It’s been a tough season for Francisco Alvarez — and particularly his arms. The 23-year-old catcher fractured a hamate in his left hand whereas taking batting observe on March 8, and after present process surgical procedure, missed the primary 4 weeks of the common season. He scuffled upon returning, to the purpose that the Mets optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse in late June, however significantly since returning in late July, he hit nicely till he sprained the ulnar collateral ligament of his proper thumb (versus the UCL of his elbow) whereas making a headfirst slide on August 17. The harm, which requires surgical procedure to repair, gave the impression to be season-ending, however to the Mets’ shock, Alvarez has been capable of swing the bat with out ache, so he started a rehab task with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Sadly, in his third plate look of the sport, he was hit on the left pinkie by an 89-mph sinker and needed to depart the sport.
Alvarez, who additionally missed seven weeks final 12 months as a result of surgical procedure to restore a torn UCL in his left thumb, was despatched for testing after being eliminated. At this writing, the Mets have but to disclose his prognosis, however this will set again his return, and he’ll nonetheless want one other surgical procedure this offseason. When obtainable, he’s been one of many Mets’ extra productive hitters, a giant step up from the staff’s different catchers on the offensive aspect. In 56 video games, he’s hit for a profession excessive 125 wRC+ (.265/.349/.438) with seven homers in 209 plate appearances, good for 1.4 WAR. Luis Torrens, who hit nicely whereas serving because the staff’s common catcher throughout Alvarez’s early-season absence, has slumped to the purpose that he’s batting .218/.282/.320 (73 wRC+) in 245 PA, and third-stringer Hayden Senger has been even much less productive, hitting .180/.227/.197 (22 wRC+) in 67 PA.
[Update: On Thursday afternoon, Alvarez revealed that his pinkie is fractured. He said he hopes to play again this season, but a timeline for that has yet to be determined.]
The Mets, who at the moment are 72-61, simply swept a three-game collection in opposition to the Phillies (76-57) at Citi Subject to drag inside 4 video games of the NL East leaders. They’ve gained eight of their final 11 video games after shedding 14 of 16 from July 28 to August 15, a skid that bumped them down to 3rd within the NL Wild Card race, although they now have a 4 1/2-game cushion over the Reds (68-66). They’ve acquired another accidents that might have an effect on their drive for a playoff spot, however in that, they’re not alone. What follows here’s a roundup of pretty latest accidents amongst NL contenders, some that slipped by the cracks in our protection throughout latest weeks and others that advantage point out as long as we’re on the subject; an alarming variety of these contain fingers. I’ll go division-by-division, and observe this with an identical AL roundup.
NL East
With regards to the Mets and the opposite kind of UCL, Frankie Montas, who didn’t make his season debut till June 24 as a result of a high-grade lat pressure suffered in spring coaching, is completed for the 12 months as a result of a UCL sprain that supervisor Carlos Mendoza described as “fairly vital.” Thus ends a nightmare of a season for the 32-year-old righty, who pitched to a 6.28 ERA in 38.2 innings and was despatched to the bullpen earlier this month. Now Montas, who already missed practically all of 2023 whereas with the Yankees after present process shoulder surgical procedure, may have Tommy John surgical procedure, costing him all of ’26. He’s protected financially, a minimum of, through a $17 million participant possibility for subsequent season.
Elsewhere within the Mets’ bullpen, 32-year-old righty Reed Garrett, whose 53 appearances and 51.1 aid innings each lead the staff, has landed on the IL as a result of proper elbow irritation. Garrett usually served because the Mets’ eighth-inning setup man forward of nearer Edwin Díaz till the Mets added relievers Tyler Rogers, Ryan Helsley, and Gregory Soto on the commerce deadline. He had a 2.45 ERA and a couple of.64 FIP as of August 9, however allowed eight runs over his subsequent 5 appearances, ballooning these figures to three.61 and three.32. The Mets do anticipate him again, presumably after the 15-day minimal keep on the IL (he’s eligible to return on September 7); he’s presently recovering from a cortisone shot. Whereas Rogers and Soto have each posted sub-2.00 ERAs for the reason that commerce, Helsley has been lit for a ten.38 ERA and been charged with 4 blown saves in 8.2 innings as a Met. Being pressured to shift him to a lower-leverage function whereas moreover shedding Garrett is lower than supreme.
Turning to the Phillies, there’s excellent news and unhealthy relating to Zack Wheeler, who was sidelined by a blood clot close to his proper shoulder earlier this month. On Sunday got here phrase that the 36-year-old righty has been identified with venous thoracic outlet syndrome. He’ll bear surgical procedure to take away a rib and decompress the blood vessels. The Phillies estimate that he’ll want six to eight months to get better, not solely ruling out October however placing subsequent Opening Day doubtful. Thankfully, this sort of TOS is much less severe than the neurogenic TOS that derailed the careers of Stephen Strasburg and Chris Archer, amongst others. Merrill Kelly is the oft-cited instance; he underwent rib elimination surgical procedure on September 9, 2020, was again for the beginning of the ’21 season, and has usually been an efficient pitcher since. A extra resounding success story is that of Kenny Rogers, who underwent surgical procedure for venous TOS in 2001, when he was 36, and returned to make three All-Star groups throughout his late 30s and early 40s.
