According to Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal, Guardian’s Nick Sandlin left yesterday’s victory over the Rays due to right upper arm soreness. Although Sandlin has a limited history of shoulder issues—he missed the last month of the 2021 season due to a right shoulder strain—it is unknown what exactly is wrong with him now.
In his second major league season, Sandlin has improved upon his impressive debut campaign (2.94 ERA in 33 2/3 innings) and has thrown to a strong 2.25 ERA in 46 appearances, surrendering just 2 home runs in 44 innings pitched. Right-handed hitters have struggled mightily against him, posting a dismal.149/.265/.238 line.
Sandlin will have two days to heal before taking on the New York Yankees because the Guardians’ two-game whitewash of the Tampa Bay Rays earned them a spot in the ALDS. Aaron Civale, a surprising omission from the Wild Card squad, is a candidate to take his place on the postseason team if he is unable to play again.
Another injury related to the Wild Card series occurred in yesterday’s game when Blue Jays shortstop George Springer collided with Bo Bichette in the eighth inning. Springer was carried off the field. According to Julia Kreuz of MLB.com, Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider stated in his postgame conference that All-Star center fielder George Springer was “doing ok” and that he would “be evaluated for a couple of different things.” Springer signed a six-year, $150MM contract with the Jays prior to the 2021 season. The team would learn more about Springer’s injury in the following few days, Schneider continued.
Springer had another good season, hitting.267/.342/.472 while making his fourth All-Star game appearance and providing center field defense that was just over average (one Out Above Average). After yesterday’s loss to the Mariners, the Jays’ 2022 season came to a close, giving Springer some time to rest up before the start of the 2023 campaign.
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