Spring Headlines: Carter Capps undergoes Tommy John surgery
If the Miami Marlins hope to contend in 2016, they’ll have to do so without one of their best reliever. Carter Capps underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday and will likely miss all of 2016, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
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The news doesn’t come as a huge shock, particularly after it was announced that Capps would meet with Dr. James Andrews on Monday. It’s never a good thing when a pitcher is dealing with an arm issue, but a visit to Andrews is usually the nail in the coffin.
The injury is fairly devastating for Miami. After emerging as a useful reliever in 2014, Capps turned himself into one of the best late-inning options in the game last season. In 31 innings with the Marlins, he posted a 1.16 ERA.
Due to his strange delivery, which involves him jumping off the pitching rubber as he’s throwing, Capps struck out an insane 49.2 percent of batters he faced. That figure would have led all pitchers had Capps tossed enough innings to qualify.
The Marlins were already considered a fringe playoff candidate even with a healthy Capps. Now that he’s injured, the club will have an even harder time fighting for contention in the tough National League.
OTHER SPRING HEADLINES
Pay the man: After a successful first season at the helm, Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch had his contract re-worked by the club. Hinch received a raise and an extension from the team. The terms of the revised deal have not been released. [Houston Chronicle]
All the power: The Baltimore Orioles’ signing of Pedro Alvarez gives them a ton of power, but team defense remains a big question. [The Stew]
Decision coming: Commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to announce a ruling on Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig’s domestic violence case soon. [@BNightengale]
Mistake: Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech broke his pitching hand in an altercation with one of his teammates. [WEEI]
Team preview: Can Giancarlo Stanton power the Marlins to a playoff spot? [The Stew]
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
