Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy Baseball: Injury Roundup

March 21, 2008 @ 11:37:43

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Injuries can ruin a fantasy season. Each week, KFFL.com surveys the latest key injuries around the diamond. Who might be headed to the disabled list? Which players might benefit from the available playing time? Who may be returning to the fold soon? Find out in this edition of MLB Injury Roundup.

Catchers

Houston Astros catcher J.R. Towles (hamstring) hasn't played since Saturday, March 8, due to a strained left hamstring, although he will catch a minor league game Friday, March 21. If that goes well he could return over the weekend.

Others of Note

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero (finger) is expected to be held out of action for at least a few more days.... Washington Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca (knee) looked good in a minor league game Wednesday, March 19. He could return behind the plate in a major league game Friday, March 21.

First Basemen

New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado (forearm) returned Thursday, March 20, after sitting out the last four days.

Second Basemen

No major injuries to report.

Others of Note

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura (back) was removed from game action Thursday, March 20, due to back stiffness. He is not expected to miss much time.... Chicago White Sox second baseman Danny Richar (rib), a candidate for the starting spot at second, has a stress fracture in his left first rib, knocking him out four to six weeks. Second baseman Alexei Ramirez will likely be the started if a rumored trade involving Juan Uribe goes through.... Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (anal fissure) is expected to miss two to three weeks after undergoing surgery to repair an anal fissure. He could begin light exercise next week. He will begin the season on the disabled list.

Third Basemen

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra (hand) is doubtful for opening day after suffering a small fracture in his hand. Infielder Tony Abreu would replace him if he can't go.

Others of Note

Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez (back) has not been cleared to play and will not travel with the team to Japan.

Shortstops

No major injuries to report.

Others of Note

Rays shortstop Ben Zobrist (thumb) had the cast removed from his hand Monday, March 17, and will continue to rehab his broken thumb in hopes of being ready for opening day.

Outfielders

Rays outfielder B.J. Upton (elbow) was left the game Thursday, March 20, early after being hit by a pitch on his elbow. X-rays taken after the game revealed no damage to the elbow.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe (elbow) has missed eight straight Cactus League games because of a sore left elbow, but he has been getting minor league at-bats.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun (Achilles') was able to play in an exhibition game Thursday, March 20, after being bothered by his Achilles' tendon.

Others of Note

Florida Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida (hamstring) continues to rehab a pulled left hamstring suffered Saturday, March 16. It is unsure if he will be ready for opening day.... Boston Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp (groin) continues to be bothered by a groin injury. He will travel with the team to Japan, and manager Terry Francona said he will get him some playing time, provided Crisp is healthy enough to go.... White Sox Josh Fields (wrist) left early Wednesday, March 19, after being hit by a pitch and will sit out a couple days before returning.... Texas Rangers outfielder Milton Bradley (knee) will make his spring debut Friday, March 21, as the designated hitter.... Nationals outfielder Wily Mo Pena (oblique) has significantly torn his left oblique muscle, knocking him out at least one month. He will not be able to participate in many baseball activities during that stretch.... San Diego Padres outfielder Jim Edmonds (calf) is expected to miss two to three weeks due to a strained right calf. If he can't go on opening day, outfielder Scott Hairston would replace him.

Designated Hitters

No major injuries to report.

Starting Pitchers

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher John Lackey (triceps, elbow) is expected to miss at least one month of the regular season. He underwent an MRI exam Friday, March 14, that revealed a strained triceps muscle. He is not scheduled to throw for three to four weeks before he is re-evaluated and begins a throwing program. Lackey is not scheduled to return to the team before early May.

Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett (back) felt good enough Wednesday, March 19, to throw 45 pitches in a bullpen session. The move was a surprisingly development as he was not expected to graduate to throwing from the mound this soon. After the session Beckett said he had no restrictions and his arm strength was still pretty strong. Provided there are no setbacks, he will pitch in a minor league game Sunday, March 23. Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to start in place of him opening day.

Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (knee) threw a simulated game Wednesday, March 19, and is scheduled to make his first spring start Friday, March 21.

Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (elbow) is in a holding pattern after he had a successful throwing session Wednesday, March 19. Hoping to throw off the mound, Kazmir was held back Thursday, March 20, as the team figures out what his next course will be. He has already been ruled out for opening day. James Shields will start in place of him opening day.

Others of Note

Angels starting pitcher Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) continues to suffer from shoulder problems and an optimistic estimate has him returning mid-May. Pitchers Dustin Moseley or Nick Adenhart could replace him in the rotation.... Braves starting pitcher Chuck James (shoulder) will begin the season with Triple-A after experiencing some shoulder soreness in his last start. He is still battling back from a rotator cuff tear.... Diamondbacks starting pitcher Randy Johnson (back) threw a short side session Wednesday, March 19, and is expected to start Friday, March 21. He could be ready to begin the season.... Dodgers starting pitcher Jason Schmidt (shoulder) has not thrown a bullpen session since Tuesday, Feb. 26, and is not expected to return until May or June.... Giants starting pitcher Noah Lowry (arm) will be out until mid-April due to a condition called exertional compartment syndrome.... Marlins starting pitcher Scott Olsen (shoulder) allowed just one run and struck out three over three scoreless innings Thursday, March 20; however, he has been ruled out from starting opening day.... Mets starting pitcher Orlando Hernandez (foot) threw in a simulated game Tuesday, March 18, and is expected to throw in a game Sunday, March 23.... Nationals starting pitcher Shawn Hill (forearm) threw 38 pitches in live batting practice Wednesday, March 19.... Rangers starting pitcher Kevin Millwood (hamstring) has declared himself ready after a strong spring. He is scheduled to start the team's season-opener Monday, March 31.

Relief Pitchers

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Kerry Wood (back) was able to pitch in an exhibition game Thursday, March 20, after being bothered by back spasms. The team could send him out again Friday, March 21, in order to see if he can handle back-to-back outings.

Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan (elbow) felt some discomfort in his elbow after an outing Monday, March 17, and the team will hold him out of games for the time being. Ryan is hoping to throw off the mound Friday, March 21. It is unsure when he will be back into games, but at this point it looks like he will remain in spring training to begin the season. Relief pitcher Jeremy Accardo likely would close for the Blue Jays with Ryan out.

Rangers closer C.J. Wilson (biceps) struck out three of four batters he faced Thursday, March 20, in a minor league game. He has made just one Cactus League appearance.

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge (knee) retired four of five batters he faced in an intrasquad minor league game Thursday, March 20, and could make his next appearance in a spring training game Sunday, March 23.

Others of Note

Blue Jays relief pitcher Casey Janssen (shoulder) underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday, March 19. He will not begin throwing until at least July, and the club hopes he will return for spring training in 2009.... Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (shoulder) will not throw for a couple more days due to shoulder tendonitis. He will begin the season on the disabled list.... Rangers relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit (shoulder) struggled in a minor league game Thursday, March 20, getting only two of five batters out before being removed. He has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game this spring.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.