2009 INJURIES: TB's Pena done for the season (broken fingers)

[TooLiveBrew]

I thought it might be worthwhile to have a place to discuss injuries & recoveries, as opposed to the occasional 'Player X injures _____; out y-z weeks/mos.' thread. I figure this would be a good way to keep up not only with the M*A*S*H unit this summer, but also the league as a whole. I think the most relevant discussion will come (obv.) from NL Central injuries/updates, but any injury story is clearly a fit. I'll just keep this short & try to not ramble. If others think this is a good idea, the thread will live... if not, it'll just fade into the oblivion known as 'anything not on page 1 of the MLB forum' http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

Just an idea... if you're posting some info on a player, please try to remember to make the player's name bold so it's easier to find reading through this thread.

 

 

Some references:

- Rotoworld MLB page

- The Disabled List Informer

[TooLiveBrew]

From The DL Informer --

Initially believed to be out until late June at the earliest, it is looking more and more likely that Aramis Ramirez will be out until July at the earliest. The key here is whether or not there was additional damage to his labrum or rotator cuff as a result of the significant shoulder dislocation. A fall on an outstretched arm is one of the most common ways for a shoulder to dislocate, and in many cases, additional pathology occurs as a result of the trauma. I would know - I have had this very injury to my left shoulder, and it resulted in a torn rotator cuff that took nearly 3 months to recover from. Fantasy owners will have to hope for a clean MRI and positive comments from the Orthopedist and training staff.

Lance Berkman missed yesterday's game, and will probably be out again today with a left wrist injury that was coined a "cartilage sprain" by Dr. Tom Mehlhoff. The cartilage in question would likely be the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) - the major stabilizer of the distal forearm and wrist. Many of these tears are minor and may heal with rest and conservative treatment, but occasionally require a splint for a short period of time. In his final at-bat on Thursday, he took a check swing and felt pain. When he tried to take some batting practice on Saturday, he shut it down after just one dry swing when he felt a sharp pain. With an off day on Monday, don't expect Berkman back until mid-week at the earliest. If he continues to have pain by then, expect a Cortisone injection.

From Rotoworld --

According to Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Ryan Ludwick will be placed on the disabled list Wednesday.

The Cardinals will recall outfielder Nick Stavinoha from Triple-A Memphis to take his spot on the roster. Ludwick suffered a hamstring injury while attempting to make a diving catch Tuesday night. Shane Robinson is likely to get the majority of starts in right field but lacks power and is unlikely to be a fantasy asset.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Cubs are targeting a May 22 return for Carlos Zambrano.

Zambrano has been on the disabled list since May 4 with a strained left hamstring but has been able to throw bullpen sessions as of late and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. If he makes the target date, he'll be facing the Padres. That's incentive enough.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

[logan82]

Ludwick suffered a hamstring injury while attempting to make a diving catch Tuesday night

 

That sounds familiar.

[Ennder]

Ludwick officially hit the DL which means they will be without him and Ankiel when we face them.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Ludwick officially hit the DL which means they will be without him and Ankiel when we face them.

 

So there should be next to no reason why Pujols should see a strike all series long. I can live with the Brewers getting beat by anyone else in that lineup, but right now I see no reason why Pujols has to be pitched to, unless walking him forces in the winning run.

[GormanHarvey]

Never want to root for injuries or anything of that nature, but we need to take advantage of breaks like this and win the series against a Cards team missing 2 of their best hitters

[jjfanec]

The Berkman update was a little off as he started last night for Houston.

 

Wtihout Ramirez the Cubs infield is average or worse. Fontenot, Theriot, Miles and Lee don't really strike fear into anyone I don't think. No one has an OPS over .779 (Theriot's), Fontenot is low .700, Lee is low .600 and Miles is in the .500's. Freel could provide nice depth, but with Soto struggling as well, Soriano and Fukudome are carrying this team.

[sargennm]

So there should be next to no reason why Pujols should see a strike all series long. I can live with the Brewers getting beat by anyone else in that lineup, but right now I see no reason why Pujols has to be pitched to, unless walking him forces in the winning run.

