RADIO
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. Given the importance of this aspect of the game, I'll be devoting a weekly column to discussing the latest injury updates pertaining to the fantasy community.
A disclaimer before we get started: the sheer size of the fantasy baseball player pool means I won't be able to discuss every injury that might affect teams out there. Furthermore, this article will be tailored towards standard leagues. I'll do my best to cover all the important names, but some guys are going to be inevitably left out. When they are, feel free to bring them up in the comments section below. I'm always happy to chat if there's a player you need to know more about.
Recent Injuries
Edwin Encarnacion: Encarnacion is scheduled to have his left shoulder reevaluated after pain forced his early exit from Wednesday's game. The reemergence of this injury is certainly a troubling sign, but so far the team has not made any indication that a DL-stint will be necessary. They will be unlikely to do so until after Encarnacion is properly evaluated.
Carlos Gomez: Gomez was held out of the starting lineup on June 10th and 11th with leg soreness. That he was able to pinch hit for the Brewers on the 11th, however, is a good sign that a DL-stint may not be necessary.
Matt Holliday: Holliday was placed on the DL on June 9th with a right quad strain. There is currently no timetable for his return to the team.
Lance Lynn: Lynn was forced to exit his start on June 7th early due to right forearm tightness. He is currently scheduled to be examined further in St. Louis on June 10th. Fantasy owners should have a much better idea as to the extent of this injury after that appointment.
Jorge Soler: Soler was placed on the DL on June 3rd with a left ankle sprain. The team released word on June 6th that he was progressing well and that the swelling around his ankle had gone down. A mid-June return is still possible for the promising rookie.
Archie Bradley: Bradley was placed on the DL on June 4th with right shoulder tendinitis. There is currently no timetable for his return.
Hunter Pence: Pence has been held out of action for the last week with left wrist tendinitis. The Giants expect him to be forced to the DL very shortly as a result of this injury.
Nelson Cruz: Cruz has missed the last two days of games as a result of back spasms. It remains unclear when the AL home run leader will be ready for action again, although it is worth noting that a DL-stint seems unlikely at this point.
Daniel Murphy: Murphy was placed on the DL on June 5th with a left quad strain. There is currently no timetable for his return to the team.
Billy Hamilton: Hamilton is currently day-to-day as a result of left wrist soreness. He has not been featured in the starting lineup since June 9th.
Andrew Miller: Miller was placed on the DL on June 10th with a strained left forearm. There is currently no timetable for his return to the team.
Ongoing Injury Updates
Patrick Corbin: In the latest step of his rehab from last year's Tommy John surgery, the Dbacks have sent Corbin on a Class A+ rehab assignment. He is a strong candidate to return by the end of the month.
Matt Cain: Cain began a Double-A rehab assignment on June 9th. A right flexor strain has cost him most of his season, but the former ace could be back sometime in mid-June.
Jose Fernandez: Fernandez began a Class A+ rehab assignment on June 6th. After undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, he is on track to return to the Marlins sometime next month.
Mat Latos: Latos is in the middle of a, so far, successful rehab assignment with the Marlins' Triple A affiliate. He is expected to return to the team on June 13th.
Doug Fister: Fister began a Triple-A rehab assignment on June 7th. He is currently working his way back from a right flexor strain and is expected to be ready for the Nationals' rotation sometime in the middle of the month.
Stephen Strasburg: While recovering from a left trapezius strain, Strasburg was able to throw a bullpen session on June 9th. He is another strong candidate to return to action in mid-June.
Ryan Zimmerman: Zimmerman was placed on the DL on June 11th with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. The move is retroactive to June 10th. There is currently no timetable for Zimmerman's return to the team.
Martin Perez: Another 2014 Tommy John victim, Perez began a Double-A rehab assignment on June 10th. He could return to the Rangers sometime in July.
Devin Mesoraco: Mesoraco was sent on a Triple-A rehab assignment on June 8th. Especially in light of the fact that he experienced some soreness after Wednesday's game, the Reds are expected to take it slow with their star catcher. It is difficult to determine when he might be ready to return.
Victor Martinez: Martinez took batting practice at Comerica Park on June 9th. As he will require a rehab assignment before returning to his spot in the Tigers' lineup, he is still a ways off. There is currently no strict timetable for his return to the team.
Jacoby Ellsbury: Although Ellsbury seems to be recovering well from his knee sprain, the Yankees still do not have a timetable in place for the start of a rehab assignment. This is somewhat to be expected, however, as Ellsbury is not expected to return to the team until well into the end of the month.
Ivan Nova: Nova began a Triple-A rehab assignment on June 11th. After missing over a year to Tommy John surgery, he could be back with the Yankees as soon as a few weeks from now.
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