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Appetizer of the twins Sonny Gray left today’s game after being visited by team coaches. The team announced to reporters including Dan Hayes of The Athleticthat gray has right chest tension. The severity is currently unknown, but it’s undoubtedly a concern for the twins and their fans. Gray has already been absent from the IL for about three weeks this season, although it has been a strain on the hamstrings.
Still, the Gemini are under a bit of pressure when it comes to their rotation. Chris Paddock, Josh Winder and joe ryan have all landed on the IL in recent weeks which has thinned their depth. The rotation currently consists of Gray, Dylan Bundy, Bailey Ober, Chris Archer and Devin Schmelzer. The club are currently in the midst of a phase where they are playing 18 games in 17 days thanks to a doubles game due on Tuesday. Even if Gray can make his next launch, completing the next part of their schedule will be a challenge.
Perhaps that challenge will be complemented by the subtraction of some unknown players when the Twins travel to Toronto next week to face the Blue Jays. Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune relays the message from Baseball Operations President Derek Falvey that “a few” of the players on the list will not be making the trip. Current Canadian health restrictions do not allow people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 to cross the border into the country. (Canada is no exception in this regard. The same restrictions apply in reverse, as unvaccinated Canadians are currently barred from entering the United States.)
More notes from the department…
- Robbie Grossman started today’s game as the designated hitter for the Tigers but was replaced by Jeimer Candelario. Manager AJ Hinch told reporters after the game, including MLB.com’s Jason Beckthat Grossman had neck spasms. While it doesn’t look like Grossman is heading for an extended absence, it’s certainly frustrating for a Detroit team that’s been badly plagued by snakebits this season. Although the club went into the season with hopes of a place in the playoffs, they were plagued by a large number of injuries, particularly in the starting rotation. The club’s record currently sits at 17-29, which puts them second to bottom in the American League, behind only the Royals. That has resulted in the club being biased towards sellers as of the reporting date this year, with short-term assets the most likely to leave. Grossman fits that bill as he is in the second season of the two-year deal he signed with Detroit in 2021. Unfortunately, given its slow start to the year, its trading value is likely at low levels. After scoring 0.239/0.357/0.415 for a 114 wRC+ last year, this year he is currently scoring 0.199/0.311/0.241 for a 71 wRC+. The deletion rate from 23.1% last year has also increased to 30.7% this year. Surely he and the Tigers will both be hoping that this current issue can be quickly put behind them so that Grossman can get back on track. The Blue Jays attempted to acquire Grossman as of last year’s deadline, although they may not have as much interest given his campaign so far.
- Royals manager Mike Matheny tells reporters including Lynn worthy of the Kansas City Starthe Zack Greinke has a forearm/flexor problem. Greinke himself spoke to reporters about the subject, including WorthyHe described his arm as “painful and tight”. As with the Tigers, there was some hope that the Royals would emerge from their rebuild and compete in his year, although that hasn’t happened. The club’s 16-30 record is worse than any team in the majors save for the 16-31 Reds, thanks in no small part to the starting rotation. The Royals starters had a 5.07 ERA today, which was better than just the Reds and Nationals. That will go up once tonight’s game is factored in as Greinke conceded five earned runs in four innings today. His personal in-season ERA rose to 5.05 from that start, which was his highest since the 5.80 he posted in his 2005 season at the age of 21. While the severity of the injury is unknown, having an arm problem is never a good sign for a pitcher, although he and the club will certainly be hoping he can overcome it and get on a better lane.
