LIARS!
Wilson Ramos had a second ACL surgery this offseason. When he signed with the Rays Ramos said he would be good to go early in the year. In fact, he said he was ahead of schedule in his recovery from the procedure. Here is what was reported on December 12th.
Ramos said Monday he is already a month ahead of schedule in his recovery from Oct. 14 right knee surgery to repair his ACL and meniscus tears and is planning to be in the Rays lineup, as least as a DH, by early May, then later going behind the plate. "The pace of my rehab, at the very least, I expect to be available for the team, getting at-bats, DHing, really from the beginning of May," Ramos said.
Obviously, this was a flat out, bold faced, lie (more below). This is one of the most blatant deceptions since it was revealed the Clark Kent was indeed Superman.
Nearly exactly two months later we’re now hearing the following from MLB.com.
Ramos signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Rays in December. Tampa Bay was able to sign a catcher like him because he's coming off knee surgery, having torn his right ACL on Sept. 26. He will not likely be ready to play until July, and he probably won't be able to catch until August.
So, Ramos won’t be ready to play in May. It sounds like he might not even be able to play before the All-Star Break. Drop him down your list accordingly (see the Fantasy Alarm Rankings here).
Read this if you want to learn why the top-100, 200 or 300 list that you want to use on draft day is totally wrong.
THIS AND THAT
Justin Bour will get a shot to play first base on a daily basis in 2017 according to manager Don Mattingly. Great plan Don. I mean, who wouldn’t want to play a guy against lefties when he’s hit .233 with a .533 OPS and .252 wOBA against lefties? That’s just winning baseball Don. It’s only 110
big league plate appearances, but to this point Bour has been light years from replacement levels against lefties. In 2014, in the minors, he hit .252 with a .713 OPS against lefties over 43 games at Triple-A, so maybe there’s some hope that he can get to replacement level. Maybe.
Even if you’re a fan of Devin Mesoraco, perhaps this will have you pumping the breaks a bit. According to his manager, Bryan Price, Mesoraco will only play 50-60 percent of the time, at least for April, maybe longer. "Catching-wise, I feel like I can get into a deeper squat, which should help. I feel agile and really good back there,” Mesoraco said. Coming off a 2015 hip surgery and 2016 shoulder procedure, he’s a total wildcard this season, and it sounds like the Reds are planning on easing him into work in 2017. Exercise extreme caution with investing here.
Charlie Tilson could get a legit shot to win the starting center field job with the White Sox. The Sox outfield is a mess. Melky Cabrera is locked in at left field, but then it’s crazy time with Rymer Liriano/Willy Garcia/Avisail Garcia in the mix in right and center field looks like Tilson, Peter Bourjos and Adam Engel. That ain’t anywhere near inspiring on any planet. Tilson has one trait that excites, his speed which showed itself in 46 thefts at Double-A in 2015 (he stole just 15 bags last season at Triple-A). Tilson has solid skills, a nice approach at the dish, and isn’t afraid to spray the ball around the field. Alas, he has no pop and his arm is lacking. He’s an AL-only add late for that speed component.
Zack Wheeler is set to give start a shot as he will battle Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo for the fifth spot in the Mets rotation. Uh huh. I wrote about Wheeler recently in Tommy John Surgery. Coming off a completely lost 2016 season there is no way to know how long Wheeler’s arm will hold up, and there have been serious discussions about Wheeler spending a good part of the season working out of the bullpen. At the very least there will certainly be an innings limit after he threw one professional inning last season. That link also touches on how Matt Harvey feels great and is fine and ready to rock. Uh huh. You can read my thoughts about him in Avoid Matt Harvey.
Travis Wood has a 2-year deal in place with the Royals for $12 million. Though he pitched out of the bullpen exclusively last season with the Cubs (2.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP over 77 outings), it sounds like he will get a shot to compete for a starting spot with the Royals. Wood joins Jason Hammel as late additions to the Royals staff (for more on Hammel see Pitching and Middle Infield). Sounds like the plan for the Royals is to go with Hammel, Danny Duffy (see his Player Profile), Ian Kennedy and Jason Vargas. That means the fifth spot in the rotation is up for grabs between Nathan Karns, Matt Strahm and Travis Wood. The KC Star seems to believe that Strahm will be heading to the bullpen. I would think Wood would be best used out of the bullpen with Karns as a starter, but what do I know? lol
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Player News
Diamondbacks activated RHP Kevin Ginkel from the 15-day injured list.
He goes into the spot opened when Drew Jameson was sent down Monday. Ginkel is being activated after just two rehab appearances, the first of which was pretty bad (the second was a perfect inning, at least). He could be interesting in fantasy leagues if Justin Martínez’s disturbing showing Sunday proves to be the start of a trend. First, though, it would help if he impresses in his first couple of appearances back.
Blue Jays activated OF Daulton Varsho from the 10-day injured list.
Varsho, coming back from shoulder surgery, is ready to resume his duties as the Jays’ primary center fielder. George Springer should be locked back into right field now, and Alan Roden and Nathan Lukes will lose some playing time. Varsho had a great spring as a DH while he was prevented from playing the outfield, but he wound up just 3-for-25 during his seven-game rehab assignment. It’s possible he’ll offer some modest mixed-league value, but if the rehab stint is any indication, it won’t happen right away.
Blue Jays optioned 3B Will Wagner to Triple-A Buffalo.
Even though they’re getting back an outfielder in Daulton Varsho, the Jays are sending Wagner rather than Alan Roden or Addison Barger. Presumably, Barger, who has only started in right field this season, will pick up some playing time at third base now. Wagner was hitting just .186/.284/.220 in 68 plate appearances while sharing time with Ernie Clement. Both his exit velocity and contact numbers have been worse than in his 2024 audition, and since he’s not much of an asset defensively either, he might not get another chance for some time.
Blue Jays optioned RHP Paxton Schultz to Triple-A Buffalo.
Waiver claim Justin Lawrence will take his spot. Schultz had a 4.05 ERA and an impressive 11/2 K/BB in 6 2/3 innings over two appearances for the Jays.
Mets recalled RHP Kevin Herget from Triple-A Syracuse.
Herget will be making his Mets debut after posting a 3.72 ERA in 9 2/3 innings of relief for Syracuse. He has a 4.64 ERA in 42 2/3 career innings in the majors.
Mets designated RHP José Ureña for assignment.
Ureña aided the Mets by throwing three innings for a save in Monday’s blowout and gets thrown right back onto the scrap heap after two days with the club.