That's What Cheesehead: 33.21- Injuries Could Spell The End

[7teen]

The Wolves have been pretty fortunate in recent seasons when it comes to injuries. Several key starters have managed to play well over 150 games in each of the past few seasons. However, 2033 appears to be a different animal and two key injuries may spell the end of the Wolves' chances in 2033.

For the second consecutive season, Luis Soto will spend a significant amount of time on the disabled list. In a start earlier this month against Twin Cities, the all-star pitcher felt soreness in his back that forced him to leave the game in the second inning. The diagnosis was Soto was suffering from a herniated disk in his back and will have to miss 3 months of action. He isn't schedule to return to the Wolves rotation until sometime in September.

"We overcame Soto's injury last season and feel we can again this year" said Wolves manager Millard Davis. "Don't get me wrong, we'd much rather have Soto in our rotation than anyone else, but we have some options in our bullpen that we think can fill in ok in the meantime."

"Davis is correct" added Wolves GM Chris Wilson. "We have several arms out of the bullpen that we think can make starts throughout this stretch and not hurt us much. We'll be fine until Soto can return."

The injury that may not be so easy to overcome however occurred this week to starting shortstop Don Draper. Draper suffered a broken bone in his elbow late in a game against Long Beach this week that could force him out for the remainder of the season. The former 3rd overall pick was having a great season before the injury.

"Yeah, replacing Draper will be very tough" said Davis. "There are a few guys on our team that are irreplaceable and I'm afraid Draper was one of those guys. I think we have a great offense, but losing Don is a huge blow for us. We'll just need some our guys to step up their production and hope someone can replace him in the field."

"We don't exactly have an answer to who plays shortstop right now" said Wilson. "It may just be a patchwork fix for the a while until either we find a permanent solution or until Draper returns. We don't have a lot, or any for that matter, money to go out and add a replacement."

At the time of the injuries, Draper was batting .321/.397/.500 with 7 homeruns, 26 RBI, and a 2.5 WAR while Soto was 4-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 11 starts.

[RonCo]

Raider gets all the ink, but of the two Draper is probably the more important guy.

[7teen]

Raider gets all the ink, but of the two Draper is probably the more important guy.

I won't necessarily disagree with you. I feel Draper probably loses a 1 WAR by having to play SS instead of 2B because I have to put Raider at 2B.