Dose: Down Goes Wainwright

The St. Louis Cardinals may be MLB’s most resilient franchise. Year after year, they retool, losing key players but always managing to stay relevant. They’ve been to the World Series four times since 2004, more than any other team in that span.

Through the good and the bad, there has always been one constant. You could argue that Adam Wainwright, a three-time All-Star with 21 games of postseason experience, is as indispensable as any pitcher in baseball.

Where would the Cardinals be without Wainwright? Well, if Wainwright’s injury Saturday was as bad as it looked, we’re about to find out.

Stepping in against Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta, Wainwright popped up to first baseman Adam Lind to begin the fifth inning. Wainwright barely made it out of the box before stumbling. Just like that, Wainwright’s night was over.

The team is calling it a left ankle injury, but from our vantage point, Wainwright clearly hurt his Achilles. We probably won’t know the results for a few days, but a torn Achilles would almost certainly end Wainwright’s season. Wainwright hasn’t been placed on the disabled list since 2011 when he underwent Tommy John surgery.

Baseball is a sport of ups and downs, so naturally, Wainwright’s injury was followed by the moving debut of Mitch Harris. After spending five years serving his country in the military, Harris began his big league career by throwing a first pitch strike to Adam Lind. The 29-year-old went an inning and a third without allowing a run, topping out at 95 on his fastball. Harris was drafted by the Cardinals in 2008, shortly before he began serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.

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The Dark Knight Rises

Matt Harvey was back on the mound Saturday against the Yankees. And just like the first three stops on his comeback tour, this one ended with Harvey getting the W.

Harvey gave up just two runs and five hits over 8 2/3 innings, finishing one out shy of his second complete game. The 26-year-old proved once again he’s unbeatable early in the year, moving to 8-0 in his career in March and April.

Here’s a tidbit from Elias: Harvey and Bartolo Colon are the first Mets to both start 4-0 before the 20th game of the season since Bob Ojeda and Dwight Gooden did it in 1986. Remember what happened that year, Mets fans? If not, you can ask Bill Buckner.

Aside from Harvey, recent call-up Kevin Plawecki took CC Sabathia deep in the fourth inning for his first career homer. Worried about Plawecki’s souvenir? Don’t be. He got the ball back after the game.

Speaking of home runs, Mark Teixeira hit his eighth of the season on Saturday. Somehow he’s on pace for 72 homers but only 27 singles. This tomfoolery could only happen at Yankee Stadium.

Jacoby Ellsbury, who does hit singles from time to time, left Saturday’s game with a tight hip. He might get the day off tomorrow, but it’s nothing serious.

For all the latest news and notes around the league, keep refreshing Rotoworld's player news page and also be sure to follow @Rotoworld_BB and @JessePantuosco on Twitter.

Suspensions Handed Down

Some people don’t play well with others. I have a sneaking suspicion Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura is one of those people.

Ventura has been ejected twice this season. It’s April 26. Even the famously aggressive Pedro Martinez never behaved this badly.

But the fun’s over because the league suspended Ventura seven games Saturday for instigating a fight between the Royals and White Sox on Thursday night. Ventura was one of six players banned, including teammates Edinson Volquez (five games), Kelvin Herrera (two games) and Lorenzo Cain (also two games). Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzija were the only White Sox players suspended (five games each), though catcher Tyler Flowers was fined.

Now that the league’s justice system has prevailed, will Ventura finally learn his lesson? Don’t hold your breath.

Koehler Cruises, Strasburg Falls Flat

Remember when the Marlins were pushovers? You know, like a week ago?

Right-hander Tom Koehler tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday to lift the Marlins over the Nationals, 8-0. It was Miami’s fourth straight victory. During that stretch, the Marlins’ starting rotation has allowed just three runs in 26 2/3 innings. That computes to a 1.01 ERA.

Giancarlo Stanton had himself a day. The two-time All-Star finished a triple shy of the cycle. Meanwhile Adeiny Hechavarria extended his hitting streak to eight games with a three-run blast in the eighth inning.

Saturday wasn’t Stephen Strasburg’s best effort. He’s had a tough time at Marlins Park, losing five of his eight starts there with a 5.65 ERA. Florida isn’t for everyone, apparently.

