Injury Report 6/21: Every Player’s DL Situation

UPDATES

Dustin Pedroia (2B, Boston Red Sox) – Pedroia has not resumed baseball activities and the Red Sox are being vague about his progress. He may be out until the All-Star Break at this point.

Franchy Cordero (OF, San Diego Padres) – Cordero has been diagnosed with a bone spur in his right elbow and will likely have surgery in the near future, which may end up ending his 2018 season.

Matt Adams (1B, Washington Nationals) – Adams was found to have a small fracture in his left index finger, and will miss approximately a month.

Stephen Strasburg (SP, Washington Nationals) – Strasburg still hasn’t returned to a throwing program. We may be looking at a return after the All-Star Break at this point.

ADDITIONS

Brandon Morrow (RP, Chicago Cubs) – Morrow may return when first eligible – he wasn’t anticipated to hit the DL and the move was made retroactively.

Evan Marshall (RP, Cleveland Indians) – Reports are limited and don’t offer a sense of the severity of this elbow inflammation. This could end up being something much worse, though I think we would have heard MRI results by this point if they were of concern. Either way, there’s no need to rush Marshall (who has been ineffective) back before he’s ready.

Drew VerHagen (RP, Detroit Tigers) – Verhagen could return to play after about four weeks if a suitable splint/faceguard are found that he can pitch with. Very few previous examples of nasal fractures for MLB players are available, so it is difficult to anticipate how the Tigers will manage this one. In general, it’s difficult to imagine a return prior to the six-week point without some form of external protection.

Chris Taylor (SS, Los Angeles Dodgers) – Taylor is hopeful to return this weekend (after Thursday’s off-day). The start of next week may be a more accurate estimate.

Chris Young (OF, Los Angeles Angels) – Young is undergoing an MRI. If this injury is diagnosed as a strain a DL move will likely follow.

Ryan Braun (OF, Milwaukee Brewers) – This is a procedure that Braun undergoes every so often to reduce nerve pain in his thumb. In the past, he’s only missed a game or two due to the procedure. He may be ready to return as early as Thursday.

Jay Bruce (OF, New York Mets) – This seems like it may be minor, but with Bruce struggling for the time being the Mets may see if he can work some things out during a rehab assignment.

Brett Gardner (OF, New York Yankees) – It sounds like Gardner may be ready to return after missing quite a few games this week but Boone has said that he will remain out of the lineup on Thursday (the Yanks face Paxton). Gardner may be in the lineup as early as Friday.

Khris Davis (DH, Oakland Athletics) – I expect Davis will be feeling better today, though it may be a game-time decision.

J.P. Crawford (SS, Philadelphia Phillies) – Though it’s not explicitly stated anywhere, this looks like a metacarpal fracture from replays that I’ve seen. That is consistent with the estimated timetable of 4-6 weeks and that this one was diagnosed via X-ray. This also tells us that it is not a complex fracture. Overall, it should spell a rather quick and easy return for Crawford.

Bryan Mitchell (RP, San Diego Padres) – This one is odd as Mitchell hasn’t pitched since 6-5-18 and is only now being placed on the DL. He is eligible to return on 6-27-18, though I’m not sure that will be the case unless we get a positive update soon. With an ERA north of 7 and more walks than Ks thus far this year a rehab assignment makes sense.

Alen Hanson (2B, San Francisco Giants) – X-rays came back negative, and Hanson should return to the lineup for the Giants’ series against the Padres.

Hunter Strickland (RP, San Francisco Giants) – After being unable to close the door on the Marlins on Monday, Strickland found one to punch instead. He fractured his hand – it’s a decent bet that it’s a boxer’s fracture, though the need for surgery and the 6-8 week provided timetable tell us it’s complex in some form.

Michael Wacha (SP, St. Louis Cardinals) – A DL move is likely, but will be made after an MRI is completed on Thursday. Wacha will likely be out until after the All-Star Break.

Matt Bowman (RP, St. Louis Cardinals) – Raynaud syndrome is a condition where small vessels within the hands (and sometimes toes) constrict and limit blood flow into the digits. We don’t know if this is primary or secondary to another condition which will help to inform our estimated return. Very limited examples of MLB players battling through this injury, so count Bowman out indefinitely until we gather more information.

Jose Martinez (1B, St. Louis Cardinals) – Martinez had an awkward collision at first base in which he appeared to hurt his left shoulder and wrist. Martinez is DTD and has received some form of therapy on his shoulder. We should know more closer to game time, though he may miss a game or two. Left side is not ideal for a right-handed slugger, and we may see reduced power from Martinez for a week or two.