This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The Mets right-hander Harvey has struggled this season and now he will miss an extended period of time after a stress fracture in his shoulder was discovered. An MRI taken after Wednesday's start revealed the break in the scapula (shoulder blade) of Harvey's throwing arm. The injury forced the Mets to place him on the disabled list without a definitive timetable for his return.
Scapular stress fractures normally are considered a rarity in the overhead throwing athlete. However, there has been a recent rise in their discovery with multiple players including Michael Wacha and Brandon McCarthy receiving the diagnosis. McCarthy's problem surfaced during the 2007 season while he was with the Rangers. The injury became an ongoing issue for the next several years and cost McCarthy the entire 2010 season. Wacha's situation wasn't quite as dire but it did send him to the 60-day DL and force him out of action for almost 11 weeks.
The shoulder blade's integral role in the delivery of a pitch is the primary reason this injury is linked to a lengthy recovery. Furthermore, stress injuries are often the result of a repetitive motion, and pinpointing the problem can prove difficult. Fixing the source of the problem can also be tricky, as the individual may be forced to alter his mechanics to minimize the recurring stress.
Based on precedent and Harvey's checkered injury history, it won't be surprising to see him miss a substantial amount of time. Harvey's absence won't
The Mets right-hander Harvey has struggled this season and now he will miss an extended period of time after a stress fracture in his shoulder was discovered. An MRI taken after Wednesday's start revealed the break in the scapula (shoulder blade) of Harvey's throwing arm. The injury forced the Mets to place him on the disabled list without a definitive timetable for his return.
Scapular stress fractures normally are considered a rarity in the overhead throwing athlete. However, there has been a recent rise in their discovery with multiple players including Michael Wacha and Brandon McCarthy receiving the diagnosis. McCarthy's problem surfaced during the 2007 season while he was with the Rangers. The injury became an ongoing issue for the next several years and cost McCarthy the entire 2010 season. Wacha's situation wasn't quite as dire but it did send him to the 60-day DL and force him out of action for almost 11 weeks.
The shoulder blade's integral role in the delivery of a pitch is the primary reason this injury is linked to a lengthy recovery. Furthermore, stress injuries are often the result of a repetitive motion, and pinpointing the problem can prove difficult. Fixing the source of the problem can also be tricky, as the individual may be forced to alter his mechanics to minimize the recurring stress.
Based on precedent and Harvey's checkered injury history, it won't be surprising to see him miss a substantial amount of time. Harvey's absence won't drastically alter the Mets rotation, as both Steven Matz and Seth Lugo have returned from injuries of their own. Fantasy owners should use the injury as the final provocation to move on from the underperforming Harvey.
The Mets injury woes aren't limited to their pitching staff, as their center fielder suffered a thumb injury while diving for a ball in the outfield. X-rays taken on the digit revealed a fracture.
While the fingers are made up of three individual bones each, the thumb is comprises two bones. The tip of the thumb is known as distal phalanx while the next bone down is known as the proximal phalanx. The two bones articulate, forming the interphalangeal (IP) joint. Lagares' fracture occurred to the IP joint and marks his second thumb injury over the past two seasons. Last July Lagares needed surgery to repair a partially torn ligament in the same digit. His latest injury won't require a trip to the operating room but will force him to miss an extended period of time. Look for him to return after the All-Star game.
Check Swings
Ryan Braun: After aggravating a previous calf injury earlier this season, the Brewers have wisely slow played Braun's latest attempts to return. The former National League MVP has not played in nearly a month but could begin a rehab assignment sometime in the next week. While Braun seems eager to proceed, the team wants to insure he's at top form so he can stay active longer than three days. Braun will return with an elevated level of risk when he does finally rejoin the lineup.
Madison Bumgarner: The former World Series MVP continues to progress through his rehab protocol for his injured AC joint. Bumgarner completed an extended spring training session over the weekend and is slated to face live batters again on Wednesday. The Giants remain hesitant to attach a definitive timeline to his return but his continued positive step forwards suggest he is ahead of schedule and could be back before the All-Star break.
Chris Davis: The Orioles slugger is expected to miss the next three weeks with an oblique strain. The timeline would be slightly longer than what Davis experienced in 2014 when he strained an oblique on the opposite side and returned after the required 15 days. Davis' familiarity with the process is a positive, but look for him to return sometime around the All-Star break.
Cole Hamels: Hamels is recovering from an oblique injury of his own. He pitched three scoreless innings for Double-A Frisco on Friday and will record another rehab start on Wednesday. As long as he avoids a setback he could be back in the lineup for next week's matchup.
Dallas Keuchel: The Astros ace will travel with the team when they begin a seven-game road trip starting Monday in Oakland. Although this shouldn't be seen as anything other than a positive sign, tread cautiously here. Keuchel has yet to resume throwing, and his neck discomfort could easily resurface if the reason for his recurring symptoms hasn't been directly addressed. Keuchel has been too good to consider benching when he's active, but I'll be closely watching his health for the remainder of the season.
Buster Posey: Left ankle inflammation briefly forced Posey to the bench late last week though the issue is considered minor. The Giants linked the problem to scar tissue from the catcher's 2011 traumatic ankle injury that required surgery to mend multiple torn ligaments. While Posey has returned to the lineup, the situation is a good reminder that a player's entire injury history should be considered when determining his value and level of injury risk.
CC Sabathia: The Yankees veteran is expected to miss multiple weeks recovering from a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring. The Grade 2 designation means he suffered a partial tear to to an area of the muscle group. Unfortunately, Sabathia has been down this road before as a similar injury prematurely ended his 2013 campaign. Look for him to sit out at least four weeks while recovering.
Noah Syndergaard: According the Mets initial estimates Thor wasn't expected to throw for six weeks after straining his latissimus dorsi muscle. However, the team has extended that timeline by four weeks. The decision now puts fantasy owners in a tight spot, as there's a realistic chance that he could still be on the DL when the fantasy playoffs begin in certain formats. Be sure to evaluate your place in the standings and your league's specific calendar, but it's worth examining all your options moving forward.
