Baseball Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Cabrera DL-Bound?
One of baseball’s biggest stars may not be healthy to participate in this month’s All-Star game.
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Miguel Cabrera, currently slated to start the All-Star game at first base for the American League, sustained a left calf strain during Friday’s game against the Blue Jays. Cabrera was running the bases in the fourth inning when he pulled up lame.
The team has asked for a second opinion on Cabrera’s MRI results before making a decision on the slugger, but Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said when Cabrera asks for help to get off the field “you know it’s serious.”
“I’m not optimistic he’s going to avoid the disabled list at this point,” Ausmus said. “But we’ll know more tomorrow, for sure.”
Cabrera’s value to the Tigers can’t be overstated, as evidenced by Friday’s game. The 32-year-old had an RBI single in the first inning and was 2-for-2 before being removed. The two-hit game raised his line to .350/.456/.578 with 15 homers, 54 RBI and 43 runs scored on the year. Cabrera leads the American League in batting average, ranks second in slugging percentage and third in RBI.
The Tigers can’t possibly replace his production, but even finding a warm body to fill in at first base in his absence is a question as things currently stand. Victor Martinez has 198 games at first base under his belt in his career, but Martinez had knee surgery in early spring and hasn’t played in the field at all this year. Miggy has appeared at first base in 77 of the team’s 79 games, with Andrew Romine, Alex Avila, Bryan Holaday and Hernan Perez also seeing time there this year.
Of more concern to the club is when they’ll get their MVP first baseman back. A disabled list stint would at least keep him out until the Tigers’ first series after the All-Star break against the Orioles. It would also preclude him from participating in the Midsummer Classic.
The Tigers should have a better idea of how severe the injury is by Saturday.
Feliz Designated For Assignment
Neftali Feliz returned to action for the Rangers on Friday. It may be the last time in a long time that he pitches for them.
After tossing two scoreless innings in Friday’s loss to the Angels, Feliz was designated for assignment by the Rangers. The right-hander was removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Matt Harrison‘s return Saturday.
“Baseball goes on,” Feliz said after Friday’s game. “There are 30 teams. … My mentality is to keep pitching and keep doing my job. Whatever happens happens.”
The move was the latest step in Feliz’ fall from grace. Feliz was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2010, saving 40 games with a 2.73 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. He remained the team’s closer until the 2012 season, when he was coverted to a starter before Tommy John surgery ended his year.
Feliz has struggled to return to form since the surgery despite owning a 1.99 ERA in 31 2/3 innings last year. This year, Feliz has a 4.58 ERA and 1.68 WHIP through 19 2/3 innings.
Friday’s news doesn’t necessarily signal the end of Feliz’ time with the Rangers, but it’s likely the precursor to a move. The Rangers now have 10 days to trade or waive the 27-year-old or, in the event there is no interest, outright him to a minor league affiliate.
Given his relatively young age and once-promising future, though, a relief-needy team will likely take a shot on Feliz. Which team and how quickly remains to be seen.
Corbin Set For Debut
In a week filled with injured pitchers returning, the Diamondbacks will get their ace back Saturday.
Patrick Corbin, who hasn’t pitched since the 2013 season due to Tommy John surgery, will make his season debut Saturday against the Rockies. When asked this week about the possibility of a return, the left-hander said he’s up to the challenge.
“I’m feeling ready to go,” Corbin said. “I feel like my stuff is there, just as good as it was before. I’m just ready to get back into a game situation, a big-league ballgame. … I know it’s going to be a different atmosphere, but I’m ready to go.”
Corbin was originally supposed to make one more rehab start before being activated, but he showed well enough in his minor league games that the club decided to let him continue his comeback at in the majors. Corbin owned a pedestrian 4.76 ERA and 11/7 K/BB ratio over 17 innings in his rehab starts, but he was touching 95 mph in his starts and he got progressively better as his rehab went along. The 25-year-old struck out five over six innings in his last start, limiting his opponent to two runs.
Most every pitcher who has come back from the elbow surgery has returned, in the early going, as some percentage of his former self, and Corbin will surely be no exception. Jose Fernandez and Matt Moore both had ups and downs in their 2015 debuts on Thursday, and Matt Harvey has had highs and lows in his first full season back from the procedure as well.
Corbin was an All-Star in his last MLB season before the injury, going 14-8 with a 3.41 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 178/54 K/BB ratio over 208 1/3 innings. There will surely be some bumps in the road, but the Diamondbacks will gladly take them in exchange for getting their ace back.
National League Quick Hits: Matt Holliday (quad) increased the intensity of his running on Friday after beginning to jog earlier in the week. A return before the All-Star break remains a 50/50 proposition as of now … the Mets, in desperate need of a shortstop, are willing to overpay to acquire Ben Zobrist from the A’s, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Zobrist does a lot of things for the suddenly hot Athletics, so an overpay would likely be a requirement to acquire Zobrist’s services … Jake Peavy (back) returned from the disabled list Friday, limiting the Nationals to two runs over 6 1/3 innings but taking the loss in the contest.
American League Quick Hits: After attempting to wait it out, the Yankees bit the bullet and placed Carlos Beltran on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained left oblique … an illness isn’t expected to force Sonny Gray to the disabled list. The right-hander has been down and out due to salmonella, but he’s been feeling better in recent days after being discharged from the hospital Wednesday … the Tigers made a slew of moves before Friday’s game, designating Joba Chamberlain and Tom Gorzelanny for assignment while promoting relievers Jeff Ferrell and Drew VerHagen. Chamberlain owned a 4.09 ERA this season, while Gorzelanny had a 6.38 ERA on the season … the Tigers also welcomed Alex Avila back. The catcher was activated and played his first game since May 7, walking twice and scoring a run in the Tigers’ win … Cole Hamels is said to be “unlikely” to approve a trade to the Astros, per CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, despite the club’s apparent interest in the southpaw … another team looking for pitching, the Blue Jays, are said to be interested in Jeff Samardzija … James Loney (finger) was activated from the disabled list Friday, finishing 1-for-4 with an RBI sacrifice fly in a loss … Derek Holland (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday. A rehab assignment draws nearer, but he’s not quite there yet.
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