I will keep this short and to the point, since I have still yet to pack my bags for my trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida:
Clint Barmes sprained his right knee while sliding into Jose Reyes at second base in the latter innings of Friday’s game against the Mets. There was no initial report as to the severity, so we will have to keep tabs on this over the weekend. Barmes has been playing extremely well thus far in 2008, and with second base eligibility in most leagues, he is worth rostering if he is healthy. He is always a good bet to hit well when at home.
John Smoltz is reportedly going on a rehab assignment before returning to Atlanta in a relief role. Regardless of which delivery he chooses to use, there is no question that his Rotator Cuff and Biceps Tendon are nearing the end of their respective shelf lives. The second he notches a save upon return, I say sell, sell, sell!
The Dodgers continue to deal with injuries to their big-name players. Andruw Jones is nursing a partially torn meniscus in his right knee that will likely need surgery. He should just shut it down, get the surgery, and return in late June or early July. He is not helping the club right now. Rafael Furcal was expected back for Friday night’s game, but did not start due to stiffness in his low back . Consider him day to day for the time being. Nomar Garciappara is leaving Doctors dumbfounded as to the reason for his recurring calf problems, having yet to receive a diagnosis. Compartment syndrome has been brought up as a possible causative factor - this is the same thing that sidelined Noah Lowry. He required surgical decompression of the swollen muscle compartments.
Fausto Carmona injured his left hip tonight while covering first base, and was unable to return to the game. This seems to be a muscular injury upon initial impression, but we will have to wait and see what the medical staff says. He has to be considered day to day, but a notable muscle strain would send him to the 15-day DL.
Ryan Church is suffering from headaches and dizziness following his second concussion in less than three months. Obviously, the Mets will take things very slow with the outfielder and make sure that he has no concussion-like symptoms prior to returning to action. Church at least is able to maintain a sense of humor during this difficult situation. Said Church, in reference to his recent flight to Denver: "I was looking down the cabin, and everything was moving like a knuckleball. I was looking for a barf bag, but I didn’t blow chunks."
Eric Gagne, will not be the Brewers closer due for the next couple weeks due to his recent injury. He is suffering from what was diagnosed as right rotator cuff tendonitis. Obviously, we do not want anyone to be hurt, but owners of Salomon Torres are secretly rejoicing.
Hank Blalock has been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in his right wrist. This is a peculiar diagnosis, in my opinion - especially after having surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) in the same arm in the recent past, as well as being involved in a car accident in which he sustained whiplash to the Cervical spine.
Is it possible that he does, in fact, have CTS? Sure it is. Given his history, he might also be suffering from some proximal nerve compression issues (either at the neck or in the Brachial Plexus) stemming from the aforementioned injury and surgery.
Double Crush Syndrome occurs when a more proximal nerve compression or irritation lessens the threshold for pain and irritation of the distal aspects of the nerve (in this case, wrist at the Carpal Tunnel).
CTS is commonly misdiagnosed. In a large percentage of cases of people with CTS, a more proximal Cervical pathology is also present (some sources say over 70%). What we need to know is the location of his symptoms, i.e. is the pain/numbness in certain fingers or one side of the hand or the other. CTS affects mainly the palmar aspect of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and sometimes the medial half of the ring finger (and dorsal tips of fingers 1-4). If the symptoms are not in these areas, then it is not CTS.
In any event, regardless of diagnosis, a nerve problem is not something that goes away in a couple of days, as they are suggesting. Can you say, "return to the DL?" So much for Blalock being a sleeper in ‘08.
Enjoy your Memorial Day, everyone!
(above photo from Amercian Chiropractic Clinic Vietnam website)
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[…] The Disabled List Informer (a fantasy baseball blog written by a Physical Therapist) offers this analysis: Hank Blalock has been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in his right wrist. This is a peculiar diagnosis, in my opinion - especially after having surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) in the same arm in the recent past, as well as being involved in a car accident in which he sustained whiplash to the Cervical spine. […]
[…] Hank Blalock underwent a Carpal Tunnel release today on his ailing right wrist, in an attempt to alleviate compression of the Median nerve as it passes through the Carpal Tunnel in the crease of the wrist. The surgery will ultimately alleviate his symptoms, but they may continue for a short while postoperatively. He will likely be placed in a splint for a week, and should be out of action for about 4-6 weeks. In some cases, however, the recovery time is longer. Wrist and grip strength usually is decreased following a surgery of this nature, mostly due to pain and swelling. Also, because the Carpal Ligament is transected (cut through), the wrist and finger flexor tendons are allowed to move more freely at the wrist. It is debated whether or not this contributes to weakness of the hand and wrist - I tend to believe it does, but some studies show that the weakness is due more to the pain and swelling. In any event, expect Blalock’s wrist to be weaker upon returning to the lineup. Given Blalock’s past history of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, as well as a recent car accident in which he sustained whiplash, I still feel there could be more going on here. […]
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