MLB Player Rankings
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Pirates' Chris Archer (neck, shoulder) out until 2021
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer (neck, shoulder) underwent surgery Tuesday to "relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome."
Archer will not be available until the 2021 season. The issue may help explain why Archer recorded an ERA above 5.00 last year for the first time in his career. The 31-year-old right-hander reported discomfort in his right neck/shoulder area in March during spring training. He is 6-12 with a 4.92 ERA in 33 starts since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2018 trade deadline.
Archer posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with a 27.2 strikeout percentage in 119 2/3 innings last season.
Rays expect 'zero limitations' for Blake Snell (elbow) during future spring training
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell has not thrown off the mound since spring training concluded in March.
According to Tampa Bay's pitching coach Kyle Snyder, the Rays will be "cautious" with Snell but remain optimistic the left-hander will have "zero limitations" whenever spring training restarts. "“There’s been a level of consistency throughout all these guys,’’ said Synder when asked about his plan for his pitchers. “It’s going to come down to gauging where each of them are before they really hit the gas pedal."
Expect Snell to work his way back while the Rays' facilities are open for three-day-a-week sessions. For the upcoming season, numberFire's models project Snell for a 3.44 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 170 innings pitched.
Yankees' Aaron Hicks progressing in his rehab from Tommy John surgery
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks is currently taking dry swings and doing a throwing program, according to general manager Brian Cashman.
Hicks underwent Tommy John Surgery late in October after the Yankees were eliminated in the ALCS by the Houston Astros (Hicks played a pivotal role in forcing a Game 6). He began a throwing program in late March after Spring Training was canceled due to the coronavirus, and it seems as though he's on track to play at some point if the MLB returns, with Cashman calling him a "legit option" to man center field this summer.
In 59 games last season, Hicks hit for a .235/.325/.443 slash line 12 home runs and 36 RBI.
James Paxton (back) throwing simulated innings in preparation for Yankees' season
New York Yankees starting pitcher James Paxton has progressed in his rehabilitation process enough that he's been able to pitch some simulated innings, according to general manager Brian Cashman.
Paxton underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy on February 5 to remove a cyst near his spine. The original time frame for a full recovery was 3-4 months, and it seems as though he's on track to meet that. However, the MLB season never started due to the coronavirus, and even if baseball were to come back this season, it wouldn't be until at least July. So it seems as though Paxton won't miss any time after surgery, which would be a fortunate break for the Yankees.
In 150.2 innings across 29 starts last season, Paxton had a 3.82 ERA with 186 strikeouts and a 1.28 WHIP.
Yankees' Aaron Judge (rib) wouldn't have been ready until "summertime"
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge will not be ready for MLB action until the "summertime," according to general manager Brian Cashman.
Judge is dealing with a cracked rib, which was revealed at Spring Training to have occurred late in the 2019 season. Given the MLB's delayed opening due to coronavirus (and while a deal is on the table for the players to sign, it doesn't seem as though an end is necessarily near in sight), it may not matter at all. But had the season started on time, it seems as though the Yankees could have been without their star right fielder for an extended period of time.
In 102 games last season, Judge hit for a .272/.381/.540 slash line with 27 home runs and 55 RBI.
Rangers' Willie Calhoun (jaw) 'back up to 100 percent'
Texas Rangers utility-man Willie Calhoun (jaw) participated in machine batting practice after fully recovering from a fractured jaw suffered in March.
Calhoun is thankfully healthy after suffering a scary injury from a hit-by-pitch during a March Cactus League game. “Health-wise I’m in a really good place right now," said the 25-year old when asked about his current status. "I’m back up to 100 percent. I’ve gained back some of the weight that I lost. Other than that I’m pretty good.”
Expect Calhoun to play everyday in left field against starting right-handers whenever the MLB regular season is ready to begin. numberFire's season-long projection for Calhoun includes a .268 average with 24 home runs and 71 RBI in 524 total plate appearances.