We can expect an update tomorrow from the Indians on injured righty Corey Kluber, Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer writes. It’s not yet known whether Kluber will require surgery for a forearm fracture. Even if he’s able to avoid a procedure, though, he’s likely to be sidelined for a lengthy stretch. Kluber is one of the game’s most accomplished hurlers, even if he hasn’t quite been himself to open the yea. The hope is that he’ll at least be able to target a late-summer return.
While we wait to learn more on that health situation, here’s the latest on a few others of note from around the game:
- Shohei Ohtani is nearing activation by the Angels, manager Brad Ausmus tells reporters including Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link). The precise timeline isn’t yet clear, but the DH is expected to return to action before the club opens a homestand on May 17th. Ohtani won’t be able to make it back to the mound this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2018 season, but he’ll be able to contribute from the batter’s box.
- The Braves seem to have averted a significant problem with third baseman Josh Donaldson and his ailing calf. That’s the same area that wiped out a huge chunk of his 2018 season. But Donaldson is due back this weekend, manager Brian Snitker tells reporters including Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). The 33-year-old Donaldson has thus far rewarded the faith of the Atlanta organization, slashing a smooth .258/.395/.495 through 119 plate appearances with the club.
- There’s also generally positive news for the Nationals on the injury front. Outfielder Juan Soto was held out tonight owing to back spasms, but MLB.com’s Jamal Collier tweets that an MRI did not reveal any cause for concern. It’s not yet clear when he’ll be back in action, but Soto hasn’t gone on the injured list and will likely be slotted right back in the lineup as soon as he feels up to it. The club also can begin to look forward to a return from shortstop Trea Turner. As Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post reports (via Twitter), Turner is moving a bit faster than had been expected and could be ready to begin swinging a bat this weekend. That’s a significant step for a player nursing a fractured finger.
Any idea on whether Ohtani will be able to play regularly (or even every day) once he returns?
On the days he going through his throwing regimen, he may not dh. But he will be their regular dh.
Yeaaaaa,
No-R Garciaparra
Donaldson will be back and so will .500 at best team in the Braves.
Lies. Must be sorry your NL East team didn’t have a GM smart enough to lock up superstars on cheap contracts before they got paid a ton.
He didn’t have the foresight to help out that horrendous bullpen that is going to crush their season if it isn’t addressed though.
you know who “addressed” their bullpen this off season? the mets and the nats… how’s that worked for them?
I agree the bullpen should have been addressed, but they didn’t need to spend money on it. High priced relievers have a history of busting. They should have built it like the Rays did, by using analytics and finding relievers with good breaking stuff and control.
The Mets bullpen is better with Diaz and Familia. Even with Familia’s rocky start. The Nats added a buy low candidate and it just blew up on them. But Rosenthal was always something of an unknown coming back. regardless that doesn’t change the fact that the Braves completely chose to ignore their biggest flaw. You can be upset about it but it’s a fact. It was an obvious need that wasn’t filled.
No addition comes with a 100% success rate but doing nothing isn’t going to make you better. And that didn’t require big dollars there were lower cost targets and trade possibilities they could’ve explored. He just chose to ignore the BP this offseason and you’re seeing the results.
Ahh yes the “it didn’t work out for the Nats and Mets so why try at all” argument
Such fantastic logic and reasoning skills right there.
But I can play this game too. How’s Kelvin Herrera and Adam Ottavino doing this year? How about Zach Britton and Justin Wilson?
And then of course there’s always a HOF closer who has never had a bad season in his life just still sitting out there too.
But you’re right. Surely this couldn’t have worked out by signing guys, what was I thinking…. so glad we chose automatic defeat instead of giving ourselves a chance to be good and seeing how it played out.
Relief pitchers are a bad investment, you try in other ways. You’re just as likely to get a good pen in other ways. It works out for few teams.
If you have unlimited funds, then it’s fine to spend a lot on high risk relievers, but most teams don’t have extra money sitting around. ‘
If you view the moves made to strengthen the BP during the pennant chase last year as part of the moves, then the Braves did address the BP significantly. Venters, Drayton, O’Day. The bullpen was very solid after the trade deadline (top five in ERA)
Put simply, BP’s are a crap shoot. Losing your CP early doesn’t help as it slides everyone back a spot. Then seeing four of your top five remaining guys all posting career worst numbers because they suddenly can’t throw strikes is something no one can foresee. Yes, they could have thrown a draft pick and money going after Kimbrel but there isn’t a team in the league stupid enough to give up what he was asking.
