This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
While Aaron Judge has wreaked havoc on Major League Baseball, other top prospects in the Yankees organization are simply wrecked. After flashing signs of potential, Greg Bird's rise to prominence has been stalled by injuries. Shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum cost him the 2016 season and a bone contusion on his ankle has limited him to 19 games this season. Bone contusions are tricky injuries to manage as the body's natural healing response treats the ailment just as it would a fracture. The process is further complicated if the area of concern is on a weight bearing aspect of the bone. Bird recently underwent a cortisone injection to help with inflammation of the area but still hasn't returned to action. The 24-year-old's status remains in limbo and whispers about a lost season have begun to surface. Fantasy owners in nonkeeper leagues shouldn't waste their time waiting on Bird.
Outfield prospect Dustin Fowler is now out for the year after suffering a severe and scary injury last week. The rookie outfielder suffered an open rupture of the patellar tendon in his knee after crashing into the railing along the first-base line. His right knee appeared to crash into a metal electrical box along the rail and he was eventually carted off the field.
The patella, more commonly known as the kneecap, is classified as a sesamoid bone. This designation means it sits within a tendon, specifically the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is
While Aaron Judge has wreaked havoc on Major League Baseball, other top prospects in the Yankees organization are simply wrecked. After flashing signs of potential, Greg Bird's rise to prominence has been stalled by injuries. Shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum cost him the 2016 season and a bone contusion on his ankle has limited him to 19 games this season. Bone contusions are tricky injuries to manage as the body's natural healing response treats the ailment just as it would a fracture. The process is further complicated if the area of concern is on a weight bearing aspect of the bone. Bird recently underwent a cortisone injection to help with inflammation of the area but still hasn't returned to action. The 24-year-old's status remains in limbo and whispers about a lost season have begun to surface. Fantasy owners in nonkeeper leagues shouldn't waste their time waiting on Bird.
Outfield prospect Dustin Fowler is now out for the year after suffering a severe and scary injury last week. The rookie outfielder suffered an open rupture of the patellar tendon in his knee after crashing into the railing along the first-base line. His right knee appeared to crash into a metal electrical box along the rail and he was eventually carted off the field.
The patella, more commonly known as the kneecap, is classified as a sesamoid bone. This designation means it sits within a tendon, specifically the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is the conjoined tendon of the quadriceps muscle group and acts as the primary muscle in knee extension. When a rupture occurs, the kneecap often dislocates, as it's no longer anchored in place. The injury is extremely painful and straightening the leg in extension is virtually impossible. Furthermore, Fowler's injury was diagnosed as an open injury suggesting some sort of laceration or trauma occurred to break the skin and expose the injury site. Fowler has already undergone surgery to reattach the damaged tissue.
This type of injury is relatively uncommon in baseball though Angels pitcher Garrett Richards did tear his left patellar tendon during the 2014 season. NFL and NBA players seem to suffer the injury at a more frequent rate with players like Jimmy Graham, Victor Cruz, and Caron Butler suffering the injury over the past few years. The injury has proven to be difficult to bounce back from but Graham's performance in the NFL last season is encouraging. Fowler's age will help in his return to play though his rehab will remain a lengthy one. A nine-to-12-month recovery should be anticipated and it is highly probable it impacts next season.
Apparently, the only thing that could slow down the Nationals' speedy shortstop was an injury. Shortly after stealing his second base of the night and his seventh over the previous three games, Turner was struck by a Pedro Strop sinker. The wild pitch left Turner with a wrist fracture, though the involved bone hasn't been revealed to the public. Turner's situation is similar to that of Atlanta's Freddie Freeman. Both individuals were stuck by an inside pitch and suffered "nondisplaced" fractures to an undisclosed bone.
As previously discussed with Freeman, the wrist is made up of the distal ends of the forearm bones and eight tiny carpal bones. Based on replays of the injury we know Turner was hit on the outside or lateral aspect of his wrist, near the distal end of the ulna and the base of the pinkie. There are multiple carpal bones here, including the pisiform, triquetrum and the hamate. While knowing the exact bone involved would help outline his recovery window, the fact that the bone remains aligned and surgery will not be warranted does provide reason a bit of optimism. Freeman recently began a rehab assignment roughly six weeks after his injury and fantasy owners should anticipate Turner to follow a similar timeline.
Fortunately, Turner's value remains in his legs and the injury shouldn't drastically impact his long-term value. Stash him for now and consider short-term infield options like Washington's Wilmer Difo, Stephen Drew or Arizona's Ketel Marte.
Check Swings
Nelson Cruz: The veteran slugger didn't play Sunday because of pain in his right knee. The pain appears to be linked to a poor slide into second during which Cruz's knee slammed into the ground. The team isn't currently planning on any advanced testing for the Mariner's lone All-Star and are considering him day-to-day. The Mariners don't have the day off Monday and play a full slate of games between now and the All-Star break. Don't be surprised if Nelly gets a game or two of over the next seven days.
Carlos Gonzalez: CarGo is nearing the end of his 10 days on the disabled list, but his availability remains unclear. He has tested his strained shoulder in the batting cage but there's been little updates up how the area held up. It wouldn't be shocking if the Rockies opted to take the conservative approach with his recovery, especially with the All-Break on the horizon. Wait on activating Gonzalez until a better update has been provided.
Dallas Keuchel: Keuchel was named an All-Star over the weekend but doesn't plan to pitch in the exhibition in Miami. His decision to sit out the game is a good indicator that any ideas of him returning for the upcoming series against the Blue Jays have been all but ruled out. Look for him to return following the break. Hopefully the Astros have been able to pinpoint the root of his reoccurring neck problems and he will be injury-free for the remainder of the season.
Mike Trout: The Angels outfielder continues to progress through his recovery for a torn ligament in his thumb and could begin a rehab assignment later this week. He isn't worth activating at this point, but all signs are pointing toward him being available immediately after the All-Star break, if not by this weekend.
Justin Upton: Upton didn't play over the weekend because of soreness in his side. The term "side" injury is a bit vague, though Tigers manager Brad Ausmus did admit it involves one of the oblique muscles. Hopefully the issue will improve with an additional day off on Monday, but it appears Upton will be a risky play in weekly formats.
