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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 9 (2023). His medical background helps analyze MLB injuries for hitters and pitchers.
One question that I have been getting a lot is what to do with injured pitchers. Injuries to pitchers seem to be on the rise this year. There are currently 159 pitchers on the IL when compared to only 72 position players on the IL. This is a trend this year that I do not see going away. When a pitcher has a shoulder or elbow injury, the timelines given to the players are not always accurate as restarting a pitching program can aggrevate the issue. Muscle injuries such as oblique, groin, hamstring or neck/back injuries have their own issues as they could cause pitchers to change their mechanics and then everything goes out of whack.
The best way to know when a pitcher could come back is based on the tests results – MRI or CT scans. Usually that is only one way they could be read; however, every MLB team should do their due diligence and send the pitcher for a second or even a third opinion. This is not always a "bad" thing to hear about as positive news could come from these meetings as well. One trick to use when dealing with injured pitchers is to not start the initial start that they come back from injury. A lot of times they still need more ramping up and may be a bit rusty. They also may not last long enough in a game to be an option for a win. Knowing when injured pitchers and players are coming back would help greatly the lineup planning and I will highlight some of those players that could be affecting you.
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 24x7 push notification alerts!
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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B, MIA)- Toe: Chisholm was placed on the IL with turf toe in his right foot. He visited a specialist in North Carolina this past week and the thought is that he could require four to six weeks of rest and rehab. Chisolm said he believes he could beat this timeline and be back by early June. Garrett Hampson and Jon Berti could see an increase in playing time with him out.
Eloy Jimenez (OF, CHW)- Appendix: Jimenez underwent an emergency appendectomy for appendicitis. He had said that he expected to miss four to six weeks but now he said that he hopes to return by the end of next week.
Manny Machado (3B, SD)- Hand: Machado was hit by a pitch on his left hand this past Monday. Initial tests were normal but after further imaging, a fracture was seen. Padres manager Bob Melvin expressed optimism that Machado might be able to avoid a stint on the IL , but at the time of this article, no decision has been made yet.
Jorge Polanco (SS, MIN)- Hamstring: Polanco has been diagnosed with a mild left hamstring strain. That the injury is being termed mild would seem to give him a shot to avoid the injured list, although hamstrings can be tricky. If he does get put on the IL, he could be out for up to three weeks.
Nick Gordon (OF, MIN)- Shin: Gordon was placed on the IL with a fractured shin after fouling a ball off of his leg. At this point, it is not clear at this point how much time he might miss. The range of time being missed could be three to four weeks. Michael Taylor could see more time in the outfield for the Twins.
Dylan Carlson (OF, STL)- Ankle: Carlson was placed on the IL with a left ankle sprain. The hope is that he could be ready for activation when first eligible next Thursday. Oscar Mercado was called up though Lars Nootbaar should serve as the Cardinals' primary center field. Sprained ankles usually take three to six weeks to fully heal.
C.J. Cron (1B, COL)- Back: Cron was placed on the IL with back spasms. The severity is not yet known. Mike Moustakas has seen an increase in playing time and Michael Toglia is also an option for the Rockies.
Anthony Rendon (3B, LAA)- Groin: Rendon was placed on the IL with a left groin strain, retroactive to May 14. He is eligible for activation May 24. Whether he has a chance to be ready at that time is unknown at this time. Gio Urshela should see more playing time with Rendon out.
Joc Pederson (OF, SF)- Hand: Pederson was placed on the IL with a right hand contusion which occurred when he tried to bunt. His placement is retroactive to May 13. Mike Yastrzemski was activated the same time Pederson went on the IL.
TJ Friedl (OF, CIN)- Oblique: Friedl was placed on the IL with a mild left oblique strain. The severity is not fully known. Both Stuart Fairchild and Jose Barrero could end up seeing more playing time.
Tyler O'Neill (OF, STL)- Back: O’Neill was placed on the IL with a lower back strain. O’Neill was thought to have begun a rehab assignment this week but has not responded to treatment well enough yet. There is no timeline for his return.
Victor Robles (OF, WAS)- Back: Robles was placed on the IL with back spasms earlier this week. He was injured while sliding into a base last Saturday. The severity is not yet known and the earliest he could be activated is May 17. Alex Call will play more centerfield for the Nationals and Stone Garrett could get more outfield time as well.
