The New York Yankees’ bullpen and likely your fantasy team just got a bit stronger on Tuesday as the Bronx Bombers activated closer David Robertson from the 15-day disabled list.
Mar 13, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) throws a pitch during the third inning of a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Robertson will jump right back into the ninth inning role so make sure you have him active today when the Yanks take on the Boston Red Sox.
Robertson has been out with a sore groin.
The injured closer threw an inning in an extended spring training game Saturday morning at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, showing no signs of the left groin strain that has kept him on the disabled list for nearly two weeks.
Shawn Kelley has filled in capably for Robertson, but the Yankees will be in stronger shape with him restored to a setup role this week.
Robertson has only thrown three innings this season without allowing an earned run.
Other Injury News:
Wilson Ramos, Washington Nationals
It looks like Ramos, on the disabled list with a broken hamate bone in his left hand suffered on Opening Day, may be a little ahead of schedule.
Ramos was expected to miss four to five weeks and has been hitting balls off a tee with a modified bat that has the weight taken out of it, and is trying to get his hand strength back.
He will need plenty of at bats on a minor league rehab when the time comes, but all reports suggest that the worst-case scenario is that Ramos is at least right on schedule.
Wandy Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates
Apr 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (51) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. The Cubs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The struggling veteran left-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday as reliever Jared Hughes was re-called by the Pirates. Rodriguez was placed on the DL with right knee inflammation. It’s unclear how or when Rodriguez injured the knee. He pitched Saturday and was scheduled to pitch Thursday.
He has been struggling for the Pirates, allowing 14 earned runs in his last 14 innings pitched. He hasn’t been fooling anyone as Rodriguez’s mistakes have been getting crushed, allowing seven home runs on the season.
Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 7.65 ERA on the season. No announcement has been made on who will take his spot in the rotation.
Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle could elect an internal option like Jeanmar Gomez or Stolmy Pimentel or could call up a starter from the minors prior to Thursday.
Left hander Jeff Locke or right hander Brandon Cumpton would be the likely candidates.
Hughes picked up the win with a scoreless ninth inning for the Pirates Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds.
Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies
Our Mike Marteny had the Cuddyer news:
"The Colorado Rockies have placed OF Michael Cuddyer on the 15 day disabled list with a strained hamstring. INF/OF Charlie Culberson has been called up to take Cuddyer’s place on the active roster."
Cuddyer can swing the bat, which is good news, but he can’t run anywhere close to full speed because of a strained left hamstring, so the Rockies placed him on the 15-day disabled list Monday afternoon. Cuddyer is eligible to return on May 3 when the Rockies host the Mets.
Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
Marteny also had the Sale news:
"The Chicago White Sox have placed LHP Chris Sale on the 15 day disabled list with a flexor strain. The good news is that the MRI showed no structural damage in his elbow. The White Sox expect him to return in the first week of May. LHP Charlie Leesman has been called up to start today against Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander."
Sale had been experiencing soreness in his arm after he threw a career-high 127 pitches in his previous start, and he underwent an MRI on Monday night.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said the soreness Sale is experiencing doesn’t appear to be related to ligament damage, but he said the team wants to err on the side of caution with the team’s top pitcher. He said the team will see how Sale responds to treatment but doesn’t believe the problem should linger beyond 15 days.
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Apr 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) accepts his Cy Young Award for the 2013 season before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Kershaw will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday that will set him up to begin a Minor League rehab assignment Friday. He’s been on the disabled list since March 23 with a strained teres major muscle.
Even if Kershaw comes out fine in the Minor Leagues on Friday, the club is likely to encourage him to make a second rehab start. Kershaw is eager to return, but even with a second outing, he could rejoin the Dodgers’ rotation in Washington at the end of the upcoming trip.
Cameron Maybin, San Diego Padres
Entering Monday, Maybin had gone 5-for-26 on a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso. Following a slow start that included an ejection, four of his hits have come in the last three games. Position players can spend a maximum of 20 days on a minor rehab assignment. Maybin reported for his assignment April 11.
Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado Rockies
Chacin will make a rehab start of 70-80 pitches Friday for Triple-A Colorado Springs, and it could be his last or next-to-last rehab start. Chacin, who suffered a right shoulder strain at the onset of Spring Training, has had two productive rehab starts at Class-A Modesto, although there are reports that his slider is not MLB ready.
Scott Feldman, Houston Astros
The Astros have placed Feldman on the 15-day disabled list with right biceps tendinitis. In four starts, Feldman has been very good with a 2-1 record and 1.69 ERA. Opponents are only batting .176 against him. To take his roster spot, the Astros will up Collin McHugh on Tuesday.
Matt Harrison, Texas Rangers
Harrison threw a light bullpen session Monday and will throw a more intense one Tuesday before it is determined whether the left-hander will come off the disabled list this weekend at Seattle. Harrison made his most impressive rehab start to date Saturday, allowing only three hits in eight scoreless innings for Double-A Frisco.