Injury Glossary

Welcome to the injury glossary. Below is a list of each type of injury you’ll come across in fantasy baseball, with explanations of the injury itself and an expected timetable to get back on the field. We’ll be referencing this and we encourage you to head back to this page whenever you hear about injuries through the season. We’ll be adding/tweaking here and there wherever we see fit as well.

DISABLED LIST TYPES

7-day DL (Concussion DL):  The 7-day DL was created for players with concussion symptoms and Instituted so that a player who passes concussion protocol does not need to be out for 15 days (now 10). Players can be placed on the 7-day DL retroactively, though no more than 5 days can be backdated.

10-day DL: The shortest DL option for non-concussions injuries. Players must remain out of action for 10 days and can remain on the DL after 10 days if necessary.

60-day DL: The longest DL option, where an injured player must remain out of action for at least 60 days. Players on the 60-day DL are temporarily removed from the team’s 40-man roster.

FRACTURE

 What is it? –  A broken, chipped, or cracked bone. Often caused by a severe acute traumatic event. Different etiology will cause a different fracture pattern which can alter the management of the fracture. A fracture will often need to be ‘reduced’ or ‘set’ in order to heal correctly.

What’s the timetable? – Most players with a fracture need 6-8 weeks to recover. Four in a cast or splint, followed by 2-4 to regain physical strength and range of motion before returning to the majors. This recovery time will vary based on the location of the fracture. Refer to the chart below for approximate timetables. Use these timetables as a guide before individualized information is available. Individualized information should always take precedence.

Structure	Timetable
Face	4-6 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Thumb	2-6 w immobilized, 2-6 rehabbing
Finger	3-6 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Wrist	6-8 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Hip	4-6 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Toe	4-6 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Rib	4-6 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Hand	4-8 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Shin	8-12 w immobilized, 4-6 rehabbing
Shin, stress fracture	6-8 w immobilized, 4-6 rehabbing
Elbow	6-8 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing
Forearm	2-6 w immobilized, 2-4 rehabbing

CONTUSION

What is it? – A contusion is simply a bruise – a traumatic injury to soft tissue in a region which can cause small blood vessels to burst. Blood is trapped under the skin causing increased pressure and pain in that area.

What’s the timetable? – Contusions don’t typically require a DL stint. Typically players will either play through a contusion or go day-to-day.

BONE BRUISE

What is it? – A traumatic injury to a bone that is less severe than a fracture. Bone bruises are not visible via x-ray and must be diagnosed through MRI. A bone bruise can result in pain and swelling of the affected area.

What’s the timetable? – Timetable can vary wildly, from 1-2 weeks up to 6 months. Recovery timetable is dependent on severity and location of the injury, and cases should be considered on an individual basis.

BURSITIS

What is it? – A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between a bone and nearby soft tissue. The suffix ‘itis’ refers to inflammation of a structure. Bursae are located within every major joint of the body. Bursitis can often be attributed to repetitive trauma (e.g. throwing a baseball).

What’s the timetable? – Mild cases of bursitis can resolve within 2-4 weeks. More severe cases may require surgical intervention. Recovery from surgery is typically 6-8 weeks. Since bursitis is an inflammation condition, bursitis has a high chance of recurrence if not allowed to completely resolve.

TENDINITIS

What is it? – The inflammation of a tendon – the thick chord of soft tissue that affixes muscle to bone. Usually a repetitive stress injury, where micro-tears within the tendon occur.

What’s the timetable? – Recovery from tendinitis will depend on the severity of the injury. Mild cases can resolve within 1-2 weeks, while more severe cases can take upwards of 2 months. If surgical intervention is required, recovery can take up to 6 months. Tendinitis, an inflammation condition, has a high chance of recurrence if not allowed to completely resolve.

SPRAIN

What is it? – The stretching or tearing of a ligament – the connective band that holds two bones together. Often occur due to an acute traumatic event. Three degrees of sprains are identified:

First Degree: Mild stretching and some damage to the fibers of the ligament.

Second Degree: Partial tearing of the ligament. There is noted laxity of the joint when completing a particular movement.

Third Degree: Complete tearing of the ligament. The joint is unstable and non-functional. Requires surgical intervention.

What’s the timetable? – Mild sprains can heal with rest and conservative treatment in approximately 4 weeks. Recovery timetable after surgery to repair a third-degree ligament sprain will depend on the ligament injured. For instance, recovery after surgery to repair a torn thumb UCL is typically 6-8 weeks. Meanwhile, surgery to repair a torn elbow UCL, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, has a recovery timetable of 12-18 months. Refer to the chart below for approximate timetables. Use these timetables as a guide before individualized information is available. Individualized information should always take precedence.

Note: “Conservative” treatment comprises a combination of non-surgical strategies. Mainly rest, protection/immobilization, icing, and compression. Think normal circumstance without intervention.

