5:20pm: Calhoun has a torn meniscus, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com tweets.
5:07pm: Diamondbacks outfielder Kole Calhoun will undergo right knee surgery Wednesday, manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and other reporters. Lovullo was unable to offer any details on the procedure.
While it’s unknown how much time he will miss, it at least seems likely that Calhoun will sit out the start of the regular season, which is less than. a month away. That’s unwelcome news for Arizona, as Calhoun was one of its few bright spots during a disappointing 2020. After signing a two-year, $16MM guarantee in free agency, the longtime Angel slashed .226/.338/.526 (125 wRC+) with 16 home runs and a career-high .300 isolated power number in 228 plate appearances. Calhoun also continued his good work in right field, where he recorded a 5.3 Ultimate Zone Rating.
Considering he isn’t signed beyond this season, Calhoun’s entering a pivotal year. If he’s able to rebound quickly and perform even close to as well as he did last year, Calhoun could convince the Diamondbacks to exercise his $9MM option for 2022 instead of buying him out for $2MM. Regardless, it appears the Diamondbacks are going to have to at least temporarily pencil in someone else in right, where Josh VanMeter, Daulton Varsho, Pavin Smith, Josh Rojas and Stuart Fairchild could be in-house possibilities who are on the team’s 40-man roster. Otherwise, Arizona may consider free agency, waivers or a trade.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Is Cole Calhoun related to Haystacks Calhoun?
Francys01
Calhoun get well soon. The Diamondbacks should consider signing Yasiel Puig. Also, they should add another starting pitcher that would help them like Cole Hamels.
Orel Saxhiser
Puig was sued for sexual assault in October. That case is still pending, and it’s doubtful any team signs him until the situation is resolved. Considering his checkered past and obvious red flags, why would you want him on your team?
Francys01
I didn’t know about that, I didn’t see an article here about that.
FullMontilla
Puig accused of assault article;
losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/10/30/yasiel-puig-sex…
Dennis Boyd
Just so it’s clear to me and others on this site, discussing Puig’s alleged sexual indiscretions is fine, but ol’ Mickey is off limits? Seems what Mickey did was not as bad as Puig. Maybe it is only a particular opinion that is allowed while others are not…sounds familiar. Aren’t they both innocent until proven guilty? Or have we canceled that, too?
baseballpun
If the article was about the allegations against Puig, the comments would probably be closed.
And they are innocent until proven guilty. You’ll notice neither is in jail. That’s what “innocent until proven guilty” means. The free market may impose consequences on people even if they aren’t found guilty in a court of law, but that’s capitalism. If you don’t like it, I guess you can move to Russia.
tedtheodorelogan
Seems even stranger that we aren’t allowed to comment on the start of the AAA season being delayed. States with common sense like Texas are getting rid of the mask mandate and opening restaurants at full capacity. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here California being treated like a disease carrying rat.
baseballpun
States with common sense like Texas, which can’t even run an energy grid.
Orel Saxhiser
You’re not being harmed by wearing a mask.
Orel Saxhiser
Callaway bullied people who were merely trying to do their job. We’re not supposed to talk about it here, but MLB and sports, in general, need to rid themselves of all those types of people. The rules are changing and that’s a good thing. “Men” like Callaway are a bad look for all men.
Darth Alru
It is really nice of you to mention a country where, unlike US: a) law mostly works like it suppose to do; b) “innocent until proven guilty” actually means something; c) people don’t lose jobs and their careers/lives are not getting ruined on just accusations. So if someone is not brainwashed by media, yeah, he/she can definitely move there.
tedtheodorelogan
Children are being harmed by missing out on over a year of going to real school. Tens of millions of people have been harmed by being forced out of work. But we gotta protect the fatties who have spent decades neglecting their own health. And the old people who are close to death anyway. Because compassion.
Dennis Boyd
@pun, guess what…comments regarding Calloway were removed on other posts, so your theory does not hold water. It is clear that certain comments on indiscretions are allowed, while others are not. Oh, and I can embrace a free market and hold out hope for a free and open exchange of ideas without moving to Russia. The concept of innocent until proven guilty also pertains to the court of public opinion or at least for allowing free and open differences of opinion to be heard. The wanton disregard for this American concept is why one should pine for Russia. So if you like groupthink, you know where to go.
deadspy3 2
Where to even start with this ill-informed prejudiced nonsense… attitudes like this have made fighting the pandemic much harder than it should have been
baseballpun
Calloway’s behavior was known in three different organizations, he’s been the subject of internal investigations and extensive reporting. He doesn’t need to be tried in a court of law for the Angels or any other MLB team to decide they don’t want or need to employ him. This idea that he deserves to be a pitching coach unless and until he is tried for a crime is complete nonsense that is only invoked when a straight white guy is accused of misogyny or racism. It’s BS. Companies don’t want to be associated with people who create toxic work environments and you act like it’s because everyone is a sheep. Grow up.
Dennis Boyd
@pun Wow, nice large, fat red herring. I’m not defending Calloway or his actions and the teams have every right to hire and fire. I also am not trying and convicting Puig and exonerating the ‘straight white’ guy. Go try your woke sauce on someone else. I am simply pointing out that this site shows bias and should either allow discussion or fairly remove all non-baseball related content evenly.
prov356
Don’t wish Puig on any team. Read the articles about him during his time with the Dodgers. He was streaky on the field and a horrible teammate off the field.
