Greetings, Razzfam!
I mostly play a doctor on tv, but occasionally, I stretch a pair of latex gloves down and over my hands, letting them slap with a satisfying pop across my wrists. Open up wide because today is one of those days!
When I read that Jhoulys Chacin has a condition formally known as toe sesamoiditis, my mind went sick places. Mainly, I went straight on to the phrase “Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.”
Fear not! The delicious sesame seed bun has not been wasted on Chacín’s toe. These repeated motions cause swelling and soreness in when the sesamoid bone, a bone embedded in muscle and tendons, becomes inflamed. Various media outlets are using sesamoiditis and turf toe interchangeably. However, they are slightly different in the bones and muscles affected. Regardless, neither condition feels great. So, be easy on your toes, and enjoy a nice sesame seed bun in the future.
I am not really into feet. So, I am going to change the subject to injuries at large. Check out the latest damage in your Razzball fantasy baseball weekly injury report.
American League Injuries
AL Central
Chicago White Sox
Reynaldo Lopez (RP): The White Sox bullpen woes get worse as López hits the IL with a strained lower back. If all goes well, he is eligible to return on August 9. Matt Foster could see more playing time in ReyLo’s absence.
Luis Robert (OF): Robert has had a tough time post-COVID. He has reportedly been experiencing lightheadedness and blurred vision. He began his rehab assignment and is eligible to return as of Friday, July 29. However, he has been experiencing cold symptoms and was out of his rehab assignment lineup on Friday.
White Sox say Luis Robert will not play tonight with Class AAA Charlotte due to cold symptoms. He’s expected to play center field for the Knights on Saturday
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) July 29, 2022
Detroit Tigers
Rony Garcia (SP): García pitched his first game since June 29. His first performance back was lackluster, and he eventually left the game with a trainer. García will be out with shoulder soreness until at least August 8 but potentially longer. There are currently only three healthy starters on the Tiger roster: Tarik Skubal, Drew Hutchison, and Tyler Alexander.
Injury updates:
Rony Garcia has a biceps issue separate from his previous arm soreness. He will be “shut down for a bit,” A.J. Hinch said.
Javier Báez got hit by a pitch in the elbow. He struggled gripping a bat. He’s considered day-to-day.
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) July 24, 2022
Michael Pineda (SP): Pineda also left a game with triceps tightness. He is eligible to return on August 9.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals had 10 players reinstated from the COVID-IL this week, which let off some pressure. However, the Andrew Benintendi trade to the Yankees make it a chaotic two weeks in Kansas City.
Angel Zerpa (SP): Zerpa is out after experiencing right knee discomfort sustained on Tuesday against the Angels. He is eligible to return on August 11. Jackson Kowar will replace Zerpa. Zerpa only gave up one run– to Shohei Ohtani– in four innings before being injured.
Jake Brentz (RP): Brentz is out for the season after having elbow surgery (UCL reconstruction). Lefty Amir Garrett returned from the COVID-IL just in time.
Amir Garrett with the loud and clear F-bomb after giving up a run on a wild pitch. pic.twitter.com/W3sOWf4v8R
— Jackson Perdue (@j_perdue08) July 27, 2022
Edward Olivares (OF): Olivares is out with a strained quad and is eligible to return on July 29. Nick Pratto was recalled.
Minnesota Twins
Caleb Thielbar (RP): Thielbar is going on the IL for a strained hamstring and is eligible to return on August 3. Yennier Cano will replace Thielbar in the bullpen.
Yennier Cano is a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
He has .511 SLG against him, has 1.000 win percentage, and has 9.26 ERA this season ?#MNTwins #MLB pic.twitter.com/ceo43Xt6bH— Random MLB Stats (@RandomMLBStats_) July 27, 2022
AL East
Baltimore Orioles
Tyler Wells (SP): Wells experienced left side discomfort after only one out. Wells is eligible to return on August 12. Beau Susler and Logan Gillaspie have been recalled to replace Wells.
The Orioles put Tyler Wells on the injured list with lower left side discomfort, optioned Nick Vespi, and recalled Beau Sulser and Logan Gillaspie. They’ll need a starter for Monday.
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) July 28, 2022
Jonathan Arauz (INF): Araúz sustained a fractured right finger after sliding into 2B on Monday. Terrin Vavra was called up to make his MLB debut as a replacement for Araúz. However, Vavra has yet to play.. Araúz will not need surgery and is eligible to return from the IL on August 5, but that date seems unlikely.
