MASH Report (5/19/14)

May 19, 2014

• It is looking like Matt Wieters may not play again in 2014. Additionally the earliest he could be back is in July.

After Wieters fully rests from the injection, the Orioles expect to get a more definitive idea about what’s going on with the elbow. Showalter has said he would like to know by July 1 whether Wieters can return behind the plate this season.

For owners in shallow leagues and short benches, I could see him as droppable right now.

• Chris Sale may pitch Wednesday, but probably not. Maybe later this week. No one is for sure.

Ventura didn’t seem to be leaning toward Wednesday in Kansas City — when Sale was next scheduled to pitch — as the date for Sale’s first appearance since one-hitting the Red Sox over seven innings and 127 pitches on April 17. But Sale could bypass a second injury rehab start, throw on the side in Kansas City and pitch this weekend at home against the Yankees.

“He could,” said Ventura, referring to Sale doing some work in Kansas City, but not committing to his next start.

“Again, we are going to make sure about all of this when we get there, that he’s able to do all the things that [pitching coach Don Cooper] likes to put him through to make sure he feels good. There’s no sense having him come there and not do anything. He’ll probably throw a little bit.”

Depending on how a medical exam goes today, he should be pitching in the majors within a week.

• Gio Gonzalez went on the DL with an inflamed shoulder which has been bothering him for a bit.

Gonzalez has been dealing with shoulder problems dating back to his April 23 start against the Angels, but he said it was nothing to be concerned about. However, he had one of his roughest starts Saturday in a 5-2 loss against the Mets, allowing five runs in three innings. After the game, he declined to discuss his shoulder problems, saying he had to gut it out on the mound.

“It’s one of those things you’ve just got to grind through,” Gonzalez said. “I’m just trying to find out what it is, and hopefully something positive comes out of it.”

Looking at his injury indicators, not much seemed glaringly wrong. Small drop in velocity. Zone% good. Good late in game consistency. With so many good signs, he may return quickly.

• Prince Fielder (HURT = 76) has been dealing with a neck issue since 2013.

“It’s hard to say exactly, but it makes some sense,” Daniels said. “If you put two and two together, it stands to reason it affected him some. He said there was a lack of strength in his left arm that may have impacted his ability to hit for power.”

Daniels said Fielder did not undergo a physical after being acquired from the Tigers this offseason for second baseman Ian Kinsler. He did have a standard physical in Spring Training, but was not examined for this issue because nobody was aware at the time it was a problem. Fielder did not inform the Rangers until after the regular season began.

Fielder’s ISO and dropped from .215 in 2012 to .178 in in 2013 to .113 this season. He wasn’t showing up high on the HURT metric because he has been able to make consistent contact during the time frame.

• Andrew Cashner is on the DL with a sore elbow.

“I think it just has some inflammation in it,” [Cashner] said. “Hopefully it’s not more than 15 days. I think there was some extra soreness this time, but I’m not worried at all about my ligament. I have been cutting my fastball loose with no pain.”

It was similar to the soreness he experienced after a start against the Royals on May 7, according to San Diego general manager Josh Byrnes.

“More than anything, we wanted to err on the side of caution with the soreness he has had off and on,” Black said. “He came in and was quite honest and we should really consider this because I want to nip this in the bud instead of trying to push something.”

Like Gonzalez above, no real glaring injury signs with Cashner. At least for the last few days, pitchers seem to be a little more willing to come forward with possible injuries.

• Cuban defector, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, is beginning his minor league rehab assignment and pitched OK.

Gonzalez reached 94 mph with his fastball and threw 69 pitches. He was charged with three runs on six hits, striking out one against two walks.

Gonzalez is on the 60-day disabled list and needs to build arm strength after dealing with right shoulder tendinitis in Spring Training. But the fact that he’s pitching in games is an encouraging sign for the organization.

• Hyun-Jin Ryu expects to start for the Dodgers on Wednesday.

• The Rockies plans are to have Michael Cuddyer come off the DL tomorrow.

Fastball Velocity Watch for Pitchers Returning From the DL

• Anibal Sanchez’s velocity looks fine