RADIO
The second half of June is here and the mid-summer classic is only one month away. Teams are making runs in their divisions and hopefully so are your fantasy teams. The offense continues to get better (different MLB baseballs?), top pitchers continue to perform well, and injuries continue to mount. This is the time of year to reassess your fantasy team category by category and try to push all-in or try to make a big move to fix the deficiencies on your team. Knowing when injured players are coming back or how long they will be out is key to your success from now to the end of the season. Injuries continue to be an issue for many teams as well as your fantasy team. I will continue to highlight players on the IL with their hopeful return timeframe 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 period, which has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball, which I hope to share with you.
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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Fernando Tatis Jr. (SS, SD)- Wrist: Tatis remains on the IL while he is recovering from wrist surgery due to a fracture. A recent CT scan on his wrist did not reveal the desired level of healing, so his expected return date has been pushed back. No timeline for his return has been given yet.
Kris Bryant (1B/3B/OF, COL)- Back: Bryant was again placed on the IL with a back injury. He was on the IL earlier this month for the same issue. Bryant took batting practice this week. Bryant also may begin a rehab assignment this weekend. Until then, Yonathan Daza looks to get a lot of playing time with Bryant out.
Eloy Jimenez (OF, CHW)- Hamstring: Jimenez is on the IL recovering from surgery to repair a torn hamstring. General manager Rick Hahn said this past week that Jimenez had his rehab assignment paused due to "normal leg soreness." Hahn then emphasized that Jimenez hasn't experienced a setback in his recovery. He could be activated this weekend.
Ozzie Albies (2B, ATL)- Foot: Albies was placed on the IL and had surgery for a fractured left foot. He was placed on the 60-day IL and the Braves expect him back sometime this year. The type of fracture and surgery is not known and knowing this would help to know how long his recovery time from surgery would take. Orlando Arcia should fill in for the Braves.
Tim Anderson (SS, CHW)- Groin: Anderson is on the IL with a right groin strain. Anderson is on a rehab assignment now and is expected to return to the White Sox on June 20th barring any setbacks.
Wander Franco (SS, TB)- Quad: Franco was placed on the IL with a strained right quadriceps. The severity is not known. Manager Kevin Cash said that Franco is running well and will go through full workouts. Franco is expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend and could return next week. Taylor Walls should continue to fill in at shortstop for the Rays until Franco returns.
James McCann (C, NYM)- Wrist: McCann was diagnosed with a fractured hamate in his left wrist and had subsequent surgery. He has begun a rehab assignment and could be activated as early as the end of next week.
Brandon Lowe (2B, TB)- Back: Lowe is currently on the IL with a lower back injury. He recently experienced discomfort while taking swings and will be shut down until at least Monday. There is no timeline for his return.
Brian Anderson (3B, MIA)- Back: Anderson was placed on the IL with a back injury. Anderson underwent an MRI this past week and met with a spine specialist. The severity of the injury is still not known. Anderson has been throwing medicine balls and hitting off a tee. There is no timeline for his return yet. Jon Berti and Willians Astudillo should fill in for the Marlins.
Joey Wendle (3B, MIA)- Hamstring: Wendle was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain, retroactive to May 31. The severity is not yet known. He had a PRP injection for his hamstring and is no longer feeling sore. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said this past Monday that Wendle has resumed baseball activities and has started a running progression. Since Wendle is now in the midst of his second stint on the IL due to a right hamstring injury, the Marlins will likely proceed cautiously with him before activating him. He is eligible to return on June 20th but will probably need an extra week or two.
Kyle Lewis (OF, SEA)- Concussion: Lewis was placed on the concussion IL due to concussion-like symptoms. Lewis has ramped up baseball activities in recent days but remains without a firm return timetable. Abraham Toro could continue to fill in for him.
Mitch Haniger (OF, SEA)- Ankle: Haniger has been on the IL since April 30th with an ankle injury that had an 8-12 week recovery time frame. Haniger has moved to the 60-day IL and the earliest he could return is July 10th. He has done some light baseball activities and hit in the batting cage. He has not yet been cleared to resume running.
