deal with a shoulder injury? He’s doing just fine now, recently promoted to High-A.
Heck, I believe Corbin Carroll also dealt with a shoulder injury, and he’s now their top prospect, and in the top 3 overall.
Everybody wants to talk Trout, come on!
The O’s should be getting some kudos right about now for passing on Jones. He just happens to get injured during his first BP? The Baltimore front office are secretly doing body shots off each other right about now…
Oh to have been a “fly on the wall” in the O’s “war room” immediately prior to announcing their pick!