Jose Trevino (C, NYY)- Hamstring: Trevino was placed on the IL with a strained hamstring. The severity is not yet known. Ben Rortvedt was called up and should share catching duties with Kyle Higashioka.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Jacob deGrom (SP, TEX)- Elbow: deGrom is on the IL with right elbow inflammation. deGrom threw a “light bullpen” this week and remains a few weeks away from returning.
Dustin May (SP, LAD)- Forearm: May was placed on the IL with what was diagnosed as a right flexor pronator strain. He will receive PRP injection in an effort to avoid surgery. Barring any setbacks, May would be in line to return in four to six weeks. Gavin Stone could be promoted for the long term if this is the case.
Wade Miley (SP, MIL)- Lat: Miley was placed on the IL with a strained left lat suffered during his last start. The severity is not yet known. Miley was sent back to Milwaukee to undergo further testing.
Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN)- Tibia: Lodolo was placed on the IL with a left left injury. Reds manager David Bell said that an MRI on Lodolo’s leg showed a stress reaction in his tibia. He will be in a walking boot for two weeks after which time an updated MRI will be done. The earliest he could return from this injury is about one month, but he will probably be out longer than that.
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 threw from 90 feet this week without any issues. He had received a cortisone injection which seems to have helped. Rodon will continue to ramp up his throwing program in the coming days and will eventually try things from the mound if he continues to progress.
Drew Rasmussen (SP, TB)- Forearm: Rasmussen was placed on the 60 day IL with a right flexor strain. This was after he threw seven shutout innings against the Yankees. Rasmussen is hoping to avoid surgery, but will be facing a lengthy absence as he went straight to the 60-day IL instead of the typical 15-day IL. Rasmussen has already had Tommy John surgery twice. Taj Bradley was called up to take his spot in the rotation.
Tyler Glasnow (SP, TB)- Oblique: Glasnow has been on IL since the spring with a strained oblique. Glasnow made a rehab start this past Tuesday and will make one more start before he will be activated from the IL to start for the Rays.
Vince Velasquez (SP, PIT)- Elbow: Velasquez is on the IL with right elbow inflammation. Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said that Velasquez was supposed to throw a side session this past week and make a rehab start later this weekend. It is possible that he may need only one rehab start before his activation from the IL.
Triston McKenzie (SP, CLE)- Shoulder: Mckenzie has been on the IL since late March with a right teres major strain. He will begin a rehab assignment this weekend and will need a few more to build up his arm strength prior to being activated from the IL.
Luis Severino (SP, NYY)- Lat: Severino is on the IL with a lat strain. Severino is currently on a rehab assignment. If all goes well, he could have his last rehab start this Sunday and be activated to start this week.
Mason Miller (SP, OAK)- Elbow: Miller was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation. After further testing, it was found that he has a mild UCL sprain and will be shut down from throwing for a while. The earliest it seems he could be back would be around the end of June or early July.
Garrett Whitlock (SP, BOS)- Elbow: Whitlock was placed on the IL with right elbow Neuritis. He has made one rehab start and looks to make at least one more before activation. At that point, it has yet to be determined if he will start or come out of the bullpen when he comes back.
Seth Lugo (SP, SD)- Calf: Lugo was placed on the IL with a left calf strain. The severity is not yet known but he will miss at least two to three starts. Ryan Weathers was recalled from Triple-A and could start for the Padres with Lugo out.
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. He should begin throwing in the next few days.
Trevor May (RP, OAK)- Personal: May was placed on the IL due to anxiety-related issues. He has restarted his rehab assignment and may need a few more before he is activated from the injured list.
A.J. Puk (RP, MIA)- Elbow: Puk was placed on the IL with left elbow nerve irritation. The initial diagnosis was “dead arm.” Puk has already progressed to throwing from 60 feet. He cannot be activated for almost two weeks, so look for Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott to close for the Marlins.
Ian Hamilton (RP, NYY)- Groin: Hamilton was placed on the IL with a right groin strain. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said this week that Hamilton will be out for approximately four weeks. Ron Marinaccio and Jimmy Cordero will get more high-leverage relief situations with his absence.
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