Fantasy Baseball: Giants’ Matt Cain to return Saturday; other injury news

The San Francisco Giants’ starting rotation will get a boost, possibly, on Saturday when right-hander Matt Cain will be activated before the Giants game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and will take his scheduled spot in the rotation.

Apr 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Cain cut his right index finger while making a ham and cheese sandwich and was placed on the DL retroactive to April 24.

Many thought he was a candidate for a rebound this season after finishing the 2013 campaign fairly strong, but so far that hasn’t happened.

Cain, a three-time All-Star, is 0-3 this season with a 4.35 ERA.

You may want to see how Cain looks the first time out before automatically inserting him back in your lineup.

Yusmeiro Petit, who started in place of Cain and gave up eight runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, will return to the bullpen for the Giants.

In other injury news:

Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

Braun tested his strained right ribs in batting practice again Friday and will likely be back in the Milwaukee starting lineup for the first game he is eligible to return from the disabled list.

That means on Tuesday you can get the former MVP back in your lineup.

Devin Mesoraco, Cincinnati Reds

Mesoraco, on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left hamstring, took a big step forward on Friday when he ran some sprints.

He is eligible to be activated from the DL on Sunday, and though he has been hitting and throwing for over a week, he wasn’t sure if he would return then.

Keep an eye on the situation as hopefully soon you can get his hot bat back in the lineup.

Carlos Quentin, San Diego Padres

Jul 30, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin (18) during his at bat in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Quentin is working his way back from a bone bruise in his left knee, could join the Padres sometime next week during a six-game trip to Cincinnati and Denver that begins on Tuesday.

He went 0-for-4 on Thursday with Triple-A El Paso and was scheduled to play most of if not the entire game Friday for El Paso against Fresno.

Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds

Chapman was not activated from the DL on Friday as originally planned.

He just completed a rehab assignment at Class-A Dayton and Triple-A Louisville. In the two outings for Louisville, Chapman gave up eight earned runs and seven hits over one combined inning.

However despite the struggles, the Reds could activate him Saturday prior to their game against the Colorado Rockies.

Chapman has been working to return from being struck in the face by a line drive on March 19, an injury that required surgery to repair fractures above the left eye and nose.

His pending return is bad news for Jonathan Broxton owners.

Yunel Escobar, Tampa Rays

Escobar was lifted from Friday night’s game vs. the Indians due to a bruised right thumb prior to the start of the third inning.

He is listed as day-to-day and if he misses any time, expect Ben Zobrist to move over to shortstop for the time being.

Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

May 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Joe Mauer (7) catches a ball at first for the out in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Mauer hit indoors Friday as he gets closer to a return to the Twins lineup, but the Twins could also take the safe route and sit him until next week.

He suffered back spasms Sunday and has dealt with lingering soreness since then and hoped he could be available either Friday or Saturday.

Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire has said that Mauer would be a candidate for the disabled list if he couldn’t play by Saturday.

Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles

Wieters said before Friday’s game that they are taking things slowly with his injured elbow and that there is no time frame set to resume throwing.

He was examined by Dr. James Andrews earlier this week for his sore elbow and won’t have to go on the disabled list.

Wieters was in the Baltimore lineup as the DH on Friday batting fifth, but it is still a situation worth monitoring.

Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles

Davis certainly didn’t look like a player who’s on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle, crushing balls to all fields during batting practice on Friday.

He won’t be on the DL much longer as Davis is eligible to return on Sunday, and though he may not make it then, he should be back soon.