There’s nothing like baseball when it comes to wacky injuries. Cubs closer Brandon Morrow recently injured his back while taking his pants off. Cardinals reliever Greg Holland missed time last year with the Rockies after cutting himself with a kitchen knife. Reds pitcher Brandon Finnegan tore his labrum last season while jumping from a boat. Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer had a start pushed back in the 2016 postseason after cutting his finger while repairing a drone. Rangers pitcher Jake Diekman cut his finger on a broken souvenir mug in 2016. Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin missed time in 2016 after sauna wooziness caused him to slip in the shower.
And in March, Royals catcher Salvador Perez tore his MCL while carrying luggage. The five-time All-Star missed several weeks to open the season, and the Royals have gone on to put together MLB’s second-worst record at 25-60.
Welp, the bad fortune and wacky injuries continue for Kansas City. Third baseman Mike Moustakas was scratched from the Royals’ lineup on Tuesday night due to back spasms. Moustakas felt his back tighten up while he was lifting one of his children:
Mike Moustakas has been scratched because of back spasms. Esky will play third and Mondesi will shortstop.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 4, 2018
Ned said Moose felt his back tighten after lifting one of his children. Day to day
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 4, 2018
That summarizes how things are going this season for Kansas City.
And the Royals’ front office is probably more concerned about this injury for trade deadline purposes, rather than winning actual games at this point. With the Royals’ awful season and Moustakas a free-agent in the winter (after signing a shockingly low contract over the offseason), the third baseman’s name is understandably one of the most discussed in hot stove rumors leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.
Latest notes: #STLCards/Moustakas?; #Athletics forcing issue; #RedSox/#Yankees building up for weekend; the one that got away from Dombrowski; market for #Tigers’ Fulmer; more. https://t.co/TNGp0EPekF
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 29, 2018
Heard interest in Mike Moustakas picked up a bit. Could philly be a fit? Maikel Franco’s name has been bandied about in other talks.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 3, 2018
Moustakas, 29, has 16 homers and a .258/.312/.472 slash line this season. He cranked 38 dingers in 2016. So “Moose” could be a very helpful power bat for several teams, but only if he’s healthy, of course. Hopefully this back injury is just a day-to-day thing.
