MLB Weekly Digest June 17th Edition: Moves and Injuries

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In this Weekly Digest: The previous week in MLB was about a team in the American League adding a potent bat, a team in the National League places a starting pitcher on the injured list, and a shortstop will be sidelined several weeks.

New York Yankees Acquire Designated Hitter Edwin Encarnacion from Seattle Mariners

The New York Yankees have added a potent bat to their lineup, by acquiring designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion from the Seattle Mariners, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Edwin Encarnación has been traded from the Seattle Mariners to the New York Yankees, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Encarnación currently leads the American League with 21 home runs. The Mariners’ teardown is in full bloom and the Yankees get another big bat.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 16, 2019

The Yankees will send pitching prospect Juan Then to the Mariners, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Hear Juan Then, a young pitching prospect is going from #Yankee to #Mariners for Encarnacion

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 16, 2019

Encarnacion is having a solid 2019 season as indicated by his .241 batting average and .888 OPS in 65 games with 49 RBIs and leading the AL with 21 home runs.

He’s a great hitter to have in a lineup due to his consistent track record of being a run-producer.

Since 2012, no player has more home runs (284) and RBIs (813) than Encarnacion, per MLB Stats.

Since 2012, no player has more HR (284) and RBI (813) than @Encadwin. pic.twitter.com/O0Tpyq4Mjd

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) June 16, 2019

He has the longest streak among active players with seven consecutive seasons of 30 or more home runs, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The New York Yankees have agreed to trade for Edwin Encarnación.

He has the longest active streak of 30 HR seasons across MLB with 7.

Encarnación has 21 HR so far in 2019 and that leads the AL. pic.twitter.com/mKW3kBwRjX

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 16, 2019

This was a smart move by the Yankees as the starting rotation has been a weakness for the team this season.

The best way to take the pressure off starting pitchers is by scoring a plethora of runs and adding Encarnacion to a Yankees’ lineup which already has plenty of power was the right decision.

The Yankees will also receive $8.4 million from the Mariners, says Sherman.

#Mariners sending $8.4M to #Yankees as part of the trade. For luxury tax purposes the hit for the #Yankees in 2019 is roughly $3.4M. So it will not preclude them financially adding a SP in near future

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 16, 2019

The cash sent in the deal is critical for the Yankees considering the team wants to remain under the luxury-tax threshold.

The Yankees will add a starting pitcher before the trade deadline as that’s their most significant need.

Chicago Cubs Place Starting Pitcher Kyle Hendricks on Injured List with Shoulder Injury

The Chicago Cubs will be without one of their best starting pitchers moving forward as Kyle Hendricks was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, and the team has recalled right-handed pitcher Rowan Wick, per a team announcement.

The #Cubs today placed RHP Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation and recalled RHP Rowan Wick from @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/JQf039ESOG

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 15, 2019

The loss of Hendricks is significant for the Cubs as he’s been one of the better pitchers in their rotation.

The right-hander posted a 3.36 ERA in 88 1/3 innings pitched (14 starts) with 75 strikeouts, 16 walks issued, nine home runs yielded, a 133 ERA+ and a 3.47 FIP.

There were red flags in the last start against the Los Angeles Dodgers for Hendricks as he surrendered five runs in less than five innings.

This was just the second instance of him allowing five or more earned runs in an outing this season.

There’s a concern for pitcher’s when they have shoulder problems, so hopefully, Hendricks being on the injured list allows his shoulder to strengthen.

The Cubs will need Hendricks healthy to have a chance of winning a very competitive NL Central.

Los Angeles Dodgers Place Shortstop Corey Seager on Injured List with Hamstring Injury

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be won’t have one of the better players on the team for several weeks as they placed shortstop Corey Seager on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, per a team announcement.

The Dodgers today activated IF Matt Beaty from the 10-day injured list and placed IF Corey Seager on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 12, with left hamstring strain.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 13, 2019

Seager has about a grade-two strain of his hamstring, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group.

“Grade one-slash-two.” – Dave Roberts. No timetable. There you go.

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) June 13, 2019

This type of injury typically sidelines players between four to six weeks.

The loss of Seager is crucial to the Dodgers as he was having a very productive 2019 season, as indicated by his .278 average and .828 OPS in 66 games with 21 doubles, 40 runs scored, eight home runs and 38 RBIs.

The Dodgers are in an excellent position to let this injury heal as they have a nine-and-a-half-game lead in the NL West division.

A hamstring injury can linger on and become worse if not treated correctly; I expect the Dodgers won’t bring back Seager until his hamstring has fully healed.

The Dodgers will need Seager healthy as they have aspirations of not just making the playoffs, but returning to the World Series.

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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