Add Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez to the list of big leaguers to suffer suitcase-related injuries this season.
Sanchez acknowledged Wednesday that the bruised right index finger that has sidelined him for the past two months occurred when his finger got caught in a falling suitcase. The incident happened June 21, hours before Sanchez took the mound in Los Angeles against the Angels with about 180 friends and family from his hometown of Barstow, Calif., in the crowd.
"It got stuck in my suitcase and it started falling," Sanchez said. "It all happened in a span of about 30 seconds. I said 'Ow,' and my knuckle got super fat. I pitched that day, probably didn't help. But it was the first time I was going to pitch in front of my family as a professional, and I wanted to see what I could do."
The 2016 AL ERA champion, Sanchez allowed 2 runs and 2 hits in a 25-pitch first inning that night before being replaced. After making three minor league rehab starts, he will throw a side session today in Toronto. If that goes well, Sanchez will be activated off the 60-day disabled list to start against Philadelphia on Saturday.
Sanchez (3-5, 3.52) said part of the reason he stayed quiet about his injury was the attention Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez received for spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee while carrying a suitcase up the stairs in his home just before Opening Day. Perez did not return until April 24.
"I didn't want to say it then because I saw Salvador Perez go down with the same injury, and I didn't want to get laughed at," Sanchez said.
Head case
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is breaking in a new helmet this exhibition season, yet another sign the 41-year-old quarterback is planning to play in 2019.
Brady's old helmet is among the models being phased out by the NFL because tests showed it is not as effective at protecting against concussions. The new rules take effect next season, but Brady used a compliant helmet in last week's exhibition game against the Philadelphia Eagles instead of the one he has had through most of his NFL career.
Brady says he's still tweaking the new model to make sure the mask allows for the same comfort and peripheral vision as the one he's used to. The most visible difference for fans is that it has a panel in front instead of solid plastic.
The quarterback says he asked his teammates if he looked younger or faster in it.
"They said yes, so I might keep it," Brady said.
Hard Knocks hype
The Cleveland Browns are a betting favorite in Vegas. Sportsbooks have received multiple bets on the Browns to win their division, their conference and the Super Bowl.
"There are more bets on the Browns to win [the] AFC North than the other three teams combined. Only the Raiders and Steelers have more bets to win the AFC," a Caesars Palace sportsbook manager said to ESPN's David Purdum.
"The public likes the Browns, and I'm not sure why."
As of Monday, the Browns carried 80-1 odds to win Super Bowl LIII, according to the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.
Sports quiz
Who is the all-time pitching victories leader for the Toronto Blue Jays?
Sports answer
David Stieb with 175
Sports on 08/23/2018