Fantasy Baseball: Jose Abreu close to a return; other injury news
By Matt Shetler
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu got off to quite the start during the month of April, clubbing 10 homers and driving in 31 runs in his first month in the major leagues.
Apr 27, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Jose Abreu rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Abreu’s hot start was cooled down by a trip to the disabled list as the slugger has been sidelined since May 18 with inflammation his left ankle.
However there’s good news on the horizon for Abreu owners as he could be back in uniform as early as Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Abreu took batting practice again Friday and will go through simulated game work on Saturday and Sunday in Chicago. That simulated work will take the place of a rehab assignment so if all goes well Abreu should be back in your lineups this week.
In other injury news:
Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles
There is no time table for a return, but it doesn’t seem one is imminent for Wieters. The catcher threw about 25 times on Friday and said things felt better, but is taking it slow for now.
Wieters will rest on Saturday and is planning to throw again on Sunday. He’ll keep to that schedule for the time being.
Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians
Santana must pass a series of tests before he can return from the seven-day concussion disabled list. The first test included Santana watching the first three innings of Friday’s game against the Rockies from the Indians’ dugout. That challenge served to determine whether Santana could function in the light.
He felt sick and dizzy at the start of the week. Santana took a foul tip to the mask on Sunday afternoon in Baltimore and said Friday afternoon that he felt better than he had all week. But he has yet to initiate any baseball activities and I wouldn’t expect to see him any time in the next few days.
Joel Hanrahan, Detroit Tigers
Apr 20, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Hanrahan continues to throw bullpen sessions and long toss in Florida as he strengthens his arm as part of his rehab program from Tommy John surgery.
Friday marked the four-week point since Hanrahan signed a one-year contract with Detroit.
Carlos Beltran, New York Yankees
Beltran took batting practice from both sides of the plate on the field at Yankee Stadium on Friday, and the Yankees’ outfielder said that he was “relieved” to not feel any discomfort in his ailing right elbow. Beltran, who is currently on the 15-day disabled list, is hoping to avoid surgery that would shave down a bone spur in his elbow.
He said that he was able to take his swings at full-game speed, an encouraging sign as he works to return to the big league lineup.
Beltran, 37, is scheduled to take batting practice again on Saturday and is expected to require at least a brief Minor League rehabilitation assignment before being available to help in the Majors. Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi said that if Beltran comes back, he would probably be used more as a designated hitter in the early going, with Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano continuing to play right field.
C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Sabathia, out with right knee inflammation, was seen on Friday by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad, examining his progress. Sabathia is not expected to be ready for big league duty until July at the earliest.
Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers
Assuming there are no setbacks over the next four days, the Brewers should have Ramirez back in the lineup on Tuesday.
Ramirez, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring since May 13, was a full participant in pre-game work Friday as the Brewers opened a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. The plan is to have Ramirez do pre-game work with the Brewers again on Saturday before heading out Sunday for a two-day rehab stint with Class A Wisconsin.
J.J. Putz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Mar 23, 2014; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA;Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) makes a play against the New York Mets at Tradition Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Putz threw a simulated game prior to batting practice Friday afternoon at Chase Field.
The next step for Putz will be to see how he feels Saturday. If all goes well he will throw another simulated game Monday at Salt River Fields and then the team would like to get him in back-to-back games somewhere Thursday and Friday. He could be back with the Diamondbacks in about a week’s time if all goes well.
Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals
Zimmerman went 0-for-3 in four plate appearances for the Class A Potomac Nationals on Friday night in the first game of his Minor League rehab assignment as he makes his comeback from a broken thumb.
He is expected to remain Potomac’s designated hitter for a couple of games before moving into the field in order to avoid any relapses. After that, he could play left field, first base or third base. Zimmerman will play all three positions once he returns to Major League action.
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Votto, currently on the disabled list with a strained left quadriceps, took batting practice and ran Friday back in Cincinnati after taking ground balls on Thursday. Votto hit against the club’s left-handed batting-practice pitcher, Tim Burman. His injury has improved but he is not expected to be activated Saturday when he is eligible.
The Reds have given no indication of when Votto should be close to returning.
Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants
Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy told reporters Friday that Cain will be placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a first-degree hamstring strain. Yusmeiro Petit will take Cain’s turn in the rotation tomorrow against the Cardinals. The Giants have recalled outfielder Juan Perez from Fresno.
Cain injured his hamstring in Colorado on May 21, grabbing the back of his right leg after throwing the final pitch of the third inning. Three days later he threw a bullpen session that was cut short after about 15-20 pitches. He’ll be eligible to return on June 6.