⚾ Why It Feels Like MLB Pitcher Injuries Are Up

Fewer pitchers have been hurt this year but some teams have been hurt more than others. [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider with Martin Rogers: There haven't been as many pitcher injuries this season, so why does it feel like the opposite? … Bill Belichick has struggled drafting receivers, but can Tyquan Thornton break the trend this season? … and more! There is a different kind of pitcher's duel going on across Major League Baseball, and it might decide the season. Throughout the majors, there is a relatively typical level of injuries occurring to the arms and other bodily parts of the men who hurl fire and fling spin from the mound. Nothing particularly novel or noteworthy. Except, and here's the rub (hopefully from a trained massage therapist with a tub of deep heat next to them), there is a coincidental glut of ailments befalling big-time players on the kind of big-time teams that are either topping the standings or figure to get involved in the postseason mix once we approach fall. How those misfortunes are handled, either through recovery or innovative Plan B, C and Ds, seems certain to have a telling impact on the fate of the various title-chasing hopefuls, given how laser-guided flame is about the most valuable currency imaginable once elimination time hits. The Tampa Bay Rays have been the most effective team in baseball to this point in the campaign, streaking out to a spectacular start and holding firm as the grueling grind of the middle months plods forward. Yet the Rays reached 54-27 heading into Tuesday's clash with the Arizona Diamondbacks despite losing starters Drew Rasmussen to a flexor tendon issue that will rule him out for months and Jeffrey Springs to Tommy John surgery, after both had begun the year superbly. Tampa Bay starts a series against the Seattle Mariners later this week, with Saturday's clash slated for national television (7:15 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). When Rays ace Shane McClanahan exited his most recent start with back soreness but it later appeared he would not miss significant time, the relief from manager Kevin Cash was palpable. For the rest of the story, [click here.]( [STORY IMAGE 1] [IN OTHER WORDS] - Bill Belichick's biggest weakness as a talent evaluator has been drafting receivers. Tyquan Thornton might [provide some redemption in 2023]( Henry McKenna writes. - Aaron Judge has missed three weeks and could be out months. The Yankees [aren't built to win without him]( — unless their struggling vets rebound, Jake Mintz writes. - To fans and media, Kyrie Irving is often a lightning rod for controversy. Yet ask NBA players what they think of him, and you'll get a much different take. [He's beloved](. Ric Bucher has the story. - Kentucky has landed a commitment from West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell. What does the addition of 6-foot-9 forward mean for the Wildcats? John Fanta [examines the fit](. For the latest news and updates, [click here.]( [VIEWER'S GUIDE] New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun (NBATV, 7 p.m. ET) Two of the most exciting teams in the WNBA clash when the Liberty head to Connecticut to battle the Suns. Minnesota Twins at Atlanta Braves (TBS, 7:20 p.m. ET) Two of the most underrated pitchers in baseball collide when the Twins throw Joe Ryan against Bryce Elder and the Braves. Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels (MLBN, 9:38 p.m. ET) Shohei Ohtani takes the hill for the Angels as they battle a tough White Sox lineup in Los Angeles. For all of today's games and scores, [click here](. [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Philadelphia 76ers to win NBA Championship in 2023-24 (+1300) From FOX Sports Betting Analyst: Jason McIntyre No team upgraded more at coach than Philly, which moved on from coach Doc Rivers and replaced him with Nick Nurse. If you believe James Harden will return, then a trio of Harden, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey will be formidable – they had Boston beat in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals before a late collapse. Of course, if you bet the Sixers and Harden leaves, and they don’t replace him with someone in the Damian Lillard stratosphere, you’ll need a miracle. For the latest betting odds, [click here](. [FOLLOW FOX SPORTS] [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Download FOX Sports App: [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [Google Play]( [App Store]( [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [App Store]( [Google Play]( Also available on these devices: [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV | Vizio | LG Smart TV] [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV | Vizio | LG Smart TV] Trademark & Copyright Notice: ™ and © 2023 Fox Media LLC and FOX Sports Interactive Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Please do not reply to this message. If you do not wish to receive emails like this in the future, please [unsubscribe](. FOX Sports respects your privacy. Click [here]( to view our Privacy Policy. Fox.com Business & Legal Affairs - Manager Digital Media P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills, California 90213-0900