On The Verge #BabyBird of the day for July 16:
Norfolk Tides IF Terrin Vavra: 1/3, 2B, 2 BB
Vavra is now hitting .329 with a .443 OBP in 42 games with the Tides. Almost as many walks (28) as strikeouts (32). pic.twitter.com/6xh4WCNLde
— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@BSLOnTheVerge) July 17, 2022
Boston Red Sox
Rafael Devers (3B): Devers is out with a strained hamstring. He is eligible to return on August 2 and has been swinging in the batting cage. Christian Arroyo moved to take Devers’ place.
Chris Sale (SP): Chronically angry and injured Sale is out to have finger surgery on his left pinky after taking a 106.7 mph line drive from Aaron Hicks’. There is no timetable for Sale’s return right now. The Red Sox are targeting a trade to replace Sale. Some potential replacement include Luis Castillo, Martín Pérez, and Chad Kuhl.
New York Yankees
Michael King (RP): King is out for the season after fracturing his elbow and having it surgically repaired. Ron Marinaccio might be a good internal solution to replace King, although it will be an uphill battle.
#Yankees relief pitcher #MichaelKing fractured his right elbow after a pitch he threw Friday night- causing pain, swelling, and bruising. Suffering from this injury? Call #NYSMI today, and get the care you need! pic.twitter.com/4KdMaptsnN
— NYSportsMI (@NYSMI1) July 28, 2022
Giancarlo Stanton OF): Stanton is out with a right calf strain until at least August 3. Matt Carpenter will replace Stanton for the interim.
Tampa Bay Rays
Francisco Mejia (C): Mejía is out with a shoulder impingement and eligible to return on August 5. Rene Pinto was recalled to replace Mejía. Christian Bethancourt will be the Rays primary catcher now that Mejía and Mike Zunino are down.
AL West
Seattle Mariners
Diego Castillo (RP): Castillo is out with shoulder inflammation. He is eligible to return around August 10. Matt Brash will replace Castillo on the roster.
Finally, we’ve got our favorite Mariner, Matt Brash! Brash was recalled again yesterday from Triple-A Tacoma and this season in Seattle he has made 10 appearances on the mound, including five starts, and has fanned 25 in 25.1 innings pitched!#EAGLES pic.twitter.com/1UZVubvWYD
— Niagara Baseball (@NiagaraBASE) July 29, 2022
National League Injuries
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
Brad Wieck (RP): Wieck will be out for the season after receiving Tommy John surgery. Wieck has been on the IL since March. So, hopefully, you did not have him? RIGHT?
Cincinnati Reds
Jeff Hoffman (RP): Hoffman, a reliable reliever, will be out until at least August 8 for some forearm tightness. Tyler Mahle was reactivated in a corresponding move.
Tyler Stephenson (C): Stephenson, who sustained a fractured finger and ligament damage earlier this season, is out again with a fractured shoulder (clavicle) after taking a foul bowl to the shoulder. It appears unlikely that Stephenson will return for the season. Chris Okey has been called up to replace Stephenson.
Chris Okey gets his first major league hit! pic.twitter.com/6dDSYh0X4b
— ATBBTTR (@ATBBTTR) June 14, 2022
Milwaukee Brewers
Jace Peterson (INF/OF): Peterson, who I have been recommending as a versatile and well-performing utility player (sorry), is out with a sprained elbow until at least July 30. Peterson sustained the injury diving for a ball at 3B. Luis Urías will be a major player for 3B in Peterson’s absence.
Luis Urias – Milwaukee Brewers (11)
pic.twitter.com/WjHEsPp7Yd— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 27, 2022
Pittsburgh Pirates
Jake Marisnick (OF): Jake Marisnick is unfortunately back on the IL with a sprained toe he suffered during final series before the All-Star Break. He is eligible to return on August 3. Bryan Reynolds has returned from the IL and is on the board again.
St. Louis Cardinals
Steven Matz (SP): Matz is out with a sprained knee (torn MCL) and is questionable for the rest of the season. Junior Fernandez replaced Matz on the mound, but it is rumored the Cards will trade for a pitcher.
