OK folks. Time for this week’s MLB injury updates and what kind of fantasy baseball impact the latest bumps and bruises may have on your roster. There’s nothing too outlandish here….thankfully, so I won’t waste your time with a lengthy introduction. Let’s just get down to it…
Arizona Diamondbacks
No new injuries to report
Atlanta Braves
While there are no new injuries to report, the Braves have a pair of guys on the mend that should be heading back to your lineup shortly. SS Yunel Escobar is set to return from the DL this Saturday, the 15th, and should slot right back into the lineup. With a little luck, he’s used this time to not only get healthy but to remember how to hit like I had hoped.
The other guy coming back is Jair Jurrjens, but that’s possibly got a small glitch. He is slated to return on the 18th, but after having a setback during his rehab, he might be out a little longer. He’s going in for an MRI when the Braves return home so we’ll know more then, however, hearing a “pop” in your hamstring is never good. NL-only leaguers may want to take a look at Kris Medlen.
Baltimore Orioles
No new injuries to report
Boston Red Sox
Josh Beckett, SP — After tweaking his back during batting practice (interleague coming soon) the Sox righty will skip his start on Friday and possibly return Monday the 17th against the Yankees. While this could put him in line to be a two start pitcher next week, he’s been erratic enough to warrant benching until he turns things around.
On a positive note for the Sox, it looks like Mike Cameron is doing well in his Triple-A rehab assignment and may return this weekend against Detroit. With Cameron back and Jeremy Hermida returning from a sore quad, it looks like Darnell McDonald’s and Bill Hall’s playing time will disappear.
Chicago Cubs
Ryan Theriot, SS/2B — So close to getting that second base eligibility locked down, but it may have to wait a few more games. He’s battling a sore hamstring and is being considered questionable for this weekend against the Pirates. Looks like Mike Fontenot should get a couple of games against some weak Pittsburgh pitching.
Chicago White Sox
Andruw Jones, OF/DH — He was a late scratch for yesterday’sd game because of a stiff neck and is now being listed as questionable for the weekend as well. I don’t think it will keep him out the whole time, so just check back on his status if you can make daily roster moves.
Cincinnati Reds
No new injuries to report
Cleveland Indians
No new injuries to report
Colorado Rockies
Troy Tulowitzki, SS — Apparently Tulo’s quad injury wasn’t serious enough to land him on the DL, but it has kept him out of the lineup the last few games and could still force him out this weekend. He was supposedly ready to go on Wednesday, but he was held out because of the cold weather. Looks like he’s going to be a day to day thing through the weekend, so keep checking his status before setting your lineup. Weekly lineup folk should be fine to activate him for the next scoring period, barring any setbacks.
Franklin Morales, RP — Well, not that he had been performing as well as we’d like, but atleast he was getting the save opps…until now. A shoulder injury has landed Morales on the DL atleast until the end of May, possibly longer. Manny Corpas should be getting the opportunities for now, but with Huston Street supposedly on target for the 25th of May, his tenure as closer will be short lived.
Other Rockies on the mend that could be back as early as next week include Jeff Francis and Jason Hammel. Both pitchers could have a little upside, but I don’t see either worth picking up until they have a quality start or two under their belt.
Detroit Tigers
No new injuries to report
Florida Marlins
Cameron Maybin, OF — He’s considered day to day after hurting his wrist after crashing into the wall at Wrigley Field. The injury is not considered serious so he might just be out for another game or two.
Houston Astros
No new injuries to report
Kansas City Royals
No new injuries to report but it looks like Rick Ankiel is right on track with returning early next week.
Los Angeles Angels
Maicer Izturis, 2B — After experiencing inflammation and soreness in his shoulder, Izturis landed on the DL and looks to be out until the end of May. He’s a bench guy and spot starter in the infield, so hi scalue is pretty limited unless injuries befall some of the other Angels.
Los Angeles Dodgers
No new injuries to report unless for some crazy reason you care about Charlie Haeger. He’s on the DL with a heel injury, but if you’re even the least bit concerned, then I’m sure your fantasy baseball team has much bigger problems than just Haeger.
On a good note, it looks like SS Rafael Furcal is expected back this weekend. He’s on a Class-A rehab assignment and should be ready to go against the Padres on Friday.
Milwaukee Brewers
Ryan Braun, OF — He’s considered questionable for this weekend, but after missing yesterday’s game with a sore elbow (hit by a pitch) and with Thursday being a day off, I think he’ll be good to go. I wouldn’t be overly concerned.
Carlos Gomez, OF — After missing most of thisweek with that continued sore shoulder, the Brewers finally put Gomez on the DL. It’s not to serious and he isn’t expected to be out longer than the standard 15 days. He’s eligible to return on the 19th of May.
LaTroy Hawkins, RP — The same shoulder injury from Spring Training is back and Hawkins ends up on the DL. The move may have been retroactive to the 7th of May, but it looks like he could be out even longer. We’ll know more after results from his stregth tests are in.
