Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates for Week 9

Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 9. His medical background helps analyze the injured MLB players and their recoveries.

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.

My name is Reuven Guy. 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 September 13, 2020

Aaron Judge (OF, NYY) - Lower Body - Judge is currently on the IL with a calf injury. Judge re-injured the same calf in his first game back from the same calf injury. There is a good chance that he could return by next weekend.

Carlos Rodon (SP, CHW) - Shoulder - Rodon has been dealing with left shoulder soreness and was placed on the IL for this reason. Rodon's velocity did drop below 90mph. Rodon threw a 60 pitch three inning bullpen session this week but experienced discomfort on Friday. The White Sox did not make a move for a starter at the trade deadline which may mean something about Rodon’s health and what they expect out of him.

Nate Pearson (SP, TOR) - Elbow - The Blue Jays placed Pearson on the IL with right elbow tightness. When Pearson returns he will likely be headed to the bullpen because there will not be enough time to stretch him out as a starter.

Bo Bichette (SS, TOR) - Knee - Bichette is on the IL with a grade 1 sprain of the LCL (lateral collateral ligament of the right knee. It was said Bichette could return to the Blue Jays as early as this weekend and he was activated on Saturday.

Ken Giles (RP, TOR) - Forearm - Giles is currently on the IL with a mild strain of the flexor mass in his right forearm. Giles is getting close to returning but may not assume the closer's role immediately upon his return.

James Paxton (SP, NYY) - Forearm - Paxton was placed on the IL with a left forearm strain. His MRI did not show any structural damage and he was told that he does not require Tommy John surgery. Manager Aaron Boone said that it would be "challenging" for Paxton to return this season.

Keone Kela (P, PIT) - Forearm - Kela was placed on the IL with forearm tightness. Kela has thrown off of a mound and is trying to return before the season ends.

Giancarlo Stanton (OF, NYY) - Hamstring- Stanton was placed on the IL earlier this month with a hamstring sprain/ strain. Stanton may return by next weekend.

Nathan Eovaldi (SP, BOS) - Calf - The RedSox placed Eovaldi on the IL with a "very mild strain" of his right calf, retroactive to August 26. He was activated from the IL on September 12.

David Fletcher (MI, LAA) - Ankle - Fletcher was placed on the IL, retroactive to Aug. 31, with a sprained left ankle. He was activated from the IL on September 12.

A.J. Puk (SP/RP, OAK) - Shoulder - Puk is on the IL with a shoulder strain. Puk was shut down this week due to feeling some discomfort but he may be able to continue his rehab next week.

Yandy Diaz (1B/3B, TB) - Hamstring - Diaz was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. Diaz continues to feel soreness in the hamstring but is hopeful that he could return before the season ends.

Max Kepler (OF, MIN) - Adductor - Kepler was placed on the IL with a left adductor strain. Kepler has been running and throwing and has a chance to return from the IL when first eligible.

Justin Turner (3B, LAD) - Hamstring - Turner was placed on the IL, retroactive to August 29, with a left hamstring strain. Turner has only tried running at 50-60% so far. He is eligible to return from the IL and Manager Dave Roberts was optimistic that he could return within a week. If he is able to return that soon, he may only DH to start.

Aaron Judge (OF, NYY) - Calf - Judge is currently on the IL with a calf strain. Judge been doing baseball activities and could return this coming week.

Gio Urshela (3B, NYY) - Elbow - Urshela was placed on the IL with a bone spur in his right elbow. Urshela has been taking swings and it is possible for him to return when he is first eligible.

Danny Santana (1B/OF, TEX) - Elbow - Danny Santana was placed on the IL with a right elbow strain. Santana underwent a modified Tommy John surgery and is expected to require around eight months to recover.

Kwang-Hyun Kim (SP/RP, STL) - Abdomen - Kim was placed on the IL due to a kidney issues. He was dealing with abdominal pain and had to be taken to the emergency room and a kidney blockage was discovered. Kim is currently on track to pitch on Monday.

Giovanny Gallegos (RP, STL)- Groin- Gallegos left Thursday night's game due to a groin injury. If he is to miss any time, Andrew Miller could close for the Cardinals.

Jordan Romano (RP, TOR)- Finger- Romano was placed on the IL with a sprained middle finger. He remains without a timeline to return from the IL but the BlueJays expect to gain clarity on that front in the coming days.

Sean Doolittle (RP, WAS)- Oblique- Doolittle was diagnosed with an oblique strain and could miss the reaminder of the season.

