MLB Weekly Digest June 18th Edition

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The last week in MLB was about a tremendous hitter requiring season-ending surgery, a third baseman in the National League who will be sidelined several weeks, and a player in the American League gets sent to the minors.

Detroit Tigers First Baseman Miguel Cabrera Out for 2018 Season Due to Ruptured Biceps Tendon

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is a lock for Cooperstown and will be remembered as one of the best right-handed batters in baseball history.

However, the 2018 season for Cabrera is over as he suffered a ruptured tendon in his biceps during a game last week against the Minnesota Twins.

The injury will require the slugger to undergo season-ending surgery, per Evan Woodbery of MLive.

Miguel Cabrera has a ruptured tendon in his bicep. He will undergo season-ending surgery.

— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) June 13, 2018

Cabrera struggled mightily in 2017 as he compiled a .249 batting average and .726 OPS with just 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.

He was starting to look like the Cabrera of old, by posting a .299 average and .843 OPS in 38 games with three homers and 22 RBIs.

The Tigers started their rebuilding phase last year when they dealt starting pitcher Justin Verlander and outfielder Justin Upton.

If Cabrera had remained healthy until the trade deadline, it’s possible the Tigers could’ve traded him, but with this latest injury, his contract is unmovable.

He has an average annual value of at least $30 million per year over the next five years and vesting options in 2024 and 2025.

He’s dealt with numerous injuries over the past several years, which has had a dramatic impact on his performance.

The injury doesn’t have a drastic impact for the Tigers as they weren’t going to contend for a playoff spot in 2018 even with a healthy Cabrera.

San Francisco Giants Third Baseman Evan Longoria Out Six to Eight Weeks with Fractured Left Hand

The San Francisco Giants will be without third baseman Evan Longoria for several weeks as he will have surgery on his fractured left hand Tuesday, per Chris Haft of MLB.com.

Giants third baseman Evan Longoria said Saturday that he will undergo surgery on his fractured left hand Tuesday. He was told to expect to be sidelined for 6 to 8 weeks, but he wants to beat that estimate. #SFGiants

— Chris Haft/SF Giants (@sfgiantsbeat) June 16, 2018

The operation will keep Longoria off the field for six to eight weeks.

The Giants acquired the veteran third baseman in the offseason to give their offense more firepower. Longoria is off to a slow start, by accumulating a .246 average and .711 OPS with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs.

The Giants will turn to Pablo Sandoval while Longoria is recovering, which isn’t a bad option. Sandoval is having a solid year at the plate, as indicated by his .279 average and .796 OPS with six doubles, five home runs, and 23 RBIs.

Minnesota Twins Demote Struggling Third Baseman Miguel Sano to Minors

Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano hasn’t looked comfortable in the batter’s box this year. He is hitting a meager .203 with just seven home runs, 27 RBIs, and a .675 OPS.

This is a significant regression from last year when he had a .264 batting average and .859 OPS with 28 homers and 77 RBIs.

The Twins decided to demote Sano to High-A Fort Myers, per Phil Miller of the Star-Tribune.

Twins option Miguel Sano, an All-Star in 2017, to Class A Ft Myers.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) June 14, 2018

The team hopes Sano will find success in an environment with less pressure and regain confidence in his swing.

They need Sano performing at a high level to have any chance of contending in the American League Central.

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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