Ambulance Chasers: Kevin Ouchman

Welcome to another week of Razzball Ambulance Chasers!

Folks, I have got to tell you that the injuries are ramping straight into “out for the season” like the most bad ass truck at Monster Jam you’ve ever seen.

The rumors you’ve heard are true. I am not a doctor, but I have still been leaving the emergency room, covered in blood, while looking shell shocked and whispering “Nick…Lodolo’s…finger” over and over again. Honestly, I don’t know why they keep letting me back there.

You can’t save them all.

We’re going to talk about Bo Bichette and Kevin Gausman and some other players now.

Notable Injuries

AL Central

Steven Kwan (OF, CLE), back: Kwan joined the IL with some mid-back soreness. It marks a break from what started off as a strong season that took a nosedive in the last few months. Although Kwan is eligible to come off the IL in the coming days, updates about his status have been vague. Myles Straw was brought up to take Kwan’s roster spot and immediately did a goof by being picked off in his first play. So, maybe he needs to shake a little (or a lot) more rust off.

So, if you have Kwan, maybe he has not been much use to you. Let’s say you need someone though. In the same division, Andrew Benintendi seems to want to separate himself somewhat from the rest of the White Sox. I had a poop analogy ready to go here, but I thought better of it.

I digress.

Benintendi hit 3 HR with 7 RBIs in his last 25 AB. So, maybe he will have a few little gurgles before the season finally dies off. Anyway, he better not get too good and mess up this loss record for the rest of us.

If you aren’t division bound, Pavin Smith continues to be hot (also, Randal Grichuk). However, consistency in the final few weeks of the season is not a guarantee, which can really be said for everyone I mentioned above as the season ends.

AL East

Bo Bichette (SS, TOR), finger: Because of our editorial standards, I am not sure if I can write “lol” as a standalone sentence, but that’s what I wanted to write. Bichette returns to the IL as quickly as he left it with a fractured finger middle right. His sad 2024 season comes to an end. Perhaps his time with the Blue Jays as well. Sorry, Bo-lievers (it’s me; I am a Bo-liever).

Kevin Gausman (SP, TOR), back: The knife in the Blue Jays’ back gets twisted deeper as Kevin Gausman has his own share of lower back tightness. At the time of publication, Gausman was listed as questionable for his next start. However, Gausman shared he thinks he will be available for that start next week.

Gausman is not an easy replacement, but one option to take a look at is Jose Quintana. Quintana has been on a heater lately. In his last 37 IP, he’s thrown a 1.95 ERA with 5.6 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9. Look at that old timer go.

NL East

Francisco Lindor (SS, NYM), back: Lindor is not on the IL, but he has been out for a few days with lower back soreness. Manager Carlos Mendoza shared there was a chance Lindor could play this weekend. On another positive note, Lindor was spotted taking batting practice yesterday.

Luckily, the Mets may regain Kodai Senga. Senga will play in Triple-A this weekend and try to slip in a regular season game after that.

NL West

Austin Barnes (C, LAD), toe: Dodgers’ backup catcher Austin Barnes is out again with a toe fracture. Barnes fractured the same toe just a month ago. Ouch.

It is unclear when Barnes will return. Hunter Feduccia was recalled to take Barnes place on the roster for now. Fedducia has 81 H, 6 HR, and 50 RBIs in 285 AB this season in the MiLB.

Colorado’s Hunter Goodman could be a helpful and available replacement if his hot streak stays a little longer. Goodman has hit 4 HR and 9 RBIs in the last week.

Ryne Nelson (SP, ARI), shoulder: Nelson goes to the IL with right shoulder inflammation, but it’s possible he will be back before the end of the regular season. Brandon Hughes was recalled to replace Nelson.

Tampa Bay’s Zack Littell could be available in your league. In his last 13 IP, he’s thrown 8.3 K/9 and 0.0 BB/9.

Updates From The Infirmary

Here are your lightning-round injury updates. If a top player is not mentioned below, there are no big or helpful updates. If I missed someone you’re curious about, talk to me in the comments.

• Ozzie Albies (2B, ATL), wrist: activated.
• Osvaldo Bido (SP, OAK), wrist: has not resumed activity.
• Willson Contreras (C, STL), finger: out for the season.
• Carlos Correa (SS, MIN), heel: activated.
• Tyler Glasnow (SP, LAD), elbow: out for the season.
• Austin Hays (OF, PHI), kidney: ramping back up but regular season return uncertain.
• Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD), toe: pitching off the mound and may return soon.
• Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN), finger: out for the season.
• Micheal Lorenzen (SP, KCR), hamstring: rehab assignment.
• Chas McCormick (OF, HOU), hand: could begin swinging soon.
• Robbie Ray (SP, SFG), hamstring: trying to return before the end of the regular season.
• Grayson Rodriguez (SP, BAL), lat/teres: throwing bullpen sessions but return uncertain.
• Jeffrey Springs (SP, TBR), elbow: out for the season.
• Justin Steele (SP, CHC), elbow: activated.
• Gavin Stone SP, LAD), shoulder: likely out for the season.

That’s all for this week’s doom and gloom report, and just like Bo Bichette, I’m out for the season as well!  No injury report next week as the season ends next Sunday and with it, my need to spend time in the ER.  See you again next preseason!