RADIO
The calendar has turned to June and the baseball season keeps chugging along. As the weather heats up, there are some things that we should look for. One thing is the increase in home run numbers as that is a given with humidity. Another thing to look for in warmer weather is an increase in muscle-related injuries.
This could happen due to dehydration as well as wear and tear from the long baseball season. We are entering the third month of the season and this is where off-season training routines start to be felt and pay off, or not. It is important for your fantasy team to know how long these injured players will be out and who could be stepping in for them. I will continue to highlight fantasy-relevant players, their injuries, how long they will be out for, and the next man up.
A little about myself for new readers. My name is Reuven Guy and I am a practicing orthopedic/pain management Physician Assistant. I have been dealing with sports injuries for the past 16+ years and have a knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same time period, which has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball which I hope to share with you. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest MLB breaking news with our award-winning news desk and our free fantasy baseball mobile app with 24/7 push notification alerts!
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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Cedric Mullins (OF, BAL)- Groin: Mullins was placed on the IL with a right groin strain this week. He has a grade 2 strain, but the team is hoping Mullins is out for weeks rather than months. Most of the time, a grade 2 strain usually means six to eight weeks on the IL. Aaron Hicks was signed to play center and be a veteran presence for the young Orioles outfield.
Jesse Winker (OF, MIL)- Neck: Winker was placed on the IL with a cervical strain, retroactive to May 28. The injury he had was originally described as neck discomfort, but further testing revealed the strain. There is no timetable for his return yet. Abraham Toro was called up.
Manny Machado (3B, SD) - Hand: Machado was placed on the IL with a fracture in his left hand. He went through an extensive pre-game workout this past week and there is a chance he could be activated sometime this weekend.
Riley Greene (OF, DET)- Leg: Greene was placed on the IL after he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left fibula. This was confirmed by an MRI. No word as to how long he will be out yet as it is not a “true” fracture. Jake Marisnick was called up and could see some time in the Tiger outfield.
Harrison Bader (OF, NYY)- Hamstring: Bader was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. It is considered to be low grade, which would mean he may only miss two to three weeks without any setbacks. Greg Allen was called up and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could see more time in the outfield for the Yankees.
Dylan Carlson (OF, STL) - Ankle: Carlson was placed on the IL with a left ankle sprain. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said this week that Carlson is taking batting practice from both the left and right side of the plate and has resumed a running program. Carlson will likely increase the intensity of his running program over the next few days before potentially heading out on a rehab assignment. Until then, Brandon Donovan and Alec Burleson should see more playing time.
Carlos Correa (SS, MIN)- Foot: Correa has been dealing with a combination of both a muscle strain and plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The treatment for this is usually an injection and rest. Plantar fasciitis has also been known for zapping players' power when they are dealing with it with home run numbers going down. No word as of yet if he will end up on the IL but that is a possibility instead of playing through it.
Luis Urias (3B, MIL)- Hamstring: Urias has been on the IL since April 1 with a severe hamstring strain. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said this week that Urias is likely to return early next week.
Adam Duvall (OF, BOS)- Wrist: Duvall continues to recover from a fractured wrist which landed him on the IL. He is currently on a rehab assignment and could be activated on June 9 as he is on the 60-day IL.
Kris Bryant (OF, COL)- Heel: Bryant was placed on the IL with a left heel bruise, retroactive to May 31. Bryant dealt with plantar fasciitis in the same foot last year. The severity is not yet known. Charlie Blackmon was activated from the bereavement list in a corresponding roster move.
Alec Bohm (3B, PHI)- Hamstring: Bohm was placed on the IL with a strained left hamstring. Bohm first hurt his hamstring last weekend, tried to return, and then aggravated the issue. Phillies manager Rob Thomson has termed the strain as "very mild." Edmundo Sosa and Josh Harrison will continue to see time at third while Kody Clemens and Drew Ellis could play first for the Phillies.
