This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The results of Doc Halladay's MRI are in and it isn't pretty. The two-time Cy Young winner has been diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff, a frayed labrum, and bone spurs on the joint. Halladay will undergo surgery in the immediate future providing doctors a better view of his injured joint. If the damage is as straightforward as the images are showing, the bone spurs will be removed, the labrum cleaned up, and Halladay will begin his road to recovery. However if more significant damage is found during the operation, a more intensive repair may be needed and his timeline could be extended dramatically.
If rehab goes smoothly and no surprises are discovered, then Halladay has an outside shot of returning late in the year. However that timeline would be an obvious best-case scenario, making him a risky player to roster in all formats. No one should hold on to him if the injury is worse than feared and any kind of additional damage is detected.
The results of the surgery will also provide better insight to Halladay's long-term success. On the surface it appears he should be able to continue his career following rehab and recovery. However the progressive rehab plan cannot formally be finalized until surgery is over and the exact steps need to repair the shoulder have been revealed.
The loss of one former Cy Young winner just happens to coincide with the return of another. Greinke, out since mid-April after suffering
The results of Doc Halladay's MRI are in and it isn't pretty. The two-time Cy Young winner has been diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff, a frayed labrum, and bone spurs on the joint. Halladay will undergo surgery in the immediate future providing doctors a better view of his injured joint. If the damage is as straightforward as the images are showing, the bone spurs will be removed, the labrum cleaned up, and Halladay will begin his road to recovery. However if more significant damage is found during the operation, a more intensive repair may be needed and his timeline could be extended dramatically.
If rehab goes smoothly and no surprises are discovered, then Halladay has an outside shot of returning late in the year. However that timeline would be an obvious best-case scenario, making him a risky player to roster in all formats. No one should hold on to him if the injury is worse than feared and any kind of additional damage is detected.
The results of the surgery will also provide better insight to Halladay's long-term success. On the surface it appears he should be able to continue his career following rehab and recovery. However the progressive rehab plan cannot formally be finalized until surgery is over and the exact steps need to repair the shoulder have been revealed.
The loss of one former Cy Young winner just happens to coincide with the return of another. Greinke, out since mid-April after suffering a fractured collarbone, has completed his rehab assignment without any setbacks and could return to the lineup as early as Wednesday. Greinke underwent surgery to stabilize the break, allowing for the bones to properly align and heal smoothly. The hardware appears to have done the trick and Greinke will return nearly four weeks ahead of schedule.
Greinke owners can expect him to be a tad rusty but his throwing arm should still be solid. The injured shoulder will become more of an issue during the cocking phase of his delivery, as the shoulder is brought toward the body. Still this shouldn't alter his approach or affect his command if the collarbone is stable and pain-free.
His numbers in his rehab start were not overly encouraging (eight runs, six hits, and no walks in 4.1 innings with High-A Rancho Cucamonga), so sitting Greinke until his next start would be reasonable. The team has an off-day following Wednesday's outing, setting him up to make his second start in a familiar place as the Dodgers travel to Milwaukee to face Greinke's former team.
The Yankees outfielder has fared well on his rehab assignment and could rejoin the team Tuesday against the Mariners. Granderson has yet to play this season after suffering a fractured right forearm in late February. Fortunately the bone has healed as anticipated and Granderson has gone 7-for-17 during his time with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
As previously mentioned, conditioning shouldn't be a problem and Granderson should find his way back into your lineup regardless of the format. He may need some time to establish a rhythm but he will be a welcome addition for those that need his usual productivity.
The Rockies have placed the veteran outfielder on the 15-day disabled list with a bulging disc in his neck. He will be sent for a MRI that will reveal the severity of the bulge. If the disc is slightly inflamed and not protruding on any nerves, the area can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and rehab. Unfortunately surgery could be an option should any portion of the disc extend significantly outward or impinge on any nerves.
The cervical portion of the spine supports the head and is vital for fluid motion of the head. Several major nerves of the body exit through the vertebrae of the cervical spine, innervating muscles in the upper extremities as well as the rest of the body.
An injury to the area can be extremely painful and limiting. Numbness and weakness in the extremities can occur if one of the nerves in the area is pinched. Injuries to the C-spine often linger and several players including Chris Carpenter and Justin Morneau have missed extended periods of time with similar issues. Those enjoying Cuddyer's strong start to the season should hope the MRI reveals only mild inflammation allowing for a quick recovery.
Check Swings
Johnny Cueto: Cueto remains on his rehab assignment after suffering a minor setback. He is currently recovering from a strained right latissimus dorsi muscle but pushed back his first minor league start following soreness in his right oblique. He pitched 50 pitches over three innings on Thursday and is slated to make his second start May 14. He's hoping to be back within two weeks but don't be shocked if he doesn't appear normal until early June.
Adrian Gonzalez: Gonzalez continues to battle a troublesome neck injury. He has aggravated the area twice now despite a MRI showing nothing more than a minor muscular strain. The best decision could be to hold him out for several games and let the issue settle down but it looks like he will continue to play.
A.J. Pierzynski: Texas will have to do without one of their bigger offseason acquisitions, as Pierzynski has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right oblique. The Rangers had been holding him out anyway, allowing for the DL stint to be retroactive to May 5, meaning a May 21 activation is a possibility. Former All-Star Geovany Soto will fill in behind the plate.
Shane Victorino: The Red Sox outfielder was taken to a hospital Sunday for further evaluation following a collision with the outfield wall. He suffered a rib injury on the play but stayed in the game for several additional innings.
Jered Weaver: Weaver took a huge step in his comeback from a broken left elbow, throwing his first bullpen session late Thursday afternoon. He reported no pain while throwing and no other setbacks have been reported. He remains on track to return near the end of May.
