Félix Sánchez Suffers Career-Ending Shoulder Injury
Southpaw reliever Félix Sánchez struck out New Orleans Crawdads shortstop Luis Domínguez in the top of the ninth of a relief appearance on August 17th. It was an ordinary happening -- that is, until Sánchez crouched to the ground in obvious pain grabbing his left shoulder.
And with that moment, Félix Sánchez's life has forever changed, his BBA career over.
After the injury, Sánchez was examined by team doctor Nail Abdul-Nasir, who admitted the rotator cuff damage was the "worse he's seen". He sought a second and third opinion from two other renowned doctors in sports medicine, both of which had a similar prognosis.
"After talking to Nail, I think I knew in the back of my mind it was over," said Sánchez in his first post-injury interview, "but you still want to cling at any last bit of hope. The most optimistic of the three opinions was 'if you pitch again, it's going to have to be right-handed'"
Sánchez, 28, joined the Gamblers organization as a minor league free agent out of Cuba. His career-year within the Gamblers' minor league system was in 2040 when he pitched for Class-AA Trenton, finishing 13-5 with a 3.27 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, a 3.18 FIP, a .203 opponents' average, a .603 opponents' OPS, 148 strikeouts, and a 4.4 WAR in 154 1/3 innings pitched (26 starts). He followed up his 2040 performance with Class-AA Trenton with two successful seasons in 2041 (6-2, 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) and 2042 (7-2, 3.47 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) with Class-AAA Brooklyn. The consistent performances in terms of ERA increased optimism that Sánchez might be able to be a contributor for the Gamblers either in the rotation or out of the bullpen. Sánchez was promoted to Atlantic City in 2042 and started 16 games, finishing the season 8-4 with a 3.58 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, a 5.48 FIP, a .256 opponents' average, a .765 opponents' OPS, 67 strikeouts, and a 0.6 WAR in 98 innings pitched. The promising 3.58 ERA was overshadowed by the 5.48 FIP, and his next two seasons in 2043 (0-5, 5.38 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 31 appearances / 7 starts) and 2044 (4-8, 5.46 ERA, a 1.40 WHIP in 20 starts) would prove disappointing.
Entering the 2045 season, Sánchez earned a position in the Gamblers' bullpen, but did make a spot start on May 6th which would turn out to be his final career start and only start of 2045 -- Sánchez lasted only 1 2/3 innings in a 10-6 loss to the Calgary Pioneers after surrendering 9 hits, 7 earned runs, and 2 walks. His 2045 season concluded with a 1-1 record with 1 save in 1 attempt (1.000 success rate), a 5.34 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, a 4.21 FIP, a .235 opponents' average, a .705 opponents' OPS, 28 strikeouts, and a 0.3 WAR in 30 1/3 innings pitched (15 appearances, 1 start). Though the numbers don't pop off the page, Sánchez delivered solid performances out of the bullpen, finishing the 2045 season out of the bullpen 1-0 with 1 save in 1 attempt (1.000 success rate), a 3.45 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP, a 3.60 FIP, a .176 opponents' average, a .562 opponents' OPS, 28 strikeouts, and a 0.5 WAR in 28 2/3 innings pitched (14 appearances).
"You know, I always envisioned being a starter, but the success this year out of the bullpen really got me thinking about developing into a reliable late inning guy. Setup guy, closer, something like that. Felt like I was making progress towards it, and then everything is different in a blink of an eye", said Sánchez.
With his BBA career over, Sánchez says he is turning his focus into helping others pursue their dreams of making it in baseball. Sánchez said, "I'm taking some time off for now to look into what's out there, but I'd love to become a coach at the college level".
Boardwalk Empire - 2045.11 - Career Ending Injury
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Re: Boardwalk Empire - 2045.11 - Career Ending Injury
That sucks. Always hate these injuries
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Seattle Storm: 2011-Present
1737-1391 through 2029
Frick League, Pacific Division Winner (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2024)
Frick League Champion (2013)
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