Unfortunately it was a weekend full of injuries/injury updates around the MLB. Los Angeles Angels starter C.J. Wilson, Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, Boston Red Sox starter Rick Porcello and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza are among those dealing with ailments.
The biggest news comes from Los Angeles, where Wilson expects to undergo season-ending surgery after an MRI on Friday revealed bone spurs on all sides of his left elbow, according to Zach Helfand of the Los Angeles Times. Wilson announced his MRI results on Sunday.
The left-hander said he underwent an MRI back in April, which found he had bone spurs in his elbow, but he decided to pitch through the injury. The 34-year-old is 8-8 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 21 starts (132 innings) this season, but at this point he said the bone spurs are limiting his range of motion and affecting his ability to pitch.
The official diagnosis is a left elbow impingement secondary to arthritis and although he already indicated surgery is the most likely option, Wilson will wait for a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache and send his MRI results to Dr. James Andrews, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.
In Miami, the Marlins continue to play without their star player. Stanton has been out since late June after suffering a broken hamate bone in his left hand. He underwent surgery on June 28 and is now in the process of building back strength in his hand, but he still has no timetable for return as his progress is "definitely slower" than previously expected, according to Steve Wilaj of MLB.com.
The 25-year-old was batting .265/.346/.606 with 47 runs scored, 27 home runs and 67 RBIs in 74 games before the injury. The Marlins (43-62) are among the worst in the MLB and Stanton's absence is not helping.
The Red Sox, as if their starting rotation wasn't already in a state of shambles, placed Porcello on the 15-day disabled list with soreness and inflammation in his right triceps, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Boston's starting rotation ranks 28th in the MLB with a 4.90 ERA and Porcello's 5-11 record with a 5.81 ERA and 1.44 WHIP was not helping the cause.
Porcello was knocked around last Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox and surrendered six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and one walk in just two innings of work. He left the game after throwing only 68 pitches and Red Sox manager John Farrell said the decision to place Porcello on the DL came after the right-hander was unable to endure his regularly scheduled throwing session on Sunday.
As for the Tampa Bay Rays, they'll be without one of their young promising players in Souza. The 26-year-old was placed on the 15-day DL with a fracture left hand, which he suffered on Saturday after Red Sox starter Joe Kelly hit him with a pitch, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He's expected to miss four to six weeks.
Souza was also sidelined for about two weeks in July due to a lacerated pinkie finger. He's batting .214/.303/.403 with 47 runs scored, 15 home runs (leads team), 34 RBIs (leads team) and 10 stolen bases (leads team) in 89 games this season.
Check back later in the week for some updates on these players.