Even with Ludwick in the lineup, I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't understand how he doesn't get walked more. There's no reason to tempt fate. Plus, nothing gets Busch Stadium rocking more than when Puljos is driving in runs. To me this will be one of the more interesting series to watch Macha how he handles pitching to Puljos and TLR's endless mind games.

[TooLiveBrew]

Chien-Ming Wang (hip, foot) will make his second rehab start Sunday, according to manager Joe Girardi.

Wang looked good in tossing six shutout innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Tuesday, allowing just three hits. If everything goes well Sunday, he will likely be recalled to the majors shortly thereafter. He may be worth picking up in AL-only leagues as he still has the talent that recorded 19 wins just two seasons ago, and who had eight wins and two losses in 15 starts last season before bowing out for the season with a foot injury.

Source: New York Post
...
Ryan Ludwick (hamstring) was walking around without a limp Thursday.

That is great news for both the Cardinals and fantasy owners alike. While he is on the 15-day disabled list and unable to return until May 28, it already looks like he'll be back as soon as he's eligible.

Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Brewers activated catcher Mike Rivera from the 15-day disabled list.

Rivera passed his medical checkup Thursday morning and was deemed fit to play. He'll resume a backup role behind starter Jason Kendall.
...
John Smoltz tossed a pain-free bullpen session Tuesday, and is slated throw a couple of innings in an extended spring training game on Thursday.

The Red Sox could decide to get him rolling on a rehab assignment early next week. "Majority of it depends on how he does, how he feels," manager Terry Francona said Wednesday. He's still on track for an early June return.

Source: Boston Globe

 

Ervin Santana gets the unenviable task of making his season debut against a stout Red Sox lineup tonight. He was just activated from the DL, and figures to struggle early on as he tries to harness the control of all of his pitches. Ligament tears tend to alter the body's ability to decent positional change about the involved joint (elbow), so don't be surprised if his walk rate rises somewhat.
...
John Lackey is going to make his season debut against the Rangers on Saturday. Even though Santana has reportedly looked better in his rehab outings than Lackey, I still feel that Lackey will have the better numbers when all is said and done.
...
Kevin Youkilis is on the 15-day DL with what has become a very stubborn oblique injury. Youkilis said he is about 60 or 70 percent right now, and still feels the pain during the act of swinging a bat. He has already missed 8 games since last playing on May 4. The added time off to get treatment should pay dividends, though I am skeptical that he will be able to return when he is eligible to return on May 20. He was seen grimacing with pain after taking a light swing during BP last night- an indication that the muscle is still nowhere near fully healed. The Sox would love to have him back for the series against the Mets, but even that might be overly optimistic.
...
From the sound of things, Vladimir Guerrero should be the everyday DH when he is able to return from the DL. For fantasy purposes, this is great news, as he never really had much of a problem swinging the bat - it was throwing that gave him the most pain. The Angels are saying that if he starts taking batting practice this week, then he could be back in under two weeks. Said manager Mike Scioscia, "Once he gets on the field taking practice, [it's] hopefully going to be 10 days to a couple of weeks [before he's back]." Given their plans to have him as their DH for the remainder of the season, I am optimistic that this won't be a huge concern going forward, though he may have trouble stretching out to hit the low, outside pitches.
...
Stephen Drew finally returned from the DL on Tuesday, after getting through two rehab starts at AAA-Reno earlier in the week. ... Given that Drew had ample time on the DL, this should not be an issue going forward
...
Dustin Pedroia remained out of the starting lineup on Wednesday as a precaution. Pedroia felt that he could play, but with some mild soreness still lingering, the Red Sox exercised caution and instead played Nick Green. Pedroia has been taking batting practice and has had no pain. Remember, it was an inside pitch that he turned on quickly when his cleat stuck and caused his groin strain. ... Expect him back soon - definitely in time for the Seattle series that starts on Friday.

[rluzinski]

The reason teams are still pitching to Pujols is because adding 500+ points to his OBP is not going to minimize his offensive contribution. Not making an out and getting on base is a huge chunk of any batter's value.

[Postseason2006]

True. But I would rather have some other than Pujols beat me.

