Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you had a great weekend. Some players might not be feeling so good this week, as they are seeing their seasons end early as the need for rest or surgery has forced them into an early offseason. As we’ll read below, both Byron Buxton and Rafael Devers are out for the remainder of their seasons due to injury. We’ve also recently seen superstar Shohei Ohtani hit the bench to hopefully recover so he can help the Dodgers in the postseason. This is not a general statement on the grind
of baseball, or how players are pushing themselves too hard, but it is always interesting to see players wait until their teams are out of postseason contention before allowing themselves to be taken off the roster for much-needed recovery or surgery.
We look at that and more below, including how one injured player — Justin Verlander — is hoping to come back in time to pitch one last time before he retires.
So let’s get into today’s links!
- Jay Jaffe looks at the timely revival of Teoscar Hernandez.
- Keegan Matheson shares that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has finally gotten his first home run at home for the season. It just took until September.
- Molly Burkhardt reports that Willson Contreras has been activated from the IL by the Red Sox.
- David Schoenfield looks at the 10 players who made the biggest positive difference for their team.
- Dan Hayes reports that Byron Buxton will undergo season-ending hip surgery. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Love to see things like this.
- Former MLB player Jonathan Schoop has been sentenced to 30 months for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. (Curaçao Chronicle)
- Five things Ben Clemens liked (or didn’t like) this past week.
- Brent Maguire shares the six teams who most defied expectations this season… for better or worse.
- Karl Rasmussen looks at which players have been the most disappointing this season.
- Rafael Devers’ season is over due to a core muscle injury. (AP)
- Tyler Kepner assesses why Walt Weiss deserves to be manager of the year. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- I don’t think he intended for this to work so well.
- White Sox scouting director Mike Shirley has resigned amid verbal harassment allegations. Story by Brittany Ghiroli and Keith Law. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- David Laurila talks to several starting pitchers about the decline in starting innnings and what it means for baseball.
- Max Ralph shares that the Diamondbacks have designated Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for assignment.
- Stephen J. Nesbitt talks to MLB players about the positives and negatives of being a father while also being a professional ballplayer. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Ryan Phillips revisits the trade deadline five weeks later.
- Tigers’ starter Justin Verlander is on the path to make at least one final start before he retires. (AP)
- Brendan Kuty looks at how the Yankees honored 9/11 during the Subway Series. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- A really touching moment.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.
