This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Unfortunately, bats and gloves aren't the only things cracking and popping this spring, as baseball injuries are already piling up. Multiple players are still recuperating from offseason procedures, while others are managing entire new ailments. However, not all injuries should be treated evenly, as some will allow opportunistic fantasy owners to get quality talent at a discounted price.
Colorado Rockies Outfielders
The Coors Field outfield was primed to yield three top-100 fantasy players to start the year with a fourth option manning first base. Unfortunately, both Ian Desmond and David Dahl find themselves nursing bone-related injuries and could miss the start of the regular season.
Dahl was the first to succumb to injury after it was discovered a stress reaction in his sixth rib is the root of his lingering back pain. The ribcage is much more complex than most people realize. Yes, it involves the 12 pairs of ribs that protect the internal organs but is also includes the sternum (better known as the breastbone), the thoracic vertebrae of the spine, and a specialized type of connective tissue known as costal cartilage. Posteriorly each rib forms a joint or articulation with the corresponding thoracic vertebrae. The various stresses associated with a sport like baseball put certain areas of bony tissue in a constant state of remodeling, including the ribs and back. If the area is unable to keep up with the demands of the activity, the bone tissue begins to break down. Initially, this is known as a stress
Unfortunately, bats and gloves aren't the only things cracking and popping this spring, as baseball injuries are already piling up. Multiple players are still recuperating from offseason procedures, while others are managing entire new ailments. However, not all injuries should be treated evenly, as some will allow opportunistic fantasy owners to get quality talent at a discounted price.
Colorado Rockies Outfielders
The Coors Field outfield was primed to yield three top-100 fantasy players to start the year with a fourth option manning first base. Unfortunately, both Ian Desmond and David Dahl find themselves nursing bone-related injuries and could miss the start of the regular season.
Dahl was the first to succumb to injury after it was discovered a stress reaction in his sixth rib is the root of his lingering back pain. The ribcage is much more complex than most people realize. Yes, it involves the 12 pairs of ribs that protect the internal organs but is also includes the sternum (better known as the breastbone), the thoracic vertebrae of the spine, and a specialized type of connective tissue known as costal cartilage. Posteriorly each rib forms a joint or articulation with the corresponding thoracic vertebrae. The various stresses associated with a sport like baseball put certain areas of bony tissue in a constant state of remodeling, including the ribs and back. If the area is unable to keep up with the demands of the activity, the bone tissue begins to break down. Initially, this is known as a stress reaction, the precursor to an actual stress fracture. Halting the problematic motion and providing ample time for the area to be repaired is really the only true course of treatment. Fortunately, the Rockies medical team pinpointed the problem early, decreasing the amount of time necessary to recover. Instead of potentially missing months recuperating, Dahl will be reevaluated in two weeks and could be back in time for Opening Day. In the meantime, look for Colorado to assess Dahl's biomechanics to determine if there's a problem with his swing or throwing motion that is leading to the problem. Identifying any issues could help prevent this from recurring when he returns to action.
Desmond wasn't quite as lucky, as he sustained a complete fracture in his left hand after being struck by a stray pitch. The exact bone hasn't been specified but it seems likely his 4th or 5th metacarpal is involved. The metacarpals bridge the wrist to the fingers and their distal ends make up the knuckles of the fist. The 4th and 5th metacarpals are more mobile than their other metacarpals to allow for movement with the wrist. This characteristic is beneficial for mobility but often prolongs recovery when fractured. More information should surface over the next few days, but it's likely Desmond starts the season on the injured list. However, bone generally heals nicely, and the ramifications of the injury should be short-lived. As a result, investing in Desmond and stashing him to start the year could prove to be a nice payout in the long run.
The injuries to Dahl and Desmond make veteran Gerardo Parra fantasy relevant for the immediate future as he is likely to start in leftfield.
The Indians infielder has been shut down for the next two weeks with a strained rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. The strain is resulting in inflammation in the joint that Cleveland attempted to address with a cortisone shot. Cortisone is a corticosteroid steroid that acts as an anti-inflammatory. It isn't a pain killer but a decrease in pain is often reported as the inflammation subsides. Unfortunately, Kipnis' symptoms persisted and the team opted to shut him down to better manage the injury. I'm not as optimistic with Kipnis as I am with a guy like Desmond because shoulder injuries can be notoriously fickle and cuff strains can be slow to heal. He's still worth considering if his draft day value drastically drops but tread cautiously here.
Check Swings
Salvador Perez: The risk of participating in the World Baseball Classic was evident when Perez collided with Royals teammate Drew Butera in Venezuela's matchup against Italy. The impact left Perez with a bruised and inflamed left knee. The injury ends his participation in the WBC but shouldn't affect the Golden Glove catcher's availability for Opening Day. Oddly enough, Butera would take over at catcher if Perez is unable to play.
David Price: The panic surrounding his sore left elbow has subsided a bit though it's too early to declare Price 100 percent. The 2012 AL Cy Young winner made an unplanned trip to the NFL Combine to visit multiple orthopedic specialists after reporting stiffness and soreness in the elbow on his pitching arm. Both Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache advised against surgery and an injection, and felt rest would allow him to return. However, both doctors eluded that Price's age played a role in their decision and surgery would be considered for a younger prospect. As a result, the final diagnosis seems a bit hollow especially since the exact nature of the injury remains undisclosed. Price is worth a gamble if he can be obtained at the price of a 2nd or 3rd starter but he's a precarious pick to be the centerpiece of a staff.
Devon Travis and Josh Donaldson: Two key members of the Toronto infielders are still nursing injuries, though they hope to ramp up their workloads in the coming days. Donaldson has been out since straining his calf nearly a month ago. However, he's hoping to return to games over the next few days. Manager John Gibbons declared the 2015 MVP was "close," meaning he should be able to get an adequate number of reps in before the start of the season. Donaldson will be brought back slowly, returning in a designated hitter role before taking the field.
Travis is also trending upward though he has just begun running sprints following offseason surgery to remove a troublesome flap of cartilage in his right knee. The debridement was considered a success, but the Toronto second baseman has been slow to recover. He hopes to receive a few minor-league at-bats within the next week but he still has work to do to be ready for Opening Day. I'm intrigued by his potential but it's hard to completely ignore his medical history.