[Invader3K]

The reason teams are still pitching to Pujols is because adding 500+ points to his OBP is not going to minimize his offensive contribution. Not making an out and getting on base is a huge chunk of any batter's value.

I don't get this logic. Teams used to constantly walk Bonds. What makes Pujols any different?

[sargennm]

The reason teams are still pitching to Pujols is because adding 500+ points to his OBP is not going to minimize his offensive contribution. Not making an out and getting on base is a huge chunk of any batter's value.

OK, I honestly thought that walking a guy like Pujols was a good idea. A la what teams did to Bonds during his crazy years. But that just doesn't play out as an effective strategy from a win-loss perspective? Particularly now when the hitters behind him are much less effective? I'm guessing there's some statistical study of the Bonds era or something else that you're getting at here. If you don't mind, could you share a little more.

[Ennder]

I don't get this logic. Teams used to constantly walk Bonds. What makes Pujols any different?

Walking Bonds was probably the wrong move most of the time as well, though to be fair his 'peak' years blow Pujols out of the water.

[Blancofan1]

Looks like the Carlos Delgado hip injury may be a lot more serious than originally reported. NY Post reports that he might be out for the season and the injury is possibly career ending. Mentioned this in another thread, but could this be where Brad Nelson ends up?

 

From the article:

General manager Omar Minaya delivered this on the injury front: Delgado has a multitude of potentially career-ending problems in his ailing right hip. It doesn't look promising, but the Mets now plan to wait until Sunday before making a decision on Delgado and what seems to be an inevitable trip to the disabled list -- and possibly could lead to the end of the 36-year-old's career.

[TooLiveBrew]

Wow, that really doesn't sound good -- "a multitude of potentially career-ending probems in his ailing right hip". Nice find, and thanks for sharing that, Blanco.

 

It'll be interesting to read Neault's take at the DL Informer once he posts on this one. Rotoworld didn't have anything more than a mention that the Mets are taking a 'wait & see' approach with the Delgado situation.

[TooLiveBrew]

Edinson Volquez left last night's start against the Padres with a lower back strain. Said Volquez, "It was like something grabbed my back. It's tight right now. On the last three pitches I threw, I felt it, like, grab at me on both sides of my back." Expect Volquez to get a heavy dose of treatment over the next few days, and if his side sessions go well, he may be able to make his next start.

...

Joey Votto also had to leave last night's game after feeling dizzy once again. Having dealt with a "flu-like illness" last week, he also developed some dizziness as well - the origin of which has not been determined. Since his flu symptoms have gotten better but he still has dizziness, look for the Reds to conduct further tests to see if this is a vestibular problem, or if it is arising from a more systemic problem. Basically, this is a day-to-day issue that could easily develop into a DL situation if the dizziness is vestibular in nature.

...

Daisuke Matsuzaka has thrown three rehab starts down at AAA-Pawtucket, with his most recent one lasting 5 innings - logging 9 strikeouts in the process. He is feeling much better since going on the DL on April 15 with a right shoulder strain. He figures to get a start against the Mets next weekend.

[Brawndo the Thirst Mutilat]

Walking Bonds was probably the wrong move most of the time as well, though to be fair his 'peak' years blow Pujols out of the water.

Exactly. Pujols is easily the best hitter in the game, but he isn't the best hitter since Babe Ruth, and maybe even better than Babe Ruth. And even better-than-Ruth Bonds, with the likes of Benito Santiago, Edgardo Alfonso, et.al. hitting behind him, wasn't good enough to statistically justify the extent to which he was pitched around. I remember a number of analysts looking at this, and invariably they all reached the same conclusion -- most of the intentional walks Bonds was issued were dumb.

 

On the other hand, if I was an actual MLB manager, I would have to weigh the statistical incorrectness of walking guys like Bonds and Pujols against the MSM's unquestioning belief that "you don't let the other team's best guy beat you", and in most situations in which the IBB was pretty close to the break-even point, I would probably have to go with that strategy if I cared about my job security.

[TooLiveBrew]

Cardinals tv color commentator Al Hrabosky (I believe I have the right name) tonight had some thoughts on pitchers nowadays in the bottom of the 4th. He honestly sounded like he couldn't understand how guys can't be ready to throw over 100 pitches every day after throwing batting practice as well anymore.

