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Week 4 Injury Report for Fantasy Baseball
Sprains, strains, and surgeries. These three words make chills run down the spine of even the most hardened fantasy player. They're the little “what if” clause hanging over every fantasy season, that thing you just can't ever really predict no matter how much pre-draft research you do. Like it or not, being able to properly deal with injuries is one of the main separators between casual fantasy players and league champions. Given the importance of this aspect of the game, I'll be devoting a weekly column to discussing the latest injury updates pertaining to the fantasy community. Below we look at fantasy baseball relevant MLB injuries as of May 1st, 2015.
A disclaimer before we get started: the sheer size of the fantasy baseball player pool means I won't be able to discuss every injury that might affect teams out there. Furthermore, this article will be tailored towards standard leagues. I'll do my best to cover all the important names, but some guys are going to be inevitably left out. When they are, feel free to bring them up in the comments section below. I'm always happy to chat if there's a player you need to know more about.
Recent MLB Injuries & Updates
Albert Pujols: Pujols exited the Angels' game early on April 29th with left hamstring tightness. The same injury presumably kept him out of the starting lineup on the following day. Thankfully, manager Mike Scioscia doesn't seem to think this injury will warrant a DL stint so Pujols owners should be able to look forward to getting their 1st baseman back soon.
Archie Bradley: After taking a line drive to the face, some of us were fearing the worst for Bradley. Thankfully, he seems to have only sustained a sinus fracture. The Diamondbacks placed Bradley on the DL on April 29th to let him rests up and are hoping he won't be out longer than the minimum 15 days.
Carl Crawford: Crawford was placed on the DL on April 28th with a right oblique strain. His absence immediately opens a hole for Alexander Guerrero and, to a lesser degree, Scott Van Slyke.
Brandon McCarthy: Another one bites the dust. After undergoing successful Tommy John surgery, McCarthy is out for the season and far off the radar of fantasy owners.
Hisashi Iwakuma: The Mariners placed Iwakuma on the DL on April 24th with a right lat strain. Unfortunately, this type of injury comes with a 2-4 week timetable, meaning Iwakuma will be unlikely to be ready for action until mid-May at the earliest.
Mat Latos: Latos left Wednesday's game early due to pain in his left hamstring. While no official word has come out of the Marlins' camp yet, onlookers have to wonder if a DL stint will be approaching soon. Latos has hardly thrown like a healthy pitcher this year after all.
Christian Yelich: Yelich was placed on the DL on April 24th because of a bulging disk in his lower back. The Marlins were able to backdate the DL stint to April 20th, however, meaning that Yelich could be back as soon as the second week of May.
Max Scherzer: A right thumb strain had some fantasy owners worried about the Nationals' ace. Thankfully, Scherzer's injury seems to be exceedingly minor and should not interfere with his start on May 1st.
Alcides Escobar: It's possible that Escobar sustained a concussion after being struck in the head by a pitch during Wednesday's game. He was understandably held out of the Royals' starting lineup the next day as the team assessed his condition. Head injuries of this kind can be tricky, so fantasy owners will have to stay tuned as we learn more about the situation.
Masahiro Tanaka: Tanaka was placed on the DL on April 28th with what is described as wrist tendinitis and a forearm strain. After his near brush with Tommy John surgery last season, talk of forearm problems raises further concerns about the state of Tanaka's throwing arm. The Yankees are expected to hold their ace out of action until at least early June as they monitor his condition.
Ongoing Injury Updates
Ben Zobrist: Zobrist officially underwent surgery on April 28th to fix the issues he's been having with his left knee. He seems to be healing well after the procedure and the A's are targeting a late May return for the infielder.
Jose Reyes: The Jays have at last sent their star shortstop to the DL while he heals from a painful cracked rib injury. The team is obviously hoping to have Reyes back in mid-May after the minimum 15 days, but bone injuries can be tricky. Hopefully, fantasy owners won't be kept waiting too long.
Carlos Gomez: All signs are pointing up as Gomez wraps up his rehab process. Assuming no last minute setbacks, he is a strong bet to rejoin the team on May 1st.
Adam Wainwright: This one hurt to watch. A terribly unfortunate Achilles injury has cost the Cardinals' ace the remainder of the 2015 season. We'll have to wait until 2016 to see Wainwright take the mound again.
Kenley Jansen: After a successful 20-pitch throwing session with live batters, Jansen is still a strong bet to return to the Dodgers' bullpen in mid-May.
Yasiel Puig: Puig was finally placed on the DL on April 26th for a left hamstring strain. The injury doesn't sound overly serious, so fantasy owners should be able to count on Puig returning after the minimum necessary time.
Hyun-Jin Ryu: A successful 25-pitch bullpen session was some welcome news for the Dodgers' lefty who has been sidelined all season with a shoulder injury. The Dodgers plan to reassess Ryu's condition again after another bullpen session on May 1st. Hopefully, he will be able to rejoin the Dodgers' rotation sometime this May.
Hunter Pence: Hunter Pence continues to make excellent progress as he recovers from the left forearm fracture he sustained during Spring Training. In fact, the team says he's close to beginning regular batting practice. If all goes well, he'll be ready to rejoin the Giants sometime in May.
Henderson Alvarez: Alvarez threw his first bullpen session since landing on the DL on Wednesday, April 29th. The Marlins have yet to release a timetable for his rehab progress though, so fantasy owners will have to take the slow and careful approach with this one.
David Wright: Wright took part in live batting practice on April 29th. He must still be feeling some tenderness in his right hamstring, however, because the Mets say they expect him to miss at least another week of action before he rejoins the team.
Anthony Rendon: Rendon enjoyed a full workout session on April 30th and could resume his rehab assignment as early as May 1st. He had a slight setback but he should e back in the May 4-6th range.
Alex Cobb: Cobb threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on April 27th, according to MLB.com. He looks like a strong candidate to rejoin the team sometime in May.
Jake McGee: The Rays started their injured closer on his rehab assignment on April 28th. If all goes well, he'll be back to closing games for the team in early May. Based on word out of the Rays' camp, he could be as little as a week away.
Homer Bailey: Bailey was transferred to the 60-Day DL on April 29th. There is currently no timetable for his return.
Devin Mesoraco: No one really knows what the Reds are doing with Devin Mesoraco. GM Walt Jocketty told MLB Network Radio, that Mesoraco is still seven to ten days away from catching, but the Reds still seem resistant to putting him on the DL. The next week might be a confusing ride for fantasy owners.
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