So if you haven’t been watching Bonderman’s start today like I have because I made the questionable decision to start him in one of my daily leagues, then you didn’t see his line. He walked 7 Rangers in 4 2/3 innings, putting his season walk total at 21 in just 27 1/3 innings. Why is this significant and perhaps not just early season control struggles that will get straightened out? Because Bonderman’s season last year ended early due to elbow troubles. What is usually the primary cause of a loss in control? That’s right, elbow injuries! This, combined with Rotoworld’s assertion that Bondy’s stuff isn’t what it was before the elbow problems, leads me to come to the stunning conclusion that Bonderman is just not healthy.
What does it take for a team to realize its pitcher just isn’t right? I never understood why a sudden drop in velocity, complete loss of control, etc, doesn’t convince teams to immediately take the pitcher in for tests to see if there is any reason for concern. It seems so obvious to me just looking at the stats, so it couldn’t hurt to see if anything is wrong. And after this latest start, I have a feeling my wish will come true and we end up seeing Bonderman placed on the DL with a “sore elbow” or something. That will certainly help my fantasy team as I won’t be tempted to activate him even though I’m near certain he’s pitching hurt.
Well that was certainly a ranty post, but injury issues relating to fantasy baseball have really gotten under my skin more and more each season. A pitcher pitching hurt IS NOT a “hero”, “taking one for the team”, or any of those BS phrases to describe a player who plays through injuries. When you aren’t 100%, your performance is going to suffer and you’ll just be contributing further to a possible loss for your team. How is that an admirable quality again? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want a pitcher on the mound allowing 8 runs in 4 innings if he’s only 70%.
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2 responses so far ↓
1 lowellfield // Apr 25, 2008 at 11:07 am
I started him in a league where the 6th pitching cat is K:BB, so I’m in the same boat. But I’m less convinced he’s injured. Seems like an injury would make him more vulnerable to giving up hits, too, and he didn’t really do that. And his velocity seemed to be in the low 90s. And he didn’t do any apparent wincing or shaking his arm out.
You could well be right, and I’m not starting him next time anyway, but I’ll be surprised if there’s an injury that’s just going completely under the noses of the Tigers medical staff.
2 Mike Podhorzer // Apr 25, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Thanks for the info lowellfield. I haven’t had a chance to watch him pitch, I was just going by what Rotoworld has said that his stuff hasn’t been the same since before last year’s elbow injury. Maybe his velocity is the same, but with less movement. But I’ve read that elbow issues don’t hurt your velocity, just control.
If he truly is 100%, then hopefully he straightens things out soon! I waited so long on pitching, he ended up being my #2 in that league!!
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