World Series Injury Report: Which Team Has the Injury Edge?

Texas Rangers - SIC score 89.4

Playing in their first Fall Classic since 2011, the Rangers enter the series without key acquisition Jacob deGrom. However, trade deadline addition Max Scherzer is back in the rotation after missing over a month with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. 

Scherzer pitched 4 innings and allowed 5 earned runs on 5 hits in his first start (Oct. 18) in Game 3. He lasted 2.2 innings in Game 7, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in 44 pitches.

It remains to be seen how manager Bruce Bochy will fashion his rotation heading into the World Series, but he started Jordan Montgomery, Nathan Eovaldi, then Max Scherzer in the first three games against the Astros.

As of Thursday, Eovaldi is scheduled to start Game 1 against Zac Gallen. 

In the bullpen, Ian Kennedy is the only absence of note. He was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-September with a rotator cuff strain and will not factor into the World Series.

Another injury to note is Mitch Garver’s sore ribs from a hit-by-pitch in Game 7 against the Astros. X-rays were negative on his ribs, thus his availability should be based on pain-tolerance.

With four days off between the end of Game 7 and the start of Game 1, Garver should be ready to go and in the lineup on Friday.

Arizona Diamondbacks - SIC score 93.1

Aiming to capture their second franchise title since 2001, Arizona fields a healthy pitching rotation and a revamped bullpen after losing projected closer Mark Melancon for the season.

Manager Torey Lovullo has made due with trade deadline acquisition Paul Sewald, who has converted all 6 save opportunities this postseason without allowing an earned run in 11.1 innings pitched.

Tommy Henry, Drey Jameson and Scott McGough all played roles in the bullpen or the back end of the rotation during the regular season, but have not pitched in the postseason due to injury. 

Henry was reportedly an option out of the bullpen in the NLCS and is likely to return for the World Series. Henry, 26, was 5-4 in 16 starts this season with a 4.15 ERA before missing time with an elbow injury/ 

Corbin Carroll has played surprisingly well down the late season/post season stretch given that he suffered a right shoulder subluxation in late June.

In 76 games since that injury, Carroll hit .280 with 8 home runs, 10 doubles and 7 triples. In the 78 games prior, Carroll hit .290 with 18 home runs, 20 doubles and 3 triples.

With his toned down swing to avoid aggravating his lead shoulder, the rookie had a slugging percentage of .452 compared to .563 prior to the injury.

In the postseason, Carroll has 2 home runs and a double in 12 games for a slugging percentage of .455.

Incredibly, Arizona made the postseason without the highest paid player on their opening day roster: Madison Bumgarner. The former Giant (and Bruce Bochy’s) ace was released after just four starts to open the season. He allowed 19 earned runs in 16.2 innings across those starts.

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