Cincinnati Reds' reliever Nick Masset unlikely to pitch this season – MLB News
As the regular season nears and end and the playoffs are around the corner, the Cincinnati Reds' reliever Nick Masset does not seem likely to pitch this season. Masset, who had a right shoulder injury before the beginning of the season, got an MRI exam last week which was said to have shown no improvement inside the shoulder.
The last time he had an exam in April, similar results were apparent to the one taken this weekend, making it all quite clear that Masset will most likely not return for the remainder of the season.
On the other hand, Paul Lessard, the Reds head trainer, dropped a clear hint that the club was going to shut Masset down.
Lessard discussed the MRI result and said, "That's why we're going to shut him down.The lucky part is we don't treat the MRI, we treat the symptoms. His strength is tremendous. But still on occasion, he's having generalized soreness. It's not in a specific spot where he has it."
Having appeared in 308 games, with 6-years of experience, Masset has had a 3.78 career ERA, having won 16 games and losing 14. He has four saves to his credit with a total of 285 strike-outs.
Masset was being tipped to be one of the solid members of the Reds bullpen in a year where the pitchers that the club had in the line-up were playing with more power and zeal. But before the season kicked off, something untoward happened.
The club was greeted with an unpleasant news of an injury in his shoulder, prompting the club to explore more options so as to keep the bullpen intact. Drafted in 2000 and making his debut on June 27, 2006, Masset could not pitch this whole season due to the injury that plagued him.
But the head trainer on Tuesday said that the club was trying to get everything calmed down. "We're trying to get everything calmed down and keep strengthening," Lessard said.
For now, the bullpen is strong enough given the presence of players like Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Broxton and others. However, the Reds will definitely want a more rigorous and less vulnerable line-up in the times to come. Therein, Masset’s appearance will be of key importance.
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