Takeaways from MLB Week 9

This week we said goodbye to some big MLB names, albeit some for a longer stretch than others. But no one was more publicized than Cleveland Indians outfielder Marlon Byrd.

Wednesday, the league suspended Byrd 162 games after his second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.

His was not the first positive test for PEDs this season. So yet again, it sparked debate over whether MLB’s policies and punishments are successfully legislating PED use out of the game.

But you’re probably also wondering: What other goodbyes had an impact on teams around MLB?

Marlon Byrd Suspended 162 Games

Associated Press

Perhaps Marlon Byrd's 162-game suspension, announced in an MLB press release Wednesday, will mean the end of his career.

Byrd, suspended for the second time for PED use, turns 39 on Aug. 30. The league previously suspended him June 25, 2012.

The latest punishment came after a positive test for “growth hormone secretagogue Ipamorelin, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” according to the release.

While a combination of age and the suspension may jettison Byrd from the game, he still could choose to attempt a comeback. His repeated PED use is yet another example that MLB is not doing enough to rid the game of cheaters.

If Byrd were younger, then we wouldn't be talking about the suspension marking the end of his career.

We likely will never know the full extent of Byrd’s motivation for using PEDs a second time. But speculating on his reasons is unimportant to this conversation.

Here’s the takeaway: Byrd knew what the punishment and its consequences might be for a second-time offender. Yet, he felt the upside of using PEDs outweighed the risk.

MLB needs to do more—be it harsher suspensions or a higher testing frequency. That means possibly implementing a two-strike policy, with a second offense earning a lifetime ban.

PED use is still prevalent in the game, and some players are unafraid of continuing to use them even after being caught.

David Wright Lands on the Disabled List

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

It seemed as if New York Mets third baseman David Wright made every attempt to avoid a stint on the disabled list. According to ESPN.com's Adam Rubin, Wright took oral anti-inflammatory medication and received a painkilling injection to alleviate his ailing neck and back.

But ultimately, the Mets and Wright decided rest would best serve the seven-time All-Star. The team announced Friday it had placed him on the DL retroactive to May 30.

The injury is officially characterized as a herniated disc in Wright’s neck, and he will need six to eight weeks rest. Wright last played May 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he extended his hit streak to six games. But he has struggled this season, hitting only .226/.350/.438.

Given his struggles with back problems in the past, the ESPN report cites sources that said surgery could be required if his back does not improve.

The best outcome would be that the rest relieves him of the problem, which can only help him right a disappointing 2016 thus far.

Wilmer Flores will see increased time at the hot corner but is hitting just .190/.271/.302. He also has subpar metrics over 70.2 innings at the position in 2016, per FanGraphs.

Hunter Pence’s Pulled Hamstring Leaves Hole in Giants Lineup

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

On Thursday, the San Francisco Giants placed right fielder Hunter Pence on the 15-day DL just a day removed from his suffering a torn right hamstring running to first base. He is expected to be out eight weeks and will require surgery, per ESPN.com.

His absence leaves a gaping hole in San Francisco's lineup.

Pence has started 47 games in right field for the Giants, seeing at-bats throughout the middle of the lineup. Through 50 games played this season, Pence is hitting .298/.375/.486. He carried a 1.3 WAR through his injury, according to FanGraphs.

He is hitting .356 with runners in scoring position. In addition, in 33 at-bats with two out and runners in scoring position, he is hitting .333, according to Baseball Reference.

So his clutch statistics have proved to be an asset for a Giants team that led the NL West by 5.5 games heading into Friday night’s action.

In the Giants’ 6-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, Jarrett Parker started in right field and hit seventh. But heading into this season, he only had 21 games of major league experience. This year, he is hitting only .212/.297/.364.

Report: Dodgers Will Not Be Penalized for Use of Lasers

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Sabermetrics earned a victory Thursday.

ESPN.com's Doug Padilla cited sources saying MLB will not discipline the Los Angeles Dodgers for using rangefinder devices to help aid outfielder positioning in a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

According to the story, this is regular practice for the Dodgers, who give their outfielders laminated cards that instruct them on where to stand for each batter at Dodger Stadium.

Padilla reported May 28 that the Mets alerted MLB to the Dodgers’ practice. The league prohibits the use of electronic devices during a game. However, these devices were reportedly used prior to the start of games.

In the age of sabermetrics, teams are employing more advanced technology and devices to collect data on each player. Such information causes teams to tailor infield positioning to an individual hitter.

Assuming this ruling causes more clubs to regularly use these rangefinders, we could see an uptick in outfield shifts throughout MLB.

White Sox-Royals Series Makes AL Central Compelling

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Unbelievable starting pitching combined with top-notch defense made the Chicago White Sox not only look like the team to beat in the AL Central, but also put it among the top clubs of MLB.

On May 9, the White Sox led the division by a season-high six games.

But after a week that saw the division-rival Kansas City Royals complete a three-game sweep of the Sox (the series was scheduled for four games, but the opener was postponed), the division is looking to be among baseball’s most dramatic races.

Heading into Friday’s action, the White Sox and Cleveland Indians were tied for second place—just 1.5 games behind the Royals. Both teams were two games out of a wild-card spot.

As of Friday, only the AL East race was closer. The Baltimore Orioles were a game behind the Boston Red Sox, but the AL Central was the only division with a third club that was fewer than two games behind first place.