MLB Injuries

The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed Hyun-Jin Ryu on the 10-day injured list due to neck soreness, retroactive to Thursday, the team announced Friday. 

In a corresponding move, right-handed pitchers Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin will be on the club's active roster as of Friday night. 

The 32-year-old pitcher last started Wednesday in a 5-1 win over Colorado in which he tossed six innings and allowed no earned runs. Ryu holds an MLB-leading 1.53 ERA and National League-leading 0.936 WHIP through 21 starts this season, per Baseball Reference, as well as an 11-2 record.

Ryu's top-tier production so far in 2019 earned him his first career All-Star nod, and he served as the NL starter. 

The Dodgers can be encouraged by the fact Ryu has already overcome an injury this season as he was sent to the 10-day IL in April with a strained groin. Last season, contrastingly, the southpaw suffered a more severe groin injury in May and did not return until Aug. 15. 

Other Dodgers starters on the injured list include Rich Hill (left forearm strain) and Ross Stripling (stiff neck, right biceps tendinitis). 

As a result, the Dodgers turn their attention to May, who is making his first MLB start Friday night. 

"Forty-five minutes after the organization failed to acquire the sort of starting or relief pitching many expected it to [at the trade deadline], May had received the call," Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown wrote earlier Friday.

Brown added: "The Dodgers will spend the next two months auditioning jobs for the postseason, two or three of those in the bullpen ahead of Kenley Jansen. May would be among those options."

The Dodgers enter Friday night's matchup with the San Diego Padres with a 72-39 record and commanding 16-game lead in the NL West. 

Washington Nationals star pitcher Max Scherzer is once again dealing with an injury four days after returning from the injured list.

The team announced Monday that the three-time Cy Young winner had been put back on the injured list, retroactive to July 26, with a mild rhomboid strain. Erick Fedde has been called up from Double-A. 

Scherzer, 35, has once again been Washington's ace this season, headlining a rotation that also includes Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez. The veteran has gone 9-5 with a 2.41 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 189 strikeouts in 134.1 innings.

But injuries have played a role in his 2019 campaign. He was placed on the 10-day injured list in July with a mid-back strain, which interrupted a brilliant nine-game stretch of starts before the All-Star break that saw him go 7-0 with a 0.84 ERA. 

Scherzer returned for a start against the Colorado Rockies on July 25. He allowed three runs on four hits with eight strikeouts in five innings. 

With Scherzer dealing with another injury, however, the cause for concern may be deepening. While the Nationals could turn to Fedde as their fifth starter while Scherzer is out of action, replacing the seven-time All-Star's impact on the mound is essentially impossible. 

As the Nationals gear up for a late-season battle to earn a postseason berth, the loss of Scherzer for any amount of time could have serious ramifications. 

The Tampa Bay Rays announced Thursday they have placed ace Blake Snell on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Monday, because of "loose bodies" in his left elbow. The team expects him back on the mound in September.

The Athletic's Josh Tolentino first reported the news Thursday and noted Snell will have surgery on the elbow "to remove a loose body."

Snell was the American League Cy Young winner in 2018. He finished 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and 2.95 FIP in 31 appearances, per FanGraphs. His 4.8 WAR ranked only seventh among AL pitchers, though.

The Rays rewarded the left-hander with a five-year, $50 million extension in the offseason.

Snell got off to a great start in 2019, striking out 36 batters and allowing six earned runs in his first 25 innings. Tampa Bay then placed him on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right toe in April. The circumstances behind his injury were odd, to say the least.

#Rays Snell said he was getting out of the shower Sunday night, decided then to move a decorative stand in the bathroom that he didn’t realize was in 2 parts, and as he lifted it the bottom piece, made of granite, fell on his right foot. That fourth toe is a bruised red mess. https://t.co/KHUOk5FcBL

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 16, 2019

Since returning to the mound, Snell has regressed. In 20 starts, he's 6-7 with a 4.28 ERA and a 3.40 FIP.

The Rays far exceeded expectations last season, winning 90 games and missing out on a wild-card berth by seven games. They continue to contend for the postseason in what is one of MLB's toughest divisions. They're a game back of the final wild-card spot.

Snell was a big reason for Tampa Bay's success a season ago, so his absence will leave an obvious hole in the team's starting rotation.

Chicago Cubs slugger Kris Bryant was reportedly forced to leave Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants after suffering an injury to his knee.

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, Bryant exited with right knee soreness.

An extended absence could be damaging for the Cubs as Bryant remains one of the team's most important players.

After an up-and-down 2018 season, the 27-year-old is once again a force at the plate in 2019 entering Wednesday's game with a .299 batting average and .962 OPS so far this season. He currently has 20 home runs in 96 games after hitting 13 home runs all last season.

Bryant is back to resembling the player who won the 2016 NL MVP and the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year award.

