The Boston Red Sox have been without rookie sensation Michael Chavis for multiple games due to a back injury, should we be worried?
Earlier in the season, the Red Sox got a major shot in the arm when they called up Michael Chavis during a series in Tampa Bay. He’s been a huge plus for the team as he’s held down the fort at both second and first base while others healed up on the IL. But now it looks as if he’s beginning to feel the wear and tear of a long season.
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Chavis was once again left out of the lineup yesterday for what would be the fourth game in a row. He did come in to pinch-hit in the eighth on Tuesday but would quickly strikeout and then be a non-factor in the field for the ninth. He was pulled from the game against Baltimore on Saturday due to some spasms and seemingly hasn’t felt better. Time will tell as back injuries are fickle.
Should Boston and Red Sox Nation feel any worry? It’s hard to tell, Chavis is young and has been playing like every night could be his last since that April promotion. So it very well could just be his body telling him he needs to take a break or just slow down a tad. In that same sense though at his age (23 years old) it could be a sign of things to come as the back tends to get angry pretty quick.
If you watch him play on any given night you’ll see Michael doing whatever he can to help the Red Sox win. When he’s at the plate I think it feels like we’ll either see a strikeout or a boom shot to the moon. And that, in essence, lies what may have led to the spasms for Chavis. His swing is so powerful and violent that I have no idea how his back is even still intact.
In his first season with the Red Sox, Michael is having a hell of a year and is in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Chavis’ batting stats, .254/.328/.448/16 HR/52 RBI, are proving why he was called up. There’s a reason why he was the top prospect in the farm system and the numbers don’t lie. As I said above though, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows with Michael as he also owns a 33.1 K% while only having an 8.7 BB%.
It’s clear he has the aggression at the plate to maintain a strong Major League career but he needs to also learn to show patience to level those numbers out a bit. We often see him swinging for Lansdowne St with every swing whether the pitch is middle-middle or bouncing ahead of the plate.
The back spasms due worry me as we’ve seen that very ailment take out J.D. Martinez, Mitch Moreland, and Steve Pearce at different stages this season. My big worry is that those guys are older and have years of playing time on Chavis. If this is the beginning of back issues for the young slugger it needs to be addressed and soon. A couple of days out of the lineup and getting worked over by the training staff very well could work wonders.
His eagerness and excitement when it comes to the game are infectious. He’s much like Rafael Devers in the fact that it’s pretty clear that these guys just want to go out and play ball with their friends. Hopefully, we see him back in the lineup soon as he offers a great deal to the Red Sox when he’s playing. I think a few days off could be just what the doctor ordered and I hope to see him back and better than ever soon.