What Happened to Joey Wendle?

Kevin Smith

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What Happened to Joey Wendle?

Joey Wendle is a professional baseball player who has played for several teams throughout his career. He is currently signed with the Miami Marlins, having agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract in January of 2023.

However, Wendle is currently dealing with an intercostal injury that has put a pause on his playing time with the Marlins.

We’ll take a closer look at what happened to Joey Wendle, discussing his background and career, his recent injury, and his upcoming rehab assignment with the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate.

We’ll also touch on the significance of rehab assignments for baseball players and what we can expect from Wendle as he works to recover and get back on the field.

Joey Wendle’s Background

Joey Wendle was born on April 26, 1990, in Wilmington, Delaware. He attended Avon Grove High School in Pennsylvania, where he played both baseball and basketball.

After graduating in 2008, he enrolled at West Chester University, where he played college baseball for the Golden Rams.

During his college career, Wendle established himself as a standout player. He was a two-time All-PSAC East selection and was named the conference’s Player of the Year in 2012. He also earned All-Atlantic Region honors in each of his four seasons with the Golden Rams.

In 2012, the Oakland Athletics selected Wendle in the sixth round of the MLB draft. He began his professional career that same year, playing for the Vermont Lake Monsters in the Class A Short Season New York-Penn League.

Over the next few years, Wendle worked his way up through the Athletics’ minor league system, playing for teams like the Stockton Ports, Midland RockHounds, and Nashville Sounds.

Wendle made his major league debut with the Athletics on April 3, 2016. However, he was only with the team for a short time before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in December of that year.

Wendle quickly established himself as a valuable utility player for the Rays, playing second base, third base, and shortstop. In 2018, he finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting, hitting .300 with 7 home runs and 61 RBIs.

He continued to be a consistent contributor for the Rays over the next few seasons, earning a reputation as a reliable defender and a clutch hitter.

In January of 2023, Wendle signed with the Miami Marlins as a free agent, continuing his career in the major leagues.

Joey Wendle’s 2023 Contract With the Miami Marlins

In January of 2023, Joey Wendle signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Miami Marlins. The Marlins were looking to add some depth and versatility to their infield, and they saw Wendle as a great fit for their team.

Wendle’s experience at second base, third base, and shortstop made him an attractive option for the Marlins, who were looking to strengthen their infield defense.

As a veteran player with several years of major league experience, the Marlins were also hoping that Wendle would bring leadership and a strong work ethic to their clubhouse.

In addition, the Marlins were looking for Wendle to continue his consistent offensive production, as he had hit .270 with 13 home runs and 63 RBIs for the Rays in 2022.

Wendle’s versatility and reliability were likely key factors in the Marlins’ decision to sign him to a one-year deal.

With a solid track record of success as a utility player, the Marlins were hoping that Wendle would be able to make a smooth transition to their team and continue to be a valuable contributor both offensively and defensively.

Joey Wendle’s Injury

Joey Wendle is currently dealing with an intercostal injury, which is an injury to the muscles between the ribs.

This type of injury can be painful and can make it difficult for a baseball player to perform certain movements, such as swinging a bat or throwing a ball.

An intercostal injury can impact a baseball player’s performance in several ways. For one, it can limit their range of motion, making it more difficult to move around the field or make quick, sharp movements.

Additionally, it can impact their ability to generate power, as the muscles involved in swinging a bat or throwing a ball are affected by the injury.

As of May 3, 2023, there have been no official updates on Wendle’s injury and recovery process beyond the fact that he is set to begin a rehab assignment with the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

However, depending on the severity of the injury, recovery from an intercostal injury can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

It’s likely that the Marlins will take a cautious approach with Wendle’s recovery in order to ensure that he is fully healthy before he returns to the field.

Joey Wendle’s Rehab Assignment

Joey Wendle is set to begin a rehab assignment with the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. This is a positive step in his recovery process, as it indicates that he is making progress and getting closer to a return to the Marlins.

The purpose of a rehab assignment for a baseball player is to provide them with an opportunity to get back into game shape and test their skills in a lower-pressure environment.

During a rehab assignment, a player will typically play in several minor league games, with the goal of gradually increasing their workload and getting back up to speed. This can include taking at-bats, fielding ground balls, and throwing to bases.

For Joey Wendle, the rehab assignment with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will provide him with an opportunity to get some playing time and test out his intercostal injury in a game situation. It will also give him a chance to work on his timing and get back into a competitive mindset.

It’s difficult to say exactly how long Wendle’s rehab assignment will last, as it will depend on how he is feeling and how well he is performing.

However, once he has completed his assignment and the Marlins are satisfied that he is fully healthy, it’s likely that he will return to the team in some capacity.

The Marlins will likely want to ease him back into action gradually, potentially using him as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement before returning him to an everyday role.

Here is a Table About Joey Wendle’s Career Statistics Up Until the End of the 2022 Season:

SeasonTeamGamesAt-BatsHitsHome RunsRBIsBatting Average
2016OAK/TB361032318.223
2017TB11133191726.275
2018TB139545158761.300
2019TB1184321161261.269
2020TB5017550417.286
2021TB1395371421163.264
2022TB1566111651363.270
Career 749273470555299.258

The table shows Joey Wendle’s statistics for each season of his major league career, as well as his overall career statistics up until the end of the 2022 season.

The columns show the season, the team he played for, the number of games he played, the number of at-bats he had, the number of hits he recorded, the number of home runs he hit, the number of RBIs he drove in, and his batting average for each season.

FAQs

What position does Joey Wendle typically play?

Joey Wendle is a versatile player who has experience at second base, third base, and shortstop. He has played primarily at second base in recent years, but can also fill in at other positions as needed.

Has Joey Wendle won any awards during his career?

Yes, Joey Wendle has received several awards and honors throughout his baseball career. In college, he was a two-time All-PSAC East selection and was named the conference’s Player of the Year in 2012. In 2018, he finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.

How long has Joey Wendle been playing professional baseball?

Joey Wendle was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2012 and began his professional career that same year. He made his major league debut with the Athletics in 2016, and has been playing in the majors ever since.

What is Joey Wendle’s batting average?

Joey Wendle has a career batting average of .274 as of the end of the 2022 season. However, his batting average can fluctuate from year to year based on his performance and playing time.

How does Joey Wendle’s intercostal injury impact the Marlins?

Joey Wendle’s injury is a setback for the Marlins, as he is a valuable player who provides depth and versatility to their infield. Without him in the lineup, the Marlins may need to rely on other players to fill in at multiple positions, which can impact their defensive alignment and overall performance.

Conclusion

Joey Wendle is a professional baseball player who has had a successful career with several teams, including the Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins.

He signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Marlins in January of 2023, but has been dealing with an intercostal injury that has put his playing time on hold.

However, he is set to begin a rehab assignment with the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, on May 4, 2023.

A rehab assignment is an important step in Wendle’s recovery process, as it will give him a chance to get back into game shape and test out his injury in a lower-pressure environment.

Depending on how well he performs and how quickly he recovers, it’s likely that he will return to the Marlins in some capacity in the near future.

Overall, Joey Wendle’s injury is a setback for him and the Marlins, but it’s clear that he is committed to getting back on the field and contributing to his team.

We wish him the best of luck with his rehab assignment and look forward to seeing him back in action soon.

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Kevin Smith

I am a dedicated learner who is constantly pursuing my dreams in many areas of life. I am a Finance major at the University of Maryland, a professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays and the owner of my personal brand, Elevate Baseball. I hope to inspire younger learners of all sports and interests to tirelessly pursue their dreams, whatever that may be. LinkedIn

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