Didi Gregorius resumed his Triple-A rehab assignment tonight, after halting the assignment on June 10 after just two games. Gregorius hasn’t played a big league game since May 12 due to a right elbow impingement and a condition known as pseudogout, which might have led to the setback in his rehab. However, Gregorius now looks to be on track, and if all things go well, could be on pace to rejoin the Phillies before the end of June. Now in his second season in Philadelphia, Gregorius was off to a slow start with a .229/.266/.364 slash line in his first 128 plate appearances.
More on other sidelined players from around the majors…
- Indians right-hander Zach Plesac has been on the 10-day injured list for almost a month due to a non-displaced fracture in his right thumb, but he took another step forward in his recovery process today. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer was among those to report that Plesac was set to throw a 40-pitch bullpen session today, with 20 pitches each on flat ground and off a mound. This is Plesac’s second bullpen session in seven days’ time, so if he emerges in good condition, a rehab assignment might not be too far away.
- Veteran reliever Joe Smith is also on tap for a bullpen session, with Smith telling reporters (including Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle) that he plans to run through his entire arsenal of pitches when throwing tomorrow. Elbow soreness sent the Astros righty to the IL on June 9, and he could just need the one bullpen before beginning a minor league rehab assignment.
- The Pirates shifted right-hander Miguel Yajure from the seven-day minor league IL to the 60-day IL. Yajure was first sidelined with right elbow/forearm soreness on June 1, and today’s transaction is “just more of a paper move” that “has nothing to do with how he’s progressing or what he’s doing,” manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Yajure only just began throwing, and it appears as though he wasn’t going to be back within 60 days from his initial IL placement anyway — as Mackey notes, the Bucs don’t gain a 40-man roster spot with the move, since Yajure was in the minor leagues when first placed on the injured list. One of the four players acquired from the Yankees in the Jameson Taillon trade back in January, Yajure has a 2.76 ERA over 16 1/3 MLB innings over the last two seasons.
- Twins right-handed pitching prospect Jhoan Duran was shut down three days ago due to an elbow strain, though the team announced (hat tip to MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park) that surgery wasn’t recommended. The shutdown will continue for the next 5-6 weeks as Duran’s elbow will continue to be monitored, and there is hope that he can then rehab in time to pitch again before the 2021 season is cover. Currently ranked as the 80th-best prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, Duran made his Triple-A debut this year but has struggled, posting a 5.06 ERA with 13 walks in 16 innings (though with a 29.33% strikeout rate).
The Baseball Fan
Never like to see a prospect injury, even if it’s the Twins lol. Hope he’s alright and can pitch at the end of this year
bucsfan0004
I didnt realize the Twins even had a pitching prospect. When they give 5 year deals to Uber drivers, you have to wonder what theyre doing up north.
Lieb
Our last WS win was because we signed a big pitcher FA (Jack Morris). Yet in 2021, we still try to sign bargain bin pieces and expect to complete.
Fever Pitch Guy
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
deweybelongsinthehall
Agreed Fever. I saw Duran and my emotions sank, thinking the Sox likely future CFer got injured before putting on a Boston cap in Fenway. No one should want to see injuries and that feeling should apply to everyone.
martras
Has rest and rehab ever worked for a UCL issue? I know it’s been recommended a number of times, but it seems like about the 3rd pitch thrown after months of rest results in a blown UCL and TJ.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Yes. Masahiro Tanaka pitched with a partially-torn UCL for years after taking a short rest after his initial diagnosis.
jjd002
Didn’t Odorizzi do that earlier this season?
Bob333
Gregorius could be trade bait at the deadline get some bullpen help and let maton and segura when healthy play short for now.They are going nowhere fast so lets move on.