The Disabled List Informer

A couple of notable outfielders and (another) shortstop were sidelined and sent to the DL this weekend.

Nationals Outfielder Elijah Dukes suffered a partial tear to his right meniscus and patellar tendon. He is set to have surgery tomorrow (July 7), in what will likely be an arthroscopy to trim the meniscus tear and shave it down (menisectomy). The expected 4-6 week recovery time is realistic. To my knowledge, there has been no word if the patellar tendon will need to be involved in the surgery. If it is involved, his recovery would be more lengthy.

Johnny Damon is now on the DL (amazingly) for the first time in his long (14-year), successful career. He collided into the left field wall on Friday trying to make a play on a fly ball. The initial diagnosis was a sprained and bruised left shoulder, indicating ligament involvement/separation in or about the shoulder - probably at the Acromioclavicular joint (AC joint). He did have some swelling at the shoulder , likely indicating a notable contusion and/or grade 1+/2 sprain. He was even having trouble getting dressed , driving with his right hand, and avoiding much use of the left shoulder, so his pain level must be pretty significant.

With AC joint injuries, overhead use of the shoulder is typically one of the last motions to improve, so expect him to resume light hitting activities prior to throwing. It may take him the full two weeks to recover from this - perhaps slightly longer - though Damon has long been known to play through pain, and his desire to get the Yankees back on track, as well as the Yankees’ willingness to expect the most from their players, should get him back in action right around the minimum.

Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby was sent to the DL with a strained left hamstring that he suffered on Thursday (July 3). He will be eligible to return following the All-Star break. Those looking for a replacement at the exceedingly-thin SS position can see if J.J. Hardy is still available (amazingly, he is in some leagues), or you could take a flier on Tampa Bay’s Jason Bartlett (if you need help in the steals category). Jhonny Peralta is a less attractive alternative, but he does supply occasional power.

Update - 12:02 a.m.; Tom Gordon is being shelved with right elbow inflammation. He has been dealing with a sore right shoulder as well, and missed 11 days from mid to late June to rest the shoulder (he also spent time on the DL in ‘06 and ‘07 due to right rotator cuff issues). Evidently, the shoulder is not as strong or as healthy as it should be, and his sore elbow can now attest to that. Gordon should be able to resume throwing following the initial two weeks, but it is anyone’s guess how long he can stay healthy for - especially given the lengthy injury history he possesses. Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero immediately become more relevant in leagues that count holds.