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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 1 of the 2021 MLB season. His medical background helps analyze the injured MLB players and their recoveries.
Injuries remain 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.
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. And just like last year, due to the current circumstances, I will have a listing of all fantasy-relevant players affected in-season by COVID-19 protocols. This will help you create and manage a more competitive fantasy lineup in 2021.
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Injury "Guy"de for the Week of April 4, 2021
Kirby Yates (RP, TOR) - Elbow - Yates had Tommy John surgery performed the last week of March 2021 and he is done for the year. Jordan Romano could close for the Blue Jays to start the season.
Josh James (SP, HOU) - Hip - James had hip surgery to repair a labral tear October 2020. James is now "feeling good" following a setback in his recovery from hip surgery but won't return until late May/June.
Mike Soroka (P, ATL) - Achilles - Soroka had surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon in early August 2020. He was placed on the IL to start the season and he is not expected to make his season debut until the end of April or the beginning of May.
Miles Mikolas (SP, STL) - Forearm - Mikolas had surgery on his right flexor tendon in late July 2020. Mikolas was placed on the Il to start the season but he since been cleared to resume throwing off flat ground, and should be able to have a bullpen session soon.
Brendan Rodgers (SS, COL) - Hamstring - Rodgers has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and was placed on the IL to start the season. Rodgers is expected to miss a month. Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson should see most of the playing time at second base for the Rockies.
Carlos Carrasco (SP, NYM) - Elbow - Carrasco was placed on the IL to start the season due to a hamstring injury. He began throwing live bating practice this week and is still to be considered week to week.Joey Lucchesi should fill the rotation spot, being used after an opener, and the opener named for now is Jacob Barnes.
Ji-Man Choi (1B, TB) - Knee - Choi was placed on the IL following right knee surgery and is expected to miss about four to five weeks. Yoshi Tsutsugo and Yandy Diaz could platoon for the Rays in his absence.
Nate Pearson (SP, TOR) - Groin - Pearson was diagnosed with a Grade 1 right groin strain and was placed on the IL to start the season., Pearson has now progressed to begin throwing off of a mound this weekend.
Trent Grisham (OF, SD) - Hamstring - Grisham was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and began the season on the IL. No word on the severity at this point. Jake Cronenworth or Jurickson Profar could see more time in the outfield for the Padres until Grisham returns.
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.
Framber Valdez (SP, HOU) - Finger - Valdez fractured his left ring finger on a comebacker earlier this spring and was placed on the IL. Valdez will not need the season-ending surgery that he was originally reported but his timeline for a return remains unclear. Blue Jays pitching coach Brent Strom seemed very optimistic about Valdez's outlook earlier in the week but didn't offer a possible return date.
Trevor Rosenthal (RP, OAK) - Groin - Rosenthal was placed on the IL to start the season with right shoulder inflammation. Rosenthal has not had an MRI and is taking anti-inflammatory medication to try to help the issue. If medication does not work, and injection is possible as well. Jake Diekman could fill in as closer for the Athletics.
Kole Calhoun (OF, ARI) - Knee - Calhoun underwent a successful partial medial meniscectomy surgery on his right knee during the first week in March started the season on the IL. He is expected to miss at least the first two series for the Diamondbacks. Tom Locastro and Pavin Smith could fill in until Calhoun is ready to return.
Kyle Lewis (OF, SEA) - Knee - The reigning rookie of the year, Lewis will begin the season on the IL as he was recently diagnosed with a deep bone bruise. No word on how long he will be out for. Taylor Trammell was named the starting CF in his place.
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, BOS) - Arm - Rodriguez was placed on the IL to start the season with what was called "dead arm". No word on how is he progressing from it yet. Tanner Houck was called up and will start in his place.
Sonny Gray (SP, CIN) - Back - Gray was placed on the IL to start the season due to back tightness. Gray will miss only two starts to begin the season due to his back issue. Jeff Hoffman and Jose De Leon will join the Reds rotation to start the year with Gray and Michael Lorenzen, who is dealing with a shoulder issue, out.
George Springer (OF, TOR) - Oblique - Springer was placed on the IL to start the season with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Springer is recovery well and has a chance to return from the injured list when first eligible next Thursday. Randal Grichuk should fill in for the Blue Jays until then. In 2019, all non-pitchers with an oblique injury spent an average of 35 days on the IL.
Eloy Jimenez (OF, CHW) - Pectoral - Jimenez underwent surgery on his ruptured left pectoral tendon this week. General manager Rick Hahn confirmed that his timeline to return remains five to six months. The White Sox expect to update Jimenez's timeline in three months. Leury Garcia and Andrew Vaughn will see an increase in playing time during this period.
Adalberto Mondesi (SS, KC) - Oblique - Mondesi was placed on the IL to start the season with a mild to moderate right oblique strain. Royals manager Mike Matheny said he expects Mondesi to miss "a couple weeks" with the injury. According to Matheny, Mondesi initially tweaked his oblique in his first at-bat during Monday's Cactus League game, stayed in the game, and felt renewed pain Tuesday. Nicky Lopez was called up to take his place.
Luke Voit (1B, NYY) - Knee - Voit was placed on the IL Wednesday, retroactive to March 29 following left knee surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus Monday. Expect him to be out four to five weeks with Jay Bruce filling in at first for the Yankees.
Willie Calhoun (OF, TEX) - Groin - Calhoun was placed on the IL with a groin strain he has been dealing with since early March. He has been getting at-bats in sim games already so he may be activated sooner rather than later.
Alex Wood (SP, SF) - Back - Wood is expected to miss the first several weeks of the season after he underwent a minor back procedure (ablation) in mid-March. He is currently working through a throwing program. Aaron Sanchez should fill in for the Giants in their rotation until his return.
Nick Anderson- (RP, TB) - Elbow - Anderson has a partial tear of his elbow ligament and is likely to be out past the All-Star break. At this point, surgery has not been recommended. Diego Castillo or Pete Fairbanks could close for the Rays.
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