Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates for Week 4

Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 4. 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.

My name is Reuven Guy. 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 August 9, 2020

Mike Soroka (SP, ATL)- Achilles- Soroka suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Monday night’s game. He will require surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Possible replacements include Bryce Wilson, Jhoulys Chacin, Josh Tomlin, Ian Anderson

Carlos Rodon (SP, CHW)- Shoulder- Rodon has been dealing with left shoulder soreness and was placed on the IL. Rodon's velocity dropped below 90 in the 2nd inning of Monday night’s game. If he should miss time, Ross Detwiler could fill in.

Roberto Osuna (RP, HOU)- Elbow- Osuna's initial diagnosis is that he needs Tommy John surgery but he is going for a second opinion. Ryan Pressly could step in as closer.

Tom Murphy (C, SEA) - Foot - Murphy has a fractured bone in his foot and will start the season on IL. Murphy is not wearing a boot on his foot but there is no timetable for his return yet. Austin Nola will continue to start in his place.

Austin Nola (C/1B, SEA) - Knee - Nola injured his knee when he slid into second base. Tests came back showing swelling only. He is considered day-to-day and was in Friday’s lineup.

Jake Odorizzi (SP, MIN) - Back - Odorizzi began the season on the IL. “He’s been stretching things out again, playing catch, still feels good,” Manager Rocco Baldelli said. Odorizzi threw a bullpen session on July 30 and is scheduled to come off of the IL on August 8.

Marcus Stroman (SP, NYM) - Calf - Stroman was placed on the IL with a muscle tear in his left calf. Stroman was scheduled to throw a simulated game on August 6th and may be able to return as early as next week. David Peterson has his spot in the Mets rotation.

Andrelton Simmons (SS, LAA) - Ankle - Simmons was placed on the IL with a left ankle sprain which he sustained trying to beat out a ground ball. Simmons dealt with leg issues last year. Manager Joe Maddon said Simmons is progressing in his recovery but is "still pretty sore". Maddon also said his recovery from the left ankle sprain is "progressing but not as quickly as it could." Luis Rengifo and David Fletcher will continue to fill in.

Ken Giles (RP, TOR) - Forearm - Giles was placed on the IL with forearm mass strain in the flexor muscle and has been shut down for at least one more week. Giles had a PRP injection performed. The Blue Jays remain optimistic that he will pitch again soon. The average forearm/arm injury last year had an average around 80 days on the IL for pitchers. Anthony Bass is in line to close for the Blue Jays.

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, CHW) - Shoulder - Lopez was placed on the IL with a sore right shoulder. His MRI revealed inflammation only. The White Sox are hoping 10 days of treatment will get him back on the mound. Lopez began a throwing program this past week. Gio Gonzalez or Ross Detwiler could fill in until he is ready to return.

Wade Davis (RP, COL) - Shoulder- Manager Bud Black said yesterday that Davis is still receiving treatment and hasn't resumed throwing. Davis is dealing with a shoulder strain. Jairo Diaz and Carlos Estevez are in the mix for saves.

Nick Madrigal (2B, CHW) - Shoulder- Madrigal was diagnosed with a separated left shoulder and was placed on the IL. The typical healing time of a separated shoulder can range from two to twelve weeks based on severity. Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick to fill in.

Ozzie Albies (2B, ATL) -Wrist- Albies was placed on the IL with wrist soreness/bone contusion. Albies will be shut down for a week to see if it heals. Manager Brian Snitker said that he won't throw or hit for at least a week. Adeiny Hechavarria and Johan Camargo could fill in during his time on the IL.

Nick Burdi (RP, PIT)- Elbow- Burdi was placed on the 45-day IL with an unspecified elbow injury yesterday. He will not pitch again this year. Rich Rodriguez could close until Keona Kela is cleared to return from the COVID IL.

Max Scherzer (SP, WAS) -Hamstring-Scherzer left Wednesday’s game after one inning due to a “tweaked hamstring”. He first suffered the injury prior to his start last week, but he was able to pitch through it. He is day to day. In 2019, the average time that a pitcher spent on the IL with a hamstring injury was 28 days. Eric Fedde could start if Scherzer is out for a while.

Josh Donaldson (3B, MIN) - Calf- Donaldson missed one full week of games due to a right calf injury. Donaldson missed three months with a calf injury in 2018 and missed a few games in 2019 due to a calf injury. Marwin Gonzalez will continue to see an uptick in playing time when Donaldson is out.

Shohei Ohtani (SP/DH, LAA)- Forearm- Ohtani indicated that he would like to remain a two-way player in 2021 however he will not pitch again this year. Ohtani was diagnosed with a Grade 1-2 strain of the flexor pronator mass based on MRI.

Robinson Cano- (2B, NYM)- Adductor- Cano was placed on the IL with an adductor strain but states that he is hopeful to come off the IL when first eligible on August 14. With also Jeff McNeil being day to day with a back issue, Andres Gimenez will see more playing time, as will JD Davis and Dominic Smith.

Tommy Kahnle (RP, NYY) - Elbow- Kahnle had Tommy John surgery this week and will not return until sometime next year.

Matt Adams (1B/DH) - Hamstring- Adams was placed on the IL this week with a left hamstring strain. He injured his left hamstring running to first. There is no timetable for his return yet. Adam Duvall could see an uptick in playing time.

