Injury Report 6/18: Every Player’s DL Situation

UPDATES

Richard Bleier (RP, Baltimore Orioles) – Bleier is undergoing surgery to repair a torn left lat, which will end his 2018 season.

Homer BaileyCincinnatinnatti Reds) – Bailey has been pulled off his rehab assignment after renewed discomfort in his right knee. It is difficult to expect a return prior to the all-star break at this rate.

Noah Syndergaard (SP, New York Mets) – Syndergaard has not resumed throwing and it is difficult to project a return until he does. At this point, a rehab assignment may be necessary.

Josh Donaldson (3B, Toronto Blue Jays) – We are truly living day-to-day with Donaldson as the updates on his return and condition are vague. Baserunning appears to be the last barrier for Donaldson, and hopefully, he can return soon.

ADDITIONS

Kurt Suzuki (C, Atlanta Braves) – Suzuki does not have concussion symptoms after being hit in the head with a backswing. He may be able to return to play on Tuesday.

Javier Baez (2B, Chicago Cubs) – Baez expects to be in the lineup on Monday.

Tyler Olson (RP, Cleveland Indians) – Olson suffered an unknown degree of lat strain during his Saturday appearance. I’ve slotted him with a 4-6 week timetable for now, which would indicate a strain of either Grade 1 or Grade 2.

Carlos Carrasco (SP, Cleveland Indians) – Carrasco was drilled in his right elbow by a comebacker. X-rays are reportedly clean. Based on the location he was drilled I could see a longer return to play comparable to a typical contusion as swelling may play a large role in his recovery.

Whit Merrifield (2B, Kansas City Royals) – Merrifield fouled a ball off his knee. There’s no reason to believe he sustained anything more than a contusion, and can likely return during the first half of this week. He may be hesitant to steal if there is any residual swelling or soreness that he chooses to play through.

Jorge Soler (OF, Kansas City Royals) – Soler will likely miss about 6 weeks with his toe fracture.

Pedro Baez (RP, Los Angeles Dodgers) – We will have a better idea of Baez’ expected return once we receive updates regarding his throwing routine. For now, estimate he will be out for about 3-4 weeks.

Jim Johnson (RP, Los Angeles Angels) – No indications regarding severity, but if this is minor than Johnson should return before the end of June.

Nick Tropeano (SP, Los Angeles Angels) – This appears to be precautionary, but we will need to continue to monitor updates.

Robbie Grossman (OF, Minnesota Twins) – Grossman should be able to return within a day or two.

Matt Chapman (3B, Oakland Athletics) – Chapman experienced the same hand discomfort in spring training, at which point he received a cortisone shot and returned to game action about a week later. From the sound of things, Chapman is dealing with some inflammation and pain in one of the sesamoid bones of his thumb – sesamoid bones are tiny bones that are embedded within a tendon. In the thumb, there are two such bones and both are within tendons that contribute to the ability to grasp a bat. MRI results have been clean, and Chapman is seeing the same specialist that he saw in February. The effects of his spring cortisone shot are likely long gone, so he may simply receive another injection and be able to return prior to the end of the month. We should have a concrete update by Tuesday.

Luis Garcia (RP, Philadelphia Phillies) – The Phillies haven’t shared many details, but I’d expect Garcia to miss about a month at this point.

Evan Longoria (3B, San Francisco Giants) – Longoria required surgery to set the fracture in his left little finger. The little finger provides a majority of our grip strength, and as this is Longo’s left hand I’m not optimistic he is able to hit for much power once he returns.

Christian Arroyo (3B, Tampa Bay Rays) – Obliques are difficult to predict, and this is the more troubling side for a right-handed batter/thrower. One month from now is about the earliest I’d expect Arroyo to return.

Carlos Perez (C, Texas Rangers) – There is no indication of the severity of the sprain, though Perez will likely be able to return in early July.

Chris Martin (RP, Texas Rangers) – Martin may return when first eligible, though there is limited information available regarding the severity of this strain.

Matt Bush (RP, Texas Rangers) – Bush’s injury has been reported as a strain, which would indicate that it’s a muscle issue and not a ligament issue. I’m not sure how accurate that is. Additional updates are needed but expect him to remain sidelined for about a month.

Matt Adams (1B, Washington Nationals) – Adams is progressing, and should return later this week.