Brandon Nimmo — Neck Stiffness
Brandon Nimmo is day to day with a stiff neck, that appears to have some radiating effects into his right shoulder. He was removed early on Tuesday and did not start on Wednesday. He is hopeful to return to the lineup for Friday’s game, though nothing has been made official.
Estimated return: May be able to play on 4/19. No indication of an extended absence.
Odubel Herrera — Right Hamstring Strain
Odubel Herrera is on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain as of 4/18. The strain was originally thought to be a cramp, but a move to the IL was made the next afternoon. No grade of strain has been provided, which would give insight to his estimated return. For now, think minimum stay until we hear otherwise.
Estimated return: April 28.
Harrison Bader — Right Hamstring Strain
Harrison Bader also hit the IL with a hamstring strain, though his move was made retroactive to 4/14. The retroactive move and the fact that Bader completed some light running drills after the initial injury lead me to assume this is a Grade 1 strain. Bader may just miss the minimum, though a clear plan to return is not outlined yet.
Estimated return: April 24.
Tyler O’Neill — Right Elbow Ulnar Nerve Subluxation
Tyler O’Neill is battling an ulnar nerve issue in his right throwing elbow. It first acted up on an errant throw to home earlier this week. Rest will be the first stage of his recovery, and his prognosis is currently unclear. If the ulnar nerve needs to be repositioned, we’re looking at surgery and an extended absence. Inflammation will be managed with rest first and we’ll go from there, but I’d expect O’Neill to miss two weeks at the minimum and prepare for a longer absence.
Estimated return: May 15 is conservative management takes. Significantly longer if surgery is indicated.
Blake Snell — Right T4 Fracture
The great thing about signing your first lucrative contract is you can afford to buy things such as large granite structures to drop on your foot. Blake Snell did so and fractured a toe on his right foot. He is currently expected to return when first eligible (4/24) — and I get the logic there. At that point, Snell may still be in pain, but the bone would have formed a union and would generally require protection which can be achieved with supportive devices placed in the cleat. My only hesitation is that the landing foot undergoes a lot of stress during a throwing motion, which may be restrictive.
Reviewing Snell’s mechanics, he does a good job of plantar flexing his right foot, which leads to landing on the medial portion of his foot (big toe, second toe, ball of his foot). Landing on the medial aspect of your forefoot, as Snell does, helps to reduce the abruptness of the force through the leg. My concern is on his follow-through, where Snell rolls to the lateral side of his right foot, falling off to the right after the pitch is delivered. This rolling, if done over the forefoot, may lead to increased pressure and pain in his fractured toe, which could hold Snell back from a timely and effective return.
Estimated return: April 24 has been reported, but don’t be surprised if it’s pushed back a bit. Monitor his return for any changes to his landing. Shouldn’t be any residual concerns past the four-week mark.