MLB Weekly Digest 3/6/17

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The last week in MLB was about a club in National League bolstering their bullpen, a reliever in the American League may not be ready for Opening Day, a starting pitcher receiving good news and a third baseman dealing with an injury.

Nationals Sign Blanton to One-Year Contract

The Washington Nationals have added depth to their bullpen by signing reliever Joe Blanton to a one-year deal. The deal is worth $4 million, and it includes $1 million in incentives, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Source: Blanton deal with #Nationals is for one year, $4M, plus $1M in possible performance bonuses. Pending a physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) 28 February 2017

This is a tremendous addition to the Nationals bullpen, considering Blanton had a solid season in 2016 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The right-hander compiled a 2.48 ERA in 75 games (80 innings), yielding seven home runs, striking out 80 batters and posting a 1.01 WHIP. Blanton limited the opposition to a .194 batting average.

The Nats have been looking for a closer throughout the offseason, and that’s a role that Blanton could fulfill. The Nationals could also utilize him in the seventh or eighth inning.

He provides plenty of flexibility and gives them another option during the late innings.

Street Might Not Be Ready by Opening Day

Huston Street suffered an injury in Friday’s spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Angels general manager Billy Eppler said that Street has a lat strain he won’t throw for three to four weeks, per Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times.

Angels GM Billy Eppler said Huston Street has a lat strain. The expectation is he will not throw for 3-4 weeks. Opening day is in doubt.

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) 4 March 2017

It’s possible the reliever won’t be ready by Opening Day. Street was looking to bounce back in 2017 after a horrendous season last year.

He accumulated a 6.45 ERA in 22.1 innings with five home runs allowed and a 1.92 WHIP.

If Street isn’t healthy for the start of the season, then Cam Bedrosian would be the Angels closer. He fanned 51 batters in 40.1 innings and posted a 1.12 ERA for the Angels in 2016.

Price Avoids Missing Significant Time

David Price and the Boston Red Sox dodged a major bullet, as the left-hander won’t require surgery on his elbow.

Per Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, Red Sox skipper John Farrell mentioned this was the “best-case scenario” and Price will be shut down for the next seven to 10 days.

No surgery for Price. No PRP. Farrell calls it best case scenario. Down for next 7-10 days

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) 3 March 2017

They feared he might have to undergo Tommy John surgery, as Price did have elbow soreness and met with Dr. James Andrews.

Now that Price won’t have to go under the knife, the Red Sox will attempt to have him ready for the upcoming season.

One positive for the team is the depth in the rotation with reigning AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, Drew Pomeranz, Steven Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez.

Wright Has Shoulder Impingement

New York Mets third baseman David Wright is dealing with a shoulder impingement. He won’t throw a baseball for a couple of weeks and his status for Opening Day is questionable, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

David Wright is in New York. He has a right shoulder impingement and won’t throw for “a couple weeks.” Opening Day “questionable.” #Mets

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) 28 February 2017

Wright dealing with injuries isn’t new to him, he was sidelined with a herniated disc last season and appeared in only 37 games, the previous year he played in 38 games due to spinal stenosis.

The third baseman hit .226 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 2016. If he is out for a prolonged time this season, the Mets will probably utilize a combination of Jose Reyes and Wilmer Flores.

Flores had a .267 batting average with 16 home runs in last year and having a veteran player like Reyes will also be beneficial until Wright is healthy to play.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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