Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Tumbling Down Draft Boards

Yu Darvish and Cliff Lee
Two players that started the spring near the top of fantasy draft boards have suddenly come crashing down just as drafts begin to take place. In Texas, Darvish's problems first presented as soreness in his triceps. However, a subsequent MRI revealed a sprained ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing elbow. Darvish is now weighing his options, with Tommy John surgery to reconstruct and repair the problem a viable and likely course of treatment. If the surgery were performed now it would insure Darvish would miss the entire season, but it gives him a heads up on rehab and recovery and a chance at returning for the 2016 campaign.

Though Lee's injury is to a different type of tissue, comparing the two pitchers isn't completely off base either. To start, Lee's injury is to the flexor pronator. The problem surfaced at the end of last season and the inflammation returned following his first spring training appearance. The flexor pronator unit is a dynamic stabilizer of the inside portion of the elbow and originates at the medial epicondyle of the humerus, the same site as the UCL. As a result, the UCL and the flexor bundle are biomechanically linked. If the flexor bundle is strained and weakened, the integrity of the UCL is compromised as it is overloaded with stress. Likewise, a mild sprain of the UCL makes the flexor bundle susceptible to fatigue, strains and complete failure.

Like Lee, Darvish missed time at the end of last season with flexor pronator problems. With Darvish already feeling the cascade effects of his previous injury, Lee now faces similar problems. Surgery has already been discussed and Lee hinted this could be it for his career. The Phillies' left-hander is currently waiting to hear back from renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, though the situation appears bleak.

Josh Reddick
The Athletics' outfielder will be forced to fight the injury bug once again after missing considerable time last year with wrist and knee injuries. Reddick's current problem is a strained right oblique, an injury expected to sideline him for four to six weeks. As a result, it does not appear he will be available for Opening Day.

There are actually two sets of oblique muscles located on either side of the rib cage. Each set is compromised of the external obliques and the internal obliques muscle groups. Each group works together with the opposite group located on the contralateral side, meaning the muscles on one side contract with the other group on the opposite side to complete trunk rotation.

For a right-handed player like Reddick, this simply means his left internal obliques contract along with his right external obliques to complete the motions necessary to throw and swing a bat. While the frequency of oblique injuries appears to be on the rise as of late, it's likely just the terminology that has changed. As technology has advanced to the point where we can pinpoint the root of the injury, more specific diagnoses like an oblique strain are provided rather than the more simplistic classification of a rib or side strain.

The four to six-week window is fair but it seems like Reddick will require the full amount of allotted time. He previously suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain on his left side during the 2009 season and missed two months. With the injury now on his dominant side, ensuring he is 100 percent is key to preventing a reoccurrence. Downgrade the outfielder for the immediate future and don't be shocked if he starts the season on the disabled list.

Denard Span
The Nationals' outfielder recently underwent "core muscle" surgery and is expected to spend the next four to six weeks recovering. He will not participate in baseball activities during that time, suggesting he will start the season on the DL and more than likely require a rehab assignment before he will return to the club.

Core muscle surgery is simply the preferred medical lingo for what once was called a sports hernia repair. In a sports hernia, repetitive forces placed through the midsection and legs are rerouted into the groin and abdominal muscles. As a result, the multiple muscles in the area become vulnerable to microtears and tears. Additionally, a tiny bit of cartilage that unites the two pubic bones may also become irritated. As the muscle, or muscles, become damaged, the abdominal wall and inguinal canal are weakened and true hernia may develop and protrude through the area. The problem results in groin and abdominal pain that limits normal hip function.

Surgery is the most proactive course of treatment and involves an assortment of minor procedures dependent on the area and extent of the damage. The torn muscle may need to be reattached to bone or a surgical mesh can be utilized to reinforce the area. Recovery is obviously based on the extent of the surgery.

For Span, the surgery is a bit more disconcerting as this is his second surgery for a sports hernia since December. He is more than capable of returning and playing at a high level, but his inherent injury risk will remain elevated in the short-term.

Check Swings

Victor Martinez
The former All-Star continues to progress through treatment for a meniscectomy. He underwent surgery to "repair" a tear in his medial meniscus, though the timeline indicates the damaged cartilage was not repaired but instead removed. He is already swinging a bat and is line to be ready for Opening Day.

Hunter Pence
The Giants will be without Pence for at least six weeks after the outfielder suffered a non-displaced fracture of his left ulna. The injury occurred when Pence was struck in the forearm by a pitch. The non-displaced classification means the broken pieces of bone remain aligned and surgery will not be necessary. The bone must simply mend over time. While it's an unfortunate setback to start the year, it should allow opportunistic fantasy owners to grab Pence at a discounted price.

Melvin Upton Jr.
The man formerly known as B.J. is currently wearing a cast on his left foot after it was determined he is suffering from sesmoiditis in his big toe. The sesmoid bones are located at the base of the big toe and help with weight-bearing and toe motion. They are often irritated following a hyperextension of the big toe. This injury is particularly worrisome for a player who depends on speed and must push off through the toes and feet. I would look elsewhere on draft day.