MLB Updates: P.E.D Suspension, Yankees slump, and more
MLB Update: Tatis Jr. 80 game P.E.D. suspension, Yankees second-half slump, Mets & Dodgers rotation weakened.
The ‘dog days’ of the 2022 MLB season have arrived, bringing many twists and turns as certain clubs make the final push for October. Powerhouses of both the National and American leagues are appearing less dangerous as expected going into September.
On August 12th, ESPN insider reporter, Jeff Passan, released disappointing news of an 80-game suspension on talented young Padres’ shortstop, Fernando Tatis Jr. The suspension came after Tatis tested positive for a substance known as Clostebol, which violates the MLB’s rules against performance-enhancing drugs, according to Passan.
Reports by ESPN discovered the reasoning behind the positive test was due to an ‘accident’ as Tatis worded it. The twenty-three-year-old power hitter was using medication to help clear up ringworm that had flared up on his body which contained the Closetebol.
Just as the Padres were about to regain their gem of a third baseman and elite all-around hitter off the IL, it comes to a shocking halt. San Diego will now rely on their trade deadline acquisitions of Juan Soto, Josh Bell, and Brandon Drury, even more, to produce offensively with the timeline of Tatis’ absence growing.
A classic occurrence of a New York Yankees season would be to struggle in the beginning of the season but finish strong and rally towards October. This season’s results are the complete opposite. The ‘Bronx Bombers’ put together the best first half the MLB has seen since the 2001 Seattle Mariners who currently hold the best record in modern baseball history with 116 wins and 46 losses.
Going into the All-Star break the Yankees were the hottest team in baseball led by MVP favorite, Aaron Judge, who looks to break the all-time home run in a season record. Everything was going smoothly as silk for the pinstripes until the all-star break concluded. Since returning from the break the Yankees hold a record of 8-17, losing five straight series, making this drought the worst series losing streak since the 2005 season, according to baseball-refence.com.
These second-half struggles stem from the absence of a pivotal lineup piece in power hitter, Giancarlo Stanton, a struggling bullpen, and poor management of promoting pieces from their minor league systems. The lineup’s run-scoring ability has continued to underperform as the Yankees scored only one run in their twenty-seven innings. Yankee fans, the Bronx is burning, unfortunately, nothing like the way it was in the late seventies.
Two of the biggest World Series contenders in the National League took major hits this week to their respective 40-man rosters as injuries start to take their toll.
Los Angeles Dodgers beat writer for the Athletic, Fabian Ardaya, tweeted breaking news of season-ending injury for L.A.’s ace starting pitcher, Walker Buehler. The 2020 World Series champion will be sidelined till at least next season due to an incoming elbow injury which will commence on August 23rd, according to Ardaya.
Losing Buehler will hurt the Dodger’s rotation depth significantly, especially as the postseason ball begins. The Dodgers should have no issues continuing their dominance over the N.L. West as they have scorched their opponents returning from the all-star break.
L.A.’s starting pitching rotation issues arise just as the New York Mets run into a similar problem. Beginning their imperative three-game series against the division rival Atlanta Braves, starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco went down after suffering an elbow injury.
The New York Times reported that the right-handed veteran would be missing up to a month of playing time due to a low-grade oblique strain. Carassco’s reliability has been a great commodity as he helped the Mets hold on to their division lead despite losing Jacob Degrom and Max Scherzer for parts of the mid-season.
The injuries continued to pile up for the ‘Amazins’ as former All-Star pitcher, Taijuan Walker, who also was having a tremendous year, suffered back spasms, which led to an early departure in the second game of the series with Atlanta.
Not to mention the Mets placing utility infielder and pivotal, bottom-of-the-lineup anchor, Luis Guillorme, for a potential six weeks after rehabilitating from a groin strain, as reported by MLB.com insider, Anthony DiComo.
These injuries for the Mets come at a rough time for the N.L. East division leaders who are trying to break away from closely trailing rivals in the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.
Will we see yet another disappointing late-season collapse from the infamously poor September playing Mets? Signs point to no, if the club can continue to fight adversity like they have all season taking the courage and ‘next man up mentality manager, Buck Showalter, has influenced into his clubhouse.
It will be an interesting month to watch unfold as teams rise and fall to their expectations of making the playoffs. More updates can be found here at spotlifeasia.com for more information on Major League Baseball as the hectic regular season fades into autumn baseball.
*All images courtesy of MLB
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