MLB Weekly Digest June 4th Edition

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The last week in MLB was about an outfielder in the American League landing on the disabled list, a starting pitcher will be sidelined for a prolonged period, and an infielder is once again injured.

Boston Red Sox Place OF Mookie Betts on Disabled List with Left Abdominal Strain

The Boston Red Sox will be without one of their best players for quite some time as they placed outfielder Mookie Betts on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a left abdominal strain, per an announcement by the team.

Prior to tonight’s game, RF Mookie Betts was placed on the 10-day DL (retro to 5/29) with a left abdominal strain. A corresponding move to replace Betts on the roster will be made prior to tomorrow’s game (6/2) in HOU. #RedSox

— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 1, 2018

The move is retroactive to May 29.

The loss of Betts is huge for the Red Sox as he has established himself as one of the best players in the American League in 2018. He leads the AL in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and runs scored at .359, .750, 1.187 and 52, respectively.

The Red Sox have been one of the best teams in the AL since the season started and Betts has played a significant role in that regard.

The club has a luxury which most other clubs don’t in that they have another player who is also having a great year in outfielder J.D. Martinez.

They inked Martinez to a multi-year deal in the offseason to provide power in their lineup. The slugging outfielder has done that as indicated by his .321 batting average, .660 slugging percentage, and 1.041 OPS. He also leads the AL with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs.

The Red Sox can allow Betts to become healthy considering the performance from Martinez.

Los Angeles Dodgers Place Starting Pitcher Clayton Kershaw on DL with Lower Back Strain

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without staff ace Clayton Kershaw for several weeks as he has been placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday with a lower back strain.

Today, the Dodgers placed Clayton Kershaw on the 10-day DL with a lower back strain and recalled Brock Stewart from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 1, 2018

Kershaw made his return to the Dodgers’ rotation a couple of days ago against the Philadelphia Phillies. He had been out since the beginning of May with biceps tendinitis.

This is a crushing blow to the Dodgers as Kershaw had just returned from a lengthy stint on the disabled list and is back on the DL again.

This isn’t the first time that Kershaw has dealt with back issues. He was out for more than a month in 2016 due to a mildly herniated disc and missed about five weeks last season due to a problem with his back.

Kershaw has pitched well in 2018 despite being injured. He has posted a 2.76 ERA in 49 innings with 53 strikeouts, 11 walks issued, seven home runs yielded and a 3.49 FIP.

The Dodgers need a healthy version of Kershaw to have any chance of winning the National League West this season.

Toronto Blue Jays Place Third Baseman Josh Donaldson on DL with Left Calf Tightness

The Toronto Blue Jays won’t have one of the best hitters on the team available moving forward as they placed third baseman Josh Donaldson on the 10-day disabled list Friday with left calf tightness, per a club announcement.

Roster move: 3B Josh Donaldson has been placed on the 10-day DL, retro to May 29th, with left calf tightness. LHP Tim Mayza has been recalled from Buffalo (AAA).

— Blue Jays PR (@BlueJaysPR) June 1, 2018

Donaldson was out the first two weeks of the 2018 campaign due to right shoulder inflammation and was sidelined for over a month last season due to a sore right calf.

The timing of the injuries for Donaldson isn’t great as he will become a free agent at the end of the 2018 season.

The third baseman has accumulated a .234 average and .757 OPS with 11 doubles, five home runs and 16 RBIs in 36 games for the Blue Jays this year.

Donaldson is an MVP-caliber player when healthy but has encountered a couple of injuries over the past two seasons.

The Blue Jays need Donaldson to be a part of their everyday lineup to have any chance of contending for a playoff spot in 2018.

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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