A Hobbled Outfield (Hoppy Endings, post sim 4) [PP:2054.13]

[neugey]

Despite currently being #1 in the BBA power rankings after a red-hot April, Edmonton experienced some trouble this last week with a rash of injuries to their outfield. When it rains, it pours! Let's take them in order of severity:

Full-time CF Pizzaburger Flores pulled some muscles in his back and needs a few days off to get back to normal. He won't go on the DL given the short recovery time expected.

Lefty Moo Mendoza, who provides value as a lefty-handed bat and can play 1B and the corner outfield spots, sprained his knee while running the bases. He'll need at least 4 weeks to recover, and the Jackrabbits may give him longer given his age and durability issues. In 12 games, Mendoza has hit well, managing .342 with 3 doubles, 3 triples and a homer.

But the most serious injury of all came on defense, when LF Sandslash Keshab felt a serious twinge after throwing in a ball and went down in a heap. X-rays confirmed management's fears ... Sandslash will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum. The 2052 all-star had been hitting .339/.400/.407 and providing solid defense. His absence will be the hardest one to replace.

But now it's next-man-up, and there are a few Jackrabbits promoted from AAA that will be asked to help carry the load. CF Johnny Allen, who had a cup of coffee in 2053 and got in some recent spring training action, will be called upon to help fill the defensive void left by Keshab and also Flores until the latter is pain-free. He has an adequate bat, but it would be a major surprise if he can hit close to Keshab's level.

Thus the Jackrabbits will need some very good hitting from majors/minors corner outfielder Gui Jen. The team hopes that the lefty can pick up where Mendoza left off. The former Jacksonville pro has been superb at AAA in the last few seasons but will have to translate that production to the majors again. He hasn't seen BBA major league at-bats since 2048. If he can make something of a comeback, then Edmonton won't need to rush the fragile Mendoza back.

Will the team look for further outfield help? "Not necessarily," answered GM Mike Bauer. "There's a few guys that may get a look in the minors, but we're going to given Allen and Jen a chance to step up. Lots of season remaining though, so we will keep an eye on things as we get toward the end of May and beyond. We're excited to be on top of the division, but the schedule has been favorable with a lot of home games in April. We still need to demonstrate we can win on the road, especially our pitching as there are some really tricky stadiums in the Frontier."

[trmmilwwi]

That injury to Keshab, ugh. He was having a career year.