MASH Report (8/15/13)

Another few days of little injury news (not even one pitcher came of the DL). I am looking at few players and running the SLOW values for just the last couple of months. Additionally, I am slowing making some changes to the DL table. When applicable, I am trying to be a little more precise when a player will return in 2014. So if they had a major injury (e.g. TJS), I am going to begin to put in some possible return dates (month/year). For players just shutdown for the 2013 season, I will put EOS (end of season).

• Jeremy Hefner was placed on the DL with a torn ligament in his elbow. Cases like Hefner intrigue me. He has been battling the injury since June (source).

Collins said the diagnosis likely explains Hefner’s recent ineffectiveness.

“This certainly had a lot to do with it,” Collins said before the Mets’ 5-4, 12-inning loss to the Dodgers last night. “I know he could pitch with it, that’s why he did, but we just saw a big difference that there had to be something that we tried to address.”

Collins said the organization was aware of Hefner’s elbow soreness since at least June.

At the start of the season, his fastball velocity was at 90.3 mph and his average game Zone% was 42.3%. Since the start of June, his fastball is up to 91 mph and his average game Zone% stood at 46.2%. Signs pointed to Hefner getting healthier as the season dragged on. I don’t see any way of predicting this injury.

• MASH whipping boy, Alexi Ogando, is hurt, again. It is his shoulder this time. His usefulness for the 2013 season is probably coming to an end.

• Josh Johnson is headed to the DL again. A pitcher is not going to last in the majors throwing less than 44% of his pitches for strikes. He is either hurt, the team is going to make up an injury for him or the he will be sent to the minors or released.

• Gio Gonzalez experienced some back pain during his last start. He has been on my radar for a few months. His performance has improved recently (Zone% and velocity are both higher). It will be interesting to see if the back issues continue.

• Edinson Volquez thinks he is tipping his pitches since both his 2013 BABIP (.292 to .330) and HR/9 (0.7 to 0.9) are up. Maybe it is because he lost 1.5 mph off his fastball.

• Dan Uggla is getting LASIK surgery and it may be behind his bat speed drop. It will be interesting to see if he improves have the surgery.

SLOW (Swinging Late or Whiffing) Hitters (July and August 2013 with a min 20 fastballs in the heart of the strike zone)

July and August 2013 SLOWest Bats

Rank	Hitter	SLOW (July & August)
1	Delmon Young	95.6
2	Francisco Liriano	92.7
3	Carlos Gonzalez	91.2
4	J.P. Arencibia	80.6
5	B.J. Upton	78.3
6	Junior Lake	75.6
7	Brandon Barnes	74.6
8	Mark Trumbo	71.6
9	Robbie Grossman	70.7
10	Oswaldo Arcia	70.3
11	Luis Cruz	69.4
12	Carlos Gomez	68.7
13	Donnie Murphy	68.7
14	Wil Nieves	66.7
15	Allen Craig	65.5
16	Reed Johnson	65.1
17	Tim Lincecum	65.0
18	Jarrod Saltalamacchia	63.7
19	Clete Thomas	63.0
20	Carlos Quentin	62.1
21	Brandon Phillips	60.6
22	Clayton Kershaw	60.1
23	Matt Holliday	60.0
24	Pedro Florimon Jr.	59.6
25	Mike Carp	59.5
26	Adam Jones	58.5
27	Chris Iannetta	57.9
28	Carlos Pena	57.7
29	John Mayberry	57.1
30	Wilson Ramos	55.5

• It should be no surprise Carlos Gonzalez is on the list. He has struggled with a finger sprain since just before the All-Star break. Before the break, he was hitting .302/.370/.610. Since then, he is at .297/.341/.405. Hopefully some rest on the DL will do him some good.

• Allen Craig is on the list also. I looked for any possible injury and could not find one. He has struggled mightily in the second half of the season (.258/.343/.333) compared to the first half (.333/.378/.494). It would be nice for him to show some improvement down the stretch.

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.