Troy Tulowitzki out for the season
News broke late on Wednesday night that Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki would miss the rest of the season due to hip surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. I wrote in Wednesday's Roundup that he could be shut down for the rest of the season, but this news is worse.
Troy Renck, former Rockies beat writer from the Denver Post, tweeted on Wednesday night that this hip surgery is not a simple process or recovery. I opined on the AskRotoBaseball podcast on Wednesday night, that Tulo could begin the 2015 season on the disabled list, and possibly more ,if the recovery is as long as I think it is. I compared his surgery to the surgery Alex Rodriguez had in 2013, and he played in just 44 games. After the surgery in January 2013, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported that the recovery time would be six months, but ARod didn't appear in a game till early August, so he needed another month to recover.
Assuming Tulowitzki has the surgery soon, there is a chance he is ready for spring training, if his recovery time is 6-7 months. But, it is very possible he misses a good part of spring training and begins the season on the disabled list. Heading into the 2015 season, Tulowitzki's fantasy value will more than likely fall, as I don't see him as a first round pick anymore. He is too risky of a player going forward, especially after this major injury. I question how much of his power will return after having to rehab this injury as well.
Finally, you have to wonder if Tulo's days at shortstop are over after this news. Hip injuries are not easy to return from, and could impact his range in the infield. A move to third base or even first base is a possibility, yet with Gold Glover Nolan Arenado at third base, I don't see the Rockies moving him off of third base.
For more on Tulowitzki's season ending injury, make sure you check out Purple Row, SB Nation's Rockies fan site.
Round'em Up
Well, the news wasn't good on Tulowitzki's teammate Carlos Gonzalez either. Yesterday, we received news that his knee injury isn't getting better, and actually, is getting worse, according to reports, and there is a very good chance he is shut down for the rest of the season.
The injuries to Tulowitzki and CarGo opens up playing time for Josh Rutledge and Drew Stubbs in the Rockies lineup, and both could provide decent power and speed numbers down the stretch.
The Rays pitching rotation has been decimated with injuries and the trade of David Price, but the performance of Chris Archer, while choppy, has been promising this season. Last night, Archer dominated the Rangers, giving up just one run on 4 hits, 2 walks and striking out 12 in the Rays 10-1 win. Archer moved his record to 8-6 with a solid 3.24 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 135-54 strikeout to walk rate in 144.2 innings this season. He has given up two runs or less in 15 of his 24 starts this season, but needs to improve his control next season to take the next step.
Reds starter Homer Bailey will be placed on the 15 day disabled list with a "flexor mass injury' in his right arm, whatever that is. I assume it is an elbow injury. The Reds can't afford to lose Bailey, and hope he can return by the end of the month. Bailey was turning his season around of late, after enduring a very rough April and May.
Indians starter Trevor Bauer seems to have made the necessary adjustments to become an effective starter at the big league level in 2014. On Wednesday, he limited the Diamondbacks to just 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 waks and 9 strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision. Bauer is now 4-7 with a 4.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 101-41 strikeout to walk rate in 107.2 innings thus far. Not great numbers, but there has been progress made. To take the next step, he will have to limit the free passes and the long ball, and I am confident Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway can help him make those adjustments heading into 2015.
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