Mitchell: And the Hits Just Keep on Coming

So Grady Sizemore is out for the whole of Spring Training. Now Closer Chris Perez is on the shelf for 4-6 weeks with an oblique strain. Sizemore’s injury is a shame, if you were surprised, you haven’t been paying attention.

The major difference between the effect of the two injuries is that thought the Tribe was hoping for a rebound from Sizemore to help them make a run at the play-offs, they were COUNTING on a healthy Perez to anchor wheat is supposed to be a very good bullpen.

Perez’ injury is not one that is expected to keep him down for much or (cross fingers) any of the regular season, but if it puts him well behind schedule for his preparation to be ready to go full bore, then Manny Acta might be forced to utilize his bullpen in ways that don’t necessarily maximize players’ abilities. Can Vinnie Pestano close games? Clippers fans know the answer to that, but the dominoes might put people in situations they aren’t best equipt to handle.

In other injury news, former flame-throwing national sensation Joel Zumaya wrecked his elbow just a dozen pitches into his first live bullpen session with his new club the Minnesota Twins. He is out for the season with a torn UCL in his right elbow. Zumaya looked good in off season workouts in front of several teams and the Twins locked him up to a one-year deal for a base salary of $850K plus many lucrative incentives. Minnesota is on the hook for $200K if they cut Zumaya due to injury, but that’s better than what they would have to pay him to sit on the DL for the season.

As the action heats up in the desert, so will the news, so check back often!