Under The Knife 7/17/23
Back from Break
I have a diatribe on the state of the American healthcare system that I saved for another day. Think of it as me counting to ten, so with that waiting for another day, let’s get right to the injuries, as we come out of the All Star break with a number of injuries to start of the second half:
SHOHEI OHTANI, DH/SP LAA (finger blister)
The combination of a cracked fingernail and a blister are like kryptonite to baseball’s Superman. At least the pitching half of him is taken down while the medical staff tries to heal both issues, raising an interesting point about two-way players. They only take up one roster spot, but the rotation doesn’t get the same relief while Ohtani is out, since they don’t want to lose his bat as well. (I couldn’t get an answer as to whether he’d go on the 10-day or 15-day IL, if it were necessary. It’s a pitching injury, so I assume it would have to be the 15-day.)
While the issue isn’t serious, the Angels are going to skip Ohtani through at least one turn, hoping that the area clears itself up. There’s not much they can do but time and treatment on the blister, and a bit of manicuring on the nail. So far, it hasn’t had much effect on the bat - Ohtani homered in the Angels’ dramatic win over the Astros Sunday.
Ohtani is scheduled to pitch on Friday, but if that doesn’t happen, it’s unclear what the Angels will do. They have so many players on the IL that getting someone up shouldn’t be hard, but could leave them a slot short somewhere. None of the moves the Angels made Friday included a pitcher, so that will be forthcoming if needed, which means Ohtani’s side work is likely to be the tell on that start. I’m not sure when that will be, given his unusual schedule.
One other note on Ohtani - with his $30m contract, he’s still owed about $12m of that, or $185,000 a game. That doesn’t take anyone out of range if he’s acquired, including the Tampa Bay Rays, though I don’t expect that Oakland will get involved. I am told the Giants want to be involved, but that Texas could put together the best package of prospects, if the Angels are willing to trade in division. Three way where the Rangers add a starter and get Ohtani out of the league makes sense.
SHANE BIEBER, SP CLE (inflamed elbow)