MLB

MLB Weekly Digest Memorial Day Edition

By Chris Lacey

Posted on May 27, 2019

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

The previous week in MLB was about an outfielder being placed on the injured list, a player undergoes season-ending surgery, and a team in the American League is eyeing two free agents.

Houston Astros Place Outfielder George Springer on the Injured List with Hamstring Injury 

The Houston Astros will be without one of the better players on their club moving forward, as they’ve placed outfielder George Springer on the injured list with a left hamstring strain.

The team has recalled Derek Fisher from Triple-A Round Rock, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

The Astros officially placed George Springer on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. Derek Fisher was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 25, 2019

Springer had to leave Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox as he hurt himself while making a sliding catch.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow mentioned that Springer has a grade-two strain, per Rome.

Jeff Luhnow said George Springer’s hamstring strain is a Grade 2. For reference, Jose Altuve and Aledmys Diaz had Grade 1 strains.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 25, 2019

The loss of Springer is monumental for the Astros as he leads the American League in home runs and RBIs with 17 and 43, respectively.

He has posted a .308 batting average and 1.032 OPS in 48 games with nine doubles, 41 runs scored and four stolen bases.

Springer is a terrific leadoff hitter for the Astros as indicated by him hitting seven home runs when leading off an inning.

The outfielder plays outstanding defense, and that aspect of his game will be missed while sidelined.

The Astros have a comfortable lead in the AL West, which allows them to let Springer’s hamstring get healthy.

New York Mets Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery

The 2019 season for New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is over as he underwent surgery last week at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

From the Mets: Yoenis Céspedes underwent surgery today at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and is expected to be out for the remainder of the 2019 season.

(Note that the type of surgery was not mentioned. Can’t recall ever seeing that.)

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) May 23, 2019

The strange part about this is the Mets didn’t disclose initially what type of surgery occurred.

However, Tim Healey of Newsday reported Cespedes had surgery on his right ankle.

Yoenis Cespedes had surgery on his right ankle today, the Mets say. He is officially out for the year.

— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) May 23, 2019

The outfielder was taken to a New York hospital last week after stepping into a hole at his ranch, which caused multiple ankle fractures.

Cespedes was rehabbing injuries to both heels and was expected to return in late June or early July this season.

He hasn’t played in a game since July 20, 2018, and will make $29.5 million next season.

The concern for the Mets is if Cespedes will be healthy for the start of spring training next year.

He’s a great player who plays solid defense and swings the bat very well, but it’s challenging to make an impact when you’re injured.

Tampa Bay Rays May Make Push for Free Agents Dallas Keuchel or Craig Kimbrel

Tampa Bay Rays have remained in contact with free agents Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel, per Ken Rosenthal and Josh Tolentino of The Athletic.

The two free agents remain unsigned due to their contract demands and being tied to a draft pick.

However, both players won’t be associated with a draft pick as of June 2.

Keuchel would be a boost to their starting rotation; the Rays see their bullpen – very productive with a 3.53 bullpen ERA, which is third in the majors, but without experience – as a more pressing need.

The addition of either pitcher would cost a plethora of money and Rays usually stray away from signing players to huge contracts, and they have the lowest payroll in MLB at $60.1 million.

If the Rays were to sign Keuchel, it would not only improve their starting rotation but also prevent division rival New York Yankees from signing him.

The Yankees have been interested in Keuchel but don’t want to exceed the luxury-tax threshold. The team currently sits $18.4 million below the threshold.

There will be other teams involved for both Keuchel and Kimbrel when June 2 arrives.

However, a significant question for any team looking to sign either pitcher is how long it will take for them to be ready?