Edwin Encarnacion (1B/DH, CHW) - Shoulder- Encarnacion is day to day with a left shoulder injury. Manager Rick Renteria says he hopes Encarncion’s shoulder injury will hopefully resolve over the weekend.

Forrest Whitley (P, HOU)- Arm- Whitley will be seen by another doctor for another opinion before the Astros decide how to proceed.

Tim Anderson (SS, CHW) - Groin- Anderson began his rehab at the alternate training site yesterday and hopes to return from the IL next week. Anderson will be the White Sox leadoff hitter when he returns.

Rougned Odor (2B, TEX) - Oblique- The Rangers are confident Odor can avoid a trip to the IL. Odor has missed a few games with a right oblique injury but is in the lineup on August 7.

Yonny Chirinos (SP, TB)- Triceps- Chirinos was placed on the IL today with right triceps inflammation, retroactive to Monday. No word on severity. Trevor Richards was called up and could fill in. Also, Jalen Beeks or Sean Gilmartin could be used as openers.

Stephen Strasburg (SP, WAS)- Hand- Strasburg completed a simulated game this past week and is scheduled to pitch August 9. Strasburg was dealing with a nerve issue in his hand but appears to be past it. Expect him to be a pitch count for his first outing of 75-80 pitches.

Updated List of Fantasy-Relevant Players Affected by COVID-19

Please note: Although a player may have returned, they may not be up to game speed yet and may still be on the IL or not ready to play. Multiple Miami Marlin and St. Louis Cardinal players have tested positive however the full list of affected players is not known. Also please note that the COVID IL can range from a few days to weeks and symptomatic players with negative COVID testing will miss fewer games.

Alcantara, Sandy (SP, MIA)
Alvarez, Yordan (DH, HOU)- Returning
Astudillo, Willians (C, MIN)- Returning
Beer, Seth (1B, ARI) - Returned
Bethancourt, Christian (RP, PHI)
Blackmon, Charlie (OF, COL) - Returned
Brito, Socrates (OF, PIT)- Returned
Brinson, Lewis (OF, MIA)- Returned
Cabrera, Genesis (RP, STL)- Returned
Calhoun, Kole (OF, ARI) - Returned
Cano, Robinson (1B/2B, NYM) - Returned
Chapman, Aroldis (RP, NYY)- Returning
Cessa, Luis (RP, NYY)- Returned
Chirinos, Yonny (SP/RP, TB)- Returned
d’Arnuad, Travis (C, ATL)- Returned
Davidson, Matt- (DH, CIN)- Returned
DeJong, Paul (SS, STL)
DeShields, Delino (OF, CLE)- Returned
Diaz, Elias (C, COL)
Dietrich, Derek (1B/OF, CHC)- Returned
Dozier, Hunter (3B/OF, KC)
Drury, Brandon (3B, TOR)- Returned
Elias, Roenis (RP, SEA)- Returned
Flowers, Tyler (C, ATL)- Returned
Freeman, Freddie (1B, ATL) - Returned
Garica, Jarlin (RP, SF)
Glasnow, Tyler (SP, TB) - Returned
Grichuk, Randal (OF, TOR)- Returned
Guerra, Junior (RP, ARI) - Returned
Hamilton, Billy (OF, SF)- Returned
Haseley, Adam (OF, PHI) - Returned
Hayes, Ke'Bryan (3B, PIT)- Returned
Hernandez, Darwinzon (RP, BOS) - Returned
Hirano, Yoshii (RP, SEA)- Returned
Hunter, Tommy (RP, PHI)- Returned
Jansen, Kenley (RP, LAD) - Returned
Joyce, Matt (OF, MIA)- Returned
Kela, Keone (RP, PIT)
Keller, Brad (SP, KC)- Returned
Kendrick, Howie (1B/2B/3B/OF, WAS) - Returned
Kingery, Scott (2B/3B/SS/OF, PHI) - Returned
Lauer, Eric (SP, MIL)- Returned
LeMahieu, DJ (1B/2B, NYY) - Returned
Luzardo, Jesus (SP, OAK) - Returned
McKay, Brendan (SP, TB)- Returning
Mahtook, Mikie (OF, DET)- Returned
Margot, Manuel (OF, TB)
Martinez, Carlos (SP/RP, STL)
Mateo, Jorge (SS, SD)- Returned
Mazara, Nomar- (OF, CHW)- Returned
Meadows, Austin (OF, TB)- Returned
Moncada, Yoan (3B, CHW) - Returned
Molina, Yadier (C, STL)
Neris, Hector (RP, PHI)- Returned
Nola, Aaron (SP, PHI) - Returned
Norris, Daniel (SP, DET)- Returned
O'Hearn, Ryan (1B, KC)- Returned
Perez, Salvador (C, KC)- Returned
Pham, Tommy (OF, SD) - Returned
Robles, Victor (OF, WAS)- Returned
Rodriguez, Eduardo (SP, BOS)- Returned but out for the year with COVID complications.
Rojas, Miguel (SS, MIA)
Sano, Miguel (1B/3B, MIN) - Returned
Smith, Caleb (SP, MIA)
Smith, Will (RP, ATL)- Returning
Soto, Juan (OF, WAS)- Returned
Suero, Wander (RP, WAS)- Returned
Teheran, Julio (SP, LAA)- Returned
Toussaint, Touki (SP/RP, ATL)- Returned
Urena, Jose (SP, MIA)
Urias, Luis (2B/SS, MIL)- Returned
Urquidy, Jose (SP, HOU)- Returning

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