His versatility is also extremely valuable as he can line up at third base, first base, left field or right field, giving the Cubs plenty of options in each game.

It also makes him difficult to replace on the field, although David Bote will likely see the biggest boost in playing time at third base if Bryant misses additional time.

Meanwhile, Chicago will hope injuries don't become a recurring problem for Bryant, who was limited to 102 games in 2018 while dealing with shoulder injuries. After appearing in at least 150 games in each of his first three seasons, though, the squad will hope this latest stretch of bad luck is just a fluke.

New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is on the injured list with right shoulder fatigue, and Wheeler downplayed the injury to reporters Tuesday.

"I mean, it doesn't really scare me," Wheeler said, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "We got an MRI, and it came back pretty much clean besides that. So, I'm just happy it's nothing structural, and [I] can deal with what I got and be back in a short amount of time." 

However, Wheeler declined to set a hard timeline for his return.

Zack Wheeler defined his shoulder injury as an impingement. He says it "doesn't scare" him, and shouldn't keep him out long. pic.twitter.com/MaG01AnlIR

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 16, 2019

The Mets placed Wheeler on the 10-day injured list on Monday, but the move is retroactive to Friday. 

The 29-year-old last started prior to the All-Star break on July 7—an 8-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in which he gave up six earned runs across five innings. Overall this season, Wheeler has posted a 4.69 ERA and 6-6 record. 

Wheeler is coming off of his best season yet in 2018—tallying career-bests in record (12-7), ERA (3.31) and WHIP (1.124). The fact that he is one year removed from his best production after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015 which cost him the 2015 and 2016 seasons bodes well for the Mets' ability to trade Wheeler.

However, this latest injury could throw a wrench in those presumed plans. 

On Friday, according to Newsday's Tim Healey, New York general manager Brodie Van Wagenen disclosed that "moving expiring contracts is more of a focus" for the 42-51 Mets prior to the deadline. With that context, it's relevant that Wheeler will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. 

"Now, even if the best-case scenario plays out—he starts as soon as possible, pitches again five days later and shows he is healthy and able—this IL stint will instill a degree of doubt in teams interested in acquiring Wheeler, a blow to the Mets’ hopes of maximizing the value of their expiring contracts," Healey  wrote Monday.

In the short-term, according to MLB.com, Steven Matz is expected to step in for Wheeler as New York's starter Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. 

St. Louis Cardinals announced Tuesday third baseman Matt Carpenter has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right foot contusion.

Infielder Edmundo Sosa has been recalled from Triple-A to take his roster spot.

Carpenter, 33, has continued to thrive for the Cardinals, hitting .257 with 36 homers (a career high) and 81 RBI in 2018. He was one of the bright spots for the Cardinals last year, though he hasn't been as good in 2019, hitting .215 with 10 homers and 29 RBI in 81 games.

Coming into the 2019 campaign, Carpenter hit 20 or more home runs in four straight seasons, solidifying himself as a solid option in the field at the corners and in the middle of the lineup for the Cardinals. The team's manager, Mike Shildt, spoke about the impact Carpenter has had on the team last August after he hit his 32nd homer of the year, per Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com:

"Clearly, he's a special player, a special guy. I'm just happy for him. He's put a lot of time and energy into his career and he's always looking to grow from the previous version of Matt Carpenter. So if people ask, 'Is this is a surprise for you?' Not really, for me personally, because he's always looking to evolve. That's a special trait. I'm just happy to see him get the fruits of his labor."

The Cardinals have also gotten the fruits of that labor, though they'll be without them while he's sidelined. In his stead, Tommy Edman will slide into the starting position at third base.

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer has landed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 10) with a mid-back strain, according to Byron Kerr of MASN Sports.

Scherzer told reporters on July 7 that he started feeling back discomfort after a June 30 outing against the Detroit Tigers. The issue return for a July 6 appearance against the Kansas City Royals, although the right-hander still struck out 25 batters over 15.0 innings while allowing just one run over those two starts.

The injury forced Scherzer to miss the All-Star Game, but he was scheduled to start Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. That won't happen, however, as he finishes out his injured-list stint.

"This is not something to be overly concerned about," Scherzer said Friday. "I know the feeling of what it’s going to take to get back on the mound and get completely through the ball. Like I said, we’re only a matter of days. This isn’t a long-term injury."

The three-time Cy Young Award winner has experienced bad injury luck lately. Scherzer took a ball to the face during batting practice June 18 and underwent tests that determined he suffered a broken nose:

An update on Max Scherzer https://t.co/AOxwdFJNbJ

— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) June 19, 2019

Scherzer still made his start the next day, striking out 10 in seven innings pitched for a 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. His excellent performance through injury came at the same time rumors swirled that the Nationals might trade him:

What would need to happen for the Nats to trade Mad Max?@Ken_Rosenthal weighs in on #HighHeat with @MadDogUnleashed. pic.twitter.com/HP9YUZDeRi

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 18, 2019

However, the Nats have gone 29-11 in its last 40 games to surge into the National League's first wild-card spot. With Washington looking like it will be in contention deep into the summer, the team needs Scherzer back as soon as possible to anchor the staff.

