This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland's offensive weapons are dwindling as Opening Day approaches. It started with Francisco Lindor, the team's All-Star shortstop. Lindor sustained a calf strain in early February while gearing up for spring training and has spent the last six weeks rehabbing. He has resumed running the bases at full speed but will start the season on the injured list. The designation shouldn't be seen as a setback as it appears the team is simply opting to provide Lindor ample time to recover to ensure his long-term health. While starting the season without Lindor isn't ideal for fantasy owners, missing games at the start of the season is easier to stomach than watching him rush back only to return to the IL.
Joining Lindor on the IL will be second baseman Jason Kipnis who also strained a calf. Kipnis' injury was classified as a low-grade strain, setting him up for a brief absence. However, it wouldn't be overly shocking to see the team slow play this situation to reduce the risk of re-injury. Like most strains of the lower extremities, calf strains can be tricky to manage and can be easily irritated. If a still recovering muscle is aggravated or restrained, the entire healing process must begin again. Look for Max Moroff and Eric Stamets to fill the middle infield with Lindor and Kipnis sidelined.
It's not just muscle-related injuries that are an issue for Cleveland as third baseman Jose Ramirez was recently carted off the field after taking
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland's offensive weapons are dwindling as Opening Day approaches. It started with Francisco Lindor, the team's All-Star shortstop. Lindor sustained a calf strain in early February while gearing up for spring training and has spent the last six weeks rehabbing. He has resumed running the bases at full speed but will start the season on the injured list. The designation shouldn't be seen as a setback as it appears the team is simply opting to provide Lindor ample time to recover to ensure his long-term health. While starting the season without Lindor isn't ideal for fantasy owners, missing games at the start of the season is easier to stomach than watching him rush back only to return to the IL.
Joining Lindor on the IL will be second baseman Jason Kipnis who also strained a calf. Kipnis' injury was classified as a low-grade strain, setting him up for a brief absence. However, it wouldn't be overly shocking to see the team slow play this situation to reduce the risk of re-injury. Like most strains of the lower extremities, calf strains can be tricky to manage and can be easily irritated. If a still recovering muscle is aggravated or restrained, the entire healing process must begin again. Look for Max Moroff and Eric Stamets to fill the middle infield with Lindor and Kipnis sidelined.
It's not just muscle-related injuries that are an issue for Cleveland as third baseman Jose Ramirez was recently carted off the field after taking a foul ball off his left leg. Fortunately, medical testing on the area revealed he did not suffer a fracture but is instead dealing with a left knee contusion. While the contusion diagnosis should be considered a win, it could still be a problematic injury. Ramirez could still miss time if the injury is to the bone and not just the surrounding soft tissue. Bone contusions involve damage to the outer layer of bone and, while they aren't classified as break, heal in a similar manner. The team remains optimistic about the outcome, and Ramirez is day-to-day. He will not travel with the team for two exhibition games versus the Rangers but will meet up with the Indians in Minnesota. Expect his status for Opening Day to be determined then. Fantasy owners should have a short-term fill-in available in case Ramirez does not play.
The Reds' second baseman is expected to miss a prolonged period after suffering a moderate groin injury. Gennett suffered a groin strain late last week while sliding to field a groundball. The specific grade of the injury was not revealed, though the estimated eight-to-12 weeks of recovery suggest it is at least a Grade 2 strain.
The groin isn't actually an isolated muscle but a group of muscles known as the adductors. Together these muscles pull the leg inward toward the midline of the body in a direction appropriately known as adduction. The adductor muscle group is vital to lateral movement, a necessity for fielding, especially at second base. As a result, it wouldn't be surprising to see Gennett need the full 12 weeks to make a complete recovery.
The setback is a frustrating one for Gennett, who was looking to build on last season's All-Star season. The Reds will shift Jose Peraza to second base to cover for Gennett's absence while Jose Iglesias will play shortstop.
The Yankees' ace will start the season on the IL after developing inflammation in his rotator cuff. Generally inflammation is the result of overuse but can be indicative of something more severe like impingement syndrome or even a tear. While an MRI failed to uncover any structural damage, the team proactively opted to cut Severino off from throwing for two weeks. He also received a cortisone injection. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid and not a pain-reliever, though athletes will often report an improvement in pain levels as the inflammation decreases. Severino has progressively resumed throwing and recently played catch from 60 feet on flat ground. Look for him to continue working his way back the next four to six weeks with an early May return likely. Things could change quickly if he were to suffer any sort of setback but it appears the Yankees were able to get ahead of the issue and prevent it from becoming a more significant injury.
Check Swings
Yu Darvish: The often-injured pitcher plans on being available for the weekend of Chicago's Opening series against the Rangers. Darvish has been battling a blister, though he threw in a minor league game. However, he wore a bandage over the area, something he would not be able to do in the regular season. Darvish remains the Cubs' No. 2 starter, though he continues to carry a sizable degree of inherent injury risk. Fantasy owners should tread cautiously.
Joey Gallo: The hard-hitting Ranger is expected to be ready for the start of the year after suffering a strained groin. He logged multiple at-bats in a minor league game and emerge pain free. Look for him to participate in the team's final two exhibition games. If he continues on his current course look for Gallo to be readily available Opening Day.
Corey Seager: The former All-Star shortstop appears fully recovered from two significant surgeries. Seager underwent procedures to repair the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow and a repair of the labrum in his left hip. Both injuries require extensive rehabs, though Seager has cleared every hurdle in the recovery process. He will enter the year with a fair degree of risk but he's held up well during spring and could be in line for a bounce back campaign. Look for the Dodgers to give him routine days off early in the season to limit the wear-and-tear on his body.
Justin Upton: After battling tendinitis in his right knee for most of the spring, Upton is now dealing with a left toe injury after colliding with the outfield wall. The injury was diagnosed as a big toe sprain, an injury that could threaten his availability for Opening Day. Consider him day-to-day for now but those invested in the outfielder should scale back their expectations for the immediate future.
