This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The Mariners second baseman is staring at a prolonged absence after suffering a broken hand over the weekend. The injury occurred when Cano was struck by a pitch, breaking his fifth metacarpal. The five metacarpals of the hand connect the small carpal bones of the wrist and the long bones of the fingers. The distal ends of the metacarpals form the knuckles of the hand.
The associated recovery time for a fractured metacarpal generally depends on the nature of the break. If the bone shifted following the fracture than surgery is often necessary to insure stability and alignment of the fractured pieces. Conversely, nondisplaced fractures can heal without surgical intervention, though recovery remains measured in weeks not days.
The specific metacarpal injured may also influence Cano's recovery. The fifth metacarpal is more mobile than the second or third metacarpal to allow for additional movement of the pinkie. Unfortunately, this mobility can prolong the recovery process following a break. For example, Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner underwent surgery for a similar injury in late March and has yet to return to action.
Cano is slated to meet with a specialist on Monday, and it sounds like surgery is a strong possibility. Fantasy owners should anticipate the former All Star missing at least four weeks with an additional few weeks added on should surgery be necessary. Veteran Andrew Romine likely will fill in for the immediate future, though it is unlikely he acts as a long-term fantasy solution.
The
The Mariners second baseman is staring at a prolonged absence after suffering a broken hand over the weekend. The injury occurred when Cano was struck by a pitch, breaking his fifth metacarpal. The five metacarpals of the hand connect the small carpal bones of the wrist and the long bones of the fingers. The distal ends of the metacarpals form the knuckles of the hand.
The associated recovery time for a fractured metacarpal generally depends on the nature of the break. If the bone shifted following the fracture than surgery is often necessary to insure stability and alignment of the fractured pieces. Conversely, nondisplaced fractures can heal without surgical intervention, though recovery remains measured in weeks not days.
The specific metacarpal injured may also influence Cano's recovery. The fifth metacarpal is more mobile than the second or third metacarpal to allow for additional movement of the pinkie. Unfortunately, this mobility can prolong the recovery process following a break. For example, Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner underwent surgery for a similar injury in late March and has yet to return to action.
Cano is slated to meet with a specialist on Monday, and it sounds like surgery is a strong possibility. Fantasy owners should anticipate the former All Star missing at least four weeks with an additional few weeks added on should surgery be necessary. Veteran Andrew Romine likely will fill in for the immediate future, though it is unlikely he acts as a long-term fantasy solution.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner is currently battling a case of biceps tendinitis that flared up following his most recent start on May 1. He has been placed on the 10-day disabled list and remains without a definitive timeline.
While it may sounds peculiar that a biceps injury could be so impactful, it's important to know that the biceps is more than the muscle associated with flexing. The biceps muscle is actually a two-headed muscle that plays a role in bending the elbow and turning the palm of the hand upward in a motion known as supination. While the biceps' attachment to the forearm makes these motions possible, it's the muscle's origin that can be a bigger issue for pitchers.
The proximal heads of the biceps each connect to a specific region of the shoulder blade. The shorter tendon attaches to a prominence known as the coracoid while the long head actually runs within the cavity of the ball-and-socket joint (the glenohumeral joint) of the shoulder. The long head anchors to the supraglenoid tubercle and stabilizes the humeral head while throwing. The tendon of the long head of the biceps exits the cavity through the bicipital groove of the humerus. Unfortunately, this narrow indention makes the tendon particularly vulnerable to impingement and inflammation.
Once biceps tendinitis develops, the affected individual may report pain or prolonged fatigue. As a result, a pitcher may experience a dip in velocity or lose command of his pitches. Because biceps tendinitis is often an overuse injury, mild cases can be treated with rest and anti-inflammatory medication. Steroid injections may also be utilized if the symptoms persist.
Kershaw's injury appears mild, and the Dodgers ace has already resumed playing catch on consecutive days. Still Los Angeles has taken a conservative approach with Kershaw's health in recent seasons and likely will proceed with caution now. Look for Kershaw to miss at least another week and don't be surprised if the recovery continues through the end of the month.
Check Swings
Adrian Beltre: In my previous injury column, I warned of the fickle nature of hamstring injuries. Two weeks later, Beltre is proving my forewarnings were warranted. The veteran slugger is expected to return to the DL after suffering another hamstring injury. Beltre missed 12 games in late April and early May with a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring. On Sunday, Beltre was removed from the team's 6-1 loss to the Astros after an ill-fated attempt to tag out a base runner. The new injury is on the same leg but is reportedly in a different location of the muscle. Look for Texas to be without his services for at least the next two weeks.
Yu Darvish: The Cubs are set to welcome back Darvish after the 31-year-old pitch missed time with parainfluenza. Parainfluenza is caused by a virus that often affects the respiratory system. Despite the name, human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) vary from the viruses that cause a "normal" influenza (flu) infection. HPIVs are more common in infants and young children, but can spread to adults. The virus appears to have run its course, and Darvish is expected to take the mound on Tuesday. I'll be keeping a close eye on his performance to see if there are any lingering side effects from his bout with the illness.
Carlos Martinez: The St. Louis right-hander has been placed on the 10-day DL with a right latissimus (lat) dorsi strain. Like Kershaw's biceps injury, Martinez's injury is likely a shoulder injury masquerading as something else. The lat does indeed run along the thoracic region of the spine and play a role in both side and backward bending of the lower back. However, the lat also attaches to the humerus and is utilized in multiple shoulder movements including extension, internal rotation and horizontal abduction. As a result, fantasy owners should prepare for a prolonged absence. Martinez currently isn't taking part in any type of physical activity and will need to make real progress before he resumes throwing.
George Springer: The Astros All-Star center fielder is expected back in the lineup Monday after sitting out the weekend. Springer hasn't played since being struck in the elbow by a stray Cole Hamels fastball. The injury was officially diagnosed as a contusion and isn't considered serious. Feel free to utilize him as you would normally.
Adam Wainwright: The veteran pitcher's return from the DL didn't even last three innings as Wainwright aggravated his prior elbow injury. The injury had been previously described as elbow inflammation that first surfaced in late April. It's currently hard to trust the former All Star especially considering his age, career workload and injury history. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere.
