MASH Report (7/10/14)

Next week I am taking a vacation. I am thinking I will publish just the DL table mid-week and that is probably it. Last time I went on vacation, it took forever to catch back up on it.

• Masahiro Tanaka ended up on the DL with an inflamed elbow. Looking over his past starts, nothing points to a possible injury. Velocity was fine. Consistent release point. He was throwing strikes. Hopefully the Yankees caught the injury in time.

• Jered Weaver’s back acted up in his last game limiting him to 24 pitches. I would not start him in the next start. I just don’t think he will be heatlhy. He has had back problems in the past and just the normal 4 days rest isn’t going to solve it again.

One sign to look for if he is healthy in his possible start is if he is throwing his curve 20% of the time. In the injury shortened outing, he didn’t throw it once. He was almost all fastballs. I think he knew something was wrong from the start and knew the curve would make it worse.

• Jose Reyes has been dealing with a sore shoulder for over a month. How has his production suffered?

Until June 9th: .146 ISO, 11% K% (contact issues)
After June 9th: .132 ISO, 12% K%

I would not call that suffering. His shoulder must not be hurting his hitting too much.

• David Laurila talked to Jeff Samardzija on pitch counts and injuries. Read the entire article because I just can’t cut and paste the whole thing, but here is a sampling.

“Right, but let your velo drop and see what happens,” answered Samardzija, whose fastball has averaged 94.6 mph over his career “We’ve seen it with Verlander. Any time he’s had struggles, the first thing everyone goes to is his velo, because that’s the easiest and most obvious thing the everyday fan can understand. It’s not always the case. There are a number of things that go into success on the mound. It’s similar to pitch counts and injuries in that it’s one of many aspects, but for many people it’s the easy out.”

• Yadier Molina may miss some time with a strained thumb. More results on the way today.

• Carlos Beltran has two facial fractures. Depending on the details, he could be out just a bit or maybe the rest of the season.

• Alex Gordon will be out for while with a sprained wrist.

Gordon sat in front of his locker, a rare location for him during his carefully-regimented pre-game routine. He skipped his usual activity on Wednesday due to a nagging sprain in his right wrist. The injury scratched him from starting Wednesday’s game, earned him an appointment with team doctors and an MRI tube today and effectively ruled him out for this weekend’s four games against Detroit.

“I can’t swing,” Gordon said. “That’s when it hurts.”

With the All Star Game coming up, it is up in the air if he officially will go on the DL.

• Carlos Gonzalez expects to be activated tomorrow.

• So could Mark Trumbo.

• Joe Kelley is scheduled to start against the Brewers on Friday.

• Francisco Liriano will start for the Pirates on Sunday.

Reports put velocity near previous levels this season.

Liriano looks good sitting 92-94, gives up 2 hits on fastball’s up.

— Castle ⚾ (@TheACastle) July 7, 2014

• Brett Anderson will start for the Rockies on Sunday.

• Dexter Fowler may be activated on Saturday.

• For deep keeper leagues, the Blue Jays Roberto Osuna (#5 ranked Blue Jays prospect) is back pitching in the minors after having Tommy John surgery last season.

• Seems like Homer Bailey will be out for a while with a knee injury which occurred today.

Fastball Velocity Watch for Pitchers Returning From the DL

• Bud Norris’s average fastball velocity looks fine.

• Dillon Gee’s velocity is up a couple mph.

• Jeremy Hellickson’s velocity is at his lowest levels from the past two seasons.

Players on the DL

Players on the DL

(*) 15 Day Disabled List
(**) 60 Day Disabled List
(***) 7 Day Concussion List
(****) Free Agent
Red colored entries are updates since last report.

Major League Report

173
Minor League Report

On DL