Structure	Degree	Intervention	Timetable
Thumb UCL	First	Conservative	1-2 w
Thumb UCL	Second	Conservative or surgical	4-6 w
Thumb UCL	Third	Surgical	6-8 w
Elbow UCL	First	Conservative	1-2 w
Elbow UCL	Second	PRP, stem cells, primary repair or TJS	4-6 m
Elbow UCL	Third	TJS	12-18 m
Knee ACL	First	Conservative	1-2 w
Knee ACL	Second	Conservative	3-4 m
Knee ACL	Third	Surgical	6-9 m
Knee PCL	First	Conservative	1-2 w
Knee PCL	Second	Conservative	3-4 m
Knee PCL	Third	Surgical	10-12 m
Knee LCL	First	Conservative	1-2 w
Knee LCL	Second	Conservative	3-4 w
Knee LCL	Third	Surgical	4-6 m
Knee MCL	First	Conservative	1-2 w
Knee MCL	Second	Conservative	3-4 w
Knee MCL	Third	Immobilization	3-4 m
Knee Meniscus	Torn	Surgical	6-10 w

STRAIN

What is it? – Similar to a sprain, a strain is the stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon. A strain can often be attributed to an acute traumatic event. Three degrees of strains are identified:

First Degree: Little tissue tearing and mild tenderness. Pain with a full range of motion.

Second Degree: Torn muscle or tendon tissues. Limited range of motion, muscular dysfunction, moderate to severe pain.

Third Degree: Limited or no range of motion. Pain is severe. Total dysfunction of the muscle-tendon unit. Requires surgical intervention.

What’s the timetable? – Mild strains, commonly called a ‘pulled’ muscle, can usually resolve with rest in just a few days. If surgical intervention is required, the recovery timetable can be more than 6 months depending on the muscle-tendon unit affected. Refer to the chart below for approximate timetables. Use these timetables as a guide before individualized information is available. Individualized information should always take precedence.

Muscle	Degree	Intervention	Timetable
Latissimus Dorsi	First	Conservative	DTD
Latissimus Dorsi	Second	Conservative	1-3 m
Latissimus Dorsi	Third	Surgical	4-6 m
Oblique	First	Conservative	2-4 w
Oblique	Second	Conservative	1-2 m
Oblique	Third	Surgical	3-4 m
Quadriceps	First	Conservative	DTD
Quadriceps	Second	Conservative	1-2 m
Quadriceps	Third	Surgical	6-10 m
Hamstring	First	Conservative	DTD
Hamstring	Second	Conservative	1-2 m
Hamstring	Third	Surgical	3-6 m
Rotator Cuff	First	Conservative	DTD
Rotator Cuff	Second	Conservative	1-3 m
Rotator Cuff	Third	Surgical	2-6 m
Calf/Achilles tendon	First	Conservative	DTD
Calf/Achilles tendon	Second	Conservative	1-3 m
Calf/Achilles tendon	Third	Surgical	5-9 m

NEURITIS

What is it? – The inflammation of a nerve, which can result in the loss of sensation of the nerve dermatome (area of skin it supplies) or muscle function in muscles the nerve innervates. Often a repetitive stress injury.

What’s the timetable? – Neuritis is difficult to provide a timetable for. In general, neuritis can resolve with rest and conservative treatment. However, a surgical procedure to ‘release’ the entrapped nerve is often required. Recovery from this procedure can take up to 6 months, depending on the severity and location of the condition. Furthermore, nerves regenerate slowly, and sensation and muscle function can remain impaired months after surgery.

BONE SPURS

What is it? – Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, typically form due to repetitive stress on the surface of a joint. They are commonly seen in individuals who experience osteoarthritis. Osteophytes can limit joint movement and cause pain. Osteophytes can often be surgically removed. Risks and benefits of surgical intervention are dependent on location and severity of osteophytes.

What’s the timetable? – Bone spurs are removed through surgical means, and typically require 6 weeks to recover. Many players opt to play through this condition and receive surgical intervention in the offseason.

THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

What is it? – The thoracic outlet (superior thoracic aperture) is an area through which nerves and blood vessels pass on their way from the torso to the arm. The brachial plexus, a large grouping of nerves which divides to innervate every muscle and dermatome in the arm, passes through this area – 95% of TOS cases involve nerve-related symptoms. The thoracic outlet is bordered by the first thoracic vertebrae, the first rib along with its costal cartilage, and the anterior and middle scalene muscles. There is evidence of congenital abnormalities contributing to TOS – for instance, an extra rib above the first. Issues can also derive due to the repetitive stress of throwing, especially when the scalene muscles are inflamed. This inflammation, in essence, makes the thoracic outlet much tighter, which inhibits nerve conduction and blood flow through this area.

What’s the timetable? – Surgical intervention for thoracic outlet syndrome involves removing the first rib, as well as the anterior and middle scalene muscles in an effort to open the thoracic outlet. Less than twenty MLB pitchers have undergone TOS surgery, so data for recovery is limited. Furthermore, as with any neurogenic condition, it is difficult to approximate when (or if) a player will make a full recovery. Nerves regenerate slowly, at a rate of about 1mm per day for the average person. In the case of TOS, if the nerve damage is complete up to the point of the obstruction, it can mean upwards of an entire year after surgery to regain sensation in the fingers.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS

What is it? – The plantar fascia is a thick ligament that runs along the sole of the foot. It helps to maintain the arch of the foot while bearing weight. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of this ligament, which is caused by repetitive stress – and is usually attributable to running. Plantar fasciitis presents with pain in the bottom of the foot, mostly at the heel.

What’s the timetable? – Rest is the ideal intervention. Surgical intervention involves cutting the plantar fascia to reduce inflammation in a process called a plantar fasciotomy. Recovery from surgical intervention is typically 3-4 months. Additional complications such as heel bone spurs can occur and may require additional intervention.