Orel Saxhiser
prov356, As a Dodger fan, I rooted like heck for him to turn it around but was happy when he was traded. My last straw was him tearing up a fielding positioning card in George Lombard’s face. That other stuff contributed to Puig not reaching his full potential. He’s 30 now. At some point, you’ve got to say he’s not going to get there.
FullMontilla
ok I’ll say it….He’s not going to get there
baseballpun
He stands on his hind legs, like Rory Calhoun.
LordD99
Be kind to your knees. You’ll miss them when they’re gone.
oldmansteve
You aint got no knees?!?! Lt. Dan, that you?
LordD99
…but trust me on the sunscreen.
SugaMonkey
youtu.be/3qpQODO5Z5s
oldmansteve
This may mean Marte gets the majority of reps in CF to start the season.
sidewinder11
He was going to anyways. Calhoun wouldn’t have played CF regardless
oldmansteve
If Locastro or Varsho had a good spring they may have won the CF job keeping Marte at 2B. But having two open spots in the OF makes more sense to fill one of them with Marte unless both Locastro and Varsho win a spot.
Halo11Fan
Sidewinder, what are you talking about. Kole is 33 years old and has played 15 innings in CF.
It’s obvious this injury will mean Marte will become the primary CF? Who cares that he only played 20 innings in CF last year.
Nebraska’s point might be the biggest non-sequitur in the history of this board.
Is that like saying, “Now that Simmons is a Twin, Trout is going to become the Angels primary 3rd baseman.”
baseballpun
What?
dan55
No, I think Steve Nebraska’s point makes perfect sense. With a healthy Calhoun, the Diamondbacks would have Peralta in left, Calhoun in right, and Locastro and Varsho would compete for the center spot, while Marte would slot in at second base. Now that Calhoun is injured, the Diamondbacks need to fill two outfield spots. Since it is unlikely for both Locastro and Varsho to earn starting jobs, the Diamondbacks could decide to move Marte to center and let Varsho/Locastro compete for right field.
Halo11Fan
Dan,I stand corrected.
It doesn’t sound a weird anymore, but I still doubt that happens.
A RF goes down means a second baseman is going to become the primary CF when neither player got time in CF the previous year?
On the surface, it made no sense. But I get your point.
oldmansteve
Except for Marte’s 96 games in CF in 2019
Halo11Fan
I saw that. But I thought they were content on making him a second baseman.
Anyway, I stand corrected. You made a logical point. I just didn’t see it until it was pointed out.
I don’t think they are going to move Marte to CF. But it’s not an impossibility.
Rking
Time for an Ender homecoming.
SugaMonkey
Meh.
bobtillman
D-backs can’t buy a break. Too bad; well run team and organization. They’ll bounce, but it’s going to take a while.
Vizionaire
get well soon!
HalosHeavenJJ
good guy always plays hard. Sucks to see this.
anybody know how many OF have come back from this and been good defensively?
birdsfan415
Jason Castro came back from a torn meniscus in 2019 and had 1 error in 631.1 innings. not an outfielder but still performed well and is still playing. Kole should be ok
dellarocco72
Wild Horse!!
prov356
The Red Baron is grounded! Get well soon Calhoun.
DarkSide830
alright cmon we should be able to comment on the AAA one
Halo11Fan
It’s hard to hit rehabbing a knee.
This will likely cause him issues for the majority of the year.
vegasangelsfan
Calhoun seems like a good guy and always plays hard. He was easy to root for and is a guy I hoped would do well after the Angels. Hopefully he recovers quickly and can get back out there to make some great defensive plays in RF.
Loling @ you
Kalhoun is a solid little player. Still wish he was on angels was a joy to watch him play. Wish him the best
stymeedone
Not saying Calhoun was bad, and I am aware batting ave is not everything, but when your “bright spot” in the line up only hits .225, that’s a pith poor lineup! Being in the majors should mean at least a .250 BA to be considered a “bright spot.”
its_happening
JBJ is available. Locastro can face lefties and play CF for JBJ to avoid left handers.
Scrap1ron
Go get Jackie Bradley.
Rsox
JBJ, Puig, Josh Reddick. D’backs need some OF depth in a hurry
solaris602
Yoenis Cespedes: “I should be at the top of everyone’s remaining OF list.”
JoshHolt32
Arizona should call Miami about Bleday or Sanchez
oldmansteve
If Arizona was willing to give up what it would take to get a couple top prospects, they would already be Dbacks.
Rsox
Maybe Toronto would be willing to trade Grichuck for a handful of magic beans
mlb1225
start Tim Locastro in center field you cowards.
Rsox
The problem with the Diamondbacks OF depth is you have four 2B, a Catcher, and a 1B. They need actual OF help. Torn meniscus probably means out for the season, Reddick makes sense as he and Calhoun are similar Offensively (though Calhoun is better defensively). Grichuck or Teoscar Hernandez would give the D’backs better power options but would cost more than the team may be willimg to spend in prospects
oldmansteve
Torn meniscus is a 2 month recovering time
Carpenter29
Hopefully he heals quick, I’m 2 months post op menisectomy. No fun
Ghost Pepper
Arizona has always had a revolving door in right field.
I think we go outside the organization for this problem.
friendly illinois brethren
Kole Calhoun is a fun player and it’s s bummer he isn’t playing this year.