Taijuan Walker, who has a 3.44 ERA however a 4.78 FIP in 96.2 innings as a swingman, has been tasked with filling Wheeler’s rotation spot. That’s a tall order provided that Wheeler, who made his third All-Star staff this 12 months, has pitched to a 2.71 ERA, 2.91 FIP and an NL-best 33.3% strikeout charge in 140.2 innings.
NL Central
It’s been an excellent 12 months for nearer Trevor Megill, who made his first All-Star staff and has notched 30 saves whereas posting a 2.54 ERA and a couple of.56 FIP in 46 innings. Alas, after blowing three out of his final 4 save probabilities, he landed on the IL on Wednesday as a result of a Grade 1 flexor pressure in his proper forearm. The 31-year-old righty stated that he’d tried to push by signs he’d been feeling for per week, that the harm isn’t too severe, and that he’s “taking a step again and getting this proper for the postseason.” High setup man Abner Uribe, who’s notched three saves whereas posting a 1.71 ERA and a couple of.86 FIP in 63.1 innings, is prone to be first in line for save probabilities.
The Brewers, who at 83-51 lead the NL Central by 6 1/2 video games, may get just a few injured gamers again very quickly. Each heart fielder Jackson Chourio and first baseman Rhys Hoskins have begun rehab assignments at Triple-A Nashville. The 21-year-old Chourio, who has hit .276/.311/.474 (116 wRC+) with 17 homers and 18 steals, has been out since July 29 as a result of a proper hamstring pressure; he started his rehab task final Friday and could possibly be again with the massive membership this weekend. The 32-year-old Hoskins, who has hit .242/.340/.428 (114 wRC+) with 12 homers, suffered a Grade 2 sprain of the UCL of his left thumb on July 5; he started his rehab task on August 19 and may return quickly as nicely, although he could need to struggle for enjoying time as soon as he’s again provided that Andrew Vaughn, whom the staff acquired from the White Sox on June 13, is hitting a torrid .297/.371/.520 (147 wRC+). Shortstop Joey Ortiz, who has hit .294/.330/.394 (104 wRC+) for the reason that All-Star break after touchdown on my Substitute-Stage Killers listing as a result of a 61 wRC+ within the first half, was positioned on the IL as a result of a left hamstring pressure final Friday; he’s anticipated to return when eligible on September 1.
Not desirous to be left behind within the division’s thumb harm race, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson fractured his left thumb whereas catching a pitch on August 15, an harm that wasn’t found till just a few days later after persistent discomfort led the Reds to ship him for an X-ray. Earlier this week, he was fitted for a customized protecting sleeve for the digit and was capable of play catch and do some gentle drills with out discomfort. He’ll ramp up the depth of his catching work and is scheduled to take batting observe on Friday; the expectation is that he’ll return in early September. The 29-year-old Stephenson is hitting a modest .226/.313/.393 (92 wRC+), a stronger efficiency than Jose Trevino (.245/.285/.373, 76 wRC+), with whom he’s cut up duties this season.
In the meantime, whereas the Reds activated Nick Lodolo from the IL on Wednesday after he missed three weeks with a blister, they misplaced setup man Graham Ashcraft to a forearm pressure. After struggling as a starter from 2022–24, the 27-year-old righty has caught on within the bullpen, placing up a 3.72 ERA and a couple of.88 FIP in 58 innings. The Reds are hopeful he’ll return after the 15-day minimal keep on the IL, and the bullpen ought to profit with the shift of Nick Martinez from the rotation with the return of Lodolo.
Shortly after colleague Michael Baumman wrote about Kyle Tucker’s prolonged stoop, ESPN reported that he had been enjoying by a hairline fracture to his proper hand, later confirmed to be his proper ring finger, which he jammed throughout a slide into second base on June 1. Tucker hit simply .236/.352/.368 (109 wRC+) from July 2 to August 18, when Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell sat him for a few video games. Since returning to the lineup, he’s hit .304/.385/.739 with three homers in 26 PA, and he’s presently using a five-game hitting streak for the Cubs (76-57).
NL West
The Dodgers may fill an entire column with their accidents, however for all of their quantity, they’re trending in direction of getting more healthy. Max Muncy, who missed practically all of July as a result of a bone bruise in his left knee, landed on the injured listing once more on August 15 as a result of a proper indirect pressure. After a sluggish begin, the 35-year-old third baseman has hit a strong .258/.389/.491 (146 wRC+) with 17 homers in 347 PA. He’s begun going through dwell pitching once more, and the hope is that he can be part of the Dodgers someday throughout subsequent week’s highway journey, maybe subsequent weekend in Baltimore. The Dodgers — who at 77-57 lead the Padres (75-59) by two video games within the NL West — have been a a lot better staff when he performs, going 54-35 with him and 23-22 with out.
