With all of the injuries that we’ve seen over the first few weeks of the 2010 MLB season, I feel like this particular column should be updated on a weekly basis in order to keep you fantasy baseball junkies current with the hopes of keeping your lineups stacked and your benches filled with guys on the mend that will have a significant fantasy impact when they return. Some guys, such as Brandon Webb, for example, don’t need to be listed each and every time since they’ll be out a lot longer than others, but for the day to day bumps and bruises and the re-instatements from the DL, you should be reading the most current news to help you formulate your fantasy baseball strategies and week to week game plans. We should see some significant player movement in the coming weeks, so staying on top of it all is paramount to your success. Here’s what the current triage unit looks like today…
Arizona Diamondbacks
Miguel Montero, C — While he’ll still be out until late May, Montero got a second opinion on his surgically repaired right knee and seems optimistic about his recovery. He says he feels great, but we, of course, need to take that with a grain of salt. Most guys on the mend say that. But, it does give his owners hope that, when he does return, he can pick up where he left off last season. I’m still a bit skeptical of how much playing time he’ll be able to provide considering it was a partially torn meniscus and he needs to squat behind the plate for 9 innings, but we’ll wait and see.
Mark Reynolds, 3B — The sink or swim third base slugger is considered day to day with a strained quadriceps muscle and was out of the lineup for yesterday’s series finale against the Cardinals. The injury is said not to be serious, so he should be back in the lineup for the weekend series against the Phillies. Keep monitoring his status for fantasy baseball leagues that allow daily lineup moves.
Conor Jackson, OF — What a bummer for those that were able to steal Jackson late in their fantasy baseball drafts based on his non-existent numbers from 2009. He was really settling into the leadoff spot and was 6 for his last 15 before a strained hamstring landed him on the DL. The club doesn’t think he will require the full 15 days to recover but made the move so not to be shorthanded in their upcoming series against the Cardinals, Phillies and Rockies. Atleast it’s not valley fever again.
Atlanta Braves
No major injuries to report
Baltimore Orioles
Brian Roberts, 2B — The Orioles second baseman has finally been cleared to do light exercises and will have his back checked by a specialist again on Sunday. He’s still on pace for an early May return so continue to stash him away on your bench. Ty Wigginton still looks like a decent fill-in.
Miguel Tejada, 3B — Miggy has now missed four straight games with a strained hip adductor, but is supposed to return Friday for the series against the Red Sox. Manager Dave Trembley said he’s at about 90% right now. Check his status before tomorrow’s game before activating him again, but he looks to be a safe play this weekend.
Felix Pie, OF — Just when you thought that long anticipated breakout was coming…BAM!! A strained muscle in his upper back, which an MRI revealed to be more serious than first reported, lands Pie on the DL. The recovery time is apparently 3 months, so Pie was transferred to the 60 day DL and won’t be back until late July. The beneficiaries here are Nolan Reimold owners who have been waiting on him to perform like he did last year. It might not happen, but they can hope.
Boston Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF — Anyone who’s had bruised ribs can tell you that the pain can be excrutiating at times. Even a sneeze can bring tears to your eyes. But now reports are coming in that he has 4 cracked (fractured) ribs, not just bruised. Ellsbury was placed on the DL retroactive to April 12th and is eligible to return on the 27th in Toronto, but that could be pushed back now that we know the injury is more severe than first reported.
Mike Cameron, OF — What started off as kidney stones has now turned into a full blown DL stint with an abdominal strain. What’s worse is that they’re speculating a possible sports hernia which may require surgery and keep Cameron on the shelf longer than expected. He was supposed to be back by mid-May, but he’s being re-evaluated in a week. If suregy is required, he could be out a lot longer. Jeremy Hermida remains a great pick up if he’s still available.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP — Dice-K is on rehab assignment in Triple-A and is expected to return to Boston’s rotation sometime next week. No word yet as to whether it will be Tim Wakefield or Clay Buchholz who gets bumped from the rotation, but my money is on Wake.
Chicago Cubs
Ted Lilly, SP — With all of the craziness on the North Side which includes a demotion to the pen for Carlos Zambrano and Lou Pinella’s blind confidence in Carlos Silva, Lilly’s return will be a most welcomed event. His rehab work is finished and he is expected to make his season debut on April 24th in Milwaukee. Conventional wisdom says to keep him on the bench for a start to make sure, but considering his modest success in Miller Park (2-1, 3.75), you might want to take the chance.
Chicago White Sox
No major injuries to report
Cincinnati Reds
No major injuries to report but this affords me the opportunity to call Edinson Volquez a juice-head and applaud his suspension.
Cleveland Indians
Now that Russell Branyan is back in the lineup, the only injury is still to Kerry Wood, but what else is new?
Colorado Rockies
No new major injuries to report. Huston Street is still the bane of most fantasy owners’ existence.