Thairo Estrada (2B, SF)- Wrist: Estrada was placed on the IL with a left wrist injury, retroactive to May 26. Giants manager Gabe Kapler seemed to downplay the severity of the wrist issue initially, however, the injury is now being classified as a sprain, and it will sideline Estrada until at least June 6. Brett Wisely is getting more playing time with Estrada out.
Ezequiel Duran (3B, TEX)- Oblique: Duran was placed on the IL with mild right oblique discomfort. The severity is not yet fully known and the earliest he could return is June 3. Josh H. Smith and the newly activated Travis Jankowski are the top candidates to replace Duran's spot in the Rangers lineup.
Oneil Cruz (SS, PIT)- Ankle: Cruz is on the IL after requiring surgery for his fractured left ankle. Pirates director of sports medicine, Todd Tomczyk, said this week that Cruz is expected to transition out of his walking boot next week. At that point, he should be cleared for strength and range-of-motion exercises. Cruz is still expected to be out until August.
Anthony Rendon (3B, LAA) - Groin: Rendon was placed on the IL with a left groin strain, retroactive to May 14. Angels manager Phil Nevin said that Rendon is targeting a return from the IL sometime next week.
Joc Pederson (OF, SF) - Hand: Pederson was placed on the IL with a right-hand contusion which occurred when he tried to bunt. He has begun swinging a bat and may go out on a rehab assignment this weekend. J.D. Davis and Blake Sabol have been filling in for the Giants.
Tyler O'Neill (OF, STL) - Back: O’Neill was placed on the IL with a lower back strain. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said this week that O’Neill's rehab has hit a "standstill" There is no timeline for his return.
Willy Adames (SS, MIL) - Head: Adames was placed on the concussion IL after he was struck in the head by a foul ball off the bat of teammate Brian Anderson. Adames went through a light workout this week. It was the first workout of any kind for Adames since he suffered his concussion. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that "He's got to pass some tests." and declined to offer an exact timetable for his return. Brice Turang has been seeing most of the playing time with Adames out.
Joey Bart (C, SF) - Groin: Bart is on the IL with a Grade 1 left groin strain based on MRI. He has begun base running drills and could start a rehab assignment in the near future. Patrick Bailey has been filling in for the Giants,
Cody Bellinger (OF, CHC) - Knee: Bellinger was placed on the IL with a left knee contusion after banging it into the wall. He has begun hitting in the batting cage and throwing. There is still no solid timeline for his return. Mike Tauchman has been getting most of the playing time with Bellinger out.
Adalberto Mondesi (3B, BOS)- Knee: Mondesi is still recovering from knee surgery from last year. He remains limited to drills in extended spring training and does not appear close to playing in games. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said this week that it is a matter of pain tolerance at this point with Mondesi's surgically repaired left knee. "He's having good days and bad days," said Cora. "I don't want to think for him, but it's probably 'I don't feel comfortable doing this,' and then you have to slow down. Structurally…they checked him out, there was imaging and all that stuff and everything looked good, so..." Cora also acknowledged of Mondesi that "there was some imbalance as far as his strength and legs and all of that. It's more than just the rehab." Mondesi remains without a timetable for return.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Jacob deGrom (SP, TEX) - Elbow: deGrom is on the IL with right elbow inflammation. deGrom was scheduled to throw a bullpen this week but left the team for the birth of his child. We should know more when he comes back and has the next bullpen under his belt.
Wade Miley (SP, MIL) - Lat: Miley is on the IL with a posterior serratus strain around the left side of his rib cage. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said this week that Miley could soon begin throwing bullpen sessions. "It's going really well," Counsell told reporters. "He feels great. We're trying to push this along with Wade and so far, all signs are good." Miley was initially expected to miss up to eight weeks but he seems to be recovering at a fairly quick pace and could return by the end of June if there are no setbacks.
