This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
I've covered injuries at Rotowire for more than a decade and analyzed hundreds, if not thousands, of player injuries and ailments. Sprains and strains are my meat and potatoes, but every now and then an unusual and unique injury occurs that causes me to crack open a text book or do a deep dive into research so that I can adequately provide details on the problem. Perez's current eye injury did just that. The Royals catcher is sidelined with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in his left eye.
The retina is a layer of nerve tissue located at the back of the eye. It is light-sensitive and helps focus and relay information to the brain, which then forms an individual's vision. CSC develops when fluid builds up behind the retina, displacing the tissue and disrupting visual perception. Blurry vision, like in the case of Perez, is the most commonly reported symptom that occurs with CSC.
The causes of CSC remain a bit of a mystery, but it appears linked to a multitude of factors, including stress, competitive behavior and corticosteroid use. It seems plausible that Perez, an athlete competing at the highest level of baseball, would be exposed to those three aforementioned risk factors. The treatment options for an acute case of CSC are limited with time appearing to be the most effective option. As a result, Perez simply has to wait for his vision to improve and remains out indefinitely. Individuals invested in the former World Series MVP
I've covered injuries at Rotowire for more than a decade and analyzed hundreds, if not thousands, of player injuries and ailments. Sprains and strains are my meat and potatoes, but every now and then an unusual and unique injury occurs that causes me to crack open a text book or do a deep dive into research so that I can adequately provide details on the problem. Perez's current eye injury did just that. The Royals catcher is sidelined with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in his left eye.
The retina is a layer of nerve tissue located at the back of the eye. It is light-sensitive and helps focus and relay information to the brain, which then forms an individual's vision. CSC develops when fluid builds up behind the retina, displacing the tissue and disrupting visual perception. Blurry vision, like in the case of Perez, is the most commonly reported symptom that occurs with CSC.
The causes of CSC remain a bit of a mystery, but it appears linked to a multitude of factors, including stress, competitive behavior and corticosteroid use. It seems plausible that Perez, an athlete competing at the highest level of baseball, would be exposed to those three aforementioned risk factors. The treatment options for an acute case of CSC are limited with time appearing to be the most effective option. As a result, Perez simply has to wait for his vision to improve and remains out indefinitely. Individuals invested in the former World Series MVP will have to weigh all their options at the catcher position with no real end in sight.
The Dodgers right-hander has been placed on the 10-day injured list after he developed a blister on his throwing hand. Blisters are a common problem in baseball, especially for pitchers.
Blisters tend to develop in areas of high friction. Repetitive rubbing and chaffing results in a buildup of fluid between the upper layers of skin. In baseball, the seams of the ball or a fingernail tend to lend themselves to blister development. It's particularly true for pitchers, as the grip needed to hurl certain pitches can be rough on the fingers.
Treatment for blisters usually involves treating the damaged skin and preventing infection. However, MLB rules and regulations can complicate recovery. By rule, pitchers are not allowed to take the mound with athletic tape or bandages on their hands or fingers. As a result, pitchers with developed blisters are often unable to pitch until the skin has healed or a callus has adequately developed. Fortunately, Buehler was able to partake in a bullpen session over the weekend, a good sign that the skin is healing. He could be back in the rotation by the end of the week, though the risk of recurrence will linger for the next few starts.
Check Swings
Ronald Acuna: The 22-year-old outfielder has already missed time with a wrist injury and is now dealing with a lower extremity problem. Acuna was removed from Sunday's win over the Phillies during the second inning with a tight right hamstring. The move was described as precautionary and makes senses as Atlanta held a 10-0 lead when the issue was first reported. The team is optimistic he will be available Monday against the Red Sox, but it may be in the best interest of Acuna's long-term health to have him sit for a game or two. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Zack Greinke: The former Cy Young winner pitched through neck stiffness that threatened his availability on Saturday. Fortunately, Greinke was able to loosen up the area during warmups and earned a win in five innings of work. Stiffness is usually an indicator of a muscle-related injury but can be alleviated if the adhesions in the tissue are addressed. It doesn't look like this will be a recurring issue and Greinke should be fine moving forward.
Aaron Judge: For the past two weeks, I've warned that Judge's return to the lineup would come with an increased risk of aggravation or re-injury. Now, after a one-game return, Judge is back on the IL with a calf strain. An MRI of the area revealed a low-grade strain, but the Yankees have already stated they expect him to sit for twice as long as the initial injury. His initial injury resulted in 11 days missed, setting Judge up for at least a three-week absence. However, even that timeline seems a bit optimistic, and Judge seems poised to miss the remainder of the regular season.
Yoan Moncada: Moncada's lingering leg injury continues to be an issue and kept him out of Sunday's win over the Royals. The problem has been an issue since early August but was irritated over the weekend. Manager Rick Renteria oddly commented that injury is in the area of the hamstring muscle group but does not involve the hamstring. Though he is likely to play Monday, consider Moncada day-to-day for now and hope the White Sox provide some clarity on the situation in the near future.
Charlie Morton: The Rays right-hander has progressed nicely in his rehab protocol and is expected back in the rotation by Wednesday. Morton has not pitched since August 9 due to inflammation in his shoulder. The injury appears to be nothing more than a case of tendinitis that Tampa appears to have treated. Morton has progressively built his arm back up, pitching bullpen sessions and a simulated game. You may want to let him get one start under his belt before you reinsert him into your fantasy lineup, but it appears Morton avoided any serious problems here.
Marcus Semien: The A's shortstop underwent an MRI on his sore left side, but no underlying issue was uncovered. While it sounds like he will need a few days of rest and recovery, Semien may not miss any actual games as the team handles a positive COVID-19 test. Oakland's Sunday contest against the Astros was postponed, and the league and team are currently conducting team-wide testing and contract tracing to determine the next steps regarding playing.
