This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
"Phil?"
"Phil Connors?"
The immortal words of Ned Ryerson from the movie Groundhog Day have been echoing in my ears for weeks now. As this MLB season has progressed, I've felt a bit like Bill Murray's character from the film, in that every week seems the same. Every time I set out to write a new column, it seems like at least one player has strained an oblique, tweaked a hamstring, been hit by a pitch, or a new pitcher is reporting forearm tightness and pain. These four injuries have impacted fantasy rosters in all formats and, even the All-Star break couldn't break the cycle. Let's go down the list and see who fits the bill this week.
No. 1 Oblique strain
The Mets big offseason acquisition is slated to miss multiple weeks after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain. The noted classification indicates a partial tear of the muscle, meaning a lengthy recovery is likely. Oblique strains are on the rise this season, with the average missed time hovering around one month. Lindor confirmed these concerns, relaying to reporters that he anticipated missing more than the minimum amount of time and calling his status "week-to-week." Luis Guillorme and veteran Jonathan Villar will fill in at shortstop for the Mets for the immediate future. The team is expected to be active at the trade deadline and could add a shortstop to their shopping list.
No. 2 Hamstring strain
The Dodgers infielder was removed from Sunday's contest with
"Phil?"
"Phil Connors?"
The immortal words of Ned Ryerson from the movie Groundhog Day have been echoing in my ears for weeks now. As this MLB season has progressed, I've felt a bit like Bill Murray's character from the film, in that every week seems the same. Every time I set out to write a new column, it seems like at least one player has strained an oblique, tweaked a hamstring, been hit by a pitch, or a new pitcher is reporting forearm tightness and pain. These four injuries have impacted fantasy rosters in all formats and, even the All-Star break couldn't break the cycle. Let's go down the list and see who fits the bill this week.
No. 1 Oblique strain
The Mets big offseason acquisition is slated to miss multiple weeks after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain. The noted classification indicates a partial tear of the muscle, meaning a lengthy recovery is likely. Oblique strains are on the rise this season, with the average missed time hovering around one month. Lindor confirmed these concerns, relaying to reporters that he anticipated missing more than the minimum amount of time and calling his status "week-to-week." Luis Guillorme and veteran Jonathan Villar will fill in at shortstop for the Mets for the immediate future. The team is expected to be active at the trade deadline and could add a shortstop to their shopping list.
No. 2 Hamstring strain
The Dodgers infielder was removed from Sunday's contest with a hamstring strain. Further testing revealed a mild or low-grade strain, and he already has been sent to the IL. The healing process for hamstring strains is an intricate process that is easily disrupted and aggravated. A two-week absence seems probable with an increased risk of re-injury set to linger upon his return.
No. 3 Hit by a pitch
The Reds first-time All-Star has made just three plate appearances since his time in Colorado. He was struck on the wrist by a rogue pitch on Friday night but did reported an improvement in symptoms. Castellanos managed to pinch hit on Monday, so it appears he will avoid the IL. However, the bones of the wrist and hand are small enough that a fracture sometimes doesn't show up on an initial X-ray. Keep your fingers crossed that he continues to progress and returns to the starting lineup soon.
No. 4 Forearm pain
While deGrom's productivity has been stellar throughout the year, his health has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He has missed time with right side tightness, elbow flexor tendinitis, shoulder soreness, and will now once again hit the IL with tightness in the aforementioned forearm. It's clear from his laundry list of injuries that there is an underlying issue with the kinetic chain in his upper extremity. The team's attempts to let the symptoms subside and then have him resume throwing appear a bit like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. Sure it will help a bit, but the situation will not improve until the underlying problem is identified and addressed. It is by no means an easy task, but it would go along with keeping deGrom in the rotation and contention for the Cy Young.
Check Swings
Jazz Chisholm: The Miami infielder injured his shoulder in Sunday's loss to the Phillies while diving to make a catch. A MRI taken on the injured joint revealed a bone bruise in his left shoulder and a soft tissue contusion. He will miss time, but it appears he avoided any cartilage or ligament damage. The bone contusion is the biggest concern and could prolong his recovery as they tend to heal slowly. Fortunately, bone tissue can easily return to full strength if allotted enough time.
Garrett Cooper: Cooper was injured in the same game as Chisholm, though his injury involves his elbow. The team is calling it a sprain and have already placed him on the IL. The severity of the sprain was not disclosed. Hopefully, it is a low-grade sprain and Cooper will be back in 10 to 14 days.
Brandon Crawford: Crawford somehow managed to end up with a pair of injuries off my Groundhog Day List. The Giants shortstop missed time over the weekend with a hamstring strain. While he appeared to have avoided a serious injury to his leg, he strained his left oblique in his first game back and has hit the IL. Look for him to miss at least two weeks.
Clayton Kershaw: Kershaw isn't expected back on the active roster until August, as he works his way back from a left elbow injury. An MRI taken on the area failed to uncover any structural damage, with inflammation, likely linked to overuse, serving as the final diagnosis. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner has thrown his highest numbers of pitches before the All-Star break in years, and the Dodgers will now take a conservative approach with his care to insure he's healthy for the stretch run.
Pablo Lopez: A right rotator cuff strain will send the Marlins right-hander to the IL. While the strain is likely mild, Lopez does have a history of right shoulder strains dating back to 2018. Look for Lopez's absence to extend beyond the minimum 10 days as he becomes the latest Miami pitcher to succumb to injury.
Corey Seager: The Dodgers shortstop has yet to return from the fractured fifth metacarpal that has kept him out since May 15. Fortunately, there does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel as he continues to take part in simulated action. He will be evaluated Tuesday and could return as early as Wednesday.
Stephen Strasburg: Strasburg returned to the mound Monday after a brief hiccup in his rehab plan for a neck strain that resulted in a nerve irritation. The Nationals right-hander was reportedly nearing a rehab assignment before reporting discomfort following a simulated game. However, the issue appears to have resolved itself, and he will now continue his return-to-play protocol. He remains out indefinitely.
