Zachary Engberg
2 min read • May 16, 2022
Posted in
Astros’ rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña missed their weekend series with the Nationals with what the team is calling right knee discomfort. The 24-year-old left Thursday’s game after appearing to suffer the knee injury changing directions after beating out an infield single.
Dusty Baker said on Thursday that Peña would likely be out of the lineup on Friday but didn’t divulge any specifics on the injury or a timetable for his return.
Houston traded for utility infielder Mauricio Dubón, who has split time over his career at shortstop, third base, center field, and second base, ostensibly to add more depth behind Peña, Altuve, and veteran Aledmys Díaz.
Peña is batting .276 with six home runs, 20 RBI, and 18 runs, and is tied for second in MLB with 0.9 defensive WAR.
The Twins, already off to a surprise 20-15 start, should be getting two key players back from the IL this week.
Carlos Correa suffered a finger contusion on May 5 and was placed on the 10-day list later that week. He is eligible to be activated on Monday against the A’s, and said he is hopeful that he can return after the minimum 10 days away. His return will push out rookie Royce Lewis, who is hitting .281 and slaughtered a grand slam for his first career home run on Friday.
Starter Bailey Ober, meanwhile, suffered a groin injury on April 28 and began a rehab assignment in AAA on Saturday. Minnesota has yet to set a starter for Friday’s game in Kansas City, leaving the door open for the 26-year-old to return.
Boston went 3-2 this week and won its first series since mid-April, but remain without three starting pitchers.
Chris Sale and James Paxton have missed all season with a rib fracture and TJ surgery, respectively, and were joined on the IL by ace Michael Wacha, who is dealing with intercostal irritation.
Sale and Paxton have yet to resume throwing after each suffering setbacks last week, but are each expected to get back to their rehab programs in a matter of days, according to Chain Bloom.
Wacha, meanwhile, is scheduled to play a simulated game on Monday after throwing a bullpen session Saturday. His placement on the 15-day IL is retroactive to May 5, so he is eligible to return on Friday. The Red Sox don’t have a starter scheduled for that game.
The Dodgers placed Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day IL with right si joint inflammation. The si joint is the point where the lower back meets the pelvis.
The 34-year-old has missed time over the last few seasons with lingering back injuries, but the ProBaseballDocs are optimistic that his IL stint will not be extended. While the Dodgers will likely be cautious bringing back the oft-injured Kershaw, it should be close to the 15-day minimum.
Dave Roberts said that Kershaw experienced soreness playing catch on Sunday and is scheduled to go through a bullpen session later this week. He is eligible to come off of the IL on May 28.
Orioles’ outfielder Austin Hays and Tigers’ starting pitcher Michael Pineda each suffered nasty hand injuries this weekend.
Hays suffered a left hand laceration when he was cleated diving into first base on Thursday. He stayed in and was able to finish the game, but missed all three games against Detroit.
Pineda suffered a fractured right middle finger after a 106-mile-per-hour line drive ricocheted off his throwing hand. He was pulled immediately and placed on the 15-day IL on Sunday. Manager A.J. Hinch said that the towering 33-year-old will visit specialists to determine if he will need surgery and how long he will be out.
Pineda has been one of Detroit’s best starters, posting a 3.22 ERA over five starts.
Written by Zachary Engberg
