Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates for Week 3

Injuries are commonplace in all sports. Baseball has seen the rate of injury continue to rise over the past few years. In fantasy, if someone is not in the medical field, it is hard to gauge how long a player will be out and whether they need to be replaced in a lineup. Sometimes this could mean playing a dead roster spot and losing the opportunity to have a full week of stats. Watching a play and watching the mechanism of injury can say a lot about the type of injury that has been sustained. The mechanism of injury is one of the ways of diagnosing the problem.

I grew up playing baseball, watching baseball and wanting to go into medicine. I was able to combine both of my loves. I am a practicing physician assistant in the state of New York in the fields of orthopedics and physical medicine/pain management. I have been treating patients with the same type of injuries that have been affecting athletes in a private practice setting for the past 15 years. Having this base of knowledge, it is easier to “predict” what the injury could be and how long a player will be out.

During the course of the season in this weekly article, I will be going over MLB player injuries. I will be hunting down the latest updates and have sources to back me up. I will be highlighting the type of injury it is, try to diagnose an injury that has not been diagnosed yet, discuss the extent of injury, and how long the player will be out. I will also be listing the “next man up” when it comes to playing time if the player will be out. This year, I will also have a listing of all fantasy-relevant players affected by COVID-19 and COVID-19 protocols. Hopefully, this will help you create and manage a more competitive fantasy lineup.

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Injury "Guy"de for the Week of August 2, 2020

Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD) - Back - Kershaw was placed on the IL with back stiffness. Kershaw has thrown 2 bullpen sessions and may return to the rotation this coming week, Sunday or Monday according to Manager Dave Roberts.

Justin Verlander (SP, HOU) - Forearm - Verlander was placed on the IL with a right forearm strain. Manager Dusty Baker said he will be shut down for a couple of weeks. Verlander himself said that he is hopeful to return this year. Cristian Javier took his spot in the Astros rotation.

Masahiro Tanaka (SP, NYY) - Concussion - Tanaka is set to make his season debut on August 1.

Brett Anderson (SP, MIL) - Finger - Anderson was placed on the IL on July 20 with a blister on his left index finger. Anderson is scheduled to return from the IL and start on July 31.

A.J. Puk (SP, OAK) - Shoulder - Puk will be out a few weeks after receiving a cortisone injection. Puk has resumed throwing but no word when he will be able to return.

Chase Anderson (SP, TOR) - Oblique - Anderson threw 3 innings in a simulated game and may be able to return soon. Nate Pearson currently has his spot in the rotation.

John Means (SP, BAL) - Arm - Means was dealing with arm fatigue. He was scheduled to return to the starting rotation July 30.

Tom Murphy (C, SEA) - Foot - Murphy has a fractured bone in his foot and will start the season on IL. Murphy is not wearing a boot on his foot but there is no timetable for his return yet. Austin Nola will continue to start in his place.

Austin Nola (C/1B, SEA) - Knee - Nola injured his knee when he slid into second base. Tests came back showing swelling only. He is considered day-to-day and was in Friday’s lineup.

Jake Odorizzi (SP, MIN) - Back - Odorizzi began the season on the IL. The Twins do not have any specific plans for his return. “He’s been stretching things out again, playing catch, still feels good,” Manager Rocco Baldelli said. Odorizzi threw a bullpen session on July 30.

Marcus Stroman (SP, NYM) - Calf - Stroman was placed on the IL with a muscle tear in his left calf. Manager Luis Rojas said Stroman is throwing bullpen sessions “full tilt” and threw to live batters. This is a positive sign but he is still apparently unable to sprint. David Peterson took his spot in the Mets rotation.

Anthony DeSclafani (SP, CIN) - Side - DeSclafani was placed on the IL with a mild right teres major strain. DeSclafani has resumed throwing and is on pace to miss only one turn in the rotation and is scheduled to start August 1.

Seranthony Dominguez (RP, PHI) - Elbow - Dominguez underwent successful Tommy John surgery on July 30.

