MLB enters its last week of the regular season, and teams in both leagues are jockeying for playoff berths and positioning. While the action on the field will determine the postseason, there has been plenty of news off the field affecting teams as well. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest news from the last week.
Verlander, Giles Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Over the weekend, Astros ace Justin Verlander announced via social media that he will be undergoing Tommy John surgery. The timing is unfortunate, as this means he will miss both the rest of this season and the entire 2021 season.
As a result, his tenure with the Houston Astros could effectively be over as he will be a free agent after next season.
This season, Verlander pitched just one game before being shut down with the injury. Last season, though, he was outstanding. He won the AL Cy Young award with the Astros after going 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and struck out 300 in 223 innings pitched.
Of course, age will play a factor in any returns to the mound. Knowing that he will miss all of next year, the 37-year-old will be 39 before he can return to a big-league mound. Still, the eventual hall-of-famer intends to try to return after undergoing surgery.
For the Astros, they will continue to try to scrap together a starting rotation in his absence. At 27-27, they have a three-game lead over the Mariners for the second playoff spot out of the AL West. Without Verlander leading the rotation, though, their chances of making a deep run certainly took a hit.
Verlander is not the only pitcher who announced that he is having Tommy John surgery this week. Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles is being shut down in favor of surgery.
Giles only pitched four games this season but was outstanding last season before dealing with elbow issues around the trade deadline. In 53 games last season, he went 2-3 with 23 saves. In 53 innings pitched, he had a 1.87 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts.
Arenado Goes On IL, Season Is Over
Dealing with inflammation and a left shoulder bone bruise, Nolan Arenado has been put on the 10-day injured list, which will end his 2020 season.
This has been a bit of a down season for the star third baseman. In 182 at-bats, Arenado hit .253/.303/.434 with eight home runs, 26 runs batted in, and 23 runs scored.
Still, his defense has been second to none, and he remains a highly sought out commodity. He has been disgruntled with the lack of competitiveness with the team and could opt out of his contract after next season.
Arizona Fall League Canceled This Season
It has been a tough year to be a minor leaguer. With the pandemic already playing havoc with the major league schedule, all levels of the minor leagues were canceled this season.
For many, there was hope that an expanded Arizona Fall League could somewhat alleviate the lack of baseball for minor leaguers. Unfortunately, those plans have to be put on hold as there were too many concerns on keeping the players and coaches safe with the amount of testing and restrictions put in place.
For such a short season, MLB did not feel that it was worth the risk. While many of the top prospects around the league have been part of the rosters at alternative sites, most minor leaguers have had to watch from home. Here is hoping for a better 2021, one that can see a return to normalcy in both the major and minor leagues.
