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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 3 of the 2021 MLB season. His medical background helps analyze the injured MLB players and their recoveries.
Early in the 2021 season, there is a noteworthy injury trend. I have noticed a lot of muscle/tendon sprains/strains to start the season. These injuries include oblique, groin, hamstring and back injuries. Not all of the injuries are alike for each player and should be treated and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Do not lump them all together. Key words to listen for while getting updates on these injuries include what Grade the strain is- how severe it is. That is the best way to help evaluate how long that player will be out for.
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.
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 16 years. Having this base of knowledge, it is easier to “predict” what the injury could be and how much time a player may miss. During the course of the season, I will continue to provide the latest injury updates with diagnoses, 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.
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Injury "Guy"de for the Week of April 11, 2021
Fernando Tatis Jr. (SS, SD) Tatis was diagnosed with a left shoulder subluxation, when the humerus pops out of the shoulder girdle. This injury is to Michael Conforto a few years ago. Surgery is done and necessary in most cases to prevent it from continually happening. Conforto had his surgery in September 2017 and had no throwing/hitting until February 2018. Adalberto Mondesi had the same injury and required surgery in September/October 2019. Recovery time is five to six months. The Padres are going to try the rest, wait-and-see method with shoulder girdle strengthening. There is no harm in doing this because if surgery is needed, Tatis would be done for the year regardless. Ha-Seong Kim could fill in at shortstop for the time being.
Cody Bellinger (1B/OF, LAD) Calf - Bellinger was placed on the IL on Friday due to a left calf injury. Bellinger's left calf was accidentally spiked on Monday and he hasn't played since. Tests were negative as there is no structural damage or stress fracture. Bellinger isn't expected to be out a long time and is eligible to be activated next weekend. Chris Taylor should see more time in center field for the Dodgers until he comes back.
Tim Anderson (SS, CHW) Hamstring- Anderson was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain, retroactive to April 5. He has not played for the White Sox since Sunday, April 5. An MRI was performed this past week revealing a strain. He is currently considered to be "85%" and could be back soon. Leury Garcia will continue to fill in for him however he missed a game this week with leg soreness.
Jake Fraley (OF, SEA) Hamstring- Fraley was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. He had an MRI which showed a mild hamstring strain and the Mariners do not feel he will be out long, however, no timetable has been set for his return. Braden Bishop was called up and Jose Marmolejos and Sam Haggerty could see more playing time.
James Paxton (SP, SEA) Forearm- Paxton was placed on the IL with a left forearm strain only 24 pitches into his season. Following an MRI and two opinions, Paxton has been recommended Tommy John surgery, which would end his season. Ljay Newsome was called up by the Mariners and could fill in for now if they continue to use a six-man rotation.
Trevor Rosenthal (RP, OAK) - Groin - Rosenthal was placed on the IL to start the season with right shoulder inflammation. He had thoracic outlet surgery and is expected to miss at least twelve weeks. Jake Diekman or Lou Trevino could close for the Athletics.
George Springer (OF, TOR) - Oblique - Springer was placed on the IL to start the season with a Grade 2 oblique strain. While Springer was rehabbing, he injured his quad. MRI showed a low-grade quadriceps strain. No word on how long this new injury will keep him out. Randal Grichuk should continue to fill in for the Blue Jays.
Carlos Carrasco (SP, NYM) - Elbow - Carrasco was placed on the IL to start the season due to a hamstring injury. He threw two innings in a simulated game last week. He still trending for a return in May.
Kole Calhoun (OF, ARI) - Knee - Calhoun underwent a successful partial medial meniscectomy surgery on his right knee during the first week in March. Calhoun participated in a simulated game with no issues and his return is imminent.
Kyle Lewis (OF, SEA) - Lewis began the season on the IL with a deep bone bruise. He has been hitting in the batting cages and is expected to be ready to return either the end of this week or early the following week. Taylor Trammell will continue to fill in until then.
Sonny Gray (SP, CIN) - Back - Gray was placed on the IL to start the season due to back tightness. Gray felt healthy after a 60-pitch rehab start this past week and could return as early as April 15.
Robbie Ray (SP, TOR) - Elbow - Ray began the season on the IL, retroactive to March 29. Ray was diagnosed with a bruised elbow. Ray has been throwing at 100% percent and will throw off a mound sometime this weekend. No timetable for his return yet.
Pete Fairbanks (RP, TB) Shoulder- Fairbanks was placed on the IL with a right rotator cuff strain. No word on severity or length of time he may miss. Diego Castillo should be used as the "primary" closer for Rays.
Aaron Judge (OF, NYY) Side- Judge has missed a few games in a row with a sore left side. No word on whether he had any testing done. Yankees manager Aaron Boone that Judge is day-to-day and will be evaluated daily to see if/when he will return.
Kwang Hyun Kim (SP, STL) - Back- Kim started the season on the IL with low back tightness. Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said that Kim will pitch 1 more sim game before being activated from the IL. This means he could return late next week.
Shohei Ohtani (DH/SP, LAA) - Finger- Ohtani will not make his next scheduled pitching start due to a blister. If there are no setbacks, he could pitch later in the week. Ohtani, does however continue to act as the DH for the Angels.
Zac Gallen (SP, ARI) Forearm- Gallen is currently on the IL with a forearm strain. Gallen threw 67 pitches in an intrasquad game this past week with no discomfort. Gallen had been feeling discomfort throwing his curveball but had no issues on Wednesday. He is still about two weeks away from returning.
A.J. Puk (SP, OAK) Puk has been placed on the IL with a strained left bicep. No word on severity or test results yet. Deolis Guerra was called up.
Ketel Marte (2B/OF, ARI) Marte was placed on the IL due to a right hamstring strain. Marte pulled up while running to first base in Wednesday's game. Marte is set to have an MRI performed with the results to be known over the weekend. Tim Locastro should serve as the primary CF and Andrew Young was recalled from the taxi squad.
Evan White (1B, SEA) Quad- White has been dealing with a left quad strain. He had an MRI today and is unlikely to require time on the IL.
Mike Soroka (SP, ATL) Shoulder- Soroka felt right shoulder discomfort while pitching at the Braves alternate site this past week while rehabbing from Achilles surgery. There is no structural damage, but Soroka will be shut down for two weeks.
Dinelson Lamet (SP, SD) Elbow- Lamet is currently on the IL recovering from an elbow injury. Lamet threw 36 pitches at the Padres alternate site last weekend. Lamet continues to build up arm strength slowly and could return end of April/beginning of May.
Kevin Kiermaier (OF, TB) Quad- Kiermaier was placed on the IL for left quadriceps tightness. Severity is not yet known however he is expected to miss "several weeks". Manny Margot will get more time in CF for the Ray and Kevin Padlo was called up.
Chris Owings (2B, COL) Hamstring- Owings was not in the lineup on Thursday for the Rockies and had exited Wednesday's game due to right hamstring tightness. He is currently considered day to day.
Mookie Betts (OF, LAD) Back - Betts was not in Friday's lineup and is considered day-to-day with low back stiffness. Betts also missed Wednesday's game due to his low back. No word on whether he went for any sort of testing.
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