Yadier Molina (C, STL)- Knee: Molina has been placed on the IL with right knee inflammation. The severity is not yet known. Iván Herrera has been called up and Andrew Knizner should fill in with Molina out.
Yasmani Grandal (C, CHW)- Back: Grandal sustained a left hamstring injury while running to first base last Saturday and he developed a back issue Sunday night. He was moving around well and feeling better Monday afternoon but will still require an IL stint. The severity is not yet known. Reese McGuire should fill in for the White Sox.
Enrique Hernandez (OF, BOS)- Hip: Hernandez was placed on the IL with a right hip flexor strain. The severity is not known. Hernandez took part in a sim game against Chris Sale and may go out on a rehab assignment soon. Jarren Duran and Jackie Bradley have been filling in out in center field while Hernandez is out.
Matt Chapman (3B, TOR)- Wrist: Chapman has been dealing with a sore wrist this past week. He has missed four of the last six games, although he did homer in both games he played. Chapman will try to continue to play through this until the Blue Jays have to shut him down.
Seiya Suzuki (OF, CHC)- Finger: Suzuki on the IL with a sprained left ring finger. He took batting practice this week and had a full workout as well. He was then told to rest for a few days and then get re-evaluated. He now has been taking some dry swings.
Wil Myers (OF, SD)- Knee: Myers was placed on the IL with right knee inflammation. Myers is not having surgery on his right knee in favor of a plan that includes rest and rehab. The earliest he could return is July 1st. Nomar Mazara has been filling in for him for the Padres.
Franmil Reyes (DH, CLE)- Hamstring: Reyes was placed on the IL with right hamstring tightness. The severity is not known. Reyes has been participating in rehab games and could return by June 21st.
Jeimer Candelario (3B, DET)- Shoulder: Candelario was placed on IL with a left shoulder subluxation. He is currently on a rehab assignment and could be activated on June 21st. Harold Castro has been filling in for the Tigers.
LaMonte Wade Jr. (OF, SF)- Knee: Wade is on the IL with left knee inflammation. Wade is expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend and could return next week.
Jeremy Pena (SS, HOU)- Thumb: Pena was placed on the IL with left thumb discomfort. GM James Click said in a radio appearance on Wednesday that Pena's thumb injury wasn't severe. Manager Dusty Baker said that Pena had an MRI that didn't reveal any significant damage, but that Pena will not swing a bat for at least a week. Aledmys Diaz should fill in.
Nick Madrigal (2B, CHC)- Groin: Madrigal was placed on the IL with a left groin strain. He was previously on the IL with a lower back issue. The severity is not yet known. Jonathan Villar should fill in for the Cubs while Madrigal is out.
Ramon Urias (3B, BAL)- Oblique: Urias is on the IL with a left oblique strain. Urias has said that his recovery process is "going slow." He also said that he hopes not to be out too long. Tyler Nevin has been filling in for the Orioles at third base.
Tyler Naquin (OF, CIN)- Quad: Naquin is in the IL with a left quad strain. Reds manager David Bell said this week that Naquin is "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery. He was originally expected to be out four to six weeks from June 1. Albert Almora has been filling in.
Mike Zunino (C, TB)- Shoulder: Zunino has been placed on the IL as he has been dealing with an unspecified left shoulder issue. The severity is not known but Zunino was supposed to receive a Botox shot in an attempt to help in his recovery process. Francisco Mejia should fill in.
Jorge Polanco (2B/SS, MIN)- Back: Polanco was placed on the IL with lower-back tightness. He has not played for the past few games. The severity is not yet known. Alex Kirilloff was called up and Luis Arraez should fill in at second base.Anthony Rendon (3B, LAA)- Wrist: Rendon is having season-ending surgery to repair his right wrist early next week. He was placed on the IL after re-injuring his wrist that he was on the IL for earlier this year. Matt Duffy will see a lot more time at third for the Angels now.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Jacob deGrom (SP, NYM)- Shoulder: deGrom was placed on the IL with a stress reaction in his right scapula. deGrom has thrown five bullpens as he is slowly ramping up his activity. Barring any setbacks, deGrom is trending for an early July return.