Howie Kendrick (1B/2B/OF, WAS) - Back - Kendrick has missed two straight games due to upper back stiffness. He is day-to-day. Asdrubal Cabrera, Carter Kieboom could get additional playing time should Kendrick be out for an extended period of time.

Randal Grichuk (OF, TOR) - Back - Grichuk left last Sunday’s game with right sacroiliac (low back) irritation. He has missed 4 straight games and there is a possibility he may end up on the IL. According to the most recent report, Grichuk should be available Tuesday, August 4. Derek Fisher has been getting more playing time in his absence.

Miles Mikolas (SP, STL) - Forearm - Mikolas will undergo season-ending surgery on his right flexor tendon. Mikolas has been dealing with this issue since the end of last year and into this year. Mikolas will not be having Tommy John surgery. Daniel Ponce De Leon could fill in or Kwang Hyun Kim could slide back into the rotation when Giovanny Gallegos returns.

Andrelton Simmons (SS, LAA) - Ankle - Simmons was placed on the IL with a left ankle sprain which he sustained trying to beat out a ground ball. Simmons dealt with leg issues last year. Sprains usually take 2-4 weeks to heal. Luis Rengifo was called up but David Fletcher should see an increase in playing time.

Wade Miley (SP, CIN) - Groin - Miley was placed on the IL with a groin strain. Further testing is pending. Tyler Mahle will remain in the rotation after he had taken Anthony Desclafani’s spot.

Alex Wood (SP, LAD) - Shoulder - Wood was placed on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. There is no return date yet as further testing is pending. Wood is currently not doing any baseball activities. Dennis Santana or Tony Gonsolin could take his rotation spot and Dustin May will remain in the rotation when Clayton Kershaw comes back..

Ryan Pressly (RP, HOU) - Elbow - Pressly is dealing with elbow soreness. He has not yet been placed on the IL and is traveling with the team on their current road trip.

Ken Giles (RP, TOR) - Forearm - Giles was placed on the IL with forearm mass strain in the flexor muscle and has been shut down for at least two weeks following a PRP injection. The Blue Jays are “very optimistic” that he will pitch again soon. Forearm strains are tricky. The average forearm/arm injury last year had an average around 80 days on the IL for pitchers.. Anthony Bass is in line to close for the Blue Jays.

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, CHW) - Shoulder - Lopez was placed on the IL with a sore right shoulder. His MRI revealed inflammation only. The White Sox are hoping 10 days of treatment will get him back on the mound. Gio Gonzalez or Ross Detwiler could fill in until he is ready to return.

Corey Kluber (SP, TEX) - Teres Major - Kluber was placed on the IL with shoulder tightness. His MRI revealed a Grade 2 tear of the teres major muscle. Kluber has been shut down for at least 4 weeks. If Kluber could return this year it would be as a reliever. Kolby Allard will take his place in the Rangers rotation.

Jose Leclerc (RP, TEX) - Teres Major - Similar to Kluber, Leclerc was placed on the 45-day IL with a Grade 2 strain of the teres major muscle. He will receive a PRP injection and shut it down for four weeks. The Rangers hope he will be able to return this year. Nick Goody, Brett Martin and Jesse Chavez could close.

Cameron Maybin (OF, DET) - Quad - Maybin was placed on the IL with a right quad strain after beating out an infield single. Victor Reyes could see an increase in playing time in the Tigers outfield.

Eduardo Nunez (2B, NYM) - Knee - Nunez was placed on the IL with a left knee contusion suffered when he stepped awkwardly on first base. Brian Dozier was called up to take his roster spot and started in his first game up.

Tommy Kahnle (RP, NYY) - Forearm - Kahnle has not pitched since last Sunday and was placed on the IL with a right forearm strain. MRI report is pending.

Updated List of Fantasy-Relevant Players Affected by COVID-19

Please note: Although a player may have returned, they may not be up to game speed yet and may still be on the IL or not ready to play. Multiple Miami Marlin and St. Louis Cardinal players have tested positive however the full list of affected players is not yet known.

