May 16, 2050
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
The Bluebirds pitching staff has been hit hard with bad luck this season, ranking 11th in the Frick League with a .303 BABIP. Unfortunately, the rotation got hit even harder during Monday’s victory against the Chicago Black Sox. Starting pitcher, Nobuhito Kan, exited his perfect first inning and was seen rubbing his forearm in between innings. Veteran, Chris ‘The Wolf’ Moran, who was recently relegated to the bullpen, came in to replace Kan to start the 2nd inning.
RHP Nobuhito Kan
“We want to take all necessary precautions when it comes to injuries,” said GM Chad Nason. “Especially when it comes to our young arms. Nobu’s gonna get an MRI and make sure there’s no structural damage, but it appears to just be a strain. It’s better to be safe than sorry with these types of things and we’ve got enough depth to pick up his slack. He will be missed while he’s out of the rotation, though. No doubt.”
The young phenom won 19 games in 2049, but will spend the next month or so rehabbing his injury in hopes it is nothing more than a strain requiring rest. Kan has struggled out of the gate in 2050, but his numbers are likely inflated due to his .368 BABIP. He has an 86 FIP- and is on pace for 3.8 WAR despite his poor traditional stats. The club expects to replace Kan in the rotation with Moran and add a bullpen piece from their minor league system, such as Bowo Sartika, who has impressed as a starter after developing a splitter last season.
