Another week with another rash of injuries. It’s not as bad as it’s been over the first few weeks of the MLB season, but the injury bug swarm over the baseball community continues to rear its ugly head(s). A few minor bumps and bruises and a few DL stints that make plenty of us unhappy. But to be a glass is half full kind of guy today, we also have a few notables that should be making their way back from the DL this weekend, so get your lineups ready. If you’re in a fantasy baseball league that allows daily roster adjustments, then you’ll want to pay attention to those returning either tomorrow or Saturday. You weekly lineup folks will just have to watch your guys make their comebacks from the bench for a few days more. So let’s get to it…
Arizona Diamondbacks
Conor Jackson, 1B – He is eligible to come off the DL on May 4th and should hopefully pick up right where he left off. The Diamondbacks like having him in the leadoff spot and he seems to be enjoying it as well. If he’s right on schedule, then you’ll want him back in your lineup early next week.
Kris Benson, SP — Anna Benson’s husband, because that’s really the only reason to keep tabs on the veteran righty, is on the DL with a shoulder issue and won’t be back until mid-May at the earliest. I really hope you don’t own him.
Atlanta Braves
Jason Heyward, OF — The phenom is experiencing those shin splints again and have kept him as day to day. He should be fine for tomorrow and the weekend, but with his average in the toilet right now, you might use someone else if you have a better option. Personally, I’m leaving him in my lineup as he can heat up pretty quickly.
Baltimore Orioles
No new injuries to report
Boston Red Sox
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP — He’s apparently on track to make his return this Saturday, May 1st against the Orioles. While the matchup is definitely tempting, I’m still leary of Dice-K’s control issues and might want to see a quality start or two before activating him.
Chicago Cubs
No new injuries to report….unless you want to talk about Carlos Zambrano’s ego again
Chicago White Sox
No new injuries to report
Cincinnati Reds
No new injuries to report
Cleveland Indians
No new injuries to report
Colorado Rockies
Brad Hawpe, OF — One of the most consistent outfielder the Rockies have had over the last few years finally ended up on the DL after battling tightness in his quadriceps for some time. The injury isn’t expected to be serious and he should return in mid-May after his 15 days are up. Once he returns, you’ll want him back in your lineup as he is a solid power option and perennial 20-80 threat. Seth Smith, in th emeantime, should be getting plenty more work.
Jorge De La Rosa, SP — What started off as a probable bone bruise in the finger has unfortunately turned into a torn flexor band on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Totally sucks for fantasy owners who drafted him, yours truly included. He’ll be out for atleast a month with a hopeful early June return. If you can stash him away, then do so. Otherwise, you’re going to need to find another high strikeout option to replace him. You also might want to take a look at Jhoulys Chacin who was brought up. He was one of my early spring tarining radar guys and has tremendous potential. He’ll start this weekend against the Giants.
Detroit Tigers
Carlos Guillen, DH — The Tigers could afford to be cautious with Guillen as Ryan Raburn makes for a solid fill-in for their roster, and possibly your fantasy team as well. Guillen should be back in mid-May, which will put Raburn back on the bench, but if the kid hits, he could push for additional at bats. Not much fantasy upside, but a little.
Adam Everett, SS — Just day to day with hamstring tightness. If you’re using Everett, then I’m sure you’re not missing much by having him out for a game or two. He’s listed as probable for Friday’s game.
Magglio Ordonez, OF — Another day to day here as Magglio has a minor abdominal strain and could sit out for a game or two. He’s questionable for Friday, but check back again over the weekend. The injury doesn’t sound too serious.
Florida Marlins
Cody Ross, OF – Just the flu, so it’s nothing to be too concerned over. He might be out over the weekend, but it looks like the rest coul ddo him some good. Check his status over the weekend as he could be available come Saturday or Sunday.
Houston Astros
No new injuries to report.
Kansas City Royals
Chris Getz, 2B — just to update his return…it looks like May 30th is the target date. Expect Alberto Callaspo to stay at second with Alex Gordon back at the hot corner. Getz’ PT will depend on how they’re swinging the bat, but the rumors have him back at second, Callaspo to third and Gordon to the bench.
Rick Ankiel, OF — Just some day to day quadriceps tightness, so he could miss the weekend series against Tampa Bay. Just keep checking back each day as he could return during the latter part of the weekend or Monday.
Los Angeles Angels
No new injuries to report
Los Angeles Dodgers
Rafael Furcal, SS — The shortstop who’s been red hot to start the season is now battling a hamstring issue. The club isn’t rushing to put him on the DL just yet, but he’ll likely sit this weekend and be re-evaluated after that. There’s still a chance he could see some action late in the weekend, so, as always, keep checking on his status if you can make daily moves.
