MASH Report (7/1/13)

In the last MASH Report, I introduced SLOW which looks for hitters having problems catching up with fastballs. From now on, I will be looking at players on HURT and PAIN for my Monday/Tuesday post and then SLOW for my Thursday/Friday post. Today, I have three closers coming off the DL, several reports of hitters playing through injuries and some other tidbits.

• Michael Pineda is looking to return to the majors soon. A week ago, I looked at the data available on him so far during his rehab. I have found a bit more recent data on his return:

Pineda threw only three innings Sunday in a start for Trenton against Binghamton, the Mets’ Double-A affiliate. Pineda allowed four runs on four hits and four walks, striking out four. He gave up two home runs, throwing only 32 of his 67 pitches for strikes.

According to one scout, Pineda’s fastball ranged from 90-95 mph, sitting mostly around 92. The scout said Pineda fell behind too many hitters, was inconsistent with his fastball command, throwing “flat” fastballs that got very few swings and misses, exhibiting a “sluggish” demeanor on the mound.

The fastball velocity still looks to be down a few mph and he seemed to struggle throwing strikes. Temper expectations for him.

• Paul Konerko is dealing with back issues. A 37-year-old with back issues is never a good sign. I don’t see any reason to hold on to him in all but the deepest of leagues.

• Chris Perez’s fastball velocity sits a little on the low side.

Since returning, his per game Zone% scores are the lowest of the season. I would be stashing Vinnie Pestano as backup until Perez is throwing better.

• J.J. Putz’s fastball velocity is near a 3-year low.

Besides the low velocity, he has changed his release point.

It is too early to tell if the change is for the good or bad, but it is different. If desperate for Saves, stashing Heath Bell or David Hernandez may be a smart move.

• Rafael Betancourt’s cutter speed is at a season high after his DL stint. Good news for him.

HURT (Hitter’s Under-performance from Recent Trauma) Rankings (all hitter with 100 PA in 2013 and 500 PA from 2010 to 2012)

Any player with a HURT value over 100 (red) has the traits of a batter playing through and injury.

Rank	Name	HURT	PA (2010-2012)	PA (2013)
1	B.J. Upton	168	1883	283
2	John Jaso	162	1038	205
3	Ike Davis	160	1334	207
4	Nolan Reimold	149	505	113
5	Seth Smith	144	1372	276
6	Albert Pujols	139	2021	362
7	Alex Avila	127	1318	188
8	Melky Cabrera	121	1716	335
9	Matt Kemp	120	1806	230
10	Chris Johnson	120	1295	235
11	Chris Iannetta	112	902	231
12	Lance Berkman	109	1165	268
13	Aramis Ramirez	107	1763	187
14	Jason Heyward	107	1730	245
15	Miguel Montero	107	1457	300
16	Jarrod Saltalamacchia	104	864	247
17	Garrett Jones	102	1647	255
18	Justin Turner	101	690	102
19	Jimmy Rollins	100	1724	348
20	Kevin Youkilis	96	1461	118

• Melky Cabrera has finally been placed on the DL after playing through knee pain for almost the entire season. The main factor for the high HURT score was a halving of ISO. Additionally, his Speed Score and Contact rate are down.

• Aramis Ramirez is still dealing with his knee injury he went on the DL for earlier in the season.

Ramirez sprained his left knee in early April and missed 23 games while on the disabled list. Although he had three hits and climbed to one knock away from 2,000 for his career on Saturday, Ramirez has been playing through the lingering injury.

Just like Cabrera, all the signs existed which indicated an injury, drop in power, speed and contact rate.

• Jimmy Rollins is just entering the list for the first time (decline in power and speed, contact rate is up just a bit). He dealt with foot and hip injuries in mid June and they seem to still be bothering him.

PAIN (Pitcher Abuse INdex) Rankings (pitchers 25-years-old or younger, 60 IP in 2012, 30 Ip in 2013)

Any player with a PAIN value over 100 (red) has the traits of a pitcher likely to be hurt.

Rank	Name	PAIN	IP (2013)	IP (2012)
1	Jason Marquis	216.5	94.2	127.2
2	Lucas Harrell	167.4	100.0	193.2
3	Alexi Ogando	146.0	55.1	66.0
4	Esmil Rogers	123.7	60.2	78.2
5	Matt Moore	123.5	86.2	177.1
6	John Axford	105.3	34.1	69.1
7	Francisco Liriano	102.7	60.2	156.2
8	Luis Mendoza	100.7	75.2	166.0
9	Craig Stammen	92.9	42.2	88.1
10	Carlos Villanueva	89.9	67.2	125.1
11	Jered Weaver	88.4	47.2	188.2
12	Jake Westbrook	87.5	61.0	174.2
13	Ryan Dempster	80.7	100.2	173.0
14	Burke Badenhop	79.2	37.1	62.1
15	Felix Hernandez	74.2	116.2	232.0
16	Scott Feldman	69.6	91.0	123.2
17	Jamey Wright	65.9	38.2	67.2
18	Josh Johnson	65.8	48.1	191.1
19	Yovani Gallardo	62.2	98.2	204.0
20	Ryan Webb	56.7	36.1	60.1

• Some people have stated Justin Verlander may be dealing with some injuries.

It’s not an injury. If it were, the Tigers would not be pitching him, rest assured. Not with as much as they have invested in the continuing health of his right arm.

For all pitchers with 120 IP in 2012 and 60 so far in 2013, he ranks 33 out 90. Yes, his velocity and Zone% are down, but not to level to level to be worried about. He is still throwing strikes over half the time. I think Verlander is seeing the aging effects of a 30-year-old instead of an injury.

Players on the DL

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