Week That Was: Week That Was: Dodging Bullets
It was a scary week for a couple of the National League’s premier starting pitchers, but luckily, it appears both were able to avoid anything serious.
Stephen Strasburg bowed out of his marquee Monday match-up against Clayton Kershaw due to a back strain that he sustained while lifting weights over the weekend. Strasburg played catch on Wednesday and the team was encouraged by how it went. It looks like Washington’s co-ace will make his next scheduled start against Milwaukee. The Brewers lead the NL in strikeouts and rank 12th in scoring, so Strasburg could be in for a big game on Sunday.
Noah Syndergaard left his outing against the Royals on Sunday after six innings and only 91 pitches when his elbow started barking. However, an MRI found no structural damage and Thor is not expected to miss a start. We’re a tad more concerned about this one because it’s the second time this season Syndergaard has needed to have his elbow examined, but obviously his owners need to stick with him until something significant comes up.
Whew.
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* Last week in this space, we recommended selling high on Colby Lewis. Hopefully you acted fast. As it turns out, it was not the righty’s contact-heavy ways that foiled him, but rather a Grade 2 lat strain that is expected to keep him out for at least two months.
The Rangers are scrambling for rotation reinforcements because they also lost Derek Holland this week to shoulder inflammation. There’s presently no timetable for his return, but he had been struggling so it stands to reason he will be out for a while to try and get right.
* The Astros drafted A.J. Reed out of the University Kentucky in the second round of the 2014 draft. Last year, in his first full professional season, the numbers he put up were jaw-dropping. In 135 games between Single-A and Double-A, the first baseman hit .340/.432/.612 with 34 home runs and 127 RBI.
His production in Triple-A this year wasn’t quite as transcendent, but Reed was still playing well with an .854 OPS and 11 homers in 59 games. Now, he’ll get a shot in the majors. Reed is coming up on Saturday and should see fairly consistent playing time with Houston. As power hitters go, he’s not all that strikeout prone. Give him a look if you need some pop.
* Willson Contreras had a memorable first big-league at-bat on Sunday, entering in the sixth inning as a pinch-hitter and launching the first pitch he saw over the wall for a two-run homer. It was a tantalizing glimpse of what the offense-minded catcher is capable of. Later in the week, Joe Maddon mentioned that Contreras will see time in the outfield, in addition to catcher and first base. It looks like he might have a Kyle Schwarber type usage scheme, and if so the 24-year-old has a chance to be quite valuable.
* Julio Teheran dropped a one-hit shutout on the Mets on Sunday, adding to what has been a tremendous season for the 25-year-old. Through 15 starts, he is sitting with a 2.66 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 92-to-24 K/BB ratio over 98 innings. He is shaping up as a quite a trade chip for the last-place Braves, and even though he’s still young and relatively cheap, they’re going to have to listen of offers as the deadline approaches. Count the Red Sox as one team with interest, according to Jim Bowden.
It would certainly be a nice development for fantasy owners if the right-hander were dealt to Boston, or any team with an offense. Despite his fine work on the mound this year, Teheran is just 3-7.
* The Red Sox are also said be inquiring on Atlanta’s closer, Arodys Vizcaino, who is “drawing intense interest” per Jon Heyman. Like Teheran, Vizcaino’s fantasy appeal would greatly benefit from a move. Save chances have been few and far between for the Braves, but the 25-year-old righty is hugely talented and could rack them up with a quality club.
* In other Braves news, outfielder Mallex Smith suffered a broken thumb when he was hit by a pitch on Sunday and is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks, putting him out until late August or early September. Smith had been a nice contributor thanks to his speed, producing 14 steals and four triples. His replacement on the roster, veteran Emilio Bonifacio, also brings some wheels and was 23-for-27 on steals in Triple-A, but it’s doubtful he’ll hit enough to offer any real value.
* The Mets are looking at Jose Reyes as a potential solution at third base, where they have a major hole in David Wright‘s absence. Reports suggest that a reunion could come together as soon as this weekend. Reyes would likely head to the minors to sharpen up at the hot corner, where he has zero major-league experience. The 33-year-old is a shell of his former self but can still swipe enough bases to be relevant. The Mets have attempted the fewest steals in the National League, however.
* Chris Young had been playing left field regularly for the Red Sox, but went down with a hamstring strain on Thursday and will miss at least a few weeks. With Brock Holt and Blake Swihart sidelined by injuries, and Rusney Castillo recently removed from the 40-man roster, it’s unclear how Boston will move forward in left.
* One option would have been trying to acquire Oswaldo Arcia, who was designated for assignment by the Twins last week, but Boston’s division rivals jumped on that opportunity. The Rays acquired Arcia from the Twins for cash or a player to be named on Friday. The slugging lefty has been an overly aggressive strikeout machine for some time now, but he had 36 MLB home runs by his 24th birthday, which was just over a year ago. It’ll be interesting to see what he can do if Tampa gives him regular at-bats.
* The Mariners sent Nori Aoki to Triple-A on Friday. The outfielder has been scuffling against lefties in particular, with a brutal .434 OPS in 87 plate appearances. It’s good news for Franklin Gutierrez, who has been hitting well but fighting for playing time.
