Is it just me or does this season seem to be more riddled with injuries than in years past? Maybe my fantasy baseball teams are just getting hit harder this year than normal, but with the rash of MLB injuries out there, I’m finding it to be a full time job staying on top of who’s hurt and who’s on their way back from the DL. Every time I get a guy on his way back, another one pulls up lame. It can be brutal sometimes. So, as I do every week, I bring you the latest in the injury reports and hopefully offer some words of encouragement or dig you out a nice sleeper pick to help you fill in the cracks. And away we go….
Arizona Diamondbacks
While fantasy baseball junkies are awaiting the return of catcher Miguel Montero (end of May), some can take solace in the fact that Conor Jackson is on his Triple-A rehab assignment and should be back sometime this week. He should slot back into left field, and hopefully, return to the leadoff spot. He’s not going to steal you a ton of bases, but he should produce well enoug across the board to have value in both mixed and NL-only leagues.
Atlanta Braves
Yunel Escobar, SS — A groin strain put Escobar on the shelf about a week ago and is eligible to return on the 15th of May. With a littl eluck, the rest will also help him clear his head so he can get back on track and improve that awful .215 average. Omar Infante makes for a good choice if you’re in need of some fill-in help. He’s got moderate speed, a solid average and it looks like the Braves are trying him out in th eleadoff spot now.
Jason Heyward, OF — Calm down, calm down! No reason to panic….I don’t think. Heyward is currently sidelined with a groin injury of hi sown, but the team doesn’t feel that a DL stint is necessary. Phew! Heyward will be kept out of the lineup for the next few games, but will be available to pinch hit. The team’s concern just seems to be that he needs some time off from the field right now.
Jair Jurrjens, SP — Well atleast it’s not the shoulder again, right? Jurrjens was placed on the DL with a hamstring problem, but it look slike he’ll return as soon as he is eligible. The Braves have him penciled in as their starter for the May 15th game against Arizona, so that appears to be a good sign.
Kenshin Kawakami, SP — The Japanes righty appears to be missing his next start on Sunday against the Phillies due to a bloister on the bottom of his right foot. Not a major injury and missing a potential shellacking from the Phils might not be such a bad thing. He should be fine moving forward.
Baltimore Orioles
Adam Jones, OF — He’s being considered day to day, but the hip injury from which Jones is suffering has only kept him out of one game. He was back in the lineup yesterday and appears ready to continue, business as usual. His slow start appears to be more troubling than this injury….unless the two are related.
Boston Red Sox
No new injuries to report and it still looks like we’re atleast 2 weeks away from seeign eithe Jacoby Ellsbury and/or Mike Cameron.
Chicago Cubs
No new injuries to report, however, starter Carlos Silva, probable for his next start, is dealing with some wrist soreness. He didn’t fare so well in his last outing, so you may consider holding him out for his next start at Cincinnati.
Chicago White Sox
Paul Konerko, 1B — He’s been the entire offense for the South Siders this year, so atleast for this series against Toronto, the rest will need to step up. Konerko is being considered day to day after he was a late scratch from Thursday’s game. He’s listed as questionable for the whole series, so keep checking if you can make daily moves in your fantasy baseball league.
Cincinnati Reds
No new injuries to report
Cleveland Indians
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS — Sore quadriceps are keeping Cabrera sidelined, atleast for the next few games. He’s listed as questionable for the series against the Tigers. Another non-threatening injury, so you might have him back after just a night or two off.
Colorado Rockies
No new injuries to report, however, the Rox should be getting back both OF Brad Hawpe and SP Jason Hammel from the Dl this week — likely the May 10th-12th series against the Phillies. The thing to watch here is whether the Rockies decide to play Eric Young at second in lieu of the struggling Clint Barmes. Young has had some fill-in time in the outfield for Hawpe, so keep your eyes on this one. If Young gets the playing time, he could be a real asset in the speed department.
Detroit Tigers
No new injuries to report, but both OF Johnny Damon and C Gerald Laird are banged up and could miss a game or two against the Indians this weekend. Damon (calf) is being considered questionable, so you might want to have a replacement on hand. Laird, unfortunately, is listed as probable which diminishes the opportunity for Alex Avila to run away with the job.
Florida Marlins
No new injuries to report
Houston Astros
No new injuries to report
Kansas City Royals
Rick Ankiel, OF — What started off as day to day quadriceps tightness has now moved on to a full DL stint. Th eteam is still downplaying the injury, so it looks like Ankiel should be fine after his 15 days are up. He should return sometime around the 19th or 20th of this month.
