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It has been a tremendous breakout season for Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer, who got his first All-Star nod in July and boasts a 2.22 ERA with 214 strikeouts through 166 innings. But we unfortunately have to press the pause button, as the 27-year-old was placed on the disabled list Tuesday after being diagnosed with a small fracture in the lower part of his right fibula.
Bauer suffered the injury in his last start Saturday against the White Sox when he got hit by a Jose Abreu line drive with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was originally diagnosed as a contusion, with initial X-rays coming back negative, but an MRI taken back in Cleveland revealed the bad news.
Indians manager Terry Francona told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that there is no timetable on Bauer’s potential return because the team is still gathering information about what the rehab process will entail. There should be a little more clarity by the end of the week, after Bauer meets with specialists.
The Indians are the only team in the American League Central with a record above .500 and they currently hold a 12 1/2-game lead on first place, so it’s safe to assume they’re going to play this very carefully.
Adam Plutko will get the first crack at Bauer’s rotation spot this Saturday against the Orioles.
Plutko has posted an underwhelming 4.75 ERA in six starts and three relief appearances (41 2/3 innings) this season at the MLB level, but the 26-year-old holds an impressive 1.70 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 81/16 K/BB ratio in 84 2/3 innings at Triple-A Columbus and makes for a decent fantasy streaming option versus the last-place O’s. Bauer owners might want to give him a try.
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Ramos Looks Ready
The Phillies made a crafty move at the July 31 trade deadline, acquiring injured catcher Wilson Ramos from the Rays for a player to be named later -- a player reportedly ranked outside of the organization’s top-30 prospects. It’s about to pay off for them, possibly in a major way.
Ramos is due to meet up with the Phillies ahead of Wednesday night’s series finale against the Red Sox and could be activated off the disabled list and start behind the plate in that game.
The 30-year-old backstop went 4-for-9 with three doubles and two runs scored in three minor league rehab games at High-A Clearwater, logging 14 innings at catcher while experiencing no discomfort in the left hamstring that he strained back on July 14 while still a member of the Rays.
Ramos had an .834 OPS with 14 homers and 53 RBI through 78 games this season with Tampa Bay.
Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia suspects that Phillies manager Gabe Kapler will regularly bat Ramos fourth, behind Cesar Hernandez, Rhys Hoskins, and Nick Williams, and in front of Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana, Odubel Herrera, and Maikel Franco. That looks like fertile ground for Ramos to rack up high-level fantasy counting stats down the stretch.
The Nationals’ Bullpen Mess
The Nationals lost another late-inning reliever on Tuesday, as Ryan Madson was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back injury -- officially termed lumbar nerve root irritation.
Madson was named the Nats’ fill-in closer when Kelvin Herrera, who had been filling in for the injured Sean Doolittle, hit the disabled list on August 8 with a right rotator cuff impingement. Now the ninth-inning reins will fall to Koda Glover, per manager Davey Martinez, even after Glover allowed a walk-off home run in the ninth inning of Monday night’s loss to the Cardinals.
Doolittle figures to step back into the closer role when he returns to full health, but he told reporters following a bullpen session Tuesday that he is working on mechanical adjustments to his delivery so that he can pitch through a stress reaction in his left foot and that he is “still trying to get it right.” There’s no clear timetable at this point. Herrera resumed playing catch this week but is still a ways away. Madson will be out at least 10 days and hasn’t been very effective this year anyway.
So the Nats turn their dreary eyes to Glover, who has logged just 1 2/3 innings this season at the major league level due to right shoulder troubles. He did have a 2.25 ERA and 10/2 K/BB ratio in eight minor league rehab innings with Triple-A Syracuse and is certainly worth owning in all mixed fantasy leagues, but it’s hard to have any confidence in a Washington reliever at the moment.
