As we have passed the quarter mark of the season, there is starting to become a noticeable separation in many divisions. In fact, entering play Monday, there are 16 teams that sit five or more games back in their own divisions.
One division, though, has been dominant throughout. The AL East has proven to be a powerhouse in the early going, with all teams accounting for a combined 126-79.
In fact, the worst record in the division belongs to the Red Sox, who are still 22-19. That record would be good enough for second or better in four of the other five divisions.
While the Rays lead the division at 31-11 (best record in baseball, a notable story early on has been the fantastic play of the Baltimore Orioles. At 26-14, the team that has long been a bottom-dweller in the division, now seems like a legitimate contender.
While the discussion of contenders and pretenders is starting to amp up around the league, this week has also seen a significant amount of injury news. Let’s take a look at some of these stories from around Major League Baseball this week.
Rasmussen Out For Foreseeable Future
Sticking in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays’ success has been largely due to their fantastic pitching staff. Unfortunately, that staff took another hit this week.
Already out pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Jeffrey Springs, and Shane Baz, the Rays added another pitcher to the extended injured list this week in righty Drew Rasmussen. He is out for at least the next couple months as he tries to recover from a flexor strain in his forearm.
This season, Rasmussen is 4-2 in eight starts. He sports a 2.62 ERA, 1.052 WHIP, and has 47 strikeouts in 44.2 innings of work.
The Rays currently have baseball’s best pitching staff ERA at 3.17, but that is going to be challenged moving forward with all of the pitching injuries.
Still, the Rays are the favorites to win the AL East at -155, and they have the third-best odds of winning the World Series at +700.
Mahle Out For Season
The Rays aren’t the only team dealing with injuries to their pitching staff. The Minnesota Twins lost one of their starters this week as Twins’ manager Rocco Baldelli indicated that Tyler Mahle would miss the remainder of the season as he was undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The 28-year-old Mahle is 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.052 WHIP, and has 28 strikeouts in 25.2 innings of work. He has helped his team to the third-best staff ERA at 3.30.
The Twins are currently 23-18, 3.5 games up on the Cleveland Guardians. They currently have the best odds of winning the AL Central at -340.
Colorado Rockies Dealing With Trio Of Injuries
While Rasmussen and Mahle are two of the bigger injuries, there have been several throughout the league this week. Here is a look at some of the other notable injuries from the week.
The Rockies have lost a few players this week. On Friday, starter Antonio Senzatela (0-1, 4.70 ERA) was put on the injured list with an elbow sprain. On Sunday, pitcher Ryan Feltner (2-3, 5.86 ERA) followed Senzatela to the injured list after taking a 93 miles per hour line drive to the face, suffering a skull fracture, off the bat of the Phillies’ Nick Castellanos.
If that all wasn’t bad enough for Colorado, they are also expected to add first baseman C.J. Cron (6 HR, 19 RBI) to the injured list. Cron has been dealing with back spasms and left Sunday’s 4-0 win over the Phillies early as a result.