Manny Ramirez, OF — I knew it was just a matter of time before this name came up in this column. That’s what happens to the steroid guys…the body starts to fail them over time. Manny is currently being Manny on the DL these days as he’s been dealing with an injured calf. He says he’s feelingmuch better than before, but he’s not eligible to return until mid-May. Reed Johnson and Xavier Paul are sharing time as replacements, but neither is worth a pick up.
Vicente Padilla, SP — The MRI on his forearm revealed nerve irritation and he will likely miss the entire month of May as he works his way back. He wasn’t a lights out hurler anyway, so feel free to surf your waiver wire for someone who’s likely a littlle bit better anyway.
Milwaukee Brewers
Jim Edmonds, OF — Come on. You didn’t really think he’d go the whole year without showing up here, did you? It’s back tightness, apparently as a result of sliding into second yesterday. He’s day to day and considered questionable for the weekend, so if you’re using the 87 year old man, you might want to find someone else for the weekend.
Minnesota Twins
Justin Morneau, 1B — Typical Morneau these days as his back has tightened up on him again and is leaving him as questionable fo rthe weekend. No one is saying DL just yet, but you’ll wan to stay on top of the story. Consider a different option for the next few days.
J.J. Hardy, SS — It’s the attack of the turf toe for the Twins shortstop. He’s considered day to day, but again, not expected to be put on the DL. Brendan Harris should fill in for him over the next few games.
Nick Punto, 3B — Well, they didn’t want to put him on th eDL, but the groin injury needed a lot mor etime to heal. Alexei Casilla and Luke Hughes will be filling in, as will Harris if Hardy can go at all this weekend. None of them are really worth much, despite Hughes going yard in his first at bat last night.
New York Mets
No new injuries to report
New York Yankees
Jorge Posada, C — A bone bruise on the knee after getting hit by a pitch last night shoul dkeep Posada on thebech for atleast a game, maybe two. Francisco Cervelli will take over, as usual. There’s also a chance that Posada could DH over the weekend or at the least, pinch hit late. It does not look seriosu enough to be talking DL.
Oakland A’s
Kurt Suzuki, C — He’s been out for the last 4 games with an injury to his side. An MRI was done but results aren;t available just yet. He’s questionable for this weekend, so expect to pick up a stop gap somewhere for the next few days while he’s being evaluated. It looks like Landon Powell and Jake Fox will be splitting time until Suzuki makes it back.
Brett Anderson, SP — a bit of a blow to the A’s rotation as Anderson ends up on the DL after an MRI revealed a strained flexor tendon in his forearm. He is being shut down for two weeks and will then be re-evaluated. He’s not expected back untiul late May at the earliest. Expect to see either Trevor Cahill or Vin Mazarro, either of which might be worth a flier depending on the matchup.
Philadelphi Phillies
Brad Lidge, RP — Apparently Lidge could be back this weekend, but his role is not yet clear. He will likely be eased into the closer’s job which puts Ryan Madson back to set-up duty eventually.
Pittsburgh Pirates
No new injuries to report
San Diego Padres
Everth Cabrera, SS — He’s day to day with a hamstring issue and could miss the whole weekend. Keep an eye on his status as he coul dland on the DL if it doesn’t get much better with some rest. Hopefully he heals fine as his only major asset is his stolen base contribution.
San Francisco Giants
Juan Uribe, 2B — He’s been having some elbow issues as of late and is limited to pinch hitting duties. So long as he pinch hits, his potential trip to the DL will push his return back further. Keep watching to see if he keeps getting some action. If so, then he coul djust be fine for next week.
Seattle Mariners
Cliff Lee, SP – Welcome back Cliff. He’s slated to start on Friday against the Rangers. I’d activate him as hi srehabv sounds like it’s going very well.
St. Louis Cardinals
Felipe Lopez, 2B — an elbow injury has landed him on the DL and he is not expected back until atleast mid-May. This sort of clears up the logjam of infielders for the Cards, so expect a more consistent lineup over the next couple of weeks.
Tampa Bay Rays
No new injuries to report
Texas Rangers
Ian Kinsler, 2B — Expected back in the lineup on Friday. You’ll probably want to activate him immediately.
Nelson Cruz, OF — Definitely a shame with the start he’s had so far in 2010, but the hammy problems linger and Cruz re-aggravated it to the point where the club felt that he was better off on the DL. He’ll be back in mid-May and you’ll wan thim active immidieatly as well.
Toronto Blue Jays
No new injuries to report
Washington Nationals
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B — He continues to have a hamstring issue and one that has again kept him out for the majority of the week. He’s listed as probable for the weekend, but I’m still a bit skeptical. Keep monitoring, becaus eon elittle setback and it’s likely time for the DL.
Jason Marquis, SP — Put on the DL with an elbow problem, Marquis will receive a cortisone shot and will likely be shut down for a week or so and be re-evaluated after that. I guess now we know why he’s sporting an ERA over 20.
If you’re looking for some names that may not be here today, just check out last week’s episode of Bumps and Bruises and get another look.
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