This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The Yankees closer is expected to miss an extended period of time with inflammation in his rotator cuff. Chapman reported the issue following Friday's 5-1 loss to the Astros in which he surrendered three hits and an earned run in less than an inning of work. A MRI revealed the inflammation in the area though no structural damage was uncovered. However, inflammation in the rotator cuff can be problematic for pitchers given the positioning of the muscle group.
The rotator cuff comprises four muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Together the tendons of the cuff surround the head of the upper arm bone known as the humerus. This arrangement allows the cuff to provide both mobility and stability to the glenohumeral joint, the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. As its name suggests, the rotator cuff is functionally responsible for rotating the glenohumeral joint in both internal and external rotation.
Inflammation of the rotator cuff usually involves the tendons of one or more of the muscles. Tendons are the connective tissue of muscle that helps attach and anchor a muscle. Unfortunately, each tendon of the rotator cuff muscles must pass through a tiny space in the shoulder. This positioning leaves them susceptible to injury with excessive repetitive motion, especially when inflamed. If caught early, the irritated tendons can be treated with minimally invasive treatment options. However, if an affected individual were to attempt to play through the problem, a true tear can develop, resulting in
The Yankees closer is expected to miss an extended period of time with inflammation in his rotator cuff. Chapman reported the issue following Friday's 5-1 loss to the Astros in which he surrendered three hits and an earned run in less than an inning of work. A MRI revealed the inflammation in the area though no structural damage was uncovered. However, inflammation in the rotator cuff can be problematic for pitchers given the positioning of the muscle group.
The rotator cuff comprises four muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. Together the tendons of the cuff surround the head of the upper arm bone known as the humerus. This arrangement allows the cuff to provide both mobility and stability to the glenohumeral joint, the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. As its name suggests, the rotator cuff is functionally responsible for rotating the glenohumeral joint in both internal and external rotation.
Inflammation of the rotator cuff usually involves the tendons of one or more of the muscles. Tendons are the connective tissue of muscle that helps attach and anchor a muscle. Unfortunately, each tendon of the rotator cuff muscles must pass through a tiny space in the shoulder. This positioning leaves them susceptible to injury with excessive repetitive motion, especially when inflamed. If caught early, the irritated tendons can be treated with minimally invasive treatment options. However, if an affected individual were to attempt to play through the problem, a true tear can develop, resulting in loss of function and strength. For injuries of this nature, more aggressive treatment options, like surgery, may be necessary.
The New York medical staff is aware of the associated risk and has already revealed Chapman will not pitch for the next two weeks and isn't expected to return to games for at least a month. Look for the team to progressively build him back up to playing shape following the initial two-week hiatus. Right-hander Dellin Betances will take over as the Yankees' closer and is a must add in all formats.
The former MVP is finally on the disabled list after missing six of Milwaukee's last nine games. Braun was initially managing a cascade of arm issues that appeared to begin with tightness in his trapezius. The trapezius is involved with multiple motions at the shoulder blade making it a vital contributor on the kinetic chain of the arm.
Imagine the body as an arrangement of interconnected points, like the links on a chain. Each segment works together to carry out a desired action. If an injury occurs somewhere along the sequence, the other parts assume the stress load to make up for the sudden limitation. For the upper extremities, the muscles, ligaments and other stabilizing structures of the back, shoulder, elbow and wrist all work together to complete a complex motion like throwing a ball. If one of these areas is weakened or not functioning correctly, the strength and ability of the entire arm becomes compromised and vulnerable to injury. While the shift may be subtle, it can increase the player's risk of suffering another injury to muscles or ligaments in a different location of the chain.
For Braun, what started out as tightness in his trapezius appears to have contributed to a forearm strain. If that wasn't bad enough, Braun then suffered a calf strain, weakening the integrity of his lower extremity kinetic chain, too. The multitude of injuries finally forced Milwaukee's hand and Braun was placed on the 10-DL Friday.
The time off will provide Braun an opportunity to heal from head to toe. Both areas of concern should require more than the allotted 10 days, and a late May return may be optimistic. The Brewers may also be motivated to insure Braun's health to bolster his value as rumors of a trade have resurfaced.
Check Swings
Robinson Cano: The Mariners are treating Cano's strained quadriceps conservatively in hopes of a quick return. He hasn't played in Seattle's last four outings, but the team is encouraged by his progress and hopes to have him back on Monday for the series opener against Oakland. However, the timing of the decision puts fantasy owners in weekly formats in a tough position. If an updated hasn't been provided by early afternoon consider a healthier, more reliable option for the week ahead.
Carlos Gomez: Gomez suffered a strained right hamstring Sunday and will undergo a MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. Gomez downplayed the issue following the game, but hamstring injuries tend to affect speed-dependent players more so than others. The Rangers are off Monday, making Gomez a risky play in weekly leagues. With Shin-Soo Choo battling recurrent back spasms, the Texas outfield could look a bit different over the next few days. Delino DeShields, Nomar Mazara and Ryan Rua are the likely starters.
A.J. Pollock: The Diamondbacks center fielder is hobbled once again after suffering a groin injury in Sunday's loss to the Pirates. Pollock is expected to be examined on Monday and the 29-year-old was visibly frustrated by the issue following the game. Pollock has a history of groin problems dating back to last year. However, the groin strain to end last season that resurfaced during spring training was on the opposite leg of this latest setback. Still it appears Pollock will miss at least a few games with a DL stint likely. If he does end up inactive, don't be surprised if it stretches beyond the 10-day minimum.
Hanley Ramirez: A combination of a lingering shoulder injury and scheduling will keep Ramirez out of the starting lineup. Ramirez is working his way back from a right trapezius strain and will be unable to assume a designated hitter role when the team travels to St. Louis. As previously noted with Braun, the trapezius plays a critical role in fluid shoulder movement, and any limitation here would negatively impact his defensive abilities. He could pick up a few plate appearances as a pinch hitter but he will be a limited participant until the Red Sox head to Oakland on Thursday.