Los Angeles Angels
No new injuries to report
Los Angeles Dodgers
No new injuries to report
Milwaukee Brewers
Carlos Gomez, OF — Apparently Gomez hurt both his hand and shoulder while sliding back into second on a pick off move and now appears to be questionable for the series against the Dodgers. The hand seems fine, but the shoulder might be a concern. Keep him reserved until we hear more about him.
Minnesota Twins
Joe Mauer, C — A deep bone bruise on the heel has kept Mauer out of the lineup for the last 6 games, and he still appears to be questionable for the upcoming series against the Orioles. He took battin gpractice the other day which is a good sign, but you should probably keep him reserved until you hear a better prognosis.
J.J. Hardy, SS — First it was the turf toe and now it’s the wrist. Injured while sliding, Hardy doesn’t seem to think he’ll be out for more than a game or two, which should relieve his fantasy owners. He was scratched from the Thursday game against Baltimore, so you should keep checking his status before activating him.
New York Mets
Mike Pelfrey, SP — The over-achieving righty has been dealing with some shoulder soreness, but after a light throwing side session the other day, he seems ready to go in his next start against the Giants. I’d probably hol dhim out of my lineup just to be on the safe side, but maybe that’s just me.
New York Yankees
Jorge Posada, C — He’s bein gconsidered day to day after missing the last few games with a calf strain. He could return for the weekend series against the Red Sox, but the Yankees might be better served keeping the 38 year old backstop off the field and leave him for pinch hitting duty. Francisco Cervelli will replace him, although hi sfantasy value is very limited.
Curtis Granderson, OF — A grade 2 groin strain will sideline Granderson, probably until the end of the month. If you’re looking for some help, then stick with the Yankees who may be available. Brett Gardner will play regularly and is great for stolen bases and Marcus Thames is getting some more playing time than Randy Winn over in left, and he can definitely rake if he gets into a regular groove.
Andy Pettitte, SP — He’s already been ruled out for his May 11th start against the Tigers, so you might wan tto think about some alternatives from your waiver wire. An MRI on the elbow revealed inflammation, but no ligament damage, thankfully. The Yanks could throw him on the DL to be on the safe side and may hand a spot start or two to Alfredo Aceves before calling someone else up.
Mariano Rivera, RP — Th eYankees closer has now missed the last 3 save chances as he’s still struggling from a strain in his side/oblique. No one is saying DL yet, but you should be prepared if it does happen. Joba Chamberlain is the next in line for saves in the Bronx.
Oakland A’s
Kurt Suzuki, C — Nothing new in his progress, but if all goes according to plan, then Suzuki could be back by the end of this weekend. The target date is May 9th.
Justin Duchscherer, SP — So what else is new? The Duke is battling a hip injury again, and while the team isn’t putting him on the DL just yet, they’ve announced that he will be out until atleast May 15th. If he doesn’t show any progress in that time, then they may DL him and bring back Vin Mazarro.
Philadelphia Phillies
Juan Castro, SS — The replacement for Jimmy Rollins is now out himself, as Castro is dealing with a hamstring issue. He was not in Thursday’s lineup and may be out through the weekend. Wilson Valdez will be making starts in his absence, but his fantasy value is severely limited.
Ryan Madson, RP — A broken toe has put the Phils’ temporary closer on the shelf and it looks like Jose Contreras is being given an opportunity to close out ballgames. I don’t like the option, but what can you do? Brad Lidge, who has just returned, could be thrust back into the job sooner than the team would like.
Pittsburgh Pirates
No new injuries to report
San Diego Padres
No new injuries to report
San Francisco Giants
Edgar Renteria, SS — He’s been dealing with a groin strain that has had him day to day, but Renteria left Thursday’s game in the 3rd inning, so a DL stint could be more of a possibility now. Juan Uribe will continue to see time at short with Matt Downs taking over at second.
Seattle Mariners
No new injuries to report
St. Louis Cardinals
No new injuries to report
Tampa Bay Rays
No new injuries to report
Texas Rangers
No new injuries to report
Toronto Blue Jays
No new injuries to report
Washington Nationals
No new injuries to report
That seems to be it from the triage unit this week. I wish nothing but the best of health for all your players, but if you have some questions about replacements or you need some free fantasy baseball advice, you can always comment here or email me at rotobuzzguy@gmail.com.
For a look at last week’s injury report and the ones from before that, start here at last week’s Bumps and Bruises and keep clicking back from there. You’ll see the links at the bottom of each page.
Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
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