Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Gallo Out Multiple Weeks

Joey Gallo

The Rangers slugger is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken wrist. It's unclear when Gallo suffered the injury, but a meeting with a hand specialist revealed the fracture and pushed the need for surgery.

Gallo's injury involves a tiny bone located at the base of the pinkie known as the hamate. The hamate is one of the carpal bones of the wrist and is known for its distinct hook-like projection. The hook of the hamate and the bone's overall positioning leave it susceptible to injury, especially when a player is batting. When a player grips a bat, the knob of the bat often rests on or near the hamate. If the bat hits the ground or a batter makes awkward contact, stress can be diverted through the hamate causing it to break.

A fractured hamate is more complex than most bone injuries, as the hamate serves as an attachment site for multiple muscles responsible for bending the wrist. Furthermore, long-term problems can be an issue if the nearby ulnar nerve is irritated when the injury occurs or during surgery. Ulnar nerve involvement can lead to diminished grip strength and a loss of sensation in the pinkie finger. Gallo's teammate Delino DeShields Jr. broke his hamate last season and reported lingering nerve-related issues for nearly a year.

Fortunately, the long-term effects of surgery to repair a hamate fracture are minimal in most cases. The list of players to return to a high level of play following a broken hamate is long and includes Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Giancarlo Stanton and even Ken Griffey Jr. However, a momentary dip in power does often accompany the injury upon a return. As a result, Gallo's 2019 value takes a significant hit. He could still return before the end of the season, but it's unlikely he returns at 100 percent. The Rangers recalled outfielder Willie Calhoun from Triple-A Nashville, and he could be worth a waiver wire claim for those looking to fill a spot in their outfield.

Max Scherzer

A lingering injury has made Scherzer "very doubtful" for Tuesday's scheduled start against Atlanta. Scherzer has dealt with mid-back and shoulder issues since late June. He sat out the All-Star game with what was initially described as a mid-back strain and was later sent to the IL. The injury was then referred to as shoulder bursitis. After the extended rest and treatment, Scherzer was able to return Thursday, pitching five innings against the Rockies. However, pain in the area persisted and a subsequent MRI revealed a rhomboid strain. The rhomboids are a pair of muscles situated between the spine and the shoulder blade. Their primary function is to retract and rotate the shoulder blade, allowing for complex motion at the shoulder. A strain here would easily alter a pitcher's ability to deliver his arsenal of pitches.

To help stimulate