National League Quick Hits: Giants activated first baseman Brandon Belt (knee) from the 10-day disabled list … Ronald Acuna went 3-for-5 with two more homers and four RBI as the Braves topped the Marlins on Tuesday … Kenley Jansen (heart) is hoping to be cleared to return after a follow-up with a cardiologist next Monday … Kris Bryant (shoulder) fielded grounders Tuesday morning at Wrigley Field … Jhoulys Chacin delivered seven scoreless innings with a season-high 10 strikeouts Tuesday in the Brewers’ blanking of the Cubs … Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he’s optimistic Brandon Crawford will avoid the 7-day concussion disabled list … Nolan Arenado hit his 30th homer as the Rockies’ designated hitter in Tuesday’s win over the Astros … Brandon McCarthy (knee) announced Tuesday that he will retire from baseball at the conclusion of the 2018 season … Yasiel Puig was ejected from Tuesday night’s game against the Giants after shoving catcher Nick Hundley … Yu Darvish (elbow) threw around 45 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday morning … Bryce Harper ripped his 30th home run of the season on Tuesday in St. Louis … Rhys Hoskins socked a solo home run for the Phillies’ lone run in Tuesday’s loss to the Red Sox … Jerad Eickhoff (shoulder, wrist) tossed four scoreless innings in his third rehab start Tuesday with High-A Clearwater … J.T. Realmuto delivered a two-run homer and a two-run single Tuesday in a losing cause against the Braves … Kolten Wong went 3-for-3 with a two-RBI double and a solo home run in the Cardinals’ win over the Nationals on Tuesday … Cardinals closer Bud Norris has been dealing with some soreness in his right hip … Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Joakim Soria (quad) will miss more than the minimum 10 days … Zach Davies (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next minor league rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Colorado Springs … Phillies optioned infielder J.P. Crawford to Triple-A Lehigh Valley … Dodgers placed setup man John Axford on the 10-day disabled list with a fractured right fibula … Brian Duensing (shoulder) played catch from a distance of 105 feet on Tuesday … Jay Bruce (hip) went 0-for-2 with a walk in his first rehab game Tuesday with High-A St. Lucie … Antonio Senzatela (shoulder) threw live batting practice on Tuesday afternoon … Julio Urias (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch two-plus innings in a rehab appearance Wednesday at High-A Rancho Cucamonga … Brewers acquired right-hander Jake Thompson from the Phillies for cash considerations; optioned him to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
American League Quick Hits: Rays acquired top pitching prospect Shane Baz from the Pirates as the player to be named later in the Chris Archer trade … James Paxton exited his start Tuesday night against the A’s after taking a line drive off his throwing arm in the bottom of the first inning, but X-rays turned up negative … Rick Porcello was on point Tuesday, whiffing a season-high 10 batters across seven innings of one-run ball in a victory over the Phillies … Robinson Cano started at first base and hit second in his first game back from an 80-game PED suspension Tuesday against the Athletics … George Springer (thumb) took batting practice, ran the bases, and made throws from the outfield on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park … Gary Sanchez (groin) could begin playing in minor league rehab games next week … Jose Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double, two RBI, and three runs scored Tuesday against the Reds … Adrian Beltre (hamstring) was held out of the Rangers’ starting lineup Tuesday night against the Diamondbacks … J.A. Happ walked four but gave up just one single over seven shutout innings Tuesday in the Yankees’ win over the Rays … Adalberto Mondesi went 4-for-4 with two doubles and three steals against the Blue Jays on Tuesday … Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) will throw another live batting practice session on Wednesday … Trevor Hildenberger pitched a scoreless ninth with a three-run lead for a save Tuesday against the Pirates … Brian McCann (knee) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Fresno … Mychal Givens converted his fourth save of the season Tuesday against the Mets … Michael Fulmer struck out four batters over two perfect innings Tuesday in his rehab debut with High-A Lakeland … Byron Buxton (wrist) went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in his return to the lineup at Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday … Jake Faria will return to the Rays’ rotation on Wednesday versus the Yankees … Ian Kinsler (hamstring) could be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday or Friday … Curtis Granderson cleared revocable trade waivers … Jed Lowrie went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run to lead the Athletics to a 3-2 victory over the Mariners on Tuesday … Adam Jones will be placed on the bereavement list later this week … Taylor Ward started at third base and batted seventh in his major league debut with the Angels on Tuesday … Jorge Lopez will be called up to start for the Royals on Wednesday night against the Blue Jays … Chris Devenski (hamstring) began a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Fresno … Jose Iglesias left Tuesday night’s game against the White Sox due to a right thumb contusion … Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley (oblique) tossed two scoreless innings in his return to action Tuesday night at Double-A Corpus Christi … Angels acquired right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne from the Marlins for cash considerations.
