The previous week in MLB was about a pair of starting pitchers in the National League landing on the disabled list and an American League reliever has a new role.
Nationals Place Scherzer on Disabled List with Neck Inflammation
Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer has been one of the best starters in the Senior Circuit in 2017. However, the ace is dealing with an injury and won’t be on the mound anytime soon.
He was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 15 with left neck inflammation, per Dan Kolko of MASN.
Nats have placed Max Scherzer on the 10-day DL (retroactive to Aug. 15) with left neck inflammation.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) August 19, 2017
Scherzer was forced to leave an outing earlier in August against the Miami Marlins due to spasms on the right side of his neck.
The right-handed ace has a 2.25 ERA in 160 1/3 innings with 220 strikeouts, a 2.83 FIP, a 0.84 WHIP and two complete games.
This is a problem that the Nationals would love to see fixed as it’s one thing for Scherzer to miss a start in the regular season, but missing a start in the postseason could be disastrous.
Dodgers Put Darvish on DL with Back Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a huge splash at the trade deadline when they acquired starting pitcher Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers for prospects.
He has performed very well for the Dodgers as indicated by his 2.50 ERA in 18 innings (three starts), by fanning 22 batters and yielding just four home runs.
However, Darvish was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a back injury on Saturday.
.@Dodgers place RHP Yu Darvish (lower back tightness) on 10-day DL, retro to 8/17; add OF Curtis Granderson to roster.
— MLBRosterMoves (@MLBRosterMoves) August 19, 2017
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn’t expect the injury to be serious and told Alanna Rizzo of Sportsnet LA that Darvish is in line to pitch Aug. 27 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Roberts told me Darvish is going on the 10-day DL. Not a serious back issue. Darvish wants to pitch. He’ll start Sun at home vs. #Brewers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) August 19, 2017
The Dodgers are a lock to play in October as they have the best record in MLB and lead the NL West by a huge 19 games, which allows them to let Darvish spend time on the DL.
Yankees Remove Chapman from Closer Role
New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has been struggling for a couple of weeks, and it’s forced manager Joe Girardi to remove him from the closer role.
Girardi said he will use Chapman at any point and the Yankees don’t have a set closer, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Joe Girardi said he will use Aroldis Chapman “at any point.” The Yankees do “not necessarily” have a set closer.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 19, 2017
Chapman has compiled a 4.29 ERA in 35 2/3 innings (38 games) with 50 strikeouts, 17 walks issued and a 2.75 FIP.
Since the All-Star break, Chapman has accumulated a 5.40 ERA with 12 hits surrendered and walked 10 batters.
The Yankees will probably go with either David Robertson or Dellin Betances in save opportunities, while Chapman looks to regain his dominant form from last season in fewer pressure situations.
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- 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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