 

'you used to have 4-man rotations'

 

[nowadays,] 'you baby the heck out of them, and they all get hurt anyway'

 

 

To me it's spooky that this mentality is spread to thousands & millions of fans across the airwaves every season. I wish there was a way to stop it.

[mothershipconnection]

Bonds OPS from 2001-2004, slg in parentheses: 1.379 (.863), 1.381 (.799), 1.278 (.749), and 1.422 (.812). Pujols two best seasons are 1.102 (.671), and 1.114 (.653). Consider that the career difference between Prince Fielder and Juan Pierre is .186 (.161).

[TooLiveBrew]

The state of Eric Chavez 's low back has been well-documented as being quite bad. He has had a prior microdiscectomy at L4-5 back in late 2007, and recent examination by Doctors has revealed that the L3-4 disc is herniated to the point where it could become severe enough to warrant a spinal fusion at some point - a surgery that would end his career. A fusion would fixate the adjacent spinal levels, hence limiting his ability to bend and rotate his lower back - obviously necessary movements for a baseball player.

 

Chavez has said repeatedly that he is not interested in having another surgery while under contract with the A's. He is determined to rehabilitate, whether it is successful or not, and after his baseball days are done with, he will have to have the surgery. What this means for the rest of 2009 is that he may not return, and if he does, you simply cannot expect him to stay on the field for any meaningful stretch of time. There is a good chance that if he is able to continue his career, it may have to be strictly as a bench option, or less likely as a DH (he doesn't produce at high enough of a level to be a DH). It's really a sad story, because he is probably one of the most beloved Oakland A's of all-time, and is definitely one of my favorite players.

 

...

Joey Votto visited with an internist today for further evaluation to seek the cause of his recurring dizziness and inability to focus. The initial thought would be that he has vertigo, but this is something that would occur with head movements or rapid positional changes of the body. That he is seeing an internist leads me to believe that they are trying to rule out some form of disease process, perhaps secondary to his recent flu-like illness. If this visit comes back without anything definitive, another route would be to see a neurologist or vestibular specialist. Let's hope that this is nothing major and we all wish Joey Votto a quick recovery

 

...

Edwin Encarnacion is probably a couple weeks away from returning as he recovers from a small chip fracture in his left wrist. There should be no major strength deficits in the wrist and forearm as a result of this minor injury, as the period of immobilization was so short.

...

Rickie Weeks suffered a torn tendon sheath of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris in his left wrist and is now on the DL following season-ending surgery to repair the tendon. The surgery was performed by Dr. Don Sheridan, the same Doctor who operated the very same procedure on his right wrist in 2006. Said Brewers trainer Roger Caplinger, "Dr. Sheridan said he's never had a person have this in both wrists in his career." That he injured the same tendon sheath in both wrists likely means that he has a physical predisposition of some sort, perhaps a ligamentous or articular laxity about the wrist. Combine that with baseball activities that require forceful, rapid wrist motion, and you have a recipe for this type of injury. Weeks will be ready for spring training next season, though it will be interesting to see how this affects his hitting power, and ability to handle pitches of difficult location.

 

...

Chris Carpenter is set to return to the Cardinals on Wednesday, so you will want to have him in your lineup for the short time that he is likely to stay healthy. Rick Ankiel is also set to return to the Cardinals outfield on Wednesday, following the scary head-first collision with the center field wall that left him with multiple bumps, bruises, and strains

 

...

Vladimir Guerrero is getting closer to returning to the Angels lineup as the designated hitter - a move that fantasy owners can certainly appreciate. He's not likely to remain healthy for long if he plays regularly in the outfield, as the torn Pectoral will feel the strain of the long, forceful throws. He has yet to receive clearance to throw, so this may be something that they do not intend to happen for the rest of the year.

...

Chien-Ming Wang should be activated from the DL this week after throwing consecutive successful minor league rehab starts. He certainly can't be any worse than he was earlier this season. He will never be a big strikeout guy, but he should definitely help out in the wins category, and return to the 4.00 ERA/1.30 WHIP realm. He is likely to have some residual hip weakness and some minor mobility restriction in the foot, but this should only improve with time and further maintenance treatment.

