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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 9 of the 2021 MLB season. His medical background helps analyze the injured MLB players and their recoveries.
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.
We continue to see a barrage of injuries in the majors, with an emphasis on soft tissue injuries. These injuries include oblique, groin, hamstring, and back injuries. Not all of the injuries are the same for each player and should be treated and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. They should not all be lumped together. Key words to listen for while getting updates on these injuries include what grade the strain is to determine how severe it is. That is the best way to help evaluate how long that player will be out for.
I am a practicing physician's 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 and 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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Injured Players Per Team
Do you think your fantasy team is the only team ravaged by injury? Here is a listing of how many players, with cumulative days, each MLB team has had as of May 20, 2021. List is in order of teams that have been hit with the injury bug the most. How does your fantasy team match up on the dubious list? The statistics are courtesy of spotrac.com which does an amazing job compiling this type of information.
Team / # of Injured Players / Cumulative Days on the IL
- San Diego Padres / 15 / 511
- New York Mets / 13 / 331
- Los Angeles Dodgers / 13 / 341
- Seattle Mariners / 12 / 347
- Toronto Blue Jays / 11 / 302
- Arizona Diamondbacks / 11 / 198
- Tampa Bay Rays / 10 / 392
- San Francisco Giants / 10 / 353
- Pittsburgh Pirates / 9 / 316
- Milwaukee Brewers / 9 / 344
- Houston Astros / 8 / 305
- Los Angeles Angels / 8 / 200
- Colorado Rockies / 8 / 275
- Texas Rangers / 8 / 288
- New York Yankees / 7 / 193
- St. Louis Cardinals / 7 / 162
- Atlanta Braves / 7 / 161
- Chicago Cubs / 7 / 191
- Oakland Athletics / 6 / 151
- Miami Marlins / 6 / 210
- Philadelphia Phillies / 6 / 108
- Minnesota Twins / 6 / 99
- Baltimore Orioles / 5 / 180
- Chicago White Sox / 5 / 217
- Kansas City Royals / 5 / 121
- Cincinnati Reds / 4 / 150
- Detroit Tigers / 4 / 81
- Boston Red Sox / 3 / 114
- Washington Nationals / 2 / 71
- Cleveland Indians / 2 / 66
Injured Players - New Listings
Mike Trout- (OF, LAA) -Calf- Trout was placed on the IL with a strained right calf and is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks. This would make his return around the All Star Break. Calf injuries could be tricky and easily re-aggravated. Rest is the key followed by slow build up to being game ready. Taylor Ward and Juan Lagares could see more time in the outfield for the Angels.
Mike Moustakas- (2B, CIN) -Heel- Moustakas was placed on the IL with a right heel contusion. He has missed the prior five games due to this issue and his recovery did not progress the way the Reds wanted it to. It is still thought that Moustakas could return when eligible. Max Schrock was called up and Kyle Farmer could see more playing time.
Logan Webb- (SP, SFG) -Shoulder- Webb was placed on the IL today with a strained right shoulder retroactive to May 18. Originally called shoulder soreness, the full severity is not yet known. The earliest he could return is next Thursday. A replacement in the rotation has not yet been named.
Jason Heyward- (OF, CHC) -Hamstring- Heyward was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Severity is not yet known. Nick Martini was called up by the Cubs while Ian Happ and Joc Pederson will benefit with playing time as there should be less of a platoon for them in the outfield.
Aaron Hicks- (OF, NYY) -Wrist- Hicks was placed on the IL with a wrist injury. it was then diagnosed as a torn wrist tendon sheath. Hicks will be on NSAIDs for about a week before deciding whether to undergo surgery. If surgery is needed, Hicks could be done for the year. Tyler Wade is getting more playing time and the rumor mill is churning with the name Delino DeShields Jr. surfacing as a possible replacement via trade. DeShields is currently in Triple-A with the Rangers.
