This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The Reds outfielder aggravated his previously strained abdominal muscle and may be lost for the season. Winker was making his first start since straining an intercostal muscle in early August but irritated the area on a failed swing. The intercostals sit between each individual rib of the rib cage, and raise and drop the area while breathing. While they aren't the primary trunk rotators, the pain associated with a strain of the intercostals can be functionally limiting. Winker has already been placed back on the injured list. A possible return could be influenced by Cincinnati's place in the standings, but fantasy players should assume he is done for the year and make the necessary moves to fill his roster spot.
The White Sox continue to use their 11-game cushion in the AL Central to help ailing players rest and recuperate. Vaughn is the most recent case, as the rookie was placed on the 10-day IL with lower back inflammation. Inflammation isn't a true medical diagnosis but more of a reporting of the symptoms that are causing him problems. Fortunately, Vaughn's quotes detailing the problem seem to indicate the injury is muscular in nature and not something more severe like a disc-related issue. According to manager Tony La Russa, the White Sox medical team has begun treating the symptoms and the underlying cause of the reported injury with "specialized exercises to stay active."
If Vaughn can progress smoothly and his symptoms subside, he has an outside shot
The Reds outfielder aggravated his previously strained abdominal muscle and may be lost for the season. Winker was making his first start since straining an intercostal muscle in early August but irritated the area on a failed swing. The intercostals sit between each individual rib of the rib cage, and raise and drop the area while breathing. While they aren't the primary trunk rotators, the pain associated with a strain of the intercostals can be functionally limiting. Winker has already been placed back on the injured list. A possible return could be influenced by Cincinnati's place in the standings, but fantasy players should assume he is done for the year and make the necessary moves to fill his roster spot.
The White Sox continue to use their 11-game cushion in the AL Central to help ailing players rest and recuperate. Vaughn is the most recent case, as the rookie was placed on the 10-day IL with lower back inflammation. Inflammation isn't a true medical diagnosis but more of a reporting of the symptoms that are causing him problems. Fortunately, Vaughn's quotes detailing the problem seem to indicate the injury is muscular in nature and not something more severe like a disc-related issue. According to manager Tony La Russa, the White Sox medical team has begun treating the symptoms and the underlying cause of the reported injury with "specialized exercises to stay active."
If Vaughn can progress smoothly and his symptoms subside, he has an outside shot at returning this week. However, a postseason return remains the goal and they will slow play his recovery if need be. Stash him if you can and hope he returns in time to make some meaningful fantasy contributions.
Last week I warned Snell's moderate adductor strain could result in a lengthy absence. The team has all but confirmed those concerns, ruling out Snell for the remainder of the regular season. The injury isn't likely to have a carryover effect into next season, but those in yearly leagues can send the left-hander to the waiver wire.
Paddack's future is less uncertain. His balky elbow remains an issue, and, though he has resumed throwing, it is believed he will not pitch again this season. The injury is currently listed as right elbow inflammation, but, like discussed with Vaughn, inflammation is a symptom of an underlying injury. Paddack has a history of elbow injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2016. If the ligament is again an issue or a bone spur has developed, Paddack may need another surgery when the seasons ends. Keep a close eye on his progression over the next few weeks and into the early days of the offseason to get a better idea of his value entering 2022 drafts.
Check Swings
Cody Bellinger: Bellinger's nightmare season continues, as he is now dealing with a rib fracture. The injury was classified as a nondisplaced fracture, meaning the broken segments of bone remain in alignment. The team has said he will attempt to play through the injury, but he did not appear in either game over the weekend. Bellinger's biggest issue will be pain tolerance, though rib injuries can make even simple tasks, like breathing, difficult. Given Bellinger's overall disappointing productivity, use this latest injury as the final sign that it is time to look elsewhere this season.
Michael Brantley: The Astros outfielder has resumed baseball activities and is traveling with the team. These are all positive signs that he is moving past the knee issue that sent him to the IL. I would feel better about his level of risk moving forward if we knew a more definitive timeline regarding the injury, but at least he is trending in the right direction. A return by the end of the week is plausible.
Wander Franco: Franco hopes to be back in the lineup by Friday after missing nearly two weeks with a hamstring strain. He has progressed nicely through the rehab protocol and is slated to appear in back-to-back games with Triple-A Durham. He will return with an elevated level of injury risk, but his upside outweighs any potential problems.
Hyun Jin Ryu: The Blue Jays placed Ryu on the 10-day IL with neck tightness associated with a neck strain. He is considered day-to-day, and the team hopes he can return after just one missed start. Ross Stripling will likely be used to fill out the rotation with Ryu out.
Jameson Taillon: The Yankees right-hander may be nearing a rehab assignment in the coming days as he works his way back from a partially torn tendon in his ankle. He has undergone a PRP injection on the area and was able to throw a bullpen session over the weekend. If his rehab goes well, look for him to return to the New York rotation. He could be worth a flier for a team in desperate need of a starter.
Kyle Tucker: The Astros slugger will be limited to designated hitter duties over the next several days after reporting shoulder discomfort. The soreness was enough to force Tucker out of Sunday's game but not severe enough to keep him off the field entirely. He finished Monday's game 1-for-5 with a double and should still hold value in most formats. Monitor his status on a day-to-day basis just in case Houston elects to give him a full day of rest, but he seems serviceable for now. The team does not have another scheduled day off until Monday, September 27.
Mike Trout: The Angels finally admitted the chances of Trout playing again this season are slim to none. He continues to have issues with his strained calf and has simply run out of time to make a successful return to the lineup. The question now becomes, "Is Trout still one of the top players picked in 2022 drafts?" He's had lower extremity injuries in two of the last three seasons, including a foot neuroma in 2019. The injuries don't normally carry a long-term component, but he's no longer the lock he once was. Hopefully he can be an active participant in spring training and has enough time to earn back his status as an elite fantasy option.
