MLB Weekly Digest April 18th Edition: Astros Place Ryan Pressly on IL

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The last week in MLB was about a reliever in the American League who was placed on the injured list, a pitcher dealing with an elbow injury, and an outfielder has an oblique strain.

Houston Astros Place Reliever Ryan Pressly on Injured List with Knee Injury

The Houston Astros have placed reliever Ryan Pressly on the injured list with right knee inflammation, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

The Astros placed Ryan Pressly on the injured list with right knee inflammation. Parker Mushinski is up with the major league team

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 16, 2022

Pressly had started the 2022 MLB season well as he posted a 2.70 ERA in 3 1/3 innings pitched (four games) with three saves, two strikeouts, two walks issued, zero home runs yielded, a 159 ERA+, and 3.67 FIP.

He had a superb 2021 campaign with the Astros by compiling a 2.25 ERA in 64 innings pitched (64 games) with 26 saves, 81 strikeouts, 13 walks surrendered, four home runs allowed, a 191 ERA+, 2.06 FIP, and 0.96 WHIP.

The Astros do have other options with Pressly being injured.

They could go with former Philadelphia Phillies closer Hector Neris or choose to do closer by committee.

The loss of Pressly is enormous for the Astros as he is the anchor of their bullpen.

The Astros are hopeful Pressly can return to the team when eligible to come off the injured list.

Baltimore Orioles Place Starting Pitcher John Means on Injured List with Elbow injury

According to a team announcement, the Baltimore Orioles have placed starting pitcher John Means on the injured list with a left elbow strain.

We have made the following roster moves:
-Placed LHP John Means on the 10-day Injured List (left elbow strain, retroactive to 4/14)
-LHP Kevin Smith cleared outright waivers and assigned to Triple-A Norfolk
-Selected the contract RHP Travis Lakins from Triple-A Norfolk

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 15, 2022

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde described the injury to Means as a forearm muscle strain and mentioned they would do more tests on his elbow.

Means left his last outing after four innings and has allowed just three runs in eight innings in two starts this year.

Means was the lone bright spot for an Orioles pitching staff that ranked last in the Majors last year in ERA.

He posted a 3.62 ERA in 146 2/3 innings pitched (26 starts) with 134 strikeouts, 30 home runs allowed, 26 walks issued, a 126 ERA+, 4.62 FIP, and 1.03 WHIP.

He also tossed a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners last May.

The loss of Means is significant for the Orioles as he was their Opening Day starter, and the team does not have much experience in their starting rotation.

The Orioles are hopeful they will receive positive news regarding Means after performing more tests on his elbow.

Toronto Blue Jays Place Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez on IL with Oblique Strain

According to a team announcement, the Toronto Blue Jays have placed outfielder Teoscar Hernandez on the injured list with a left oblique strain.

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 OF Teoscar Hernández (left oblique strain) placed on 10-day IL

🔹 INF Gosuke Katoh recalled from Triple-A and will be active tonight pic.twitter.com/I8Uz3VnEL1

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 14, 2022

Hernandez suffered the injury during a game last week against the New York Yankees.

Hernandez had started the 2022 season strong by posting a .316 batting average and .961 OPS across six games.

The Blue Jays will miss his presence in the lineup as he was stellar for the club last season.

He had a .296 average and .870 OPS in 143 games with 163 hits, 29 doubles, 32 home runs, 116 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, and was selected as an All-Star.

The Blue Jays plan to use a rotation of Raimel Tapia and Bradley Zimmer with Hernandez injured.

The MLB club might shift center fielder George Springer to right field when Zimmer is playing, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.

Re Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo: “You never know with obliques — but I don’t think it’s as bad as we thought.”

Plan is to fill Hernandez’s absence with rotation of Raimel Tapia & Brad Zimmer. George Springer could shift over to right when Zimmer’s playing

— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) April 14, 2022

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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