Let’s take a look at this morning’s injury news and notes:
Hanley Ramirez – Florida Marlins – According to Joe Capoizzi (via Twitter), “Lower back stiffness is why Hanley left game”. Clark Spence of the Miami Herald (click here for the article) has one word quote from Ramirez about his back, “Bad”. At this point it appears unlikely that Ramirez plays on Monday and he is a big risk for the coming week. With a player of his ability, it really just depends on the other options you have available to you on if you want to roll the dice with him or not. Three games of Ramirez could be better than a full week of your alternative, but monitor the news up until your roster deadline before deciding.
Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals – According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (click here for the post), “Cardinals’ first baseman Albert Pujols rolled into some shoulder discomfort while trying to make a diving play Saturday evening against the Colorado Rockies. Manager Tony La Russa said he removed Pujols in part because of the rout and in part because of the soreness Pujols experienced in his left shoulder late in the game.” It appears to be nothing, as Pujols was in the Cardinals lineup yesterday, but it certainly is worth monitoring just in case.
Adam Jones – Baltimore Orioles – Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (click here for the post) is reporting that, “Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was removed from the game before the bottom of the fourth inning with a sore right shoulder.” In a separate post (click here to view), Zrebiec has a quote from Jones saying, “If I feel good in the morning, I don’t see them holding me back.” Certainly a good sign, so monitor the pre-game lineup and make sure he’s in there.
Carlos Beltran – New York Mets – According to Thomas Boorstein & Aaron Taube of mlb.com (click here for the article), “Carlos Beltran left Sunday’s game against the Phillies after the sixth inning with tightness in his left hamstring, but both he and manager Terry Collins said he will be in the lineup Monday against the Pirates.” Consider him day-to-day and monitor the pregame lineup, but the injury certainly doesn’t appear to be anything to worry about.
Geovany Soto – Chicago Cubs – “Also on Sunday, catcher Geovany Soto was activated from the disabled list and Welington Castillo was returned to Iowa. Soto, however, was not in Sunday’s potential starting lineup.” according to Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune (click here for the post). It shouldn’t be long before he’s starting games, so don’t read much into it. He should return to being a viable starting catcher in all formats before long.
Matt Holliday – St. Louis Cardinals – According to Joe Strauss (via Twitter), “Holliday out of starting lineup for 6th straight game. Hope that PH walk Friday was worth it.” Originally the hope was that he would return to the lineup today, but the longer he remains out the more likely it feels like he is ticketed for the DL. Still, having appeared as a pinch hitter in recent days, it certainly seems like the Cardinals feel like he’s close. Hopefully we get a little bit more information before lineups are due, but he is a risky proposition.
Andrew Bailey – Oakland Athletics – Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle (click here for the post) is reporting that, “The A’s have reinstated Andrew Bailey from the DL, as we expected when we saw Bobby Cramer packing up his locker last night. Bailey, the two-time All-Star closer, is not quite ready to plunge straight into the closer role, and manager Bob Geren said he’ll get Bailey into some non-save situations first.” You wouldn’t imagine that it would take more than a week, meaning the fantasy appeal of Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour will be reduced to only formats where middle relievers are valued.
Joe Nathan – Minnesota Twins – Phil Mackey (via Twitter) is reporting that, “An MRI on Joe Nathan’s elbow showed some inflammation in the forearm. Not uncommon for post-TJ. Team optimistic it isn’t serious.” Time will tell, but there is currently no word as to when he may return to the lineup.
R.A. Dickey – New York Mets – Michael Baron of metsblog.com (click here for the post) is reporting that, “This morning at Citi Field, R.A. Dickey threw a bullpen session, and afterwards he spoke with reporters and said it went well, although he doesn’t yet know if he will make his scheduled start on Tuesday. He said while there is still pain in his foot, it is getting better everyday and there is nothing impeding his ability to pitch.” He’s a big risk for the coming week, so I would look for other options at this point.
Seth Smith – Colorado Rockies – According to The Denver Post (click here for the article), “Right fielder Seth Smith sat out again because of a slight groin strain”. It sounds minor, but if he doesn’t return to the lineup on Sunday (he struck out as a pinch hitter) fantasy owners will have a difficult decision for the coming week. I would find an alternative, just in case.
Casey Kotchman – Tampa Bay Rays – According to the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter), “1B Casey Kotchman left game after 4th inning with right ankle soreness. Sean Rodriguez is in.” He had minimal fantasy appeal, so the injury doesn’t affect owners outside of AL-only formats. Still, if you use him, you will likely want to find an alternative for the coming week, though currently there is no word to the extent of the injury.
Miguel Olivo – Seattle Mariners – John Hickey (via Twitter) is reporting that, “C Miguel Olivo looks like he took a pounding in a fight after Saturday night’s head-first slide into 1st. He won’t start Sunday.” Fantasy owners have to hope that it is minor, as Olivo has been producing of late (10-22 with 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R and 2 SB over his past six games). Monitor the situation, but it does not appear like he will be out for long.
Cameron Maybin – San Diego Padres – He remained out of the lineup, with Blake Tekotte playing CF and hitting atop the order. Maybin’s injury doesn’t sound serious, though his absence is giving Tekotte a chance to earn playing time and potentially establish himself as the Padres leadoff hitter. I would certainly be monitoring the situation.
Gordon Beckham – Chicago White Sox – Mark Gonzales (via Twitter) is reporting that, “Beckham will return Monday, Ozzie said.” Certainly good news after the scare we had. While his numbers haven’t been great (.230, 4 HR, 15 RBI), he still has potential, especially for a 2B. Monitor the pregame lineup, just to be sure.
Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers Twitter feed is reporting that, “RHP Josh Lindblom was called up to the #Dodgers today, LA also placed Kenley Jansen on the DL & designated Travis Schlichting for assignment”. Jansen has often been regarded as the Dodgers closer of the future, but he hasn’t lived up to that billing yet this season blowing 1 of 2 save opportunities. He has electric stuff (35 K in 21.0 IP) and has suffered from poor luck (.378 BABIP, 64.9% strand rate). There is no word as to how long he could be out, but by the time he returns there’s the potential that both Jonathan Broxton and Hong-Chih Kuo are back, or Matt Guerrier could have solidified his role. Either way, there’s a good chance he doesn’t get a lengthy look as the team’s closer in 2011.
J.D. Drew – Boston Red Sox – He returned in the second game of the double-header, going 2-3. If he has value in your format, it appears safe to get him back active.
J.P. Arencibia – Toronto Blue Jays – Arencibia returned to the lineup, going 2-4 with 1 RBI and 1 R. He has proven to be worth using in most formats, depending on who your other options are (though he’s a must use in two-catcher formats). Keep him active.
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