Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy Baseball: Injury Roundup

March 28, 2008 @ 04:24:08

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

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

Washington Nationals catcher Johnny Estrada (elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21, with a sore left elbow. Estrada has just returned to baseball activities this past week.

First Basemen

No major injuries to report.

Second Basemen

Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (anal fissure) may miss up to four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair an anal fissure and will open the season on the 15-day disabled list.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent underwent an MRI on his strained right hamstring and no other problems were found. Kent has run both Tuesday, March 26, and Wednesday, March 27, although his status is up in the air for opening day.

Others of Note

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez (shoulder) played four innings at second base in a minor league intra-squad game Thursday, March 27, and is expected to play in another minor league game Friday, March 28, to test his shoulder. He is still expected to make the opening day roster.

Third Basemen

Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede (ankle) fouled a ball off his ankle Thursday, March 27, and was forced out of the game. After icing his ankle, Crede underwent precautionary X-rays. The injury is not expected to be serious.

Oakland Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez (back) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. He has been shut down as he is still suffering in his comeback from offseason back surgery and will now have to begin his rehab, although he will have to wait until his back is pain-free before doing so.

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Scott Rolen (finger) could be out up to six weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured middle finger. The best-case scenario appears to be a return in late April.

Others of Note

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Chad Tracy (knee) has been able to field ground balls in the infield for the first time this spring, but he will still begin the season on the disabled list.

Shortstops

No major injuries to report.

Others of Note

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Ben Zobrist (thumb) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Zobrist discovered his fractured left thumb had not fully healed, and he will be reevaluated Monday, March 31. The move was retroactive to March 21, which means he is eligible to return as early as April 5.

Outfielders

Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson (finger) suffered a broken finger Sunday, March 23, after being struck by a pitch. He is expected to miss at least three weeks and will be wearing a splint on his hand. He is scheduled to undergo X-rays in two weeks and if they come back negative, he could return to baseball activities. Once he resumes baseball activities, it will likely be one week before he returns to the lineup.

Nationals outfielder Wily Mo Pena (oblique) is recovering faster than expected from a tear in his left oblique. Pena, who was expected to miss 4-6 weeks, could begin taking batting practice next week and might play in some minor league games during extended spring training.

Others of Note

Chicago White Sox outfielder Jerry Owens (groin) will begin the season on the disabled list due to a small tear in his right adductor muscle ... Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. (ankle) has said his sprained right ankle is feeling better and he could be ready for opening day ... Florida Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida (hamstring) played in a minor league game Thursday, March 27, although he is still expected to land on the disabled list to start the year ... Minnesota Twins outfielder Carlos Gomez (hamstring) was scratched Thursday, March 27, due to a sore knee. He has said he will return to the lineup no later than Saturday, March 29 ... New York Johnny Damon (flu) returned to the lineup Thursday, March 27, after missing two games because of the flu ... Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew (back) was scratched from the team's first two games with a sore back ... San Diego Padres outfielder Jim Edmonds (calf) is hoping to return in time for opening day, though that appears doubtful. He will remain in Arizona after the team breaks camp Friday, March 28, to continue to test his strained right calf in minor league games ... San Francisco Giants outfielder Dave Roberts (knee) has missed three straight games but is expected to return Friday, March 28.

Designated Hitters

No major injuries to report.

Starting Pitchers

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Randy Johnson (back) will start the season on the 15-day disabled list. Johnson will make at least two more starts for Triple-A Tucson before possibly returning to the Diamondbacks for an April 14 start.

Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett (back) threw four innings in a minor league game Thursday, March 27, allowing just one run. He could return some time during the team's upcoming series against the Blue Jays. He has been placed on the 15-day disabled list but is eligible to return April 3.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (knee) threw in an intra-squad game Friday, March 21, but he will open the year on the disabled list and is expected to return in mid-April.

Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (elbow) threw long toss Tuesday, March 25, and is hoping to throw from 120 feet by the end of the week. It is hoped he will throw off the mound next week and could return during the team's second series. He has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (back) is hopeful he can make a start either Friday, April 4, or Saturday, April 5. He is expected to prepare for the start by throwing a bullpen session Friday, March 28, and then facing minor league hitters early in the week.

Others of Note

Angels starting pitcher Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) will spend two weeks trying to strengthen his shoulder. If that is unsuccessful, Escobar will likely visit a shoulder specialist and could undergo arthroscopic surgery. If opts for surgery, Escobar's career might be over ... Atlanta Braves starting pitcher John Smoltz (neck) will likely be placed on the 15-day disabled list, but he could be activated in time to make his first start of the season ... St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (elbow) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. He is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and might not be back until July at the earliest ... Florida Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson (elbow) has been throwing every four days and could return sometime in July ... Red Sox starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (tooth) threw a 40-pitch side session Wednesday, March 26.

Relief Pitchers

Dodgers closer Takashi Saito (buttocks) could miss the start of the season due to various ailments this spring. He has not been able to get into as many games and the team might hold him to continue to build up strength. Relief pitcher Jonathan Broxton would replace him as closer.

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge (knee) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. His knee has felt fine; however, he was unable to rebuild his arm strength in time to start the season. He could be available after the first five games of the regular season. Reliever Tom Gordon is set to close in place of Lidge.

Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan (elbow) will throw to minor league hitters Sunday, March 30, and will begin the season on the disabled list. He is making his way back from Tommy John surgery and is not expected to return until mid-April. He could be limited when he does come back. Relief pitcher Jeremy Accardo takes over as the closer.

Others of Note

Angels relief pitcher Scot Shields (forearm) will likely begin the season on the disabled list, pushing relief pitcher Justin Speier into the team's setup role. Shields has been experienced tightness in his forearm but is only expected the first week or so of the season.

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.