Atlanta Braves Phil Gosselin Gets Bad News (DL)
Mar 28, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Phil Gosselin (11) works out prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The news is trickling out now:
Phil Gosselin will be placed on the disabled list. Specifics of his left thumb injury will be revealed later today. #Braves
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 18, 2015
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Not what we wanted to hear… especially given Philip Gosselin‘s performance over the weekend in the stead of Alberto Callaspo and his anemic play.
Bowman went on to say that more information will be released about Gosselin’s left thumb later today, but he also echoed exactly what I was thinking: this is the kind of news progressive that generally means he will be out for a while – not just the requisite 2 week minimum. Frankly, if it’s not a minor injury, then even in the absence of additional information so far, Braves’ fans should probably brace themselves for something like… the All-Star break?
Where We Stand
- Chris Johnson (hand) is still on the mend, and likely will be until the middle of June.
- Kelly Johnson (oblique) will probably need something close to the middle of June also.
- That leaves Pedro Ciriaco and Alberto Callaspo as the remaining 3rd base candidates.
Yeah: 3 players capable of handling 3rd base in 3 weeks. Not good.
Right away, I can already hear the calls: Jose Peraza! Well, maybe, but don’t get your hopes up yet.
I expect that a Peraza call-up is now on the radar, but I also expect that the club would rather not do that unless they had to, for that would mean multiple positional changes: Jace Peterson to 3rd base, Peraza to second, Ciriaco to 1st backup for anybody in the infield, and Callaspo… designated sunflower seed spitter.
How come? My call is that if Peraza is recalled, it won’t be for purposes of sitting him on the bench and stunting his season. If the Braves call him up, he’ll play.
But even so, this is a temporary; 3-4 week need, and the Braves would rather not mess with Peraza just for that short a period of time.
No, there will be a corresponding move as Gosselin goes onto the DL: who exactly is up in the air, for they are also running low on options that are on the 40-man roster… which is actually another valid argument to bring up Peraza.
Right now, the only other infield option available from the 40-list is Gwinnett SS Elmer Reyes… who they might call up to sit on the bench. If I had to guess… he’s it. But I do kinda hope I’m wrong.
WE HAVE AN UPDATE:
Gosselin will undergo surgery on Wednesday and is expected to miss 8 weeks. Adonis Garcia will get the call from Gwinnett.#Braves
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) May 18, 2015
So it’s the greek god… 30-year-old Cuban expatriate Adonis Garcia is being added to the 40-man and promoted to the majors. This is admittedly a surprise since while he can play third base, it’s not seen as his strong suit. In fact, his bat is the best part of his game: was hitting a robust .351/.380/.455 at Gwinnett. Not many walks, but reasonable K-rate… putting the ball in play. Should be an excellent bench bat from the right side..
The bad news, of course, is that my fear for Gosselin was realized: he’s going to be out until the All-Star break with a fractured left thumb…. hardly what he thought yesterday. Tough news, just after he was showing what he can do.