Mets righty Marcus Stroman is hoping for a quick bounceback, as Tim Healey of Newsday reports. The starter has been slowed by a calf injury.
Stroman provided some further background on the injury. He says it looks worse on an MRI than it feels. Per Stroman, it was “shocking” to learn that he had suffered what he alternately labeled as a “tear” or “slight strain.”
While the 29-year-old says he expects to recover swiftly, he acknowledged the need to exercise care. “I don’t have trouble recovering or coming back,” says Stroman, “but this is something that needs to feel 100% before I can go back and move full speed.”
Fortunately, Stroman is still able to work off of the mound. That should help him stay stretched out while he awaits a clean MRI. Given the short length of the season, it’ll obviously be important both to get back as soon as possible and to avoid a setback that leads to a lengthier absence.
Depending on the severity, a torn calf muscle can take anywhere from 4-12+ weeks to fully heal. I don’t understand why they need to wait for a clean MRI? If he gets to the point where he’s pain free and has full range of motion, they should put him on the mound even if the tear doesn’t appear to be fully healed on the MRI. He doesn’t need to bat or run the bases this year, but the Mets really need him in the rotation. Strohman will know when he’s ready to go; plus he’s playing for a new contract. Hopefully he’ll be back in 1-2 weeks.
Took Donaldson pretty much a full season for his
I’ll take the over on weeks missed. Every calf injury I’ve ever seen ends up longer than the predicted time frame.
While not ideal, isn’t it possible a team can compensate to prevent a pitcher from needing to run to cover a base or chase down a bunt or back up a play? So he can just stand around the mound and not go anywhere? It means needing a nimble second and third baseman. It may pain Stroman who takes pride in being a valuable defender out there but if the team needs him to give even just one or a few innings in several games to tide through this period he heals, get it done. His teammates can compensate for him to be stationary and he can contribute to the team. It’s not like the team has so many better options do they?
Unfortunately the Mets have a DH playing 2nd and 3rd base. Nimble defenders and Mets don’t belong in the same sentence.
McNeil is a DH?
What about Jason Giambi?
A short absence
He’s already missed 10% of his starts for this year!
He’ll be lucky if he “only” misses another 2-3!