Reese Kaplan -- The Walking Wounded of the 2020 Season

Well folks, give it another two days and the baseball season finally begins not in March or April but on July 24th.  It’s been a long time in coming and no one knows what to expect, but it is so-called professional baseball (such as it is).  The Mets are ready to fight for something, though no one is sure a pennant is the ultimate goal.  

Going into the 2020 season the team is pretty banged up.  Let’s start with the obvious one -- Noah Syndergaard down for TJS.  That will make him miss all of this year and possibly part of next year as well (which is not the year he wants to pale when free agent dollars will be available at the end of the 2021 season for him).  

The next name to hit the list was Jed Lowrie.  When the man showed up with a hip-to-ankle brace on his leg, no one realistically thought he was going to remain in Citifield except as a spectator.  The team made it official this week which came as no surprise to anyone.  Well, at least his $20 million two-year contract was well spent, huh?

Next on the injured list is pitcher Robert Gsellman who is dealing with an alleged day-to-day triceps issue.   For pitchers, these types of injuries tend not to magically heal themselves quickly.  Too often clubs race the player back prematurely and the hurler responds by altering his delivery which then exacerbates that same injury or generates a brand new one.  I wouldn’t pencil him into the plans for this season which is not necessarily a problem as he was not terribly impressive lately when the games actually counted.

Word filtered out yesterday that Jake Marisnick is dealing with hamstring tightness and was kept out of both games vs. the Yankees as a result of precaution for that injury.  While it’s probably not a good thing for him to hit and run while having problems with his legs, the fact is he wasn’t brought in here for his stick or stolen bases.  He was projected as a late inning defensive replacement.  A guy who can’t motor around the bases likely is going to have his range compromised significantly as well.  Expect him to remain in whatever passes for the IL.

Next is the case of the missing buffalo from behind the dish, Wilson Ramos, who, according to his manager, is away for a personal issue.  That could mean his family needs him for some reason or he’s dealing with some non-injury related stress that is precluding him from preparing for the season.  It was therefore not a good sign to see the recently slimmed down Rene Rivera being added to the 40-man roster.  That move suggests the club is expecting Ramos to be gone for awhile.  

Then there are the mystery illnesses of relievers Brad Brach and Jared Hughes.  The club instituted a don’t ask/don’t tell policy regarding injuries as a protection of players’ rights to privacy during the pandemic.  It’s entirely possible that one or both are dealing with arm, elbow or leg situations that are rendering them unable to play.  It’s also highly conceivable that they have succumbed to the coronavirus and won’t be back anytime soon.  

On the somewhat positive side health wise, you have two recovering players who look as if they are ready to start the season active.  Yoenis Cespedes is still a work-in-progress regarding his running and sudden movements required when you play the field, but this year we do have a DH role and he may be relegated to it.  Dellin Betances has used these additional months to heal from what ailed him and should be ready to slot into the now porous bullpen.  Even Robinson Cano is playing ball (badly) and will be penciled into the starting lineup, ready or not, since $20 million per year players don’t regularly sit on the bench.  While folks may not be happy with a couple of these developments, they are what they are and help you visualize the 2020 active roster.  

In 48 hours some mask-wearing umpire will shout “Play ball!” and the season will begin.  Once it does, all of these illnesses and injuries will be a distant memory as the focus will be on the folks actually being asked to play.  Here’s hoping the taxi squad remembered to get gas.