MLB Weekly Digest June 11th Edition

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The prior week in MLB was about an incredibly talented rookie being placed on the disabled list, a pitcher in the American League requiring surgery and a starting pitcher in the National League who is dealing with an injury.

Los Angeles Angels Place Two-Way Star Shohei Otani on DL with UCL Sprain

The Los Angeles Angels will be without superstar Shohei Otani for several weeks. The right-hander was forced to leave his last start early due to a blister on his right middle finger but has another injury which is very severe.

The Angels announced on Friday that Otani has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade-Two UCL sprain. He received platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell injections on Thursday and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.

Shohei Ohtani will be placed on the disabled list with a grade 2 sprain of the UCL. He underwent a PRP and Stem Cell injection yesterday with Dr. Steve Yoon in Los Angeles. He will be re-evaluated in 3 weeks and we will update his plan of care at that time.

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) June 8, 2018

If the treatment doesn’t yield positive results, Otani might need Tommy John surgery, per Robert Murray of FRS Baseball.

If PRP and stem cell injections don’t work, Tommy John surgery could be in Ohtani’s future. Lots to be concerned about here. https://t.co/YXY1bgjl9M

— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) June 8, 2018

The injury to Otani isn’t only a devastating loss to the Angels but MLB as well.

The right-hander has posted a 3.10 ERA in 49 1/3 innings (nine starts) with 61 strikeouts, five home runs allowed and a 3.22 FIP.

He’s also been a force in the batter’s box, by compiling a .289 batting average and .907 OPS with six home runs, 20 RBIs and 17 runs scored in 129 plate appearances.

Otani has provided a significant boost to Angels’ rotation and lineup. He’s in the midst of a spectacular season, and hopefully, he can avoid requiring surgery as he is a special player to watch on the baseball diamond.

Tampa Bay Rays Anthony Banda Will Need to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

The Tampa Bay Rays will be without another young pitcher for the rest of this season as left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda will need to undergo Tommy John surgery, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

BREAKING: #Rays LHP Anthony Banda headed for Tommy John elbow surgery. Likely out until 2020. Acquired from #Dbacks as key piece in Souza trade. Pitched in 3 games for #Rays, had been with AAA @DurhamBulls

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 4, 2018

Banda was the primary piece in the offseason deal that sent outfielder Steven Souza to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It’s a monumental blow for the Rays as Banda had pitched very well this season. He posted a 3.64 ERA in eight starts (42 innings) with Triple-A Durham, and compiled a 3.68 ERA in 14 2/3 innings with the Rays this year (one start, two relief appearances).

He’s the third young arm for the Rays in 2018 to tear an elbow ligament, as Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon already had the procedure done spring training.

Banda will have to undergo a long recovery process that will probably keep him sidelined until 2020.

Washington Nationals Place Starter Stephen Strasburg on DL with Right Shoulder Inflammation

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has right shoulder inflammation. He underwent an MRI on Saturday, which confirmed the inflammation in his shoulder.

He will be placed on the 10-day disabled list, per Dan Kolko of MASN.

Right shoulder inflammation for Strasburg. MRI showed no structural issues. Will go on the DL. No timetable for a return, but the lack of structural issues is obviously good.

— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) June 9, 2018

Strasburg was forced to exit his outing on Friday against the San Francisco Giants after just two innings.

Before the injury, Strasburg was pitching well for the Nats as he compiled a 3.46 ERA and 3.53 FIP in 80 2/3 innings with 95 strikeouts, 19 walks issued and a 10.6 SO/9.

The positive takeaway regarding the injury is there was no structural damage, and it’s possible Strasburg will miss just a couple of starts.

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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