At the end of the second full week of the MLB season, fans around the league have been treated to fantastic performances, high-level drama, and even a historic benchmark being surpassed.
Whether it is the Rays combined no-hitter, the ugly scene of Yankees’ fans throwing trash at Guardians’ outfielders, or even Miguel Cabrera reaching his 3,000th hit, this season has already had a little bit for everybody.
With so much excitement on the field, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories off the field as well.
Eloy Jimenez Out For Foreseeable Future
Many predicted that the Chicago White Sox would run away with the AL Central this year, but in the early going, they have struggled immensely. At 6-9, they sit tied for third in the division and have only won two of their last ten games.
Part of Chicago’s problem has been injuries. Lucas Giolito just returned on Sunday from a trip to the injured list, but they have also been without third baseman Yoan Moncada and starter Lance Lynn. They also lost bullpen arm Garrett Crochet for the year.
Over the weekend, they added another name to the injured list as outfielder Eloy Jimenez suffered a right hamstring strain. As reported by The Athletic’s James Fegan, Jimenez may miss as much as six to eight weeks.
This is the second year in a row Jimenez will suffer a lengthy absence after tearing a pectoral muscle last season in spring training.
In 36 at bats prior to his injury this season, Jimenez was hitting .222/.256/.333 with a home run and seven runs batted in.
Despite the injuries and the slow start, the White Sox are still the favorites to win the AL Central at -210. They are tied for the fourth-best odds of winning the World Series at +1200.
Conforto Out For Year
After all of the dust settled, there was one significant free agent still available in outfielder Michael Conforto. After hitting .232/.344/.384 with 14 home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 52 runs scored with the Mets, Conforto was expected to get big money on the free-agent market.
Conforto did have a qualifying offer attached to him, meaning that there would be draft pick consequences for any team that signed him, but Conforto’s production means someone would have likely eventually signed him.
Unfortunately, it was revealed over the weekend that Conforto, who had hurt his shoulder in January during an offseason workout, is having surgery on the shoulder and will be out for the season.
While he won’t play at all in 2023, the 29-year-old outfielder should still be sought after next offseason, particularly since he will no longer have the draft pick compensation attached to him.
Still, it is a big blow for the Scott Boras client and for any team that is in need of outfield help.
Means Undergoes Tommy John
Conforto isn’t the only one that is out for the season. After being put on the 60-day injured list with an elbow strain, further testing has revealed that he is in need of Tommy John surgery.
This is a big blow to the Baltimore Orioles for a couple of reasons. First, Means has been their best starter as of late. Last season, he went 6-9 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and had 134 strikeouts in 146.2 innings.
For a team that has little chance of competing in the AL East this season, the other issue is that Means would have been a solid trade chip for the Orioles ahead of the trade deadline. There were rumors he could be on the move this offseason, but a deal never came to fruition.
For the Orioles, who sit 6-10, four games out of first place already, this is rough news as their rebuild looks to make progress at the major league level.