NL East
Atlanta Braves
Adam Duvall (OF): Duvall will be out for the rest of the season to have wrist surgery. The Braves are said to be looking at Ian Happ, Ramon Laureano, and Rob Refsnyder as potential replacements for Duvall.
New York Mets
Drew Smith (RP): Smith sustained a strained lat and is eligible to return on August 9. Tommy Hunter might see more time on the mound in Smith’s absence.
RP SwStr% Leaders 7/13
Keynan Middleton #Dbacks 50%
Trevor Richards #NextLevel 37.5%
Liam Hendriks #ChangeTheGame 36.4%
Joe Mantiply #Dbacks 33.3%
Ryan Thompson #RaysUp 33.3%
Mauricio Llovera #SFGameUp 33.3%
Michael King #RepBX 30%
Tommy Hunter/Drew Smith #LGM 30%— Greg Jewett (@gjewett9) July 14, 2022
Miami Marlins
Max Meyer (SP): Meyer is out for the season with Tommy John surgery. He is now one of 11 Marlins on the pitching roster and the IL. Zach Pop replaced Meyer at the mound.
Jordan Holloway (RP): Holloway is out with an elbow impingement. He is eligible to return on August 10. Daniel Castano was called up to replace Holloway. Castano had a close call when being hit with a line drive to the head. The Marlins are in constant danger, folks.
Daniel Castano takes a line drive off the head. pic.twitter.com/tJmZ2I16oq
— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) July 28, 2022
Brian Anderson (3B/OF): Anderson is out with a sprained shoulder. He is progressing well on his rehab assignment and eligible to return on August 3.
Garrett Cooper (OF/1B): Cooper sustained a wrist contusion after being hit by a pitch in the Marlins–Pirates series. He is eligible to return on August 3. Lewin Diaz has replaced Cooper on the roster.
#Marlins rally, then hold on for 7-6 win to split series.
Lewin Díaz showing plate discipline
Bullpen does nice job after Daniel Castano exits on comebacker
Agui back to his clutch ways
Feliz Sánchez hoy pic.twitter.com/Xi5vvASsQc— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) July 28, 2022
Tommy Nance (RP): Nance is out with a strained groin. He is eligible to return on August 8. RP Jeff Brigham and RP Huascar Brazoban were promoted to fill in the bullpen.
Jorge Soler (OF): Soler is out with lower back spasms. He is eligible to return on August 2. JJ Bleday was selected to replace Soler for now.
JJ Bleday‘s first @Marlins blast! pic.twitter.com/09mPMkgNTj
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 27, 2022
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks
Keynan Middleton (RP): Middleton is out until at least August 10 with a mild strained ankle. Chris Devenski was selected to take Middleton’s spot.
Colorado Rockies
Jhoulys Chacín (RP): This week’s medical term of the week is “toe sesamoiditis”. Chacín will be out until at least August 8 with turf tough. Justin Lawrence returned to the Rockies’ roster for the fifth time this season to replace Chacín.
San Francisco Giants
Evan Longoria (3B): In last week’s edition of Ambulance Chasers, I said Evan Longoria was “chronically on the IL”. This week he made a return to the IL with a strained hamstring. Longoria is supposed to return around August 3, but it might be best to look for some sturdier options to replace him. Patrick Wisdom and DJ LeMahieu are true 3B options that might still be available in your league.
San Diego Padres
MacKenzie Gore (SP): Gore is out with elbow inflammation. Although he will not require surgery, he will not be eligible to return until at least August 10. However, other reports say Gore may not pitch again this season. Stay tuned, folks.
Isn’t “The Evaluation of Mackenzie Gore” a forgotten Charlotte Brönte novel? https://t.co/Urc5rZaviK
— Bennett Karoll (@TheBennettK) July 29, 2022
Lightening Round Updates
Here are a few super speedy updates on player recovery:
Mike Trout: In case you spend most of your time away from society, Mike Trout has been diagnosed with a rare spinal condition that leaves his future in question. Trout says he will be back (no pun intended).
Fernando Tatis Jr.: Taking batting practice!
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) July 26, 2022
Rich Hill, Edwin Rios, Freddy Peralta, Jean Segura, and Salvador Perez: Just a few players that began rehab assignments this week.
How has some of the recent injury news affected your team? Share your thoughts with me in the comments or on Twitter: @keelin_12ft