Detroit Tigers
No major injuries to report
Florida Marlins
No major injuries to report
Houston Astros
For whatever it’s worth, Lance Berkman is back, but the team put 3B Chris Johnson on the DL with a strained intercostal muscle. He should be back by mid-May.
Kansas City Royals
Welcome back, Alex Gordon…..for now atleast.
Chris Getz, 2B – Getz was put on the DL with a strained oblique and should be out until atleast mid-May. When healthy, he’s an average option for cheap steals, but nothing to warrant a DL spot right now. Alberto Callaspo will get the everyday at bats still which keeps him as a modest AL-only option.
Los Angeles Angels
Jeff Mathis, C — This was one of the bigger stories this week as Mathis will be sidelined until atleast late May/early June with a fractured bone in hi shand. Big news for frustrated Mike Napoli owners as he will now get the regular playing time and a chance to prove Mike Scioscia wrong about his benching. If for some inane reason no one picked him up the other day, grab him for some good power behind the dish.
Los Angeles Dodgers
No major injuries to report
Milwaukee Brewers
No major injuries to report
Minnesota Twins
Nick Punto, 3B — Punto has been sidelined with a groin strain over the last few days, but apparently it’s not serious enough to land him on the DL. He’s out of the lineup today, but coul dbe back this weekend.
New York Mets
No new injuries to report
New York Yankees
Chan Ho Park, RP — Park is on the 15 day DL with a hamstring issue, but that could really be a blessing in disguise. He’s eligible to return in mid-May.
Oakland A’s
Mark Ellis, 2B — Ellis was just placed on the 15 day DL with a strained left hamstring and isn’t eligible to return until May 5th. Adam Rosales will take his place at second for now and may be worth a look in AL-only leagues. I liked Rosales in Cincy last year, and he does have some good power potential…if the A’s are on a road trip, that is.
Travis Buck, OF — The perpetual 4th outfielder lands on the disabled list with a starined oblique and is out until atleast mid-May. I don’t think he, nor his .219 average, will be missed by anyone.
Philadelphia Phillies
Placido Polanco, 3B — Polanco left the game the other day after getting plunked in the elbow. He might sit for a game, but appears to be fine for this weekend. He’s become a solid NL-only option and can also help out in mixed leagues as well.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Bobby Crosby, SS — He’s considered day to day with a shoulder issue and probably won’t be available for today’s game. Good news for Jeff Clement owners who’ve watched Crosby poach a few starts at first recently.
Andy LaRoche, 3B — The little LaRoche is doubtful for today’s game versus Milwaukee but seems to be fine for the weekend. Keep an eye on it though, because if he gets any more flare ups, the clock on Pedro Alvarez’ arrival could start ticking again.
San Diego Padres
No new injuries to report
San Francisco Giants
Aaron Rowand, OF — After getting hit in the face with a pitch a few days ago, Rowand is lucky that he only suffered from a pair of minor cheekbone fractures. He’s on the DL until mid-May but should return to the lineup and the leadoff spot shortly thereafter.
Seattle Mariners
Milton Bradley, OF — Whaaat?? Milton Bradley hurt?? No way!!! OK, enough of the sarcasm. Bradley is dealing with a calf strain right now but is hopeful to make it back in time for this weekend’s series against the White Sox. Keep checking on his status is you need him in your lineup.
Cliff Lee, SP — Looks like April 30th is the new target date now that the suspension has been lifted. Lee will make a Triple-A rehab start this weekend and should be ready to go after that.
St. Louis Cardinals
No major injuries to report
Tampa Bay Rays
No new injuries to report
Texas Rangers
No new injuries to report except that Nelson Cruz is still day to day with this hamstring issue.
Toronto Blue Jays
Welcome back Aaron Hill (tomorrow). You got some work to do to make it up to your owners, buddy.
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B — The oft-injured third sacker finds himself on the DL yet again, this time with a sore shoulder. He’s been very inconsistent at the plate, so his owners probably won’t miss him too much. Looks like Jose Bautista will get the bulk of the playing time now and, if he hits like he did this spring, he could push Encarnacion to the bench for a lot longer.
Brian Tallet, SP — Tallet joins the rest of th estaff on the DL with a forearm strain and won’t be eligible to return until mid-May. Doesn’t look like anyone will be missing him too much.
Washington Nationals
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B — He wa day to day last week with a hamstring problem but was supposed to avoid the DL. Unfortunately, Zim left last night’s game with cramping in that same hamstring which could leave his status for this weekend in doubt. No word on the severity yet or whether he might need a DL stint, so if you’re relying on him, find an alternative hot corner option for a few days. Alberto Gonzalez will take his place but he has almost no fantasy upside.
If you missed last week’s installment and want to see about some of the older injuris not listed, then just click here for last weeks’ Bumps and Bruises.
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