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Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for July 19th. 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.
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 July 19, 2020
Jacob deGrom (SP, NYM) - Back - deGrom threw a bullpen session on July 17. deGrom left after pitching 1 inning in an intrasquad game earlier this week. MRI was negative. He is scheduled to pitch over the weekend in an exhibition game prior to Opening Day.
Masahiro Tanaka (SP, NYY) - Concussion - Threw a 30-pitch bullpen July 16, his velocity was 88-91 mph. Next bullpen is Sunday, August 19, then he could face hitters next week.
David Dahl (OF, COL) - Core- Rockies manager Bud Black said that Dahl was held out of the team's last two intrasquad games due to "core soreness". He is day to day for now. Ramiel Tapia may get more playing time.
Scott Oberg (RP, COL) - Back- Rockies manager Bud Black said that Oberg has been dealing with back stiffness since camp started. Wade Davis is the current closer for now with Oberg potentially waiting in the wings if healthy. Oberg posted five saves last year but his 2nd half ERA was 5.84.
Charlie Blackmon (OF, COL) - COVID- Manager Bud Black said today that Blackmon is doing a training program that would put him on track to be ready for the Rockies season opener.
Julio Rodriguez (OF, SEA) - Wrist- Mariners manager Scott Servais said that Rodriguez suffered a hairline fracture in his left wrist and is scheduled for more tests. If no surgery is required, he will be out 6 weeks. If surgery is required, out at least 8 weeks. Consider him done for the year.
Anthony Rizzo (1B, CHC) - Back- Rizzo stood in vs live pitching on August 16 but did not take any full swings. Knowing this, it is getting hard to see him being ready to start the season. Victor Caratrini/Kris Bryant could man 1st base with David Bote benefiting more time at 3rd.
Jose Quintana (SP, CHC) -Thumb- Quintana played catch from 60 feet July 16. He had his stitches removed the day before from his thumb surgery.
Mike Moustakas (2B/3B, CIN) - Groin- Moustakas missed the July 15 intrasquad game due to a tight groin. He is day-to-day.
Byron Buxton (OF, MIN) - Ankle - "Opening Day? I'm gonna be there. Nothing is gonna stop me." Buxton is dealing with an ankle/foot injury sustained earlier this week during an intrasquad game when his spike got caught on some grass.
Willie Calhoun (OF, TEX)- Hip- Calhoun was diagnosed with a strained hip flexor and is doubtful for Opening Day. This injury could mean 2-3 weeks out total- so-1-2 weeks during the season. Danny Santana could get more time in the outfield.
Aaron Judge (OF, NYY) - Neck- Judge was dealing with some neck tightness earlier in the week but then homered when he returned to the field on July 16.
Mitch Haniger (OF, SEA) - Back- GM Jerry Dipoto said that Haniger hasn't resumed baseball activities and there's a possibility he doesn't play this season. Haniger had back surgery earlier this year.
Brandon Belt (1B, SF) - Foot- Brandon Belt is sidelined by right heel pain and will be re-evaluated this week. Heel pain is usually associated with plantar fasciitis and could be a significant injury.
Evan Longoria (3B, SF) - Oblique - Longoria has a moderate right oblique strain, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reported. With Brandon Belt also hurt, Pablo Sandoval and Wilmer Flores figure to see more playing time.
Hunter Pence (OF, SF) Foot- Pence has been dealing with some foot soreness, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reported
Clint Frazier (OF, NYY) - Foot- Manager Aaron Boone said today that Frazier has been dealing with plantar fasciitis. This is an injury that could affect power output and could linger for months at a time.
Jake Fraley (OF, SEA) - Head- Fraley was hit in the head by a pitch earlier this month. He did clear the concussion protocol but this is still a situation to monitor.
List of Fantasy-Relevant Players Affected by COVID-19/COVID Protocol
Alvarez, Yordan (DH, HOU)
Astudillo, Willians (C, MIN)
Beer, Seth (1B, ARI) - Returned
Bethancourt, Christian (C, PHI)
Blackmon, Charlie (OF, COL) - Returned
Brito, Socrates (OF, PIT)
Brinson, Lewis (OF, MIA)
Cabrera, Genesis (RP, STL)
Calhoun, Kole (OF, ARI) - Returned
Cano, Robinson (1B/2B, NYM) - Returned
Cessa, Luis (RP, NYY)
DeShields, Delino (OF, CLE)
Dietrich, Derek (1B/OF, CIN)
Drury, Brandon (3B, TOR)
Elias, Roenis (RP, SEA)
Freeman, Freddie (1B, ATL) - Returned
Garica, Jarlin (RP, SF)
Glasnow, Tyler (SP, TB) - Returned
Grichuk, Randal (OF, TOR)
Guerra, Junior (RP, ARI) - Returned
Hamilton, Billy (OF, SF)
Haseley, Adam (OF, PHI) - Returned
Hayes, Ke'Bryan (3B, PIT)
Hernandez, Darwinzon (RP, BOS) - Returned
Hirano, Yoshii (RP, SEA)
Hunter, Tommy (RP, PHI)
Jansen, Kenley (RP, LAD) - Returned
Joyce, Matt (OF, MIA)
Kela, Keone (RP, PIT)
Keller, Brad (SP, KC)
Kendrick, Howie (1B/2B/3B/OF, WAS) - Returned
Kingery, Scott (2B/3B/SS/OF, PHI) - Returned
Lauer, Eric (SP, MIL)
LeMahieu, DJ (1B/2B, NYY) - Returned
Luzardo, Jesus (SP, OAK) - Returned
Mahtook, Mikie (OF, DET)
Mateo, Jorge (SS, SD)
Meadows, Austin (OF, TB)
Moncada, Yoan (3B, CHW) - Returned
Neris, Hector (RP, PHI)- Returned
Nola, Aaron (SP, PHI) - Returned
Norris, Daniel (SP, DET)
O'Hearn, Ryan (1B, KC)
Perez, Salvador (C, KC)
Pham, Tommy (OF, SD) - Returned
Robles, Victor (OF, WAS)
Sano, Miguel (1B/3B, MIN) - Returned
Smith, Will (RP, ATL)
Soto, Juan (OF, WAS) - Returned
Suero, Wander (RP, WAS)
Teheran, Julio (SP, LAA)
Toussaint, Touki (SP/RP, ATL)
Urias, Luis (2B/SS, MIL)
Urquidy, Jose (SP, HOU)
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