Hello and welcome to the Injury Report!
This roundup is a biweekly article, published on Mondays and Fridays, where I aim to detail approximately five relevant injuries that have occurred over the past few days or provide an update on the injury of a prominent MLB player. I will try to incorporate the available information as well as my own knowledge and experience to approximate a return date in each case, noting the individual characteristics of the injuries and of the players themselves.
If you have questions regarding an injury not detailed in this article, feel free to comment below, and I will give my best effort to provide a timely update.
Steven Matz – Left Arm Discomfort
Steven Matz has been placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to May 5. Matz is reportedly dealing with inflammation of the radial nerve in his left forearm, which is overall a bit better than if the ulnar nerve were impacted. The Mets seem to feel Matz is on track to return to the rotation next Thursday (5/16), though this does seem rushed to me. Matz received a cortisone injection and lidocaine earlier this week to help to ease his symptoms.
Estimated return: Potential return on 5/16, though additional rest would likely be beneficial.
Buster Posey – Concussion
Buster Posey has been placed on the concussion IL after he took a blow to the head Sunday. Posey played through symptoms Monday and Tuesday, which may cause this to be a longer absence than the seven-day IL minimum. The general rule of concussions is a day off for every day you’re symptomatic, and Posey has sustained a concussion before (April 2017). Concussion management becomes increasingly difficult the longer you attempt to play through symptoms and if you have a history of concussions, so this one may be closer to a two-week absence.
Estimated return: Approximately two weeks.
Dee Gordon – Right Wrist Injury
Dee Gordon was struck by an errant pitch in his right wrist and left the game visibly upset. X-rays came back negative—it is often hard to discern a carpal fracture via X-ray, though in theory any fracture of the distal ulna would have been identifiable—and Gordon will await further examination (CT scan or MRI). If there is indeed a fracture to one of the carpal bones, Gordon will likely be out for eight to 10 weeks. If no fracture is present, he can likely return at some point next week.
Estimated return: Next week without fracture, mid-July with fracture.
Drew Pomeranz – Left Lat Strain
Drew Pomeranz has been placed on to 10-day IL with a mild left lat strain. Pomeranz is hopeful to miss only one turn in the rotation. Pomeranz does not have a history of lat injuries.
Estimated return: Hoping to return on 5/19, though early June may be more appropriate.
Jesse Winker – Left Quad Tightness
Jesse Winker has been out of the Reds lineup for the last two days due to left quad tightness. This issue appears minor, and Winker is expected to return to the Reds lineup today (5/10). More updates will likely come throughout the day, but at the worst Winker should be able to play at some point this weekend.
Estimated return: Today or over the weekend.
Graphic by Michael Haas (@digitalHaas on Twitter)