The MLB season is a grind and with 150 games played you would be hard-pressed to find a player who isn't dealing with some sort of mild discomfort or pain. It is up to team medical staffs to ensure minor issues don't become serious problems. In Detroit, it look as though the team's ace has managed to avoid what looked like a possibly demoralizing injury.
The Tigers lefty has put himself in position to defend his AL Cy Young Award, but his availability for the remainder of the season was suddenly in doubt when he left the mound in discomfort on Thursday. Skubal's injury was described as left side tightness, and he was sent for detailed imaging. Side tightness can be attributed to an assortment of injuries including latissimus dorsi, oblique or intercostal strains. Fortunately, testing on the area failed to uncover a significant injury, and Detroit is optimistic he will not miss a start. He will be closely monitored as he attempts to perform his normal between-game routine before a definitive decision will be made. Those invested here should breathe a sigh of relief and prepare as though Skubal will be available for the week ahead.
The plucky Rangers remain alive in the wild-card race and activated Garcia on Sunday. The hard-hitting outfielder missed 10 games with a quadriceps strain. He was playing well prior to the injury, hitting .375 with a .958 OPS, two RBI and home run in the five games before he
The MLB season is a grind and with 150 games played you would be hard-pressed to find a player who isn't dealing with some sort of mild discomfort or pain. It is up to team medical staffs to ensure minor issues don't become serious problems. In Detroit, it look as though the team's ace has managed to avoid what looked like a possibly demoralizing injury.
The Tigers lefty has put himself in position to defend his AL Cy Young Award, but his availability for the remainder of the season was suddenly in doubt when he left the mound in discomfort on Thursday. Skubal's injury was described as left side tightness, and he was sent for detailed imaging. Side tightness can be attributed to an assortment of injuries including latissimus dorsi, oblique or intercostal strains. Fortunately, testing on the area failed to uncover a significant injury, and Detroit is optimistic he will not miss a start. He will be closely monitored as he attempts to perform his normal between-game routine before a definitive decision will be made. Those invested here should breathe a sigh of relief and prepare as though Skubal will be available for the week ahead.
The plucky Rangers remain alive in the wild-card race and activated Garcia on Sunday. The hard-hitting outfielder missed 10 games with a quadriceps strain. He was playing well prior to the injury, hitting .375 with a .958 OPS, two RBI and home run in the five games before he went down. He was quiet in his first game back, finishing 0-of-4 against the Mets. However, he was immediately slotted back into the cleanup spot and will get a chance to return to form when Texas faces off with Houston in a critical three-game series starting Monday. The injury shouldn't drastically impact him at the plate but may limit his activity on the base path. Teammate Corey Seager could also return soon as he works his way back from an appendectomy. Seager has resumed light rotational activities and hopes to begin swinging a bat this week.
Check Swings
Jose Altuve: Altuve did not play Sunday with discomfort in his right foot. Manager Joe Espada said the nine-time All-Star was "pretty sore" with pain near "the bottom of his foot, closer to his toes." The most common injury linked to the plantar aspect of the foot is plantar fasciitis. The condition occurs when the connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot is overstretched or becomes inflamed with repetitive stress. The plantar fascia anchors to the heel and the base of the toes. The issue is often chronic and slow to heal, making it difficult to manage and navigate. There has been no confirmation that Altuve is dealing with this injury, but those invested in the veteran should make plans to cover additional time off, whether it is now or down the road.
Luis Garcia: While unfortunate, Altuve's injury wasn't nearly as impactful as the injury sustained by his teammate. Garcia had missed more than two years following Tommy John surgery before returning on September 1. However, he left his second start with soreness in the surgically repaired elbow and was quickly placed on the 15-day IL. The news worsened as he was shifted to the 60-day IL over the weekend, effectively ending his season. More testing will be done on the area to determine the root of the issue, but this is an obvious setback for the right-hander.
Seiya Suzuki: The Cubs outfielder missed three straight outings due to an undisclosed illness. While most illnesses aren't considered as serious as other injuries, any sort of infection or illness can sap a player of energy and stamina, and result in other lingering effects that can impact performance. Suzuki shouldn't require an IL stint but may need extra time to return to 100 percent.
Kyle Tucker: Last week I warned an IL trip was possible for Tucker as he nursed a calf injury. The injury has since been upgraded from tightness to strain, as the Cubs outfielder landed on the IL. He has since been allowed to hit and throw, but has not received the green light to run. Running usually serves as a good indicator of progressive for a lower-extremity injury, and Tucker cannot be counted until he clears that hurdle. As a result, his absence is going to extend beyond the minimum, with Chicago shifting its focus to the postseason.
Anthony Volpe: The Yankees shortstop received a cortisone injection last week in his sore left shoulder and has missed the team's subsequent five outings. Volpe is reportedly dealing with a partial tear of the glenoid labrum in his shoulder. The labrum is a cartilage ring that stabilizes and fortifies the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. It can be torn in a variety of ways and in an assortment of patterns. Athletes have been able to play with and through a labrum tear, but the shoulder is often unstable and easily aggravated. The cortisone injection will help reduce the associated inflammation but will not help the labrum heal. Offseason surgery is often performed to address these sorts of issues, and it would not be surprising to see Volpe ultimately opt to go under the knife. For now he is considered day-to-day, and Jose Caballero will continue to start if Volpe sits.
Masyn Winn: The Cardinals young shortstop will miss the remainder of the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee. He will undergo surgery to address the problem. The location and type of tear will dictate the surgical approach and the ensuing recovery timeline. A true repair can only occur if the tear is in a specific spot of the cartilage disc. Otherwise the surgeon will remove the damaged tissue in what is known as a meniscectomy. Repairs carry longer recovery timelines but come with a lower degree of long-term risk, as the cartilage is preserved. A removal will allow the individual to return quicker but increases their risk of future issues like osteoarthritis. If Winn's recovery is estimated in a matter of weeks, not months, then he likely had a meniscectomy. Both approaches should allow him the opportunity to be ready for spring training.
Stay up to date on who is in and who is out with RotoWire's MLB Injury Report!