Walker Buehler (SP, LAD)- Blister- Buehler was placed on the IL, retroactive to Sept 9 with the same blister issue that sidelined him earlier this year. He is eligible to return Sept. 20. Blister injuries could linger as is evidence that in 2017 Aaron Sanchez was sidelined for two months. The Dodgers need him healthy for their playoff run so they may not push him to come back until he is ready. Tony Gonsolin could fill his rotation spot unti Buehler is ready to come back.

Tommy Milone (SP, ATL)- Elbow- Milone was placed on the IL with left elbow inflammation. Severity is not yet known but this injury may cost him the rest of the season as he has to be shut down and then started back up. Cole Hamels is a possible candidate to fill in for Milone as he is set to be activated off of the IL possibly this week.

Chris Paddack (SP, SD)- Ankle- Paddack left his last start due to a sprained right ankle and is considered day-to-day. X-rays were negative. He was seen on Friday wearing a protective boot.

Oliver Drake (RP, TB)- Biceps- Drake was placed on the IL with biceps tendonitis. Drake threw a bullpen session yesterday and is still expected to be activated from the IL list this week.

Zack Wheeler (SP, PHI)- Finger- Weeler was scratched from his start this weekend because he has a problem with his middle finger. He caught his nail yesterday putting on his pants. He could miss an extended time if his nail needs to be removed. "Can't make this up," Joe Girardi said.

Howie Kendrick (3B, WAS)- Hamstring- Kendrick landed on the IL with a left hamstring strain, retroactive to Sept. 6. The hamstring has been an issue for him on and off all season. Eric Thames and Asdrubal Cabrera could see more playing time.

Rowdy Tellez (OF, TOR)- Knee- Tellez is on the IL with a knee injury. Tellez began experiencing knee discomfort after stepping on a soft spot around the on-field bullpen. He is expected to miss the rest of the 2020 season with a suspected tendon injury based on MRI.

Jake Odorizzi (SP, MIN)- Abdomen- Manager Rocco Baldelli said that Odorizzi will make another rehab appearance at Twins alternate training site before returning from the IL. Odorizzi was placed on the IL after getting hit with a combacker.

Merrill Kelly (SP, ARI)- Shoulder- Kelly underwent surgery to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. He now has a long road ahead of him as not many players have successfully returned from this type of surgery.

Eric Hosmer (1B, SD)- Finger - Hosmer was diagnosed with a fractured left index finger after getting hit in the hand with a pitch trying to bunt. Finger fractures usually take three to four weeks to fully heal, sometimes even up to six weeks. However, it is believed that Hosmer is expected to be able to return at some point during the final week of the regular season. Fantasy speaking, he has little value left for this year. Mitch Moreland could fill in for the Padres at first base.

Max Fried (SP, ATL)- Back- Fried was placed on the IL with a left side muscle spasm to his lumbar spine (low back). It is thought that Fried is expected to return from the IL when first eligible Sept. 16 or soon after.

Teoscar Hernandez (OF, TOR)- Oblique- Hernandez was placed on the IL with a left oblique strain. He was scheduled to have undergo a 2nd MRI on his oblique due to the fact of the amount of swelling from the injury. His astrain is considered "mild". This is not a good sign for a possible return this year. He did, however already begin swinging a bat. swelling goes down.

Jon Gray (SP, COL)- Shoulder- Gray was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to Sept. 2. No word on severity yet. Chi Chi Gonzalez or Jose Mujica could fill in for the Rockies.

Jon Berti (OF/CI/MI, MIA)- Finger- Berti suffered an index finger contusion on Monday and was placed on the IL on Thursday. No word on severity yet. Isan Diaz was called up.

Ketel Marte (OF, ARI)- Wrist- Marte was placed on the IL with left wrist inflammation. No word on when he sustained the injury or the severity of the injury. Tim Locastro and Daulton Varsho could see more time for the Diamondbacks.

Shin-Soo Choo (OF, TEX)- Hand- Choo was placed on the IL with a sprained right hand. No word on severity yet. Nick Solak may benefit with more playing time.

Dallas Keuchel (SP, CHW)- Back- Keuchel was placed on the IL with back spasms, retroactive to Sept. 7. There is no word on severity yet. Reynaldo Lopez was called up and could fill in.

Justin Verlander (SP, HOU)- Forearm- Verlander is on the IL with a forearm strain. Manager Dusty Baker said about Justin Verlander: "Hopefully, if everything goes well, he could be back at the end of the month."

Austin Hays (OF, BAL)- Rib- Hays is on the IL with a rib injury. He could return from the IL sometime next week.

Spencer Howard (SP, PHI)- Shoulder- Howard was removed from Saturday's start with right shoulder stiffness. He should be considered day to day until a diagnosis is known.

Anthony Santander (OF, BAL)- Oblique- Santander will miss the remainder of the season, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports. He has been dealing with a right oblique strain.

