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Week 8 MLB 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. Below you will find updates and analysis for all the MLB injuries relevant at the end of Week 8.
Recent Injuries
Victor Martinez: Martinez was placed on the DL on May 19th due to left knee inflammation. According to Manager Brad Ausmus, there is not a clear timetable for his return.
"We gotta make sure he's healthy," he told the Detroit Free Press. "I don't know if it will be two weeks, I don't know if it will be four weeks or more than four weeks. I would just be throwing darts blindfolded."
Jacoby Ellsbury: Ellsbury was placed on the disabled list on May 20th with a right knee sprain. He is due to see Yankee physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad on Friday, after which we should have a better idea of what kind of timeline we're talking about in his case. Manager Joe Giardi sounded optimistic when speaking to ESPN reporters though.
"Is it going to cost him some time?" Maybe," Giardi said. "Is it real serious? I don't think so, but we really won't know until the MRI."
Corey Dickerson: Dickerson was finally placed on the DL due to the plantar fasciitis injury he's been battling through for weeks. Hopefully, he is ready to return in early June.
Albert Pujols: Pujols was pulled from the Angels' game on May 20th after being hit by a pitch on his left hand. While subsequent X-rays did turn out to be negative, the team held him out of the starting lineup on May 21st. Pujols is not expected to need a DL stint and retuned to action last night, hitting a home run.
Coco Crisp: Crisp could be shut down for an “extended period of time” after being forced to exit a game on May 19th with neck tightness, according to Sports Illustrated. He's due to see a neck specialist in Dallas very soon, but things don't sound good for the outfielder.
“I’ll try to come back sometime this year," Crisp told the San Jose Mercury News. "And if not, then next year."
Drew Pomeranz: Pomeranz was placed on the DL on May 20th with a left shoulder AC joint sprain. There is currently not yet a timetable for his return.
Devon Travis: Travis has been placed on the disabled list with left shoulder irritation. He originally sustained the injury weeks ago, but the most recent spat of missed time is due to re-aggravating the issue. The Jays hope he can fully heal with a DL stint.
Jean Segura: Segura was placed on the disabled list after suffering a fractured right pinkie finger. The Brewers are hoping to have him back at shortstop by the end of the month, although it should be noted that bone injuries can be tricky. Fantasy owners will want to pay close attention to his progress.
Doug Fister: Fister was placed on the DL on May 15th with a right flexor strain. Thankfully, an MRI the next day revealed that there was no tear. It is most likely that Fister will be able to return in early-to-mid June.
Jayson Werth: Werth was placed on the DL on May 19th with a left wrist contusion after being hit by a pitch. Fantasy owners will be pleased to hear he did not suffer any bone fractures, but Werth sounds to be in some serious pain after the incident.
“I’m relieved,” Werth told the Washington Post. “I wish it felt better. I’m optimistic but I don’t feel like I’m out of the woods yet. Hopefully in a couple days it’ll respond a lot better and we can get going. Right now, it’s still pretty banged up. So the tests were good but I still feel like we’ve got a ways to go.”
“It was bad,” agreed Manager Matt Williams. “As bad as it could be without being broke.”
Considering that Werth has already had three surgeries on this same wrist, fantasy owners will want to monitor this situation closely as he heals.
Pablo Sandoval: Sandoval has been held out of the starting lineup for two straight days with a left knee injury. After a MRI revealed no structural damage to the knee, his status was officially moved to day-to-day. A DL stint does not seem to be in order and he is expected to return the starting lineup on Friday.
Shane Victorino: Victorino is day-to-day with a left calf injury. The injury does not seem serious enough to warrant a DL stint however.
Ongoing Injury Updates
Sean Doolittle: Doolittle began a Double-A rehab assignment on May 19th. The team is targeting a late May return for their injured closer.
Ben Zobrist: Zobrist began a Class-A+ rehab assignment on May 19th. If all goes well, Oakland is hoping to have him back in early June.
Jose Reyes: Reyes was sent on a Triple-A rehab assignment on May 21st. This is very welcome news for fantasy owners who have been held in limbo for weeks after their star shortstop suffered cracked ribs early in the season. The Blue Jays are targeting May 25th for Reyes' return to the team.
Jonathan Lucroy: Now that he's resumed his catching duties, all that remains between Lucroy and a return date is his ability to begin a running program. So far, however, this has proved illusive.
"The running part's a big one," Lucroy said. "When we get to that, then we'll start talking about a return date. We'll have to wait and see on that one."
Yasiel Puig: After suffering a setback earlier this month, Puig has yet to begin a rehab assignment. It could be a long road back for the Dodgers outfielder.
Yan Gomes: The Indians are expecting to have Gomes back in their starting lineup on Sunday, May 24th. Set your lineups accordingly.
David Wright: Wright was able to resume baseball activities on May 18th. He is dealing with both a right hamstring strain and a lower back injury, but this is certainly good news. There is currently no timetable for his return to the Mets.
Travis d'Arnaud: The young catcher was able to begin taking dry swings as of May 18th. The Mets are hoping to have d'Arnaud back by the end of May.
Anthony Rendon: Rendon was able to begin baseball activities on May 20th. After suffering yet another setback earlier this month, it is hard to forecast a specific timetable for his return. An optimist could see him back in the starting lineup by the end of the month, but early June seems more likely.
Wil Myers: Myers was placed on the DL on May 19th (retroactive to May 11th) with wrist tendinitis. The Padres are hoping to have him back before the end of the month.
Josh Hamilton: Hamilton began a Triple-A rehab assignment on May 21st. Assuming he doesn't experience any future setbacks, we could see the former MVP return to action as soon as May 25th.
Drew Smyly: Smyly has apparently elected to forgo shoulder surgery in favor of a eight week rehab regime. Given the severity of his injury, fantasy owners can forget this one, however. Smyly is, in the best case, a bounceback candidate for 2016.
Devin Mesoraco: Same old, same old with Mesoraco. He's too injured to catch, but not injured enough to warrant a DL stint. This is turning into a very frustrating season for the Reds and fantasy owners alike.
Justin Morneau: Morneau is still experiencing concussion symptoms and is unlikely to be activated from the 7-day DL when eligible. There is no clear timetable for his return.
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