Michael Wacha SP, Cardinals: left oblique strain
Wacha could be looking at a lengthy absence after leaving his start Wednesday with an oblique strain. An MRI on Thursday will confirm the severity, but it’s very possible he is out through the All Star break, and likely even longer. It’s a tough injury for a pitcher, and it takes at least 2-3 weeks even for a mild strain. A more serious oblique strain can take 5-6 weeks to recover from. His Injury Risk has already jumped to High.
Hunter Strickland RP, Giants: right hand fracture
Every year we hear the same story. A closer blows a save, gets frustrated, punches a wall and ends up with a broken hand. This year that guy is Hunter Strickland. He blew a save against the Marlins on Monday night and wound up with a serious injury to his pitching hand that will sideline him for 6-8 weeks following surgery. Our algorithm is showing a 7 week Optimal Recovery Time, so a return in mid-August is realistic. His fantasy owners shouldn’t bother holding onto him unless there is an open DL spot.
Brandon Morrow RP, Cubs: lower back injury
Morrow might have one of the weirder injury explanations we will hear this year. As he was putting on his pants earlier in the week, he caused a lower back injury. Morrow experienced back spasms and has been placed on the DL. Our analytics show that he needs around two weeks to recover, so this shouldn’t lead to a lengthy absence. Still, it’s a tough way to lose one of your bullpen guys.
Carlos Carrasco SP, Indians: right elbow contusion
Carrasco always seems to have trouble getting out of the way of comebackers. This time he took a liner to the elbow, a 99.6 mile rocket off the bat of Joe Mauer. He quickly crumbled to his knee in pain and immediately left the game. The positive news is that all scans were clean, so he is just dealing with an elbow contusion. He will need a week or two for all of the swelling and stiffness to improve, but this isn’t going to lead to a long-term absence.
Matt Adams 1B, Nationals: finger fracture
This week was a bad one for hand fractures, and Matt Adams’ fate was no different. Adams was hit by a pitch on a bunt attempt last Friday night, resulting in a “slight fracture” to his left index finger. The injury is to his non-throwing hand, which will lead to a much quicker return to the field. 4 weeks is the absolute minimum time he should miss, but it could be closer to 6 weeks. Once his pain subsides, he will start to swing the bat again and go from there. He has been an important player for the Nationals, providing power alongside Bryce Harper in the middle of the lineup. This is the type of injury that can sap a hitter’s power for weeks even after they are healthy enough to return.
Evan Longoria 3B, Giants: hand fracture
Longoria underwent surgery this week to repair a fracture to his left hand. He took a pitch to his hand and tried to stay in the game but didn’t last very long. His recovery time will be closer to 8 weeks (not 6), due to the procedure. We are showing a Healthy to Return Date around early August.
Ryan Braun OF, Brewers: thumb injury
Braun has had trouble with his right thumb since 2014, and it started to act up again a few days ago. Braun underwent a cyrotherapy session to alleviate pain, something he has done four other times in the past. This doesn’t lead to a lengthy absence, but it is a concern due to his many thumb problems. On top of that, he continues to be bothered by recurring back and calf injuries. When Braun is healthy and feeling good, he is a great player. But every week it seems like we hear of a new injury. We are showing a 3 week Optimal Recovery Time for his thumb to really improve, and even then he will remain a High Injury Risk, as he has been all season.
Jay Bruce OF, Mets: hip strain
An MRI on Bruce’s right hip showed a strain, forcing him to the DL. Initially his injury was called soreness, but it was clear that was something more going on here. He needs 2-4 weeks to heal depending on the severity of the strain. Before the hip injury, Bruce was battling plantar fasciitis and a lower back issue. The back and hip injuries are likely related. By trying to overcompensate for one, another injury pops up. Bruce should remain sidelined through the All Star break to allow enough time for all of his ailments to heal. Right now he is a High Injury Risk.
Matt Chapman 3B, As: right thumb injury
The As placed Chapman on the DL last week with a right thumb “contusion”. He received a cortisone injection with saline, and if it improves the pain he could start to swing a bat in the next few days. The injection should help with the inflammation that was found during a series of tests. Saline is often used to provide some relief over the muscle. Chapman was also shut down for a week during Spring Training with the same thumb problem. The cortisone injection helped that time, as it should now, but it is a concern that this is a recurring injury. His HPF (Health Performance Factor) remains Below Average, so he isn’t ready yet to return to the lineup and play at a high level.
Others we are Watching this Week:
Chris Taylor: left hamstring tightness
Jose Martinez: shoulder soreness
Brett Gardner: right knee inflammation
Follow Virginia @VZakas and Inside Injuries.
