This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
In what is becoming a routine occurrence, the latest MLB injury analysis starts with a Yankee. This week it's Judge's turn to head to the training room. The New York slugger is expected to miss a considerable amount of time after suffering a "pretty significant" oblique strain.
The oblique muscles are categorized into two separate groups, the internal obliques and the external obliques. The external obliques are the larger of the two and help pull the chest downward during respiration (breathing). The internal obliques sit below the external obliques and are responsible for compressing the abdomen during exhalation (breathing out). Additionally, the two groups work synergistically with the muscles on the opposite side to carry out trunk rotation. For example, if Judge wants to move his right shoulder across his body toward his left hip, he would have to fire his left internal oblique and his right external oblique. Judge's injury is on his left side, limiting his ability to throw and swing a bat. While the team hasn't revealed the exact oblique injured, an internal oblique strain seems likely. The internal obliques are the more commonly injured muscle group based on their positioning and role in movement.
The term "significant" seems to suggest a moderate-to-severe strain, and Judge has previously missed time with an oblique strain on his right side. As a result, it seems likely his recovery will be measured in weeks, not days. Fantasy owners should anticipate him sitting for at least six weeks.
In what is becoming a routine occurrence, the latest MLB injury analysis starts with a Yankee. This week it's Judge's turn to head to the training room. The New York slugger is expected to miss a considerable amount of time after suffering a "pretty significant" oblique strain.
The oblique muscles are categorized into two separate groups, the internal obliques and the external obliques. The external obliques are the larger of the two and help pull the chest downward during respiration (breathing). The internal obliques sit below the external obliques and are responsible for compressing the abdomen during exhalation (breathing out). Additionally, the two groups work synergistically with the muscles on the opposite side to carry out trunk rotation. For example, if Judge wants to move his right shoulder across his body toward his left hip, he would have to fire his left internal oblique and his right external oblique. Judge's injury is on his left side, limiting his ability to throw and swing a bat. While the team hasn't revealed the exact oblique injured, an internal oblique strain seems likely. The internal obliques are the more commonly injured muscle group based on their positioning and role in movement.
The term "significant" seems to suggest a moderate-to-severe strain, and Judge has previously missed time with an oblique strain on his right side. As a result, it seems likely his recovery will be measured in weeks, not days. Fantasy owners should anticipate him sitting for at least six weeks.
Every season a notable MLB players misses time after injuring themselves during headfirst slides. While the advantages to diving in head first versus the feet first slide remain highly contested, each approach comes with a varying degree of injury risk. When a player opts to slide headfirst, they forfeit a level of control and make themselves susceptible to head or neck injuries, as well as hand and finger injuries. The thumb is particularly prone to getting hung up on the base, resulting in ligament damage. In recent seasons, multiple players, including Mike Trout, Yasiel Puig and Bryce Harper, have missed time with thumb injuries sustained while sliding into a base. Now Meadows will add his name to the list after spraining his thumb while sliding into third.
The area of the thumb most commonly involved is the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint located at the base of the thumb. The MCP joint is stabilized by the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which attaches to the bottom of the proximal phalanx. A mild UCL sprain can be treated with rest and bracing, while surgical intervention is needed if the ligament is torn. If surgery is warranted, the associated rehab is generally six to eight weeks. Fortunately, improved surgical techniques now allow for earlier motion in the recovery process, reducing the amount of time missed. As a result, some players have been able to return as soon as four to five weeks following treatment.
Meadows was slated to meet with a hand specialist early in the week to determine the best course of treatment. This will ultimately help pinpoint just how long Meadows will need off before resuming his breakout campaign. It's worth noting that players often experiences a dip in power in their initial return to action as they adjust to gripping and swinging a bat fluidly. Fantasy owners should keep their fingers crossed that this a low-grade sprain that won't require a trip to the operating room.
Check Swings
Robinson Cano: The Mets infielder is considered day-to-day after being struck by a pitch in the wrist. Initial X-rays on the area failed to uncover a fracture, though the medical staff did place him in a brace. Cano isn't out of the woods just yet, as small fractures on the wrist and hand may not show up until healing has begun. Keep a close eye out for updates in the coming days to get a better idea of Cano's health moving forward.
Jacob deGrom: DeGrom's elbow has improved enough that the Mets are opting not to move forward with a planned MRI. The 30-year-old Cy Young Winner reported mild soreness in the area, forcing New York to send him to the injured list. The approach was likely precautionary considering deGrom's injury history, which includes Tommy John surgery and an ulnar nerve transposition surgery. He managed to play catch on Sunday and could miss just one start. However, a conservative approach in recovery would make sense here and go a long way to preserving his long-term health and availability.
Mike Foltynewicz: The Braves right-hander completed his fourth rehab start over the weekend and is expected back sometime this week. Foltynewicz hasn't logged a big league appearance this season after reporting elbow soreness in late February. The results of his rehab stint have been a bit erratic, though he's reported no issues with the elbow. Scale back your expectations during his first few starts and give him time to knock off any accumulated rust.
Max Scherzer: The Nationals ace appears to have avoided serious injury after suffering a mild intercostal strain. The injury occurred as Scherzer avoided a rogue foul ball in the dugout. The intercostals as the muscles between each rib and help facilitate breathing. Fortunately, the injury appears mild, and Scherzer isn't expected to miss any time.
Blake Snell: An odd accident at his home left the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner with a broken toe. Snell was attempting to move a decorative stand when the granite base dislodged and fell on his foot, breaking his fourth toe. Luckily, the fracture doesn't appear to have been severe or displaced, meaning Snell will not require surgery. The Rays anticipate he will miss just one start and could be back in the rotation as early as Wednesday. He took a promising step forward over the weekend, tossing a bullpen session with limited discomfort. Look for Snell to return at some point this week. Feel confident plugging him back in right away.
Matt Shoemaker: The Blue Jays right-hander was off to a solid start with a 1.57 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and stellar 3-0 record through five starts. Unfortunately, that's where his season will end as he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season. The timing of the injury should allow him to be ready for spring training in 2020, though it could be in a limited capacity. Sean Reid-Foley is the top candidate to replace Shoemaker in the Toronto rotation.