Tanner Rainey (RP, WAS)- Forearm- Rainey is dealing with forearm tightness and won't pitch for several days. MRI of his forearm came back negative, but manager Dave Martinez said that he'll get a few days off to recover.

Willie Calhoun (OF, TEX)- Hamstring- Rangers manager Chris Woodward said that he expects Calhoun to be activated from the IL on Tuesday. Calhoun has been out since August 20 with a strained left hamstring.

Dustin May (SP, LAD)- Foot- May underwent a CT scan that revealed a contusion. His X-ray on Thursday was inconclusive. Manager Dave Roberts called it the best-case scenario for the team. The Dodgers have not placed him on the IL yet. The injury occurred when he was hit in the foot by a come-backer.

Shed Long (2B, SEA)- Shin- Long is on the IL with a shin injury. Long will have an MRI of his right shin and will have a consult with Dr. James Andrews. He has been dealing with a stress reaction in his right shin since spring training, then fouled a ball off it last weekend. Dylan Moore could see more time at second base for the Mariners.

Elvis Andrus (SS, TEX)- Back- Andrus was placed on the IL today with a strained back. Andrus was activated off of the IL August 31st having return from the same injury. Anderson Tejada should continue to fill in.

Matt Chapman (3B, OAK)- Hip- Chapman was placed on the IL and will have surgery due to a torn right hip labrum He will miss the rest of the season.

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. Also please note that the COVID IL can range from a few days to weeks and symptomatic players with negative COVID testing will miss fewer games.

Alcantara, Sandy (SP, MIA)- Returned
Alvarez, Yordan (DH, HOU)- Returned
Astudillo, Willians (C, MIN)- Returned
Beer, Seth (1B, ARI) - Returned
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)- Returned
Cessa, Luis (RP, NYY)- Returned
Chirinos, Yonny (SP/RP, TB)- Returned
Cooper, Garrett (1B/OF, MIA)- Returned
d’Arnuad, Travis (C, ATL)- Returned
Davidson, Matt- (DH, CIN)- Returned
deJong, Paul (SS, STL)- Returned
DeShields, Delino (OF, CLE)- Returned
Diaz, Elias (C, COL)- Returned
Dietrich, Derek (1B/OF, CHC)- Returned
Dozier, Hunter (3B/OF, KC)- Returned
Drury, Brandon (3B, TOR)- Returned
Elias, Roenis (RP, SEA)- Returned
Engel, Adam- (OF, CHW)- Returned
Flowers, Tyler (C, ATL)- Returned
Freeman, Freddie (1B, ATL) - Returned
Garica, Jarlin (RP, SF)- Returned
Gimenez, Andres (2B/SS/3B- Returned
Glasnow, Tyler (SP, TB) - Returned
Gomber, Austin (P, STL)- Returning
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)- Returned
Kela, Keone (RP, PIT)- Returned
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)- Returned
Mahtook, Mikie (OF, DET)- Returned
Margot, Manuel (OF, TB)- Returned
Martinez, Carlos (SP/RP, STL)- Returned
Mateo, Jorge (SS, SD)- Returned
Mazara, Nomar- (OF, CHW)- Returned
Meadows, Austin (OF, TB)- Returned
Mengden, Daniel (SP, OAK)
Moncada, Yoan (3B, CHW) - Returned
Molina, Yadier (C, STL)- Returning
Neris, Hector (RP, PHI)- Returned
Nido, Tomas (C, NYM)- Returning
Nola, Aaron (SP, PHI) - Returned
Norris, Daniel (SP, DET)- Returned
O'Hearn, Ryan (1B, KC)- Returned
Oviedo, Johan (SP, STL)- Returning
Perez, Salvador (C, KC)- Returned
Pham, Tommy (OF, SD) - Returned
Quinn, Roman (OF, PHI)- Returned
Robles, Victor (OF, WAS)- Returned
Rodriguez, Eduardo (SP, BOS)- Returned but out for the year with COVID complications.
Rojas, Miguel (SS, MIA)- Returned
Ruiz, Keibert- (C, LAD)- Returned
Sano, Miguel (1B/3B, MIN) - Returned
Senzel, Nick- (2B, CIN)- Returning
Smith, Caleb (SP, MIA)- Returned
Smith, Will (RP, ATL)- Returning
Soto, Juan (OF, WAS)- Returned
Suero, Wander (RP, WAS)- Returned
Teheran, Julio (SP, LAA)- Returned
Toussaint, Touki (SP/RP, ATL)- Returned
Urena, Jose (SP, MIA)- Returning
Urias, Luis (2B/SS, MIL)- Returned
Urquidy, Jose (SP, HOU)- Returned

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