This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The White Sox outfielder is expected to miss an extended period of time after suffering a noncontact leg injury while attempting to beat out an infield single over the weekend. The injury has been diagnosed as a Grade III right hip flexor strain and he has already been placed on the injured list.
The injury is a significant one based on the grade alone. Earlier this year, I discussed the classifications strains and sprains receive based on the extent of tissue damage, but let's review once again. A mild or Grade I strain occurs when the muscle is injured, usually at the microfiber level, but the overall integrity of the muscle remains intact. A Grade II strain is considered a more moderate injury and is often called a partial tear. In Grade II injuries, individual muscle fibers fail, but the muscle tissue remains connected to some degree. A Grade III or higher is reserved for complete tears or ruptures, meaning every strand of the muscle is damaged. These injuries are often accompanied by a total loss in function and often require surgical intervention.
Robert suffered a complete tear of his hip flexor. The team will continue to evaluate the injury to determine the precise location of the tear. If the damage occurred in the tendon of the muscle, surgery likely will be the best course of treatment. If the tear is isolated to the belly of the muscle, then extended rest and rehabilitation may be enough for the tissue to
The White Sox outfielder is expected to miss an extended period of time after suffering a noncontact leg injury while attempting to beat out an infield single over the weekend. The injury has been diagnosed as a Grade III right hip flexor strain and he has already been placed on the injured list.
The injury is a significant one based on the grade alone. Earlier this year, I discussed the classifications strains and sprains receive based on the extent of tissue damage, but let's review once again. A mild or Grade I strain occurs when the muscle is injured, usually at the microfiber level, but the overall integrity of the muscle remains intact. A Grade II strain is considered a more moderate injury and is often called a partial tear. In Grade II injuries, individual muscle fibers fail, but the muscle tissue remains connected to some degree. A Grade III or higher is reserved for complete tears or ruptures, meaning every strand of the muscle is damaged. These injuries are often accompanied by a total loss in function and often require surgical intervention.
Robert suffered a complete tear of his hip flexor. The team will continue to evaluate the injury to determine the precise location of the tear. If the damage occurred in the tendon of the muscle, surgery likely will be the best course of treatment. If the tear is isolated to the belly of the muscle, then extended rest and rehabilitation may be enough for the tissue to adequately heal. The recovery time for both avenues of treatments is measured in months, not weeks, and Robert will not return for at least 12 weeks. Even if the muscle improves during that stretch, additional time to ramp him up to playing shape will likely be needed, pushing his time lost to the latter part of the team's estimated window. Leury Garcia will likely get the first crack at manning centerfield, with Billy Hamilton available as another option for Chicago.
Luzardo will miss time after suffering a fractured left pinkie finger sustained while playing video games. The fracture was not discovered until after his final start in which he surrendered six runs over three innings. The break is a hairline fracture, meaning its small, and surgery is not currently being discussed. This suggests the bone has not been displaced, and time is the best course of treatment. If further testing reveals the bones are maligned, then surgical hardware may become necessary to insure a proper union of the fragments. Fortunately, bone tissue often heals nicely when allotted the appropriate amount of time, and there shouldn't be any long-term effects when Luzardo returns. Oakland has not established a definitive timeline as of yet, but look for this to be a multiweek absence.
The veteran pitcher has been off to a hot start, sporting a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP after his first six starts. His most recent appearance lasted just five innings before he was removed with a tight hamstring. Fortunately, the issue improved over the weekend and he has a realistic shot at making his next scheduled start on Wednesday. The primarily role of the hamstring is knee flexion, but the muscle group also plays a role in decelerating knee extension, and extending and stabilizing the hip. Any limitation in the lower extremity of a pitcher can negatively impact pitch delivery and weight transfer. The Mets clearly feel confident that Stroman's injury isn't going to alter his approach after letting him go through his normal routine uninterrupted.
Check Swings
Bryce Harper: Being hit by a pitch remains the in vogue injury this season, with Harper joining a list that already includes Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Mike Trout. Harper was stuck by a fastball last week that first hit his face and then ricocheted off his left wrist. While he avoided any facial fractures, his wrist remains an issue. He missed three straight games but aggravated the wrist in his first game back. Harper did not play Monday and may need to be sent to the IL if the area does not improve quickly. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Shohei Ohtani: Ohtani was also struck by a pitch, taking a fastball off the right elbow on Sunday. He was wearing a protective pad on the area but he reported lasting soreness on Monday. As a result, the Angels opted to scratch him from his start against the Rays. Fortunately, the injury was not significant enough to keep him off the field, as he remained the Angels' designated hitter for the game. He looked plenty comfortable in that role, finishing 2-for-4 with a homerun and two RBI. Ohtani should be fine to return to the mound for his next slated start.
Dustin May: The Dodgers right-hander will be lost for the season after it was determined the damage to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing arm will require Tommy John surgery. While the return to play record is high for the now infamous procedure, May's recovery is likely to carry over into next season.
Yadier Molina: The Cardinals catcher is on the 10-day IL with a foot injury that is now being called a strained tendon. The team is optimistic he will miss the minimal amount of time, but I'm less certain. The muscles of the foot can be difficult to treat and easily aggravated, especially while playing catcher. Look for this situation to extend beyond the minimum 10 days.
Corbin Burnes and Chris Paddack: Both pitchers were placed on the IL, each for an unspecified reason. It may be a bit presumptuous, but, generally speaking, any player placed on the IL for an undisclosed or noninjury related reason is likely out with COVID-19. If the duo has indeed contracted coronavirus, they will have to complete the league's mandated protocol in order to return.
Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner: The Cubs players collided in Sunday's game, with Happ absorbing the brunt of the impact. Both players reported lingering soreness Monday and were not in the lineup for the game, which was ultimately postponed by inclement weather. The team will utilize the extra rest to further evaluate the pair, but it looks like they both avoided any significant injury.