As of Tuesday, the Dodgers have Enrique Hernández again from a bout of elbow irritation that sidelined him since early July; he’s prone to share time at third base with rookie Alex Freeland in Muncy’s absence whereas additionally recognizing at different positions. Rookie Hyeseong Kim, who’s been out since late July as a result of a bout of bursitis in his left shoulder, started a rehab task at Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis on August 21. Whereas the 26-year-old Kim has performed 38 video games at second base, 16 in heart discipline, and eight at shortstop for the Dodgers, at OKC he’s getting reps in left discipline, a place he hasn’t performed since 2020 within the KBO however one the place the Dodgers have had a season-long drain on their offense through Michael Conforto. Kim, who has hit .304/.338/.406 (109 wRC+) whereas largely being shielded from lefties, ought to rejoin the Dodgers when rosters increase on September 1. Likewise for Tommy Edman, who sprained his proper ankle in early August; he’s ramping up a working development and dealing in direction of a rehab stint. After a sizzling begin, Edman has hit simply .228/.281/.396 (87 wRC+), however given final October’s heroics, together with his NLCS MVP award, the Dodgers are preserving a roster spot heat for him.
On the pitching aspect, the Dodgers simply misplaced lefty Alex Vesia to an indirect pressure. The 29-year-old southpaw is second on the staff with 59 appearances, and has a 2.75 ERA and three.79 FIP in 52.1 innings. The Dodgers consider he gained’t be down for greater than the minimal. For Sunday’s collection finale in opposition to the Padres — which they gained 8-2 to stop a sweep and reclaim a share of first place — they activated each Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates; Scott was out for simply over a month as a result of elbow irritation whereas Yates missed three weeks as a result of decrease again ache. Michael Kopech, who didn’t make his season debut till June 8 as a result of a shoulder impingement, underwent a proper knee meniscectomy on July 9. He’s made six rehab appearances at OKC however has struggled together with his management, strolling six whereas placing out 4 in 5 innings; he’ll be activated when rosters increase in September. In the meantime, the timeline for when Roki Sasaki will return to Los Angeles is unclear. Sidelined since mid-Might as a result of a shoulder impingement, he was unimpressive in his early rehab efforts when it comes to velocity and management, however he confirmed enchancment in his third rehab begin for OKC on Tuesday, averaging 96.4 mph together with his four-seamer and topping out at 98.8 throughout a 3 2/3-inning stint by which he allowed three earned runs whereas strolling two and placing out 4. With the Dodgers’ six-man rotation placing up a 3.28 ERA and three.12 FIP this month, there’s no explicit urgency for Sasaki’s return; he may work as a spot starter or out of the bullpen.
For his or her half, the Padres are attempting to maintain tempo with out two of their finest. Proper as they have been about to start their six-games-in-10-days stretch with the Dodgers on August 15, they misplaced Michael King once more. When obtainable, King has been the Padres’ co-ace alongside Nick Pivetta, with a 2.81 ERA, 3.30 FIP and 27.5% strikeout charge, however the 30-year-old righty managed only one begin of two-plus innings between an 11-week absence as a result of a pinched thoracic nerve after which a bout of left knee irritation. King threw a 44-pitch simulated sport on Saturday and can throw a minimum of another sim sport earlier than his return. Deadline acquisition JP Sears has been filling his rotation spot these days, however he’s carrying a 4.95 ERA and 5.01 FIP in 125.2 innings between the A’s and Padres this 12 months, with worse numbers for the reason that commerce. On condition that he was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, it’s unclear who will take the following begin in what’s usually King’s spot.
In that August 15 collection opener in opposition to the Dodgers, Jackson Merrill rolled his left ankle whereas popping out of the batters’ field, struggling each a sprain and a bone bruise. He performed by the harm that night time and the following, however exited the Padres’ August 17 sport within the fourth inning. The Padres hoped he would rebound shortly, however he didn’t play once more earlier than being positioned on the IL on August 23, retroactive to August 20 — way back to the staff was allowed to backdate the stint. That is the 22-year-old heart fielder’s third IL stint of the season; he’s been restricted to 91 video games and a modest .261/.317/.413 (105 wRC+) line whereas lacking time as a result of a proper hamstring pressure and a concussion as nicely. He did some gentle on-field work on August 26, and the staff is hoping to activate him when eligible on August 30. Ramón Laureano, their most impactful deadline acquisition to date, has been manning heart in his absence whereas Gavin Sheets, who had been scrambling for enjoying time for the reason that additions of each Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn, is again in left and swinging a sizzling bat. With O’Hearn heating up as nicely, Merrill’s return may enable supervisor Mike Shildt to take a seat Luis Arraez, who has struggled mightily in August.