Cardinals right-hander Alex Reyes has but to pitch this season on account of shoulder issues, and it now appears like Reyes may very well be lacking considerably extra time. Supervisor Oli Marmol informed reporters, together with Jeff Jones of The Belleville News-Democrat, that Reyes was shut down after he skilled some continued soreness in his proper shoulder after a throwing session this week.
Reyes had already undergone an MRI, and maybe ominously, is now on the lookout for a second opinion earlier than deciding on his subsequent plan of action. Marmol described the information as “very” discouraging, and famous that Reyes has “been via lots…you hope he could make it again.”
Thought-about considered one of baseball’s best possible prospects throughout his time within the St. Louis farm system, Reyes’ profession has been a collection of stops and begins on account of accidents. A Tommy John surgical procedure in 2017 price Reyes essentially the most time on the injured checklist, however his shoulder has additionally been a constant supply of concern for the previous few years.
After tossing solely 72 2/3 innings from 2016-20, the Cardinals opted to make Reyes a full-time reliever in 2021, and the consequence was each a wholesome and spectacular season. The righty posted a 2.48 ERA and a 30% strikeout charge over 72 1/3 frames because the Playing cards’ main nearer for a lot of the 12 months, although Reyes was hampered by walks and residential runs. This included the homer that ended the Cardinals’ season, as Reyes allowed Chris Taylor’s walk-off house run in final 12 months’s NL wild card sport.
Reyes acquired a stem cell injection in March, and after being moved to the 60-day injured checklist, wasn’t eligible to pitch till after June 8. It now appears unlikely that he’ll make that concentrate on date, and there would appear to be loads of doubt that Reyes will be capable of pitch in any respect in 2022.
Reyes turns 28 in August, and is incomes $2.85M this season within the second of three arbitration-eligible years. Ought to Reyes miss most or all the 2022 marketing campaign, he would obtain solely a minuscule increase or his wage would simply stay at $2.85M, which wouldn’t symbolize an enormous monetary outlay for St. Louis. A non-tender can’t be dominated out till we all know extra about Reyes’ harm standing, however given how nicely Reyes has pitched when wholesome, the Cardinals would in all probability lean in the direction of retaining him to see if he can keep away from the IL in 2023.
