The MLB hot stove has cooled off dramatically now that the waiver trade deadline has passed, but there are still a few rumblings around the league ahead of the postseason. With that in mind, here are all the latest MLB rumors and news you need to know.
Strasburg latest
A MRI revealed that Washington Nationals star pitcher Stephen Strasburg is dealing with a strain flexor mass and has not damaged his UCL, reports Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors:
Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who had an MRI today after exiting last night’s start in the third inning, has been diagnosed with a flexor mass strain, head athletic trainer Paul Lessard told reporters. On the positive side, he does not have any damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.
While that assessment rules out Tommy John surgery, the injury is still notable, and there’s no immediate timeline for his return to action. However, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes notes that Lessard doesn’t feel the injury will end Strasburg’s season — though he also couldn’t definitely state that the key righty would be back.
Strasburg should be able to pitch this postseason, but there the recovery time from this injury can vary. Cleveland Indians closer Andrew Miller missed just a month with a similar injury, but Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey needed surgery.
Washington signed Strasburg to a seven-year, $175 million extension earlier this year. He is 15-4 with a 3.60 ERA this season.
White Sox to deal Sale this winter?
The Chicago White Sox had placed star pitcher Chris Sale on the trade block prior to the non-waiver trade deadline, but ultimately decided to keep him. However, that doesn't guarantee that Sale will be with the team next season. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the White Sox will look to trade Sale again this winter:
The White Sox never put Chris Sale or Jose Quintana through waivers, which shouldn’t be taken as evidence they have no interest in exploring trades for them. There was just no way, with those team-friendly contracts, that they could have made the right deals for them after being claimed. The White Sox will resume exploring trades for their two aces this winter, though as was reported here, their price tag is high and their owner Jerry Reinsdorf, never big on rebuilds, is now 80 and wants to win now or soon. The ChiSox talked the Red Sox, Rangers, Dodgers and others about at least Sale, but sources now say they knew by the last day or two their price of five prime prospects or young players would not be met, and Sale would stay.
Sale is 15-7 with a 3.07 ERA so far this season.
Phillies to target veteran hitters
Heyman also talked about the offseason plans of the Philadelphia Phillies, who he says plan to pursue veteran hitters this winter:
The Philadelphia Phillies are going to target one or maybe two veteran hitters this winter, with Martin Prado and Ian Desmond two possible candidates.
The Phillies seek professionals who can bat near the top or middle of the order, veterans experienced enough to positively influence their ultra-young team but young enough where they could be there when the Phillies contend. For now, they’ve gone with first- and second-year players all over the field. That’s not easy.
Prado is batting .313 with seven home runs and 66 RBIs in 134 games with the Miami Marlins this season, while Desmond is batting .291 with 22 homers and 82 RBIs in 139 games with the Texas Rangers.
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