This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Two of Houston's top infielders have been forced to the disabled list, limiting the fire power in the team's stellar lineup. Correa hasn't played in more than a month due to lower back soreness. He has been hitting in the batting cage and recently started fielding ground balls. He's expected to travel with the team with the intent of going through his normal pregame routine. If that goes according to plan, the next step would be a minor league assignment of undetermined length. The team has wisely slow played his recovery, a benefit of having a decent lead in the division. The Astros have said they want to see how he performs at an elevated level for an extended period of time before activating him from the DL. However, an "early August" return remains the target date, suggesting he is nearing a return.
Altuve may not be in the middle of the infield when Correa returns. He was placed on the DL for the first time in his career with soreness in his knee. The team has downplayed the severity of the injury, but, like with Correa, have opted for a conservative approach to insure his long-term status. The problem doesn't sound serious, although it would be nice to hear a true diagnosis for the injury. Yuli Gurriel got the first crack at second base, starting Sunday in the Houston's loss to Texas. Marwin Gonzalez will remain a fixture of the infield until both players
Two of Houston's top infielders have been forced to the disabled list, limiting the fire power in the team's stellar lineup. Correa hasn't played in more than a month due to lower back soreness. He has been hitting in the batting cage and recently started fielding ground balls. He's expected to travel with the team with the intent of going through his normal pregame routine. If that goes according to plan, the next step would be a minor league assignment of undetermined length. The team has wisely slow played his recovery, a benefit of having a decent lead in the division. The Astros have said they want to see how he performs at an elevated level for an extended period of time before activating him from the DL. However, an "early August" return remains the target date, suggesting he is nearing a return.
Altuve may not be in the middle of the infield when Correa returns. He was placed on the DL for the first time in his career with soreness in his knee. The team has downplayed the severity of the injury, but, like with Correa, have opted for a conservative approach to insure his long-term status. The problem doesn't sound serious, although it would be nice to hear a true diagnosis for the injury. Yuli Gurriel got the first crack at second base, starting Sunday in the Houston's loss to Texas. Marwin Gonzalez will remain a fixture of the infield until both players are back in action.
The Blue Jays slugger is reportedly being shopped with the trade deadline just hours away. However, questions about his health have complicated the matter and could impact what Toronto gets in return. Donaldson has appeared in just 36 games due to shoulder and calf problems. The calf has been the more problematic of the two, as he suffered a setback during recovery. He has begun a running program, but his status remains in limbo due to the trade rumors. His risk will remain the same regardless of uniform, though staying in the American League could prove beneficial. Assuming a DH role early on could help ease Donaldson back into the everyday lineup. Keep an eye on his potential new home and look for him to be activated within the next 10 to 14 days.
The Cubs third baseman has hit the DL for the second time this season as the inflammation in his left shoulder persists. The problem cost him 16 games to end June and start July, and resurfaced after nine games back in the lineup. Medical imaging hasn't revealed a significant reason for the issue, but the associated pain is substantial enough to limit Bryant functionally. The former National League MVP quickly dismissed any ideas of going under the knife to alleviate the problem, and was confident rest and a cortisone injection would get him back this season. Bryant is correct that the anti-inflammatory medication will help treat the inflammation. However, there is no guarantee it won't return if the root of the problem goes unaddressed. Bryant is too valuable to consider dropping outright, but he will finish out the year with an elevated level of injury risk. Investing in a replacement with some staying power may be the best course of action for the immediate and long-term future.
The Yankees slugger will miss at least three weeks with a broken wrist after being struck by a stray Jakob Junis pitch. X-rays revealed Judge sustained a chip fracture of the ulna, specifically a bony prominence known as the ulnar styloid. Generally these types of injuries occur in conjunction with a corresponding fracture of the distal radius. However, Judge's injury was the result of a direct impact and not a fall. As a result, the focus of treatment will be stabilizing the area of concern.
Specific care must be given to injuries of the ulnar styloid based on its relationship with the neighboring ligaments of the radioulnar (DRU) joint. Displaced fractures can disrupt the stability of the DRU joint and may require surgery to fix. Fortunately, it appears Judge's fracture remained in place, meaning he should avoid surgery. Instead, he will stabilize the area with a splint or brace and wait for the bone to heal naturally. Unfortunately, this can take a while and the ulnar styloid can be prone to delayed healing or a nonunion. These complications can be functionally limiting, meaning Judge will need to be closely monitored for the remainder of the year. It could also result in a dip in power upon his return. Look for his status to be updated in a few weeks, with a late August return a real possibility.
Check Swings:
Justin Turner: Turner is back on the DL after aggravating his previous groin injury. The Dodgers infielder has struggled to stay healthy this season and remains without a definitive timeline for his current issue. The addition of Manny Machado will allow the Dodgers to provide Turner with extra recovery time that will hopefully help him put this injury behind him.
Nomar Mazara: The Rangers outfielder is unlikely to return to the lineup when first eligible. He's currently on the DL with a sprained ligament in his right thumb. The joint remains painful and swollen, and is preventing him from wearing his fielding glove. With Texas sitting at the bottom of the standings, don't be surprised if they take their time with his recovery. Keep him on the DL for the time being.
James Paxton: Continued tightness and discomfort in his lower back pushed back Paxton's return to the lineup. Now, a week later, he is again reporting his back is feeling "really good" and plans on starting Monday against the Astros. He will need to put together a stretch of sustained health to earn back the trust of fantasy owners, but all signs point to him being back in action.
Noah Syndergaard: The Mets are slated to welcome back Syndergaard on Wednesday after the right-hander was diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease. He's no longer contagious, and it appears the virus didn't spread to any of his teammates. He should be fine moving forward.
Stephen Strasburg: The Nationals ace is hoping to begin throwing soon after receiving an injection in his neck. Strasburg has been battling a cervical nerve impingement, the result of muscles in his neck pinching a bundle of nerves in the area. He received a scalene block injection, a course of treatment that targets the muscles in the neck that often responsible for the compression. He told reporters he felt great following the treatment, though most clinical studies report this is usually a short-term fix. As a result, Strasburg should still be considered a high-risk fantasy option.