 

...

Adam Jones made his return to the Orioles lineup tonight against the Royals. He had missed the past four games with a strained hamstring. He deemed himself 100% and able to sprint at full-speed. Manager Dave Trembley said that Jones has "no restrictions." Get him in your lineup as soon as possible, as he has been sensational in 2009.

 

...

Kelvim Escobar is aiming to return to the majors in mid-June, as he is gearing up for a possible rehab assignment this weekend. I would expect him to make three starts or so while down on the farm. He remains a very big injury risk going forward.

[TooLiveBrew]

I apologize for what may be an obvious question here, but what is going on with Hardy? Counsell has started 5 games in a row now. Like I said I may have just missed something (chat talk was that Hardy's expected to be out 'a few more days', per Ueck).

 

Why not just DL the guy retro-active to whatever date, and let him get healthy? The lack of updates on J.J.'s status is concerning to me... no news always makes me think bad news.

 

 

EDIT: Tonight's start actually makes it 6 in a row for Counsell

[TooLiveBrew]

Joey Votto got perhaps the best possible news when he found out that the cause of his dizziness was merely an ear infection. Now that he has proper medication to treat this, the aura of dizziness should subside gradually and allow him to return. Now all we can hope for is that this is not a misdiagnosis.

...

Jose Reyes continues to battle with a stingy bout of tendonitis behind his right knee, reportedly in the Gastrocnemius (calf) muscle. Tendonitis usually presents as pain in the presence of decent strength, so the key here is for the Mets to allow him ample time to rest, rehab, and then get back out there. There are many conservative treatments available that could assist with reducing the tendonitis. Surely, the Mets are trying to avoid placing him on the DL.

...

Scott Kazmir was placed on the 15-day DL today with what is being called a right "Quadriceps strain." Kazmir says that the right Quad strain is from faulty pitching mechanics, as a result of changing his delivery last year in an effort to reduce strain on his elbow. The pain occurs mostly at initial contact of his lead foot plant in his motion, where the Quad needs to eccentrically contract to control the knee. The Rays might actually fare better without Kazmir right now, as he has struggled mightily this season (7.69 ERA), so the time off might be a blessing in disguise.

...

Troy Percival was also shifted to the DL with shoulder tendonitis, and manager Joe Maddon said, "I wouldn't be surprised if he chooses not to come back." For those of you looking for saves, say hello to the Joe Nelson/J.P. Howell/Grant Balfour combo!

...

Conor Jackson has been diagnosed with Pneumonia, and if you've ever known someone who has had this, you should know that it can run its own, deliberate course or get better in short order. Our best estimate here is that he misses at least another 2-3 weeks, but it could be longer, especially now that his replacement is hitting so well (Gerardo Parra).

[hawing]

I wonder how similar Votto's problem is to the one Ben Sheets experienced a couple of springs earlier this decade.

[TooLiveBrew]

The Mets are doing the right thing by sending Jose Reyes to the DL. Their offense simply doesn't go without him, and with the mounting injuries to their offense, they will need him completely healthy going forward.

...

Francisco Rodriguez returned to the mound for a save opportunity a mere two days after collapsing due to back spasms over the weekend. The cause of the spasms are not known, and K-Rod said that this had never happened to him before. Could this be a sign of a developing spine issue such as an underlying disc problem? Possibly, but there is no way to tell without diagnostic imaging. If the Mets were smart, they would be following up on this.

...

Matt Capps took a sharp line drive off his pitching elbow and was in a lot of pain due to the blunt trauma, but x-rays proved negative. He was able to throw today, and appears likely to miss the DL. He could be back to pitching as soon as this weekend.

...

Akinori Iwamura is out for the remainder of the 2009 season after tearing his left ACL following a hard slide broke up a double play attempt. His left leg was planted and the baserunner's body slammed into his knee, torquing it and tearing the ACL. The recovery period is typically five to six months, so he will be good to go in 2010. Ben Zobrist will see a lot more playing time, especially with Jason Bartlett on the DL with a sprained ankle.