10 MLB comeback candidates to watch in 2018
Comeback stories are always among the most exciting to watch each MLB season, and these are the ones to look out for in 2018.
Spring Training is a time for rebirth, much like the season as a whole. Each MLB player arrives to Florida or Arizona (in the best shape of their life) with renewed hope and a positive outlook. Even the most nagging injuries from the year before are in the past. Spring is the ultimate Comeback Szn.
Be it because of injury or age, there are quite a few MLB stars who enter each season with a need for a rebound season. Last year, it was Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas who claimed the Comeback Player of the Year award after returning from an ugly ACL injury to hit 38 home runs and set a new franchise record. Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman also returned for his first full season after an ugly knee injury. All-Star closer Greg Holland came back from Tommy John to show he still had what it takes to dominate in the ninth inning.
There is no shortage of comeback candidates around baseball as Opening Day fast approaches. These are the top 10 players to watch for the best and most intriguing MLB comeback stories for 2018.
player. 61. . SP. Cincinnati Reds. Homer Bailey. 10
With Brandon Finnegan and Anthony Desclafani likely to miss Opening Day due to injury, the Cincinnati Reds absolutely must get a healthy season from former ace Homer Bailey. Since signing his six-year, $105-million extension, the right-hander has been hit by injury after injury. He has made only 49 starts in the first four years of the deal and has gone 17-18 with a 4.95 ERA.
Bailey actually made 18 starts last year, the most he has completed in a season since 2014, but was hit hard. He finished the year 6-9 with a 6.43 ERA and gave up 112 hits in only 91 innings of work. This might be the last chance for the 31-year-old to prove he still has a place in the major leagues.
As bad as the contract has been so far for the Reds, there still has to be hope Bailey can figure things out and get his career back on track. This is, after all, a pitcher who threw two no-hitters before turning 30.