Josh Bell left today’s 5-2 nationals Loss to the Giants due to strains in his right hamstring. Bell walked and advanced to third base at the end of the second inning, but was replaced on the field in the upper part of the third inning. Nationals manager Davey Martinez said Bell is undergoing an MRI, which would be the second MRI of the week for the first baseman, after tests on his left knee came back negative. Pain in that left knee also forced Bell to pull out of Washington’s game Wednesday.
Given that previous injury, Martinez told reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Bobby Blanco) that “I want to be careful about Bell’s status.” More will be known when the MRI results come in, but the Nationals could still choose to sit Bell on Sunday with a day off Monday in hopes of giving him two days of rest ahead of Tuesday’s game with the Prepare marlins. Apart from Bell and Juan Sotothe Nats have almost exclusively gotten off to a slow offensive start, so any time Bell has missed (beating .345/.446/.509 in his first 67 plate appearances) is a huge loss to the DC lineup.
More baseball injury news…
- Luke Voit was plagued by ongoing right bicep problems, said Padres first baseman Jeff Saunders of the San Diego Union-Tribune and other reporters. With just a .143/.315/.167 slash above his first 54 PA, Voit bluntly described himself as “a waste of an at-bat right now. I’m not doing the team any favors. I came through injuries last year and it’s really tough.” Voit isn’t in the lineup tonight and while manager Bob Melvin has hinted Voit could be available for a pinch hit, a trip to the injured list might be needed.
- In an update on Jacob de Gromthat meads ace underwent MRI and CT scans yesterday, manager Buck Showalter said Mike Puma of the New York Post and other reporters. The MRI came a few days earlier than originally expected, though it doesn’t look like the Mets will have an action plan anyway until doctors fully review the results. A stress reaction in deGrom’s right shoulder blade during spring training led to a four-week shutdown, and these test results will mark the next step in the right-hander’s recovery process. If all goes well, deGrom could be cleared to begin tossing, and a possible timeline for deGrom’s debut in 2022 could be released.
- Taijuan Walker is much closer to his return, as Showalter told reporters (including MLB.com’s Jake Rill) that the right-hander is likely to face the Phillies on Friday or Saturday. Walker pitched in his first two innings meads Earlier in the season but has since been on the 10-day IL to recover from shoulder bursitis. After throwing a side session yesterday, Walker is now lined up for either a minor league rehab start or a simulated game on Tuesday.