Alcantara, Sandy (SP, MIA)
Alvarez, Yordan (DH, HOU)- Cleared to return
Astudillo, Willians (C, MIN)- Cleared to return
Beer, Seth (1B, ARI) - Returned
Bethancourt, Christian (RP, PHI)
Blackmon, Charlie (OF, COL) - Returned
Brito, Socrates (OF, PIT)- Returned
Brinson, Lewis (OF, MIA)- Returned
Cabrera, Genesis (RP, STL)- Returned
Calhoun, Kole (OF, ARI) - Returned
Cano, Robinson (1B/2B, NYM) - Returned
Chapman, Aroldis (RP, NYY)- Returning
Cessa, Luis (RP, NYY)- Returned
Chirinos, Yonny (SP/RP, TB)- Returned
d’Arnuad, Travis (C, ATL)- Returned
Davidson, Matt- (DH, CIN)- Returned
DeShields, Delino (OF, CLE)- Returning- DeShields has been playing games at Cleveland’s satellite camp.
Diaz, Elias (C, COL)
Dietrich, Derek (1B/OF, CHC)- Returned
Dozier, Hunter (3B/OF, KC)
Drury, Brandon (3B, TOR)- Returned
Elias, Roenis (RP, SEA)- Returned
Flowers, Tyler (C, ATL)- Returned
Freeman, Freddie (1B, ATL) - Returned
Garica, Jarlin (RP, SF)
Glasnow, Tyler (SP, TB) - Returned
Grichuk, Randal (OF, TOR)- Returned
Guerra, Junior (RP, ARI) - Returned
Hamilton, Billy (OF, SF)- Returned
Haseley, Adam (OF, PHI) - Returned
Hayes, Ke'Bryan (3B, PIT)- Returned
Hernandez, Darwinzon (RP, BOS) - Returned
Hirano, Yoshii (RP, SEA)- Returned
Hunter, Tommy (RP, PHI)- Returned
Jansen, Kenley (RP, LAD) - Returned
Joyce, Matt (OF, MIA)
Kela, Keone (RP, PIT)
Keller, Brad (SP, KC)- Returned
Kendrick, Howie (1B/2B/3B/OF, WAS) - Returned
Kingery, Scott (2B/3B/SS/OF, PHI) - Returned
Lauer, Eric (SP, MIL)- Returned
LeMahieu, DJ (1B/2B, NYY) - Returned
Luzardo, Jesus (SP, OAK) - Returned
McKay, Brendan (SP, TB)- Returning
Mahtook, Mikie (OF, DET)- Returned
Mateo, Jorge (SS, SD)- Returned
Mazara, Nomar- (OF, CHW)- Returning
Meadows, Austin (OF, TB)
Moncada, Yoan (3B, CHW) - Returned
Neris, Hector (RP, PHI)- Returned
Nola, Aaron (SP, PHI) - Returned
Norris, Daniel (SP, DET)- Returned
O'Hearn, Ryan (1B, KC)- Returned
Perez, Salvador (C, KC)- Returned
Pham, Tommy (OF, SD) - Returned
Robles, Victor (OF, WAS)- Returned
Rodriguez, Eduardo (SP, BOS)- Returned but back on IL. Rodriguez has been shut down from all baseball activities. Rodriguez has been taken out of the Red Sox player pool for this year.
Rojas, Miguel-
Sano, Miguel (1B/3B, MIN) - Returned
Smith, Will (RP, ATL)- Returning
Soto, Juan (OF, WAS)- Returning- Earliest return date is August 4.
Suero, Wander (RP, WAS)- Returned
Teheran, Julio (SP, LAA)- Returned
Toussaint, Touki (SP/RP, ATL)- Returned
Urias, Luis (2B/SS, MIL)- Returning
Urquidy, Jose (SP, HOU)- Returning- Not close to game action yet.

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