This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
MLB teams across the league have been upgrading their medical staffs in recent seasons, expanding their ranks to include physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, sports scientists and countless other health-related positions. These groups are designed to not only treat injuries when they inevitably occur but also work toward building a complex injury prevention protocol. Sadly, even the best care possible cannot completely eliminate the risk of injury, especially in a sport where a stray foul ball or pitch can prove devastating. This was particularly apparent last week as multiple players missed time due to rogue baseballs.
The Red Sox outfielder missed Sunday's contest against the Royals after fouling pitches off his left and right leg. The two incidents left the MLB home run leader nursing a sore left calf and a sore right foot. Based on its description, the injury to his left leg is a muscle contusion that should be fine with the extra rest. The foot problem is a bit less clear, though the team is downplaying the severity and expects Martinez back in the lineup for Monday's home game against the Rangers. Keep him in your lineups for the week ahead.
Hernandez did not start either of Philadelphia's weekend outings after fouling a ball of his foot on Friday. The injury is seemingly minor, as Hernandez did have a plate appearance in Saturday's win over the Pirates. He's expected back Monday when the team partakes in a doubleheader in New York against the
MLB teams across the league have been upgrading their medical staffs in recent seasons, expanding their ranks to include physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, sports scientists and countless other health-related positions. These groups are designed to not only treat injuries when they inevitably occur but also work toward building a complex injury prevention protocol. Sadly, even the best care possible cannot completely eliminate the risk of injury, especially in a sport where a stray foul ball or pitch can prove devastating. This was particularly apparent last week as multiple players missed time due to rogue baseballs.
The Red Sox outfielder missed Sunday's contest against the Royals after fouling pitches off his left and right leg. The two incidents left the MLB home run leader nursing a sore left calf and a sore right foot. Based on its description, the injury to his left leg is a muscle contusion that should be fine with the extra rest. The foot problem is a bit less clear, though the team is downplaying the severity and expects Martinez back in the lineup for Monday's home game against the Rangers. Keep him in your lineups for the week ahead.
Hernandez did not start either of Philadelphia's weekend outings after fouling a ball of his foot on Friday. The injury is seemingly minor, as Hernandez did have a plate appearance in Saturday's win over the Pirates. He's expected back Monday when the team partakes in a doubleheader in New York against the Mets. Hernandez has been a pleasant fantasy find so far this season and should be reinserted into lineups for the week ahead.
Ohtani was yet another hitter limited by an errant foul ball. The Angels rookie didn't start Sunday after fouling a ball of his right knee on Saturday. Fortunately, the problem appears to be a non-issue, as he belted a solo home run in his lone plate appearance. The home run was a much-needed hit for a hitter who has struggled since return from a prolonged absence. Ohtani missed nearly a month after suffering a moderate sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing arm. He hasn't been cleared to pitch but did return to hitting after the elbow showed signs of progress after the team turned to PRP injections instead of Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, the dynamic bat hasn't been there as he gone three for 17 since being activated. Fantasy owners will need to continue to display patience with the phenom, especially those hoping to see him back on the mound soon.
The Dodgers right-hander completed a simulated game on Sunday and didn't report any problems with his previously fractured rib. Buehler hasn't pitched since being struck by a Trevor Story line drive on May 21. He went on to make three additional starts before pain in the area returned, making it difficult for him to breathe. Additional testing revealed a small crack in the bone, sending him to the 10-day disabled list. It isn't uncommon for initial medical imaging of a rib injury to come back negative. Sometimes the fracture is so small it won't be apparent until healing has begun. As a result, rib fractures can go unnoticed or misdiagnosed. Multiple players including Jacoby Ellsbury and David Dahl have dealt with similar injuries, often resulting in a delayed recovery process. Fortunately, Buehler appears to be improving and is slated to record at least one start prior to the All-Star break. He will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday before determining where in the rotation that start will fall.
Check Swings
Ronald Acuna: The Braves' top prospect was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup after manager Brian Snitker was originally "leaning toward" having him play. However, the team opted to give Acuna extra time off to rest his tight left groin. With the Braves slated to take a scheduled day off on Monday, Acuna will now have three consecutive days to recuperate. As a result, he should be able to play Tuesday against the Blue Jays. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta limits his work on the base path considering he has now injured his left leg twice this season. He previously missed time with a sprained left ACL.
Andrew Miller: Don't expect Miller back until after the All-Star break. The Indians reliever hasn't pitched since late May due to right knee inflammation. However, he's showing his first signs of improvement, completing a 20-pitch bullpen session over the weekend. Miller is slated to throw from the mound again on Monday and then to live batters by the end of the week. If all goes according to plan, look for Miller to head out on a rehab assignment around the All-Star break.
Yadier Molina: Molina didn't play over the weekend due to the lingering effects of a "stinger" in his right shoulder. A stinger or burner is a nerve-related injury that often occurs after the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves in the neck and shoulder region, is over stretched. The injury is often accompanied by pain that radiates down into the arm and hand. Some individuals will also report weakness in the area and/or numbness. Usually the symptoms resolve quickly but occasionally they may linger. Rest remains the best treatment option, though modalities like ice, manual therapy or electrical stimulation may help. Look for Molina to return to action as soon as the symptoms subside, which could easily be as early as Tuesday against the White Sox.
Yasiel Puig: The Dodgers fear Puig's oblique injury will require a DL stint, although an MRI is still pending. Puig strained his right oblique during Sunday's game against the crosstown rival Angels. As mentioned multiple times in this column, the human body is equipped with two sets of oblique muscles on either side of the rib cage. Each set is made up of two groups: the internal obliques and external obliques. The muscles on one side contract with the other group on the opposite side to complete trunk rotation. For example, the right internal obliques contract along with the left external obliques when a left-handed player attempts to throw a ball or swing a bat. Expected recovery is often two to three weeks, although most cases appear to take longer. The future testing will reveal the severity of the damage, though Puig owners will want to enter the week with a replacement in mind.