The 34-year-old has gone 9-5 in 19 starts with a 2.30 ERA while leading the National League in strikeouts at 181. 

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina had some strong words for Jake Marisnick after the Houston Astros outfielder ran over Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy during a play at the plate in Sunday's game.

Molina took to Instagram on Sunday night to call for action: "Verified Bulls--t!! MLB need to take action on this Bulls--t play! F--k! Praying for Lucroy! slide slide slide f--kkk !!!" 

Marisnick—who showed concern on the field immediately after the play—previously let it be known he did not intend to collide with Lucroy nor was he trying to injure his opponent:

Jake Marisnick on Lucroy injury: pic.twitter.com/guMaYeKf0W

— Brent Zwerneman (@BrentZwerneman) July 7, 2019

Through my eyes I thought the play was going to end up on the outside of the plate. I made a split second decision at full speed to slide head first on the inside part of the plate. That decision got another player hurt and I feel awful. I hope nothing but the best for @JLucroy20

— Jake Marisnick (@JSMarisnick) July 8, 2019

Lucroy suffered a concussion and a broken nose in the collision.

Numerous Houston teammates, including Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman, came to Marisnick's defense in the comment section of Molina's post. Pitcher Justin Verlander called Molina's post "#fakenews," which prompted the Cardinals star to respond "fake u ass."

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers also had Marisnick's back, commenting:

"This is number 1 bs. This play was an accidental collision. It was unfortunate it happened and we all hope Lucroy is okay! Nobody wants anyone hurt and missing time, we are a brotherhood. You have been around long enough to know."

Molina responded by telling McCullers to "tell that to Lucroy family or [Houston catcher Robinson] Chirino[s]."

Home-plate collisions used to be commonplace in the sport, but that changed when San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey broke his leg on a play at the plate during a game in 2011. After that, Major League Baseball implemented the "Buster Posey Rule," which prohibited collisions unless:

• The catcher already had possession of the ball and was blocking the plate
• The throw forced the catcher into the basepath.

Any collision that featured "the failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner's lowering of the shoulder, or the runner's pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the catcher in violation." In Marisnick's case, he was ruled out after the umpire deemed the play was a violation.

Molina was not the only person outraged by the play, though.

"It certainly didn’t look like a clean play," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. "I don't know what actually happened, but it looked like Marisnick took a step to the left and bowled into him with his arm up. The call was right. Really, I think Major League Baseball should probably take a look at it. Consider some type of suspension, quite frankly."

Marisnick acknowledged it was a "bad play," one that unfortunately resulted in Lucroy being injured. Now, he will have to wait and see if MLB take the advice of Ausmus and Molina and consider discipline.

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer suffered a nose injury during batting practice prior to Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Per The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli, Scherzer suffered a broken nose and his status for Wednesday's start is to be determined. Per Mark Zuckerman of MASN, Scherzer was hit in the face by a ball he bunted during batting practice 

Losing Scherzer for a significant amount of time would be a monumental setback for the Nationals, who have been a disappointment with a 33-38 record. 

The 34-year-old has been durable throughout his career, starting at least 30 games every year except when he was a rookie in 2008. He won the National League Cy Young in the 2017 campaign with a head-turning 2.51 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 268 strikeouts in 200.2 innings and finished second in the Cy Young vote in 2018 with a 2.53 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 300 strikeouts in 220.2 innings

He's having another excellent run in 2019 with a 2.81 ERA and leads the National League with 136 strikeouts. 

Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star and serves as the anchor of Washington's staff, but there is enough talented depth to keep the Nationals pitching staff afloat if he has to miss time. 

The one-two punch of Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin would look great in any rotation. Erick Fedde and Anibal Sanchez provide depth to fill out the back end of the group. 

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger is going to miss time after suffering a ruptured testicle during Thursday's loss to the Houston Astros.

Per MLB.com's Greg Johns, Haniger was placed on the 10-day injured list after being hit by his own foul ball. 

There was no indication at the time Haniger had done much harm. The injury occurred during the third inning, but he remained in the game until the ninth inning before Mac Williamson came on as a pinch hitter. 

A typical foul ball will bounce off the ground and hit a player somewhere on their body. Haniger managed to make contact with the pitch from Justin Verlander, but he merely redirected its path from the catcher's glove to his groin. 

Under similar circumstances, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina missed one month last season after having emergency surgery when Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant hit a foul ball that hit him in the groin. 

Haniger had a high expectations in 2019 following an All-Star appearance last year. The 28-year-old has struggled to repeat that performance with a .220/.314/.463 slash line in 63 games.