As fantasy owners getting ready to set lineups, you have to pay close attention to the injury report.
As we prepare for Wednesday’s night’s slate of games, there are a ton of names that are banged up at this point in the season.
Apr 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) works in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
So with the amount of names to give updates on, let’s get right into things.
Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants
Cain was scratched from Tuesday night’s start against the San Diego Padres after cutting his right index finger with a knife in the clubhouse kitchen at AT&T Park.
No stitches were required, which is a good sign and you need to keep an eye on how the cut heals, but all indications are that Cain won’t have to go on the DL and should be able to make his next start.
If he can’t, look for Yusmeiro Petit to get another start.
Petit threw six shutout innings in his spot start Tuesday night, allowing only three hits, picking up the win.
Tyler Chatwood, Colorado Rockies
Staying in the NL West, Chatwood loaded the bases with none out in the sixth inning and had to leave the game against the D-backs with right elbow tightness.
While not really fantasy relevant, unless you are in deep or NL-only leagues, Chatwood is listed as day-to-day.
He allowed three runs and six hits in five-plus innings in a Colorado 5-4 win over Arizona.
Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Those awaiting a call up for Bradley may have to wait a little while longer.
Bradley has been placed on the 7-day Triple-A disabled list with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow. It is expected to be about two weeks before Bradley is allowed to play catch again.
That means he likely won’t pitch for about three weeks so I wouldn’t expect a promotion until June or July at the earliest.
Johnny Hellweg, Milwaukee Brewers
Unfortunately for Brewers fans, they get a whole injury section to their own today.
Apr 25, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (16) backs away from an inside pitch in the fifth inning during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Hellweg, the No. 7 Brewers prospect according to MLB.com, felt a pop in his right elbow during an April 20 start for Triple-A Nashville and left the game nine pitches later. He was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament two days later in Milwaukee, and he received a second opinion this week from Dr. James Andrews.
He joins the long list of pitchers this season to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers
Ramirez was out of the lineup and is listed as day to day.
He left the Brewers’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning Monday night with a bruised left elbow after he was hit by a pitch from reliever Pat Neshek.
The team announced that X-rays were negative, and Ramirez is day-to-day.
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
Braun (rib cage), could be out for a while.
An MRI exam Monday revealed that Braun is suffering from an oblique strain, and not an intercostal strain as originally believed, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
There is still no timetable for his return.
Braun was injured Saturday in a win over the Cubs and missed his third straight game on Tuesday.
Elian Herrera got the start in right field in his place.
Jean Segura, Milwaukee Brewers
Segura (facial laceration) was also out of the lineup on Tuesday.
He seems close to returning. He he had to pass some on-field tests first before being cleared to start a game, such as taking on-field batting practice and fielding some grounders to make sure he is seeing everything clearly.
Segura hit in the cage on Tuesday and there is a chance he could return to the Milwaukee starting lineup on Wednesday.
Seth Smith, San Diego Padres
Apr 5, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Seth Smith (12) at bat against the Miami Marlins during their game at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
After missing the past five games, there is a chance that Smith could return to the San Diego starting lineup for the final game of the Padres series against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Smith is recovering well from a right groin strain he suffered on Thursday in Washington.
He took batting practice again on Tuesday and was available to be used as a substitute.
Padres’ second baseman Jedd Gyorko is also expected to return to the lineup.
Gyorko is expected to return from the paternity list after missing both Monday and Tuesday.
Jacoby Ellsbury, New York Yankees
After missing Tuesday’s night games against the Seattle Mariners, Ellsbury could return to the Bronx Bombers lineup on Wednesday.
He is day-to-day, recovering from a sore left hand that has been bothering him in recent games.
Michael Pineda, New York Yankees
Apr 23, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda (35) reacts after being ejected for using a foreign substance during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Serving his 10-game suspension, Pineda had to leave a simulated game on Tuesday after just one inning due to tightness in his right lat.
Pineda’s suspension is slated to end next Monday, when the right-hander was expected to pitch against the Angels in Anaheim.
It seems more than likely now that Pineda could miss that start and be out a lot longer than the original 10-game ban.
Alex Avila, Detroit Tigers
Avila, who has been bothered by a bruised shin that forced him out over the weekend in Minnesota, was scratched from the Tigers’ lineup on Tuesday with back spasms.
The back spasms date back to spring training, which is a concern.
Bryan Holaday started behind the plate in his place and could see more action as Avila is listed as day-to-day.
Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins
Willingham said his left wrist is continuing to feel better, and he remains hopeful he’ll be able to swing the bat by early next week.
He is on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 7 with a small fracture in his wrist, will need a rehab assignment once he’s deemed healthy enough to play.