MASH Report (5/4/15)

• Desmond Jennings was finally forced to the DL with his hurting knee. He wasn’t even able to DH, so he will now rest for a bit.

“It’s always disappointing to go to the DL, no matter what happens, no matter how close you get [to recovery]. It’s just frustrating,” said Jennings, who hopes that added rest will enable him to return to action in eight days, when he’s eligible.

“Before the game, it was hurting. It’s been hurting, but I thought I could go out and DH and play, but I couldn’t,” said Jennings.

The 28-year-old outfielder has not played since being forced to leave last Saturday’s game vs. the Blue Jays with knee soreness.

I am worried about his stolen bases once he returns.

• Chad Billingsley will come off the DL and start for the Phillies on Tuesday. His current fastball velocity looks to be in line with career average of 91.6 mph.

Billingsley's line today w/ IronPigs: 5.2IP, 5H, 2R, 0ER, BB, 6K. Threw 99 pitches. Fastball sat 90-92, touched 93, according to stadium gun

— Stephen Gross (@Stephen_Gross23) April 30, 2015

• Ryan Hanigan got his right hand fractured and had surgery on it. He will not be back until the All-Star game or later.

• Jordan Walden is on the DL with elbow discomfort. He has dealt with it for a few days.

• With Josh Hamilton on the Rangers reports on his health may come out more frequently.

Hamilton took live batting practice off right-hander Kohsuke Tomita and left-hander Matt Har-rison, who is working to return from spinal fusion surgery he underwent last June. General manager Jon Daniels said when Hamilton was acquired from the Angels on April 27 that he hoped Hamilton would make his season debut in mid to late May.

• Alcides Escobar is on the 7-day DL with a concussion.

Escobar took an impact test on Friday and while the results weren’t in yet, Yost said, “He’s going to fail it.”

“He still has some issues,” the skipper said. “He looks great and feels great, but his motor speed and motor skills … he didn’t fare well in that.

“Even though he feels good, his reaction time is down. This is something that could end your career. This isn’t something you play with. I saw it end Corey Koskie’s career in Milwau-kee on just a benign ball where he dove it for it, injured his head and never played again.”

• One of my preseason darlings, T.J. House, went on the DL with a strained shoulder. Not a huge surprise with his velocity down to 2 mph and Zone% down 7.1% points.

• Chris Johnson doesn’t know when he did it, but his hand is broke. He will be out three to six weeks.

• Homer Bailey is lost for the season because of Tommy John surgery.

• Eric O’Flaherty is going on the DL with a strained shoulder.

• Tim Stauffer will miss some time with an intercostal strain.

• Casey Fien will be out for the minimal 15 days with a strained shoulder.

Velocity Readings

• Ricky Nolasco’s average fastball velocity was at a three year high after returning from the DL.

• Alex Colome’s velocity looked fine on his return.

• Brian Duensing’s seems fine also.

• Danny Hultzen made his first start in 20 months and showed OK velo, but down 5 mph from his peak.

Danny Hultzen: 2 strikeouts in scoreless top of 1st! 88-91 mph fastball, great changeup at 78! @BlueWahoosBBall 0, #JacksonGenerals up next!

— Jackson Generals (@jacksongenerals) May 2, 2015

Players on the DL in 2015

The Red players have had updates since the last report. Click on the “Date” for a link to goto the latest article on the player.