This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The Boston Red Sox
A widespread illness has ravaged the Red Sox to start the season. Multiple Boston players, including Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts, Joe Kelly and Mitch Moreland, have surrendered to the illness. Andrew Benintendi appeared to have joined the list Saturday when he began vomiting during the team's loss to the Tigers. Ramirez, as well as reliever Robbie Ross Jr, tested positive for influenza with Ross being sent to the 10-day disabled list. Influenza (the flu) is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system and can lead to a wide assortment of symptoms including fever, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and fatigue. Because the flu is a virus, antibiotics are not an option. Instead, an antiviral drug like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) may be taken as well as multiple over-the-counter medications to address specific symptoms. However, time is still a necessary requirement of recuperation in order for the medication to kick in and for the affected individual to recover from the aftereffects of their specific symptoms.
Most Red Sox players wisely opted to receive a flu vaccination prior to the start of the season. However, studies have shown these vaccines only reduce the risk by 50 to 60 percent, as multiple strains of the flu virus can circulate at one time. Late last week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released data revealing a sudden increase in influenza B. To further cloud the situation, an infected person can be contagious for up to one week after
The Boston Red Sox
A widespread illness has ravaged the Red Sox to start the season. Multiple Boston players, including Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts, Joe Kelly and Mitch Moreland, have surrendered to the illness. Andrew Benintendi appeared to have joined the list Saturday when he began vomiting during the team's loss to the Tigers. Ramirez, as well as reliever Robbie Ross Jr, tested positive for influenza with Ross being sent to the 10-day disabled list. Influenza (the flu) is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system and can lead to a wide assortment of symptoms including fever, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and fatigue. Because the flu is a virus, antibiotics are not an option. Instead, an antiviral drug like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) may be taken as well as multiple over-the-counter medications to address specific symptoms. However, time is still a necessary requirement of recuperation in order for the medication to kick in and for the affected individual to recover from the aftereffects of their specific symptoms.
Most Red Sox players wisely opted to receive a flu vaccination prior to the start of the season. However, studies have shown these vaccines only reduce the risk by 50 to 60 percent, as multiple strains of the flu virus can circulate at one time. Late last week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released data revealing a sudden increase in influenza B. To further cloud the situation, an infected person can be contagious for up to one week after displaying symptoms. This is particularly problematic in professional sports as locker rooms often breed germs and other pathogens. Team planes and buses also force teammates into close proximity with one another, further increasing exposure to potential illness. The fact that Red sox play-by-play announcer Dave O'Brien and several members of the coaching staff have also succumb to the flu further illustrates how easily the pathogen can be transmitted.
Betts and Moreland have returned to the lineup and should be employed as usual. Benintendi was also in the lineup Sunday, suggesting he may be fine moving forward as well. Ramirez could return Tuesday when the Red Sox return to Fenway, but he may need some time to return to top form. Tread cautiously with all other Boston players until the team proves it has moved past the circulating illness and no other cases emerge.
Jackie Bradley Jr.
Bradley is dealing with an injury, not the flu, and could be headed for the 10-day DL. The Boston outfielder suffered a sprained right knee Sunday after slipping while rounding the bases. The fall left Bradley with an inflamed joint capsule and sprained ligament. The exact ligament involved wasn't specified. Bradley is set to meet with team physicians to determine the next step in treatment. While the flu bug has left Boston thin, the team will still consider a DL stint for Bradley if it's deemed the best route for a complete recovery. He won't play Monday, and those in weekly formats should look elsewhere for now.
The Angels right-hander is already on the DL though it's not his previously torn elbow ligament that's the current problem. Richards suffered a mild biceps strain last week though the injury was initially diagnosed as a cramp.
The progression of the diagnosis isn't uncommon. Cramps are common in all sports, especially with fatigue and dehydration. However, occasionally the actual injury is a strain caused by an overstretching of the tissue or the cramping itself. The primary difference is a strain leaves the fibers or microfibers of the muscle tissue damaged and in need of repair. The Angels believe the strain is a low-grade or mild strain and are optimistic Richards can be back in action by Sunday, April 16.
However, the injury is yet another medical red flag for Richards who opted for stem-cell treatment on his torn UCL rather than surgery. Any issue on his throwing arm could offset his normal mechanics and put undue stress on his elbow. Don't be surprised if Richards spends more than 10 days on the DL to insure his long-term health.
The Yankees catcher is also dealing with a biceps injury that occurred when he hyperextended his elbow. The biceps is a two-joint muscle, crossing both the shoulder and the elbow. The two-headed muscle originates at the shoulder blade and extends down the forearm before anchoring to the radius. This design allows the biceps to play a role in multiple motions, including raising the arm (shoulder flexion) and bending the elbow (elbow flexion). Muscles are often strained when they are stretched past their yield point in the direction opposite their functional movement. Based on this pattern, it appears Sanchez' problem is to the distal end of the biceps near the elbow. As a result, the hard-hitting 24-year old is having issues raising his forearm. This is a big limiting factor for any baseball player, but especially hard on catchers. Consequently, Sanchez will likely need more than 10 days to return to action. Austin Romine has taken over the primary catcher responsibilities but remains a limited fantasy option.
Check Swings
Greg Bird: Bird's troublesome right ankle contusion appears to have improved but he's now battling a flu bug of his own. The combination of ailments will keep him out of the lineup Monday, though the Yankees are optimistic he will be back Wednesday after an off day on Tuesday. Bird's return would send Chris Carter back to the bench.
Josh Donaldson: The Jays third baseman irritated his previously strained calf over the weekend but is hopeful he will be fine by Tuesday. Donaldson missed a significant portion of spring training after straining his right calf and appeared to aggravate the problem while running to first base. Despite Donaldson's best attempts to downplay the issue, the situation serves as a clear reminder of the fickleness of lower extremity muscle injuries. Make sure you have a reliable insurance policy handy in case this problem proves to be more than simple tightness.
Trea Turner: The 23-year-old speedster didn't play Sunday after straining his hamstring on Saturday. Like the biceps, the hamstring muscle group impacts two joints. It plays a role in both knee and hip motion, particularly in explosive movement. Any injury to this area can drastically impact a player's performance, especially players dependent on their speed. Hamstring strains can also be slow to heal and are often easily aggravated. As a result, look for Turner's short-term value to take a hit even if he is able to return in a few days.