American League Quick Hits: One of the gates at Camden Yards was closed off Saturday because of protestors outside the stadium. The demonstrations were being held for Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old who died last week from a spinal injury he suffered after being taken into custody by Baltimore police … Orioles manager Buck Showalter arrived in the third inning of Saturday’s game against Boston. He flew to Nashville earlier in the day to be at his father-in-law’s funeral … Orioles DH Jimmy Paredes had a career-high four hits on Saturday. He’s hitting .479 against the Red Sox this season … Matt Wieters will catch 4-to-5 innings Monday in an extended spring training game. He hasn’t appeared in a game since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May … J.J. Hardy was given a shoulder injection on Saturday. He’ll rest up for a few days and test out his shoulder on Wednesday … Hanley Ramirez’s helmet has fallen off so many times this season, the phenomenon has spawned its own Twitter account: @HanleysHelmet. Amazingly, Ramirez’s helmet didn’t fall off until the ninth inning on Saturday … The Red Sox placed Shane Victorino on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. Rusney Castillo (shoulder) isn’t ready to take his place, so Daniel Nava and Allen Craig will have to split time in right field … Mike Napoli slugged his first homer of 2015 on Saturday. Before that, he had gone 87 at-bats without a home run … Blue Jays lefty Daniel Norris (yes, the guy who lives in a van) lasted seven innings against the Rays. It was the longest start of his career. He also threw a career-high 69 strikes … Desmond Jennings left Saturday’s game with knee soreness. He’s day-to-day … Evan Longoria finished with four hits Saturday, the first time he’s done that since April 27, 2013 … Miguel Cabrera got the Barry Bonds treatment on Saturday. Before flying out to center field in his last at-bat, Cabrera had seen 21 pitches in a row without swinging … Rajai Davis earned three thefts Saturday for his ninth career three-steal game. Who does he think he is, Billy Hamilton? … Justin Verlander (triceps) will travel with the Tigers on their upcoming road trip. The hope is he’ll resume throwing at some point on the trip … Michael Brantley’s contact rate is off the charts. So far he’s logged 39 at-bats this season and has only struck out twice. … Trevor Bauer was scratched from his start Saturday because of food poisoning. To make up for missing Saturday, he’ll pitch Tuesday against the Royals … Jose Altuve left the yard for his second home run of the year Saturday and by doing so, he now has a 28-game hitting streak against Oakland … According to MLB.com’s Jane Lee, this is the first time Oakland has been three games below .500 since July 21, 2012 … Ben Zobrist’s return to the lineup was pretty short-lived. After playing Friday, the A’s announced Saturday that Zobrist will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery. He’ll miss 4-to-6 weeks … Adrian Beltre sent Angels starter Garrett Richards a $300 invoice after Beltre broke three bats in one game against him. Richards gave Beltre a bat for his trouble.

National League Quick Hits: Marlins ace Jose Fernandez will face live hitters this week. The 2013 NL Rookie of the Year underwent Tommy John surgery last May … Max Scherzer is in danger of missing Tuesday’s start because of a jammed thumb. He wasn’t able to throw a bullpen session on Saturday but will try again on Sunday … Pop quiz: who leads the majors in intentional walks this season? The answer you’re looking for is Bryce Harper. He has five intentional walks on the year … Phillies right-hander David Buchanan had a no-hitter going until Jonny Gomes broke it up with a double in the fifth inning. Unfortunately for Buchanan, it was all downhill from there as the Braves won 5-2 … Jonathan Papelbon told Comcast Philly he’d be disappointed if the Phillies don’t trade him “if we continue to lose” … The Reds/Cubs game was postponed, but not before a four-hour rain delay. The White Sox were cancelled as well, meaning no Chicago teams played on Saturday. Unless you count the Bulls and the Blackhawks … Troy Tulowitzki’s home run Saturday was his 100th at Coors Field … Matt Kemp has nine multi-hit games this season. And after arguing with home plate umpire Marty Foster on Saturday, he now has his first ejection of 2015 … Justin Upton was presented with a Silver Slugger Award on Saturday. To celebrate, he knocked two balls out of the park … Ian Kennedy made his first start of the year Saturday after missing time with a hamstring injury. It didn’t go too well. In 4 1/3 innings, the Dodgers got to him for eight hits, eight runs and three homers … Brandon McCarthy left Saturday’s game with elbow tightness. That’s probably not the most encouraging sign in the world … Dodgers manager Don Mattingly hasn’t ruled out the possibility of putting Yasiel Puig on the disabled list. The 24-year-old has been in and out of the lineup with hamstring trouble all year.