Minnesota Twins
No new injuries to report
New York Mets
Luis Castillo, 2B — A bone bruise in his foot kept him out of the lineup on Wednesday and it looks like he may miss a game or two this weekend as well. Consider him day to day with Alex Cora getting a few games in over at second.
New York Yankees
Nick Johnson, 1B/DH — Come on now…what’s a fantasy baseball season without a trip to the DL for Nick the Stick? And MRI revealed inflammation of a tendon in his wrist and will likely keep him out until atleast the end of May, possibly even longer. He wasn’t off to the greatest start to begin with and this latest injury is yet a little more icing on the cake for Johnson owners. You were all warned. Between the Curtis Granderson injury and this, it could mean even more playing time for Marcus Thames and Randy Winn.
Alfredo Aceves, RP — A key middle relief guy for the Yankees who has some value in AL-only leagues, Aceves hit the DL with a back strain. The injury is not expected to keep him out longer than the regular 15 days, so expect to see him by the end of the month.
Nick Swisher, OF — Just a day to day thing and the Yankees are being cautious considering thhe depleted state of their outfield. He should be back and ready to go for the weekend series against Minnesota.
Oakland A’s
No new injuries to report, but good news for Kurt Suzuki owners as he is likely to reurn this weekend.
Philadelphia Phillies
Brian Schneider, C – So the Phils’ back-up catcher hits the DL with a sore Achilles…not a good injury for a guy who squats behind the plate. Fantasy-wise it’s not a huge deal, however, with Carlos Ruiz also banged up and possibly out for a game or two this weekend, it appears that 3rd stringer Paul Hoover may get a start or two. Not that he’s worth picking up…
Brad Lidge, RP — Easy come, easy go. Looks like Jose Contreras could have a little value after all. Lidge was sent back to Philly to go meet with doctors to examine and discuss his latest elbow troubles. If it’s just regular soreness, then a day or two off might do the trick, but if it’s more than that, then he could be headed back to the DL again. We’ll just have to wait and see, but it wouldn’t hurt to have Contreras as a fallback option.
Also, be on the lookout for Jimmy Rollins next week. It appears the shortstop should be back by Monday or Tuesday.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Ronny Cedeno, SS — Nothing major, but a possibility that Cedeno will miss some time this weekend with a sore wrist. Nothing a game or two off won’t help. Bobby Crosby will likely take over at short for a game or two until Cedeno is ready to go again.
San Diego Padres
Tim Stauffer, SP — He was getting some good work as a fill in for the banged up and grief-stricken rotation (Chris Young still on the mends and Kevin Correia is on the bereavement list after the death of his brother), but that comes to an end right now as an emergency appendectomy has shelved Stauffer until atleast mid to late June. Probably not even worth stashing away, as he’ll likely be available on the waiver wire in a month or so if you feel the need to own him.
San Francisco Giants
Mark DeRosa, 3B/OF – The wrist has been a trouble spot for DeRosa, especially since having offseason surgery, but now the flare up could land him on the DL. He’s being re-evaluated as we speak, but it looks like he will be out for the weekend and likely more beyond that. Andres Torres could see an increase in playing time over the next few days.
Freddy Sanchez, 2B — Just keeping you all posted that he’s on his Triple-A rehab assignment and could actually be back by early next week. With Edgar Renteria possibly back by the end of next week, Juan Uribe owners are going to have to prepare themselves for a decrease in playing time.
Seattle Mariners
Franklin Gutierrez , OF — Back spasms have sidelined the outfielder, but it doesn’t look like anything serious. He should be good to go for the upcoming weekend.
Ken Griffey, Jr., DH — Narcolepsy? Has to be. Couldn’t just be old age, could it?
St. Louis Cardinals
No new injuries to report
Tampa Bay Rays
No new injuries to report
Texas Rangers
Matt Harrison, SP — Biceps tendenitis has put the Texas hurler on the DL, but he should be back by the end of the month. Derrek Holland was brought up to replace him and may be worth a flier in AL-only leagues. Nothing huge, but possibly a decent stopgap.
In addition, it should be noted that slugging outfielder Nelson Cruz is on the mend and is expected to return to the lineup this weekend. Adjust your rosters accordingly.
Toronto Blue Jays
No new injuries to report, although 2B Aaron Hill is still battling his hamstring issue. He’s listed as questionable for this coming weekend, so get yourself a contingency plan if he sits. Perhaps he was brought back a little too soon.
Washington Nationals
No new injuries to report
Looking for other injured guys that aren’t here? They were likely hurt a while ago, so check with last week’s Bumps and Bruises and you’ll be able to keep clicking back at the bottom of each post until you find who you’re looking for.
That’s about it for right now. Make sure you make all the necessary roster adjustments for this weekend and beyond. And as always, for the best in free fantasy baseball advice, you can post in the comments section here or just email me at rotobuzzguy@gmail.com.
Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
Loading ...