MASH Report (7/2/15)

• Heads up, I am off for a long vacation in the Rockies with limited to no internet access, so no MASH Reports next week.

Today is “Activate Your Injured Pitcher from the DL” Day.

• The big name coming off the DL will be Jose Fernandez. Players coming back from Tommy John surgeries usually struggles with command when they return. At the Hardball Times, I reported the following:

The first season back from Tommy John is by far the worst for the pitcher, with all major stats headed in the wrong direction. By the second year, most stats have stabilized, except strikeouts. It’s not surprising to see strikeouts decline, since velocity is also declining.

Besides a drop in production, Fernandez will likely have his innings limited.

• Besides Jose Fernandez, Matt Moore will be activated today to face the Indians.

• And so will Matt Cain.

• And Chad Billingsley.

• Aaron Harang is on the DL with plantar faciatis.

Aaron Harang to DL, Phillies announce. He has plantar faciatis

— Jim Salisbury (@JimSalisbury215) July 2, 2015

• Cory Spangenberg is on the DL with a knee contusion.

• George Springer will likely go on the DL.

AJ said he's not optimistic Springer will avoid the DL. #Astros

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 2, 2015

• Jon Jay may also go on the DL because of his wrist which has bothered him all year.

Jay was out of the lineup for a second straight game on Wednesday and said he was to meet with the training staff later in the night to discuss the next step. Asked what that next step could be, manager Mike Matheny said the club was “still working through that.”

“It’s just been something that I’ve had to deal with all year,” Jay added. “I’m not feeling good. We’ll see what’s going to happen.”

Jay played the last few years with occasional wrist discomfort before addressing the injury with surgery just after the 2014 season ended. Recovery from that procedure limited Jay’s participation in Grapefruit League play, though he opened the season as the team’s center fielder.

• When Aaron Sanchez comes off the DL, there may be a debate to see if he will start or be in the bullpen.

It’s still a little too early to determine an exact timeline for his return, but the thought process about what to do when he gets back is already underway. Similar to Spring Training, the Blue Jays have to figure out whether Sanchez provides more value in the rotation or the bullpen.

“I really loved what he was doing when he was starting,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “He was picking up steam, he was moving the right direction, he was really turning into a dominant pitcher. But this setback, it could be a one-time thing we think, and now we have to build him up.

“We’ve also looked at the ‘pen, we have to make it stronger. We like the way it’s starting to set up, but you can always make it stronger, and he’s a guy we definitely think can do that.”

If you are interested in what to think about Tommy John surgeries, several authors have offered up their opinions

• Stephania Bell at ESPN looks at velocity issues

• Murray Chass rants at MurrayChass.com

• Barry Bloom at MLB.com looks at Hall of Fame chances for TJS pitchers.

Velocity Readings

• Bryan Morris’s velocity is down 2 mph compared to before his DL stint.

Players on the DL in 2015

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