This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The Cubs have placed Darvish on the disabled list for the second time this season. His first stint was needed after he contracted parainfluenza. His new injury is significantly more alarming, as the 31-year-old is now dealing with triceps tendinitis. Though the team is downplaying the issue, the injury will elevate Darvish's injury profile and has the potential to linger.
As its name suggests, the triceps muscle has three origin points, one on the shoulder blade and two on the distal end of the upper arm, the humerus. The muscle travels down the arm and inserts on to the ulna just past the elbow. This unique positioning allows it to provide motion at both the shoulder and the elbow. These dual responsibilities make it an important part of the throwing motion. Any limitation in the triceps could negatively impact both areas, a particularly problematic concern for a player who has previously missed time with shoulder problems and undergone Tommy John surgery.
The decision to shelve Darvish just as he was establishing a bit of rhythm with his new team appears to be proactive. However, fantasy owners have to be concerned given Darvish's history and his lack of productivity so far this season. The team hopes he will miss just one start, but this has the potential to keep him out two to three weeks.
The Mariners speedster was placed on the disabled list early last week after aggravating a toe injury. Gordon initially hurt the big
The Cubs have placed Darvish on the disabled list for the second time this season. His first stint was needed after he contracted parainfluenza. His new injury is significantly more alarming, as the 31-year-old is now dealing with triceps tendinitis. Though the team is downplaying the issue, the injury will elevate Darvish's injury profile and has the potential to linger.
As its name suggests, the triceps muscle has three origin points, one on the shoulder blade and two on the distal end of the upper arm, the humerus. The muscle travels down the arm and inserts on to the ulna just past the elbow. This unique positioning allows it to provide motion at both the shoulder and the elbow. These dual responsibilities make it an important part of the throwing motion. Any limitation in the triceps could negatively impact both areas, a particularly problematic concern for a player who has previously missed time with shoulder problems and undergone Tommy John surgery.
The decision to shelve Darvish just as he was establishing a bit of rhythm with his new team appears to be proactive. However, fantasy owners have to be concerned given Darvish's history and his lack of productivity so far this season. The team hopes he will miss just one start, but this has the potential to keep him out two to three weeks.
The Mariners speedster was placed on the disabled list early last week after aggravating a toe injury. Gordon initially hurt the big toe on his right foot when he fouled a ball off the area on May 9. He attempted to play through the pain before irritating it on a diving catch on May 20. The team opted to further evaluate the area and discovered a small fracture in the toe.
Though a toe injury may seem paltry when compared to a torn knee ligament or a dynamic muscle strain, the digits of the foot play a vital role in movement. The toes assist in both balance and weight-bearing with the big toe serving as the cornerstone. Due to its positioning, the big toe often assumes up to 70 to 100 percent of the body's weight during movement. Additionally, the toes help extend the level arm of the foot, allowing for a player to better accelerate up field in a fluid, explosive manner. For Gordon, a player whose game is predicated on speed, a broken big toe would be extremely limiting.
Gordon has been wearing a walking boot to facilitate healing but has been able to field ground balls and some additional infield work. The team remains optimistic Gordon's stint on the DL will be brief and that he could be activated as soon as Thursday. However, fantasy owners should scale back their expectations upon his return until he has proven he can effectively move on the base path.
The Rockies second baseman is currently sidelined with a thumb injury that isn't quite as bad as initially feared. LeMahieu has a fracture in his thumb but won't require surgery.
As I discussed last week when detailing the injury of A.J. Pollock, the thumb is made up of three bones, the distal and proximal phalanges and the first metacarpal. LeMahieu's injury involves the carpometacarpal joint at the base of the thumb. Here the first metacarpal meets with a carpal bone of the wrist forming a saddle-shaped joint.
LeMahieu's fracture site is on the outside of the thumb, opposite the location of Pollock's injury. As a result, LeMahieu's injury doesn't involve a ligament and should heal quicker, although a multiweek absence is likely. The team currently is monitoring swelling within the joint and will allow him to resume swinging a bat when it dissipates. Diminished grip strength remains a concern so don't be surprised to see a dip in his power numbers upon his eventual return.
Check Swings
Ronald Acuna Jr.: The Braves top prospect limped off the field on Sunday after an awkward step while running through first base. Acuna's knee was forced into hyperextension, and the team later announced he was out with knee and low back pain. The term hyperextension has been used to describe the injury, but it's important to remember this describes how the injury occurred and isn't actually a diagnosis. Look for Acuna to undergo an MRI Monday to determine the extent of the damage accrued.
Elvis Andrus: The Rangers shortstop has a target date for his return from a fractured elbow. Andrus is hoping to be back in the lineup when first eligible on June 11, just before an interleague matchup against the Dodgers. He recently began taking ground balls and has started swinging a bat after X-rays revealed the fracture site is healing nicely. Those invested in the All-Star shortstop should be pleased with his progress and feel confident in a smooth return.
Madison Bumgarner: The four-time All-Star pitcher impressed in his first rehab start, striking out eight over three and two thirds hitless innings for Triple-A Sacramento. The outing is a good sign that his fractured fifth metacarpal is adequately healed and will not be a major limiting factor moving forward. There may be a bit of concern regarding his overall conditioning, but his upside remains too high to ignore. He's slated to make another rehab start later in the week, if the team doesn't elect to activate him a bit ahead of schedule.
Clayton Kershaw: The Dodgers ace is inching toward a return after throwing a simulated game over the weekend. Kershaw has been out since May 1 with biceps tendinitis but is slated to return to the rotation on Thursday. It's worth noting that Kershaw publicly admitted he examined his mechanics during his time off. This could go a long way toward sustained health, as the root of the problem may have been addressed.
Steven Souza Jr.: The Diamondbacks have placed Souza on the DL with a pectoral injury for the second time this season. He first strained his pec during spring training and then aggravated it after slipping on the warning track. The location of his most recent injury is different than the first. His injury in March was near the tendon while the new injury is closer to the muscle belly. An injury to the muscle has a chance to heal quicker than his previous problem as the new injury site has a better supply of blood. He remains without a definitive timeline, but it appears the team is prepping for a multiweek absence. Socrates Brito took Souza's place on the roster and could be worth a look in deeper formats.
