MLB Weekly Digest June 3rd Edition

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The previous week in MLB was about a starting pitcher who was optioned to the minors, a catcher is placed on the injured list, and a pitcher in the National League has an arm injury.

Colorado Rockies Option Starting Pitcher Kyle Freeland to Triple-A

The Colorado Rockies have optioned starting pitcher Kyle Freeland to Triple-A, per a club announcement.

TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS:

• Chris Rusin – Reinstated from 10-Day IL (mid-back strain)

• Jesus Tinoco – Recalled from Triple-A

• Kyle Freeland – Optioned to Triple-A

• Yonathan Daza – Optioned to Triple-A pic.twitter.com/QchyjPOZYj

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 31, 2019

Freeland has been struggling on the mound for much of the 2019 season as indicated by his 7.13 ERA in 59 1/3 innings and has yielded a National League-high 16 home runs.

The left-hander was terrific in his Opening Day start against the Miami Marlins, by tossing seven innings and allowing one run on two hits.

However, he has failed to pitch past the sixth inning since that great outing.

The struggles by Freeland are a surprise, considering he was one of the better starting pitchers in the NL last year.

Freeland posted a 2.85 ERA in 202 1/3 innings (33 starts) with 173 strikeouts, 17 home runs allowed, a 3.67 FIP, and finished fourth in the NL Cy Young voting in 2018.

Freeland hasn’t looked comfortable pitching for the Rockies in 2019 and sending him down to Triple-A was the smart move.

He will be able to pitch in an environment with less pressure, and hopefully, regain the dominant form he had last year.

St. Louis Cardinals Place Catcher Yadier Molina on Injured List with Thumb Injury

The St. Louis Cardinals have placed catcher Yadier Molina on the injured list with a right thumb tendon strain.

The Cardinals have added rookie catcher Andrew Knizner to the active roster per a team announcement.

Yadier Molina (right thumb tendon strain) has been placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to May 29.

Rookie catcher Andrew Knizner had his contracted purchased from Memphis (AAA) and has been added to our active roster. pic.twitter.com/iT3LFrTswh

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 31, 2019

The team doesn’t have a timetable for his return or the type of treatment he will receive.

Knizner will be the club’s backup catcher with Matt Wieters being the regular catcher.

Knizner has played 37 games for Triple-A Memphis this year and compiled a .286 batting average with five home runs, 17 RBIs and eight doubles.

Wieters has been a bright spot in limited action for the Cardinals this season, as indicated by his .387 average with three homers and nine RBIs in 34 plate appearances.

The loss of Molina is monumental for the team as he plays an integral role in the lineup and behind the plate.

Molina has a .265 average and .690 OPS in 50 games with 13 doubles, four home runs, and 33 RBIs.

He’s a solid defensive catcher and provides a calming presence for young pitchers on the Cardinals pitching staff.

Milwaukee Brewers Place Starting Pitcher Gio Gonzalez on Injured List with Arm Injury

The Milwaukee Brewers have placed starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez on the injured list with a left arm injury, per a team announcement.

C Manny Piña (right hamstring) has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list and LHP Gio Gonzalez (left arm) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. RHP Zach Davies will start Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/5L0SrF4Apq

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 1, 2019

Brewers manager Craig Counsell believes Gonzalez is dealing with a case of “dead arm,” per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

The team thinks it’s happened due to him signing with the New York Yankees late in spring training and the Brewers signing him at the end of April.

The left-hander is experiencing symptoms of dead arm as he didn’t go through a full spring training and have a chance to build up arm strength gradually

Gonzalez has been a welcome surprise in the Brewers’ rotation as indicated by his 3.19 ERA in 31 innings (six starts) with 26 strikeouts, nine walks, two home runs surrendered, a 140 ERA+ and a 3.18 FIP.

The Brewers are hopeful the left arm of Gonzalez will feel better when it’s time to activate him off the injured list as the team needs him healthy to have a chance of winning the NL 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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