Aroldis Chapman, RP, Yankees: knee tendinitis
Chapman has landed on the DL with tendinitis in his left knee. He was clearly bothered by the injury during his last appearance, showing a significant drop in velocity. Chapman’s knee was already a problem earlier this season, forcing him to miss the All Star game. Now he needs at least 2-3 weeks for things to calm down. Chapman was an Elevated Injury Risk before his latest flare-up because we knew this could be a lingering concern, and now he is High Risk (26%). The Yankees need to take things slow so he can be 100% by the playoffs.
Jose Abreu, 1B, White Sox: abdominal surgery
After reporting pain on Tuesday, Abreu was sent to be evaluated and ended up undergoing some sort of abdominal/groin surgery (possibly for a sports hernia) that will sideline him for multiple weeks. While the White Sox hope he could be back in around two weeks, Inside Injuries is showing a much longer 7 week Optimal Recovery Time. He is now a very High Injury Risk.
Marcell Ozuna, OF, Cardinals: right shoulder inflammation
A right shoulder injury has finally landed Ozuna on the DL. Ozuna has been battling pain in his shoulder for most of the season, and it may even be a problem that has lingered for over a year. While there could be inflammation in the joint, there’s something more going on here. That’s clear based on the fact that this has been a long-standing problem. The Cardinals newest acquisition, Matt Adams, is filling in while Ozuna is out. Ozuna’s Injury Risk is now very high (28%), and a Poor Health Performance Factor indicates he isn’t anywhere near healthy enough to contribute. He needs multiple weeks of rest.
Didi Gregorius, SS, Yankees: left heel contusion
Gregorius was placed on the DL after a collision at first base left him with a bruised left heel. Inside Injuries is showing a three week Optimal Recovery Time. This is also the type of injury that can linger, and the last thing the Yankees need is another player who isn’t 100% by the time the playoffs begin. He shouldn’t return until mid-September. Gregorious has been one of the Yankees more dependable players this season, and the team is already without a few key players in Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. It’s a tough loss for this ballclub. The Yankees slid Gleyber Torres over from second to short, with Neil Walker now filling in at second.
Chris Sale, SP, Red Sox: shoulder inflammation
When Chris Sale returned to the rotation after just two weeks on the DL due to a shoulder injury, we warned that it was too soon. His Injury Risk was too high for him to be playing. Well, after just one start he is back on the DL with inflammation in his pitching shoulder. This time Sale needs to remain sidelined for at least 3-4 weeks. That should allow him to fully recover in time for the playoffs. The Red Sox weren’t careful enough with their ace, and now they are paying the price. For now he is doing exercises to strengthen and improve his arm, but he isn’t throwing.
Marcus Stroman, SP, Blue Jays: blister
Stroman finally landed on the DL after trying to play through a blister issue on his finger. It re-opened on him during his last start, and with these problems it’s important to put down the baseball and take the time to rest so it doesn’t continue to get worse. Stroman didn’t do that when his blister starter to form, and this is what he was left with. Stroman also battled a shoulder injury earlier in the year that landed him on the DL. Two weeks should be enough this time around for him to heal.
Justin Bour, 1B, Phillies: oblique strain
An injury to Justin Bour is coming at a bad time for the Phillies as they battle the Braves for the top spot in the NL East. Bour felt a twinge in his left oblique during a swing in the ninth inning Wednesday night and was placed on the DL the following morning. Oblique strains are notoriously tricky and often linger or re-appear even when they are close to fully healed. While the team says the move is precautionary, he still needs a minimum of two weeks to heal, and he should be out even longer.
Brandon Nimmo, OF, Mets: finger sprain
Despite a clean x-ray and MRI, the Mets placed Nimmo on the DL with a finger injury. The team is calling it a bruised left index finger and backtracked after initially saying he would not need a DL stint. The finger wasn’t improving as quickly as expected, so it made sense to open up the roster spot. Inside Injuries is showing a 1-2 week recovery time.
Yu Darvish, SP, Cubs: stress reaction in elbow
The Cubs are finally shutting Yu Darvish down for the season. Darvish was lifted from his latest rehab start with renewed discomfort in his pitching arm. An MRI showed a stress reaction in his elbow. This is something that could have started to bother him all the way back in May when his arm problems picked up (the injury was initially called a triceps strain with an elbow injury). The triceps strain still exists and has not fully healed, but it’s the stress reaction that is forcing him to shut things down. At this point it’s unrealistic to think that Darvish will ever come close to living up to his massive contract.
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