but after testing it out between games he determined he wasn’t ready to go. Oblique injuries are always tough for baseball players. Hitting puts a lot of stress on the injury and can quickly lead to a much more serious oblique strain.
Nelson Cruz DH, Mariners: right knee discomfort
Cruz injured his right knee on Saturday when he slid into second trying to stretch for a double. This isn’t a serious injury that is likely to land him on the DL, but it could linger until he gets some extra time off around the All-Star break. Cruz has also dealt with calf, hand and hamstring injuries this season, making him a High Injury Risk. His Fantasy Baseball owners need to make sure they have a good backup in place because he always seems to be picking up new injuries.
Xander Bogaerts SS, Red Sox: right groin tightness
Bogaerts was a late scratch on Sunday and was out Monday as he deals with right groin tightness. Like Upton’s oblique injury, Bogaerts’ groin injury is one to approach cautiously. They tend to get worse very easily if he tweaked again. Lateral movements at short and the twisting of the lower body when hitting both increase the risk of re-injury, so it’s best for him to take a few extra days off to ensure that it is nothing more serious. Right now he is an Elevated Injury Risk and is considered a Risky Start for his fantasy owners.
Mark Melancon RP, Orioles: right pronator strain
Melancon is back on the DL with the same injury that sidelined him for two weeks last month. Melancon received a PRP injection to his forearm on Wednesday and is expected to be out longer this time around. Inside Injuries has given him a four week Optimal Recovery Time, so we may not see him on the mound until the end of July. With little to play for, the Giants won’t have any reason to rush him back. Sam Dyson will be their primary closer while Melancon is on the shelf.
Trea Turner SS, Nationals: right wrist fracture
Turner was hit by a pitch on Thursday, and after staying in the game for an inning was forced to leave. X-rays revealed the fracture that could sidelined him for 8-10 weeks. He hasn’t been quite as impressive as he was in his rookie season, but his ability on the basepaths is irreplaceable. Turner has swiped 35 bags already in 2017. That’s something his Fantasy owners won’t be able to replace while he is sidelined. Stephen Drew is first in line to start in Turner’s place.
Drew Smyly SP, Mariners: Tommy John surgery
Smyly was working his way back from a flexor bundle strain and was hoping to return in mid-July, but a setback lead to a grave diagnosis. Smyly has a torn UCL that will require Tommy John surgery. Pitchers need 12-18 months to return to the mound; if his recovery is smooth he has a chance to return in the second half of the 2018 season, but a 2019 return seems more likely.
Ian Desmond OF, Rockies: right calf cramp
Desmond wasn’t in the Rockies’ lineup on Sunday due to right calf tightness and is now on the DL. While Desmond doesn’t have a history of calf injuries, it is still something he needs to be careful with. As we saw earlier this year with Josh Donaldson and Adrian Beltre, returning too soon can lead to a more serious strain that comes with a 3+ week recovery time now. The outlook likely won’t improve for at least two weeks due to the recurrent nature of calf injuries.
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