MLB Injury Roundup- Week 13
Gary Sanchez C, Yankees: groin strain
An MRI showed a grade 1 groin strain for the Yankees catcher, and our algorithm is showing a 4 week Optimal Recovery Time. This is on the longer end of his projected 3-4 recovery timeline. If he tries to return before then, even as a DH, his Injury Risk will remain a concern. Sanchez also battled groin tightness in 2017 and missed a few games. This is always a tricky injury for a hitter, but it especially tough for a catcher. Sanchez isn’t exactly playing great this season, but it’s still tough to lose his bat for a month. And an injury like this certainly won’t help him turn things around anytime soon. Maybe the refresh will be good for him so he can return to his 2017 form in the second half of the year.
Kris Bryant 3B, Cubs: shoulder inflammation
The Cubs finally placed Bryant on the DL after missing a few games with inflammation in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. The good news here is that he is looking at a short 1-2 week Optimal Recovery Time, so he should be ready to return soon after the minimum 10 days is up. His HPF (Health Performance Factor) is Below Average right now but should improve quickly.
Lorenzo Cain OF, Brewers: groin strain
Cain left the game on Saturday with tightness in his groin, and the Brewers were forced to place him on the DL. Considering his history of lower body injuries (hamstring- 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018; quad- 2017, 2018; knee- 2015), he should be extra cautious. Our algorithm is showing that July 7 is the absolute earliest he should return, but with the All Star break approaching it would be best to give him the extra rest. Cain was already a High Injury Risk before his latest groin strain, and now it has jumped to 42%, which is very concerning.
Carlos Correa SS, Astros: back stiffness
While the Astros don’t plan to place Correa on the DL, he has not played since leaving Monday with back stiffness. Manager A.J. Hinch said “I’m going to be ultra careful and conservative with him. I’m not going to play him until I’m convinced that he’s not sore anymore.” This is the right approach with any sort of back injury as they can be easily re-aggravated and made much worse. While Hinch also said that this is unrelated to the mild strain to his right said earlier in the month, the first very easily could have lead to the second. Once Correa feels back to normal, he should take another day or two to rest and receive treatment before being plugged back into the lineup.
Clay Buchholz SP, Diamondbacks: left oblique strain
Buchholz landed on the DL with a mild left oblique strain, and the Diamondbacks are expecting a short absence for their starter. While his Injury Risk is currently Elevated, we are showing a two week Optimal Recovery Time, so his numbers should improve quickly. With a July 8 Healthy to Return Date, Buchholz could make a start or two before the All Star break if all goes well.
Steven Wright RP, Red Sox: left knee inflammation
The Red Sox placed Wright on the DL due to soreness and inflammation in his left knee. Wright underwent surgery last summer to restore cartilage in his knee, and flare-ups like this are fairly common following these serious procedures. That’s why our algorithm still had his Injury Risk as Elevated despite being nearly a year removed from surgery. Wright’s last outing was horrible, allowing 10 hits and 10 runs in just 3.1 innings. While he may not need more than a few weeks on the DL, this will continue to be an injury to monitor throughout the season. At 33, this is a tough one to fully recover from.
Arodys Vizcaino RP, Braves: right shoulder inflammation
Vizcaino has battled soreness in his throwing shoulder on and off throughout the year. The Braves finally decided to shut him down to allow the inflammation to calm down, placing him on the DL earlier this week. He could return as soon as Sunday. So long as nothing is structurally wrong (and it doesn’t sound like it is), he should be ready when first eligible. He will throw off of the mound on Friday, and if that goes well he should be fully cleared to return to the Braves’ bullpen.
Mike Soroka SP, Braves: right shoulder inflammation
Mike Soroka’s return from the DL was short-lived. He initially missed a few weeks in late April and early May with a mild strain, experiencing pain in the back of his right shoulder. After just two starts, he has again been placed on the DL. This time it’s the 60-day, so he is looking at a lengthy absence. It’s a surprise considering his MRI was clean and showed only inflammation, no structural damage. The plan is to shut him down from throwing for around 4 weeks, then he will slowly start to play toss and stretch out his arm, followed by bullpen sessions then rehab starts.
Dylan Bundy SP, Orioles: left ankle sprain
Bundy sprained his left ankle while running the bases over the weekend. He hoped to avoid the DL, but after testing it out on Tuesday, he continued to experience pain when landing on his throws off of the mound. His absence shouldn’t last more than a few weeks, which is in line with our two week Optimal Recovery Time. He is currently sitting at an Elevated Injury Risk and Below Average HPF, but his numbers will improve quickly as he approaches his July 9 Healthy to Return Date.
