MLB Weekly Digest 7/3/17

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The previous week in MLB was about a contending team losing a key player on their roster, a pitcher in the American League will go under the knife, and an outfielder in the National League lands on the disabled list.

Nats’ Turner Lands on Disabled List with Fractured Wrist

The Washington Nationals have been the best team in the National League East in 2017 by a wide margin, but the team will be without an important piece in the lineup moving forward.

The team’s shortstop Trea Turner was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a non-displaced fracture in his right wrist on Friday and called up infielder Adrian Sanchez, per Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post.

Updated post on Turner/Sanchez with what’s next for Turner and Nationals’ plans at SS and leadoff moving forward. https://t.co/4eUwb1aTL5

— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) July 1, 2017

Turner is the catalyst for the Nationals’ lineup, and they’ll miss his presence.

He puts enormous pressure on opposing teams due to his spectacular speed, which has enabled him to swipe an NL-leading 35 bases.

He also handles the bat very well as indicated by his .279 batting average and .746 OPS in 68 games with 13 doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 32 RBIs.

The club doesn’t have a timetable on why they expect him to return, per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.

Trea Turner has a broken right wrist. No timetable for a return.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) June 30, 2017

The loss of Turner for an extended period is crushing, but they have other players on the roster to help fill the void.

I don’t expect them to trade for another shortstop, as the team has other pressing needs, such as fixing their bullpen.

Mariners’ Smyly to Miss Rest of 2017 Campaign Due to Tommy John Surgery

The Seattle Mariners won’t get a chance to see starting pitcher Drew Smyly throw one pitch in 2017 as he will undergo Tommy John surgery.

#Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto today announced the following medical update on LHP Drew Smyly.

Read: https://t.co/YdX3woLvpW pic.twitter.com/MaB8sWq9cA

— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) June 28, 2017

The operation has been scheduled for July 6, and it will sideline him for the rest of the season. The recovery time is between 12-15 months.

The left-hander was originally diagnosed with a left flexor strain around the end of spring training, per Greg Johns of MLB.com.

Drew Smyly out 6-8 weeks with flexor strain in elbow. Ariel Miranda moves into No. 4 starter spot.

— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) March 31, 2017

The Mariners were counting on Smyly to help them contend this season but will have to wait until next year for him to make his debut with them.

Mets Place Conforto On DL with Bruised Left Hand

The New York Mets have a revolving door of players landing on the disabled list in 2017.

The newest addition is outfielder Michael Conforto, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Saturday with a bruised left hand.

We’ve activated Zack Wheeler from the DL and placed Michael Conforto on the 10-Day DL, retroactive to June 28, with a bruised left hand.

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 1, 2017

Conforto is having a productive season for the Mets, by compiling a .285 average and .953 OPS in 69 games with 14 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 121 total bases.

The plethora of injuries that have happened to players on their team is a big reason why they’ve yet to find a comfortable rhythm.

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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