Comparing them unfavorably to the offseason for the Nats and Mets is ridiculous, as both of those teams gutted their pens last year and HAD to do something. The Braves actually added to their bullpen before the offseason even started. The only thing they really could have done was add Kimbrel, but AV had good numbers last year. They should have foreseen his injury history as a bad thing, but one would think the guy would be able to stay healthy one year out of ten.
With those numbers at $23M for the season…I wouldn’t call that “cheap.” I’d call that a mistake.
You think Donaldson on a 1 year 23M offer was a mistake? Do you know anything about baseball?
I hope not, but playing all out on that turf in Toronto is killing his legs. Remember what happened to Griffey after playing in Seattle and then going to Cincinnati
Ahhh yes. Another 3 hit 3 RBI night for Donaldson. I get he had a slow start which influences his stats slightly so far this season. I dare you to find a better player the Braves could’ve signed to a 1 year deal last offseason though. He was right. You really know nothing about baseball.
The Braves have lost 1 game in the 9th this year that Kimbrel could/would of made a difference. Does anyone really think that would of been money better spent than on Donaldson? It’s not the 9th inning it’s the 6,7 and 8th. There will be some good relievers available before the trade deadline that they can go after. Which I like trading before the deadline for a reliever vs signing someone to a big contract and he flops.
Stop calling players “Superstars” when they’ve only been the bigs for a New York minute.
In a division where guys like Andrews McCutchen, Patrick Corbin, and the “no good when off the juice $250 million man” Robinson Cano are paid like and considered superstars (by some) I have no problem calling NL ROY Acuna and his best friend Albies superstars. Especially when it costs about the same to keep both of them for the next decade as it would to keep nonproductive busted juicer Robinson Cano for half that time.
Im a Braves fan and Albies is no superstar. He is a really good player but he isnt a superstar just yet. Once he finds consistency then we can give him that label. Acuna on the other hand is pure fire.
I’m usually not jumping for joy if my team is trash but they saved a dime. Most of the nl east teams have the ability to double the braves payroll anyway.
Averted?
Used correctly. What’s the issue?
Too many syllables for Robert.
I’m new to this and registered yesterday. Did I miss something? Did that thread get closed for some reason? If so, why?
Kluber, Ohtani, Trea Turner, Donaldson, and Juan Soto are all on my fantasy team. Its like this article was made with my team in mind lol what a coincidence
Here’s a thought…. if you’re so worried about comments on a subject that you close the comment section, maybe you shouldn’t post the article in the first place.
Except that some of us want to know the news, and you can’t blame a site for not wanting to deal with the backlash that history has told them is inevitable. Here’s a second thought… if not being able to comment on an article bothers you so much, maybe you should get your information elsewhere.
Here’s a concept: If all you are going to do is whine about not being being able to whine, maybe you shouldn’t comment in the first place. Some people can handle being informed without having to post about it, and shouldn’t have to lose it because of those who can’t…
I am a huge fan of this site. I visit it several times every day. I just registered yesterday and this article was my first post. I know the conversation got a little heated (maybe?) But I didn’t see any thing that was beyond some competitive banter. Did something get removed that I didn’t see? Why would the thread be closed thread be closed? What was “averted?” Is this typical for this forum?
Hey Brittingham — we’re having an issue with our comment system at the moment. One of the WordPress plug-ins we used is malfunctioning, and it’s causing every comment to be auto-flagged for moderation. We’re hoping to have it fixed soon. Glad you signed up to comment, but sorry it happened at such a poor time. This is certainly not the norm!
Gotcha
What comments are they worried about?
Hey Frisco — we actually have a bug with our commenting system that we have a developer working to fix. Basically, almost every comment that’s posted right now — probably this one included — is being flagged for moderation. We’re trying to figure out why and hope to have it resolved soon.
Nats without Rendon, Turner and Soto in the lineup, are sitting ducks.
It’s certainly not the lineup they were hoping for…
Braves with Webb, Minter, Carle, and Jackson in the bullpen are sitting ducks too lol
You clearly havent seen Jackson’s stats, Carle was demoted again (should have never been recalled back up), Minter will be fine (I think we will move him to a set up role where he will thrive), and Webb looks just fine so far. Try again.
you clearly aren’t watching games and just reading stats…bullpen is a hot mess. yes Jackson has been good but every 10 days or so we say that about a different pitcher til things blow up…Should easily be 23-8 right now if not for the turnstile bullpen. You try again smh.
Anyone know the difference in timetable if he does need surgery or not?