Brandon Woodruff (SP, MIL)- Ankle: Woodruff was placed on the IL with a high ankle sprain. He began throwing off a mound this week. Woodruff was diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome. This causes a decreased blood flow to the fingers, causing a numbing sensation. Pitchers have pitched through this, most notably Tom Glavine. Woodruff needs at least one to two rehab starts before coming back to the Brewers rotation.
Max Scherzer (SP, NYM)- Oblique: Scherzer is on the IL with a moderate to high-grade sprain and will miss 1-3 weeks. Scherzer has already begun throwing bullpen sessions and will have a rehab start soon. Scherzer will need at least one rehab start as he has said he is 90% recovered but does not know how he will feel when he pushes himself to pitch more innings. The earliest he could return is June 26th. David Peterson will continue to fill in for him.
Tylor Megill (SP, NYM)- Shoulder: Megill left his last start after a few innings due to right shoulder discomfort. He was then placed on the IL with a strained right shoulder. Megill will be shut down from throwing for four weeks before being re-evaluated. He had just recently come back from the IL with a biceps injury and he may have re-injured it. He is day to day until further test results are known.
Aaron Civale (SP, CLE)- Glute: Civale was placed on the IL with left glute soreness. Civale has finished his rehab assignment and could return to the Guardians next week, June 21st.
Andrew Heaney (SP, LAD)- Shoulder: Heaney was placed on IL with shoulder soreness. Heaney has made a few rehab starts and could be activated from the IL on Sunday.
Hyun Jin Ryu (SP, TOR)- Forearm: Ryu was placed on the IL with a forearm strain and elbow inflammation. He is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery and is done for the year. Ross Stripling will take his spot in the Blue Jays rotation.
Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN)- Back: Lodolo was placed on the IL with a lower-back strain. Lodolo has been cleared to restart a throwing program. Lodolo will need 2-3 more rehab starts before he returns to the Reds rotation.
Steven Matz (SP, STL)- Shoulder: Matz has been on the IL with a sore shoulder. He was set to begin a rehab assignment and bullpen session but has suffered a setback. He recently received an injection for his shoulder. There is no timeline for his return. Jack Flaherty returned from the IL to take his rotation spot.
Alex Cobb (SP, SF)- Neck: Cobb was previously on the IL with a neck strain but has been cleared and will be activated by the Giants to start Sunday's game.
Jakob Junis (SP, SF)- Hamstring: Junis is on the IL with a left hamstring strain. He has a Grade 2 hamstring strain and it should keep him out for four to six weeks. Alex Cobb will be activated to fill in his rotation spot.Drew Rasmussen (SP, TB)- Hamstring: Rasmussen was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. The severity is not yet known. Ralph Garza may fill in for multiple innings for the Rays with Rasmussen out.Edward Cabrera (SP, MIA)- Elbow: Cabrera was placed on the IL with right elbow tendinitis, retroactive to June 13. The severity is not yet known. Daniel Castano filled in his rotation spot for the Marlins.
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Liam Hendriks (RP, CHW)- Forearm: Hendricks was placed on the IL with a forearm strain. He has said that he has been pitching with a torn UCL for the past few years. He now has a current timeline of missing about three weeks. Kendall Graveman should close with Hendricks out.
Aroldis Chapman (RP, NYY)- Achilles: Chapman was placed on the IL with left Achilles tendinitis. Chapman threw fastballs and sliders off the Yankee Stadium mound on Tuesday and will next face live hitters next week. There is no clear timeline for his return yet. In the meantime, he may have lost his closer job to Clay Holmes.
Anthony Bender (RP, MIA)- Back: Bender has been on the IL with a back injury. Bender has thrown off the mound and has increased his pitch count, feeling good afterward. He is expected to throw a simulated game soon. There is no timeline for his return.
Cole Sulser (RP, MIA)- Lat: Sluser has been placed on the IL with a right lat strain. The severity is not yet known. Tanner Scott has been closing for the Marlins.
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