This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The second half of the MLB regular season got have to an uneasy start with two of the biggest names in baseball nursing injuries by the end of the weekend.
The Nationals were initially optimistic that tightness in his back would quickly resolve itself. The former Cy Young Winner opted to sit out the All-Star game but ultimately ended up on the injured list as the soreness and tightness in his mid-back lingered. The mid-back, or thoracic region of the spine, is located below the neck and above the lumbar region (lower back). Fluid movement in the thoracic region (t-spine) is integral to shoulder movement. A large number of shoulder muscles originate in the t-spine, and any limitation in mobility would lead to compensations in the shoulder. As a result, a pitcher's mechanics can be negatively impacted and the risk of a shoulder injury like impingement or tendinitis increases.
Knowing this, the Nationals medical staff is taking a proactive approach to Scherzer's treatment, using the IL to buy him ample rest. The team remains hopeful that he will be ready to return when first eligible, but a few extra days on the IL seems probable. Hopefully Washington's plan works and they are able to prevent the problem from becoming a long-term issue or cascading into the shoulder. Fantasy owners invested in Scherzer should remain patient.
The perennial American League MVP candidate is headed for an MRI after making an early exit from Sunday's contest. Trout
The second half of the MLB regular season got have to an uneasy start with two of the biggest names in baseball nursing injuries by the end of the weekend.
The Nationals were initially optimistic that tightness in his back would quickly resolve itself. The former Cy Young Winner opted to sit out the All-Star game but ultimately ended up on the injured list as the soreness and tightness in his mid-back lingered. The mid-back, or thoracic region of the spine, is located below the neck and above the lumbar region (lower back). Fluid movement in the thoracic region (t-spine) is integral to shoulder movement. A large number of shoulder muscles originate in the t-spine, and any limitation in mobility would lead to compensations in the shoulder. As a result, a pitcher's mechanics can be negatively impacted and the risk of a shoulder injury like impingement or tendinitis increases.
Knowing this, the Nationals medical staff is taking a proactive approach to Scherzer's treatment, using the IL to buy him ample rest. The team remains hopeful that he will be ready to return when first eligible, but a few extra days on the IL seems probable. Hopefully Washington's plan works and they are able to prevent the problem from becoming a long-term issue or cascading into the shoulder. Fantasy owners invested in Scherzer should remain patient.
The perennial American League MVP candidate is headed for an MRI after making an early exit from Sunday's contest. Trout was lifted in the third inning with what is being described as tightness in his right calf. He is currently listed as day-to-day and downplayed the severity of the injury after the game. However, Trout has missed a handful of games throughout his career due to lower extremity strains and a conservative approach to care is a smart decision. The MRI will reveal if the injury is anything more than tightness and the degree of damage if a strain is detected. Even a low-grade strain would likely require a short IL-stint with a more moderate or severe strain requiring a lengthy stretch of time off. Keep your fingers crossed for a positive med report.
The 25-year-old second baseman has missed nine straight games and the All-Star game after suffering a right shin contusion after twice fouling a ball off the area. At one point, the injury required Lowe to don a protective boot and crutches, but he is now ambulating without either pieces of equipment. It seems likely the injury was a bone contusion, an injury more problematic than a simple soft tissue contusion. Bone contusions are treated just like a fracture by the body's internal healing response. As a result, new bone tissue must be created to repair the microcracks in the surface of the effected bone. This means time is a necessary component of the recovery process. Lowe had hoped to return when first eligible, but it looks like he will see that timeline extended. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash admitted Lowe may not return until the coming weekend and remained noncommittal about an exact target date. On the plus side, the injury should heal just fine if provided enough time, and Lowe should be back at 100 percent when he inevitably returns.
Check Swings
Tyler Glasnow: The Rays will send Glasnow for another meeting with team physicians to determine if his ailing elbow is ready to resume pitching. The right-hander was off to a blazing start before a forearm strain sent him to the IL. The injury has been slow to heal, and the Rays wisely refuse to risk his long-term health and availability. If the injury is adequately healing, Glasnow could begin a throwing protocol, though a return to action likely remains at least a month away.
Mitch Haniger: After a setback in rehab, Haniger is gearing up to return to baseball activities at some point next week. The Mariners outfielder hasn't played since suffering a testicular injury that ultimately required surgery. The injury simply needs time to adequately heal and an August return seems like the most plausible scenario.
Jonathan Lucroy: The Angels catcher is expected to miss at least three weeks after a violent collision at the plate left him with a broken nose and a concussion. He's slated to undergo a noninvasive surgery early this week to address the nasal fracture and will be required to complete the league's mandated concussion protocol before he will be allowed to return to action. With Lucroy out, Dustin Garneau and Kevan Smith will take over at catcher for the Angels.
Hunter Pence: The veteran outfielder has seen his All-Star comeback derailed by a groin strain. Fortunately, the injury appears to be healing as Pence is nearing a return. He will take part in another game or two with Double-A Frisco before returning to the team. This could come as early as Tuesday when the Rangers start a two-game interleague matchup with the Diamondbacks. A scheduled off day Thursday should help ease Pence back into the lineup. While he will remain an injury risk for the immediate future, go ahead and snag Pence if someone else sent him to the waiver wire a month ago.
David Peralta: Inflammation in his right acromioclavicular (AC) joint has twice sent Peralta to the IL this season. Fortunately, the issue appears to be resolving as the Arizona outfielder is set to resume baseball-related activities on Monday. The team has stated he will be sent on a rehab assignment, though it's expected to be brief. He could be back in action by the weekend though his level of injury risk will remain elevated for the remainder of the season.
Yasiel Puig: The Reds outfielder didn't play Sunday due to knee soreness. The issue may be linked to the lengthy 17-9 game the previous night. Soreness is often a frustrating designation as it is more of a vague symptom than an actual diagnosis. Keep an eye on the situation to see if the Reds provide a more definitive diagnosis for the week ahead.
