Well, I’m back from the Memorial Day weekend trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida, and we have all seen the reports of the multitude of injuries to some star players. Let’s take a look:
Colorado’s top slugger, outfielder Matt Holliday , is now sidelined with a left hamstring strain . He injured the hamstring while running out a ground ball. This, after being sidelined with a gradual onset of tightness in his lower back last week. It is entirely possible that the injuries are related. Often, the hamstrings will shorten (tighten) in an attempt to take pressure off the lower back. Tight hamstrings are very common with people who have degenerative discs (diminished disc height - not herniated), or spinal stenosis (no, Holliday does not have stenosis). Expect the Rockies to take their time with Holliday, who is their top dog. Plus, I’m sure they saw what happened with Alex Rodriguez when he attempted to come back too early from a minor muscle strain, and will not want to make the same mistake and risk further time on the shelf.
John Smoltz is still dealing with right shoulder problems, but the Braves plan to have him back in the bullpen mix this week . Following Saturday night’s 12-pitch appearance at Double-A Mississippi, Smoltz reported some soreness in the right shoulder . The Braves are considering it to be normal soreness associated with not having pitched in a while. Let’s be honest here - he threw a measly 12 pitches, and he was sore afterwards? I’m not buying.
Fausto Carmona ended up on the DL with a "moderately strained" left hip, following an injury sustained while covering first base. With the term "moderate" being thrown out there, it is likely that this was a grade 2 strain of the left hip. As seen on the National Post, the strain was to the "exterior" portion of the left hip The 4-week recovery timetable seems accurate here, though it is possible that it could take an extra time for him to return since this is the plant leg that he will need to rotate over following release. The exterior hip musculature would assist in hip deceleration with this action. Jake Westbrook should take his spot in the rotation.
As I had fully expected, Andruw Jones is now set to have arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee to repair torn meniscus cartilage. The surgery is set for tomorrow. The 4-6 week recovery that is widely being reported is reasonable. This will give Andre Ethier a huge boost in value for the next month-plus. He should be owned in all league formats.
Nomar Garciaparra was transferred to the 60-day DL due to his mysterious right calf injury . And so begins the countdown to the Andy LaRoche era in Dodger town. In the meanwhile, however, Blake DeWitt continues to play well enough to start in NL-only leagues.
Rafael Furcal has not rebounded as soon as expected from his strained lower back. According to MLB.com , he will not join the Dodgers when they play on the east coast this week. At this point, weekly league owners need to sit him down, and daily transaction owners can likely expect to not have him until their next home stand at the earliest.
Ian Stewart , the long-touted third base prospect for the Rockies, replaced Garret Atkins in the Rockies lineup over the weekend and batted 5th in the first game, 6th in the second game. Atkins, who continues to be bothered by a stiff neck, may be able to return on Tuesday. He has been carrying the team offensively since many of their starters are on the DL. It is a shame that the Rockies cannot swing a deal to a team who needs help at the hot corner, because Stewart can rake. Wake up, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, etc. I would not expect Atkins to need a DL stay in order to get over a stiff neck, but we will see.
The Angels have received some good news, as second baseman Howie Kendrick is expected to go on a rehab assignment at AAA-Salt Lake and return to the lineup during early-to-mid week. He has gained a reputation as a slow healer in his young career, and this particular injury has been difficult to heal. This is the same injury that occurred in mid-April and was described at the time as being one "that is not expected to send him to the disabled list but could sideline him for several days." Oops.
As a side note, the long-anticipated arrival of Jay Bruce is set for tomorrow. Will Dusty Baker do the unthinkable, and give up on Corey Patterson? All of fantasy baseball nation is hoping so. NL-only and deep mixed leaguers can go ahead and start Bruce right away, but shallow mixed leagues should take a wait-and-see approach.
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