Carlos Rodon (SP, NYY) - Back: Rodon continues to try to make progress from his low back injury that has him on the IL at this time. He has been throwing bullpen sessions but has yet to graduate to facing live hitters yet.
Frankie Montas (SP, NYY)- Shoulder: Montas had been shut down for 14 weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder back in late February. He began a throwing program this week but is still a stretch to return even by September.
Justin Steele (SP, CHC)- Forearm: Steele was placed on the IL with a left forearm strain. He went for an MRI this past Thursday and the report is pending. Hayden Wesneski would be a good bet to fill the vacant rotation spot. (As of submitting this article, Steele was not placed on the IL but I expect him to be placed there soon)
Kenta Maeda (SP, MIN)- Triceps: Maeda is on the IL due to a right triceps strain. He is currently on a rehab assignment and should require multiple outings before he is activated from the IL.
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, DET)- Finger: Rodriguez was placed on the IL this week with a left index finger pulley rupture. This will keep him out for a while as similar injuries, like that of Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak, caused him to miss up to three months and more due to complications once he was on the road to coming back. No word on his replacement yet.
Lance McCullers Jr. (SP, HOU)- Forearm: McCullers is on the IL with a forearm injury and has not yet pitched this year. Astros manager Dusty Baker said this past Monday that McCullers is no longer throwing off a mound. "We have to take it slow with Lance until we know that he's 100 percent. That's where it is right now." There is no timetable for his recovery now.
Trevor Rogers (SP, MIA)- Biceps: Rogers has been on the IL with a left biceps strain since April 21. He began a rehab assignment this week and could return to the Marlins rotation in mid-June.
Julio Urias (SP, LAD) - Hamstring: Urias is on the IL with a left hamstring strain. He threw a bullpen session this week. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "I think the plan is on Saturday [Urias will] throw on the mound, and then probably two or three days after that, he'll do a simulated, three-inning situation." There is no clear timeline for Urias yet but a late June return is not out of the question.
Cal Quantrill (SP, CLE)- Shoulder: Qunatrill has been placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. The severity is not yet known. He received an injection this week and will be shut down for a few days before beginning a throwing program. Aaron Civale will be activated to take his roster spot.
Jose Urquidy (SP, HOU) - Shoulder: Urquidy is on the IL with shoulder inflammation that landed him on the IL in the past. He has begun throwing from 90 feet but is still a ways away from returning. He could return around the All-Star break.
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Jose Alvarado (RP, PHI) - Elbow: Alvarado was placed on the IL with left elbow inflammation. He underwent an MRI which showed no structural damage and just inflammation. Alvarado has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment this weekend and could return next week.
Pete Fairbanks (RP, TB)- Hip: Fairbanks is now on the IL for a second time this year with inflammation in his left hip. MRI results showed no structural damage. Fairbanks will receive a cortisone injection in his hip and will be shut down from throwing for at least a week. At that point, we should have a better idea of when he will return. Until then Jason Adam seems to be the primary closer in a very fluid Rays bullpen.
Daniel Hudson (RP, LAD)- Knee: Hudson continues to recover from ACL surgery that was performed last year. He has joined the Dodgers to continue his throwing program He may be able to be activated following a few more bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions and skipping a rehab assignment.
Matt Moore (RP, LAA)- Oblique: Moore was placed on the IL with a right oblique strain. The injury came up prior to a game last week. Angels manager Phil Nevin said Moore is dealing with a Grade 2 strain and is without a timeline for a return, though the expectation is that the southpaw will miss more than the minimum 15 days. The Angels called up Ben Joyce to take Moore's spot in the bullpen.
Edwin Diaz (RP, NYM)- Knee: Diaz is recovering from patellar tendon surgery that was done this past March. Diaz believes he can join the Mets bullpen before the end of the season. "If everything keeps going how it's going, we've got a chance to pitch," said Diaz. "The trainers and doctors will decide, but I feel great. Let's see what's coming for us."
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