Taijuan Walker- (SP, NYM) -Side- Walker was placed on the IL with left side tightness, but he's reportedly felt good recently. MRI was normal. He is not expected to miss a lot of time, but he still may need a rehab outing before activated. The Mets currently have four starting pitchers on the IL- in order of when they should return- Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker, Noah Syndergaard, and Carlos Carrasco.
Dylan Moore- (2B, SEA) -Calf- Moore was placed on the IL with a left calf strain. Severity is not yet known. Jack Mayfield has been called up by the Mariners. Moore is valuable to fantasy for his speed and a calf issue may have lingering affects to that.
Danny Duffy- (SP, KC) -Forearm- Duffy was placed on the IL with a left forearm flexor strain. The plan for his to rest his arm for about five days before reassessing when he might be able to return and to discuss possible treatment plans. No replacement for the Royals rotation has been named, but Daniel Lynch could be recalled to fill the spot.
Huascar Ynoa- (SP, ATL) -Hand- Ynoa was placed on the IL this week due to a fractured right hand. Ynoa fractured his right hand punching the dugout bench on Sunday and will miss at least two months. No starter has been named as his replacement, but options for the Braves include Kyle Wright and Bryce Wilson.
Luke Weaver- (SP, ARI) -Shoulder- Weaver was placed on the IL this week with right shoulder discomfort. Weaver originally thought he would only miss one start, but the Diamondbacks decided against that. Severity is not yet known and there is no timeline for his return. Corbin Martin was recalled to start in his place.
Corey Seager- (SS, LAD) -Hand- Seager suffered a broken right hand after beiung hit by pitch and is on the IL with a fractured fifth metacarpal. He is currently wearing a splint but does not require surgery and will be out for about four weeks. Gavin Lux is expected to see the bulk of the time at short with Chris Taylor also in the mix.
Michael Conforto- (OF, NYM) -Hamstring- Conforto was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain suffered running to first base. MRI report is still pending and severity is not yet known. Johneshwy Fargas, Khalil Lee and Cameron Maybin should fill in for the Mets.
Didi Gregorius- (SS, PHI) -Elbow- Gregorius was placed on the IL with right elbow impingement. At first it was called soreness/stiffness as he missed a few games prior to being put on the IL. This is the same elbow that he had Tommy John surgery on a few years ago. Because this was backdated, he is eligible to return next Monday, but severity is not yet known. Nick Maton has been filling in for him at shortstop and should continue to do so going forward for the Phillies.
Tyler O'Neill- (OF, STL) -Finger- O'Neill was placed on the IL with a fractured left middle finger which was originally called only a sprain. It occurred while sliding into second base on a steal attempt. Finger fractures could take three to four weeks to heal. A cleaerer timeline should be given once the Cardinals see how the healing is progressing. Justin Williams and Lane Thomas could see more playing time in the outfield until O'Neill returns.
Jeff McNeil- (OF/2B, NYM) -Hamstring- McNeil was placed on the IL after having left hamstring tightness diagnosed as a strain, based on MRI. Length of absence is not yet known. Johneshwy Fargas, Khalil Lee and Cameron Maybin could fill in the outfield and Jose Pereza at second base.
Giancarlo Stanton- (DH, NYY) -Quad- Stanton was placed on the IL with a strained left quadriceps. Severity does not seem to be that bad as Stanton has already taken part in weight-room activities in addition to indoor batting and is expected to return May 25 barring any setbacks.
Injured Players - Updates
Jacob deGrom- (SP, NYM)- Side- deGrom was placed on the IL with side/low back tenderness. MRIs were normal, but the Mets were being extremely cautious with him. deGrom had his first rehab assignment on Thursday and hit 101.9 on the radar gun while striking out eight. He could be activated this week.
Colin Moran- (1B, PIT)- Groin- Moran was placed on the IL with left groin discomfort. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said this week that Moran is "days away" from resuming game action. The soonest Moran could return is end of next week.
Jose Urquidy- (SP, HOU)- Shoulder- Urquidy was placed on the IL with posterior shoulder discomfort. Urquidy threw a 25-pitch bullpen session this week and felt good afterward. He may still need a rehab start before he returns to the Astros rotation.
Asdrubal Cabrera- (MI/CI, ARI)- Hamstring- Cabrera was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and was placed on the IL. No surgery is required for now and he is expected to be out at least four weeks.
Elieser Hernandez- (SP, MIA)- Hernandez has been on the IL with right biceps inflammation since his first start of the season. He was scheduled to have his first rehab start this week and is possibly a week to ten days away from activation barring any setbacks.
Framber Valdez- (SP, HOU)- Finger- Valdez has been on the IL since the season started with a finger injury. Valdez is scheduled to make his second rehab start over the weekend. Based on his progression, Valdez may return during the first half of June.
Jordan Hicks- (RP, STL)- Elbow- Hicks is on the IL for a right elbow injury. Hicks received an injection in his elbow last week and is expected to rest for a month before beginning to build his arm strength back up.
Miles Mikolas- (SP, STL)- Shoulder- Mikolas has been on the IL since the season started with right shoulder soreness. Mikolas is scheduled to be activated off of the IL over the weekend for his season debut.
Alejandro Kirk- (C, TOR)- Hip- Kirk was placed on the IL with a left hip flexor strain. He was transfered to the sixty day IL and the earliest he could now return is July 2.
Cody Bellinger (1B/OF, LAD) - Calf - Bellinger was placed on the IL due to a left calf injury. He was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his left fibula. Bellinger is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment over the weekend.
Adalberto Mondesi- (SS, KC)- Oblique- Mondesi has been on the IL since the season began. He began a rehab assignment in Triple-A this week. He could activated any day now.
Byron Buxton- (OF, MIN)- Hip- Buxton was placed on the IL last week with a Grade 2 hip strain and was said that he would be be out for multiple weeks. Manager Rocco Baldelli said this week "We're talking about someone that needs to be able to run, and run the way he can, when he returns...Again, he's not at that point yet. We're still building him up to the point where he can actually test it out."
A.J. Puk- (SP, OAK)- Biceps- Puk is on the IL with a strained left biceps. Puk has gone through a few rehab games and could be activated sometime soon.
Kyle Freeland- (SP, COL)- Shoulder- Freeland is on the IL with a left shoulder strain. He had a 79 pitch rehab outing this past Thursday and felt good afterwards. Freeland could be activated to start this coming Tuesday vs. the Mets.
George Springer- (OF, TOR)- Quad- Springer was placed on the IL with a right quadriceps strain, retroactive to May 3. He had a similar injury while rehabbing his earlier oblique injury. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that Springer began a running progression, early stages, and is still not running at full speed.
Seth Lugo- (RP, NYM) Elbow- Lugo has been on the IL to start the season following elbow surgery in mid-February to remove a loose body from his right elbow. He began a rehab assignment this past week. Lugo was placed on the sixty day IL which means that the earliest he could be activated is the first week of June.
Noah Syndergaard- (SP, NYM )-Elbow- Syndergaard has been on IL since the start of the season following Tommy John surgery last year. Syndergaard made his first rehab start this past week, allowing one hit, no walks with five strikeouts in four innings. His timetable to return remains mid June.
Marco Gonzales- (SP, SEA) -Forearm- Gonzales is on the IL with a mild forearm strain. Gonzales threw off a mound for the for two straight days this week without a setback. He could soon be ready to face live hitters, with a possible rehab assignment and activation soon.
Jesus Luzardo- (SP, OAK) -Finger- The Athletics placed Luzardo on the IL with a fractured left pinkie finger suffered when he bumped his pitching hand while playing a video game. He threw thirty pitches this week and needs maybe one more bullpen session before he's cleared to face hitters followed by a rehab assignment. He is still about two to three weeks away without any setbacks.
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