In December, I wrote a post entitled The Myth of Injury-Prone, pointing out that the vast majority of major-league baseball players could be described with that silly label. It's a perilous game being played at the highest level, and injuries happen. Those players that manage to avoid stints on the disabled list year after year are the exceptions, not the rule.
Besides, although Hardy had battled ailments over a couple years, he'd at least proven in the past his ability to make it through a full season as a big-league regular. The team's two new middle infielders, Alexi Casilla and Tsuyoshi Nishioka, have proven no such thing and by letting Hardy, Orlando Hudson and Nick Punto walk out the door during the offseason the Twins left themselves with nothing in the way of experienced depth.
The play on which Nishioka suffered a fractured fibula yesterday, much like most injuries incurred by ballplayers, was a freak incident. Nick Swisher came barreling into second with a well executed takeout slide and Nishioka took the brunt of it.
Typically big-league middle infielders are adept at staying on their toes and going airborne while turning double plays, but Nishioka came up playing in Japan where the takeout slide isn't really a part of the game. The Twins spoke often during spring training about working to help the second baseman adapt in this respect, but old habits die hard and in the heat of the moment Nishioka handled the double play like he has hundreds of times before. He took the feed, turned and planted his feet to throw.
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| Nick Laham, Getty |
Luke Hughes has been called up to fill Nishioka's vacant roster spot, and he'll battle with Matt Tolbert for playing time at the position. Neither one really has much business starting in the majors, which is especially troubling when you consider that it's not clear Casilla does either.
Nishioka, the Twins' only high-profile offseason addition, had done little to establish himself over the team's first handful of games and unfortunately he'll have to wait a while before he gets a chance to change that. In the meantime, the Twins are going to have a real headache on their hands with the middle infield.
It's hardly the type of catastrophe that will sink the season, but this offense could be in dire straits if some of the other hitters in the lineup don't get it going -- and soon.
25 comments:
Nick, we better hide all the sharp knives in your house. You are such a sissy. Luke will likely hit 30 homers this year.
That ^ better be sarcastic.
A broken fibula is a freak accident. Reoccuring wrist, back, ankle, and neck injuries from Hardy are not.
Hardy wasn't injury prone, he was simply injured. To say Nishioka suffered this freak accident because of the way he planted and not simply because of bum luck is just not accurate.
Trading Hardy made me sick then and I feel even sicker now. It was a money-cutting move and most fans knew that at the time. Smith, compared to Terry Ryan, is an awful GM. That was a terrible move; I said it then and it's being proven now. And no, I'm not saying this because of yesterday. I've been thinking it for the past week, every single time a ball is hit toward Casilla. Does he realize he's at a major league baseball game or does he think he's playing beer league softball?
How is Hardy injuring his wrist while sliding into home on a walk-off wild pitch recurring? This isn't Joe Crede and his back. You're going to claim that Nishioka getting injured because of the way he planted is bum luck, but Hardy hurting his wrist on a play at a plate is because he's injury prone? I don't understand this logic.
I'm hoping that Nishioka spends his rehab time watching the MLB game and learning more about the other teams and their players, particuarly in the Central where we'll see those teams all summer. Most of us that have watched Swisher for years would know that he's going to come in hard, we know that that's how he plays the game. No way Nishioka can know that that much about every player in every situation. By the time Nishioka returns from DL, we'll have cycled through all the teams in the Central. Maybe he'll be better prepared for them having actually seen them play in person. I concede that I want him to do well and could be looking at this with rose colored glasses.
Hardy wasn't injury prone, he was simply injured.
You mean except for in '07 and '08, when he wasn't?
You're going to claim that Nishioka getting injured because of the way he planted is bum luck, but Hardy hurting his wrist on a play at a plate is because he's injury prone? I don't understand this logic.
There is no logic. Completely silly.
Anonymous Commenter 1: Really? I mean realllly?
It is awful how the season so far has seemingly been showing all of Nick's worries to be significant. Bullpen has been getting a ton of work, errors abound in the middle infield, and now we have an injury and no depth.
Nick N. said...
Hardy wasn't injury prone, he was simply injured.
You mean except for in '07 and '08, when he wasn't?
...and you mean to say he's not injury prone - except for in '09, '10, and already in '11 (http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2011/04/more-on-hardy-and-9-5-win.html)
And what do you have to say about Hardy being injured 6 days into the season already...
There is a difference between freak accidents and constant not-sure-if-i-can-play-but-not-injured-to-go-on-DL everyday bit that Hardy pulled all of last year and is starting this year.
"Bullpen has been getting a ton of work, errors abound in the middle infield, and now we have an injury and no depth."
Also, starting pitching has been crappy, and we can't hit left handed pitching. I'd like to take credit for pointing out these concerns for years now, but anyone who has watched the Twins in recent years could tell you this - except the front office, that is. Hey though but look at all that speed!
On a positive note, it doesn't appear we're going to have to waste any breath this year on the inane "is Frankie an ace or not" debate.
Lets see. The problems for the Twins include the middle infield, the rotation and the bullpen. They should just give up. The problem apparently is not that the catcher, first baseman, right fielder and left fielder are all hitting below or close to below the Mendoza line.
Most teams don't have major league quality starting players sitting on their bench in case of injury. They have to rely on guys who have some major league skills but also have weaknesses. I have my doubts about Hughes, but the only way to confirm them is for him to play.
What this really demonstrates is why you don't want to deal all your resources away in the offseason. If Nishioka is done for the season, they are probably going to have to go get a second baseman and number two hitter to replace him.
On a positive note, it doesn't appear we're going to have to waste any breath this year on the inane "is Frankie an ace or not" debate.
Yeah, you're right. Two poor starts to open the season from a pitcher who was behind schedule in ST surely indicate that the season is a loss.
And what do you have to say about Hardy being injured 6 days into the season already...
The same thing I said in the post, and the same thing I'd say about any injured player.
It's a dangerous game played at the highest level. People get hurt. If I were you I certainly wouldn't be gloating about the fact that Hardy is sidelined for a couple days like it proves anything.
I'd agree with Cy1 in that this down time could help Yoshi acclimate to the game. Hopefully, he'll be able to sit in the dugout and just watch the game and see how pitchers pitch, and watch the American version of baseball played (the little things). Don't get me wrong, the ideal situation would be for him to playing, but he can watch the defensive side of the game, and the offense will come when he returns. He was being thrown in the deep end learning everything at once (plus the cultural aspect of living in American away from his family).
Also, with the Hardy discussion, it points out how little depth we have. The points have been made, but the Twins don't have depth. I've long felt that Casilla has no business as an everyday player, yet he is somehow. Tolbert is just as bad. Now, they along with Hughes will be our infield for the next month+...yikes
"Two poor starts to open the season from a pitcher who was behind schedule in ST surely indicate that the season is a loss."
That he was "behind schedule in ST" is precisely why this guy will never be a true #1 in this league. Why was he behind schedule? Because he got hurt because he didn't do shit in the offseason. Does this sound like an ace/star/elite athlete to you? He just doesn't care about getting better. He isn't interested in becoming a "pitcher" - if he can't just blow the ball by people on natural talent alone, he's not going to put in the effort. He's thrown 9 innings in 2 games.
I'm not saying release him. I'm saying let's concede he's a #2 guy, maybe the best #2 in the league, but to really be World Series contenders, we need a #1.
I'm ready to get off the Liriano-Hardy wagon this blog is riding so hard lately.
Love the blog Nick. I look forward to your posts and insights - even when I struggle to agree with you. In regards to the JJ situation, it does seem silly to have let him go. However, I wonder if the Twins were just not willing to pay the high price tag on him...
Two things I would love to see you write about. The first is the pitching to contact mentality of the Twins. In games against NY & Toronto it seemed that philosophy was a bit too dangerous. Thoughts?
The second thing is the Twins inability to hit left handed pitchers. It seems like that is going to be a major issue again this year for us. Am I mistaken in noticing a major drop off in hitting performance by us against lefties? Obviously our left handed lineup contributes - but it seems like a guy such as Joe Mauer should be able to hit lefties more when he is earning that much $$$$. Thoughts?
1. The "Nishioka will benefit from watching American baseball games" line of reasoning is ridiculous. Nishioka has been playing baseball for his entire life. It's 90 ft from home to first in Tokyo, too. Three outs per inning, 9 innings per game. There are miniscule differences, but it's the same game, and just for the record, I lived in Japan for over 9 years. They slide into second on DP balls there, too.
2. I don't understand defending Liriano at this point, Nick. The man is a mental midget. There was no doubt in my mind he'd immediately cough up the lead the Twins took on the Yankees the other night, and presto, like magic, it took exactly half an inning for the meltdown.
3. Not that it matters, but Hardy hurt his wrist sliding into third last year, not home.
"I don't understand defending Liriano at this point, Nick. The man is a mental midget."
To paraphrase Coach Eric Taylor from Friday Night Lights though, he's a mental midget with a hell of an arm. He may not be an ace, but he's the closest thing we've got.
Injury Prone - JJ Hardy - 100 Games out of 162. No broken leg. Bruised Wrist. The End.
"had done little to establish himself over the team's first handful of games".The Orioles might say the same about Hardy.
The same thing I said in the post, and the same thing I'd say about any injured player.
It's a dangerous game played at the highest level. People get hurt. If I were you I certainly wouldn't be gloating about the fact that Hardy is sidelined for a couple days like it proves anything.
Again, as someone said, 3rd base, not home, which is a big difference. Sliding into a stationary catcher with gear on versus an equal at third...
Besides that mistake, The point is, with Hardy, he's always hurt, injured, or not "100%".
Yes, Nishi is out with a broken Fibula, which is extremely rare and freak to break it. It's not a typical injury in any sport. At least, it's rare because the Tibia wasn't broken or compromised.
Hardy is out today, pulled from the game in the 3rd. At age 28, he's this broken already? Ankle, wrist, ribs, back. Seriously, why would you dedicate a contract to him? I'd rather take chances elsewhere. Even if that means Nishi, Tolbert, Hughes, or somewhere else.
I don't know what you call Hardy if he's not "injury prone." Do you seriously think everyone in baseball is created equal in terms of injuries? Do you really think injuries are just pure happenstance?
You seemed to try to claim Nishi's leg injury wasn't just random luck, it was attributed to how he plays... But oh no, not Hardy, his Injuries are just based on luck.
Convenient double standard there.
After tonight, I feel a little more convinced that Hughes can hold his own defensively at second base. And am more and more convinced that Casilla is not a shortstop.
Casilla has been awful, and no one is surprised. Even 100 games from a solid SS like Hardy looks pretty good right now. Hardy's no superstar, but 100 games from a good SS is a whole lot better than 162 games without one.
A contending team with a $100M payroll needs to be able to spend $5-6M for a good SS.
You seemed to try to claim Nishi's leg injury wasn't just random luck, it was attributed to how he plays... But oh no, not Hardy, his Injuries are just based on luck.
That's not an accurate portrayal of what I said. I called Nishioka's injury a "freak incident." Sure, his poor footwork might have contributed to the injury (much like Hardy's sliding technique may have contributed to the wrist injury last year) but any fielder can get hurt on a takeout slide and any base runner can get hurt sliding.
Injuries happen, and they can happen to anyone. I don't think they're all pure happenstance but for the most part I think the term "injury-prone" has become a silly, hackneyed cliche. Certainly there are traits -- like age or specific recurring issues -- that can legitimately make a player more susceptible to getting hurt. But for the most part, I think players who get the injury-prone label are the victims of bad luck and short memories.
A few years ago, Carl Pavano was considered one of the most injury-prone pitchers in the game. Now he ranks as one of its most durable. In 2007/08, Hardy was perfectly healthy and productive; since then he's had a rash of different injuries. So it goes.
I'd like to know what it is in your mind that makes Hardy so "injury-prone." Are his muscles and bones especially weak and brittle? Does he play the game too recklessly? Explain what it is that makes him so much more likely than the average player to get hurt, without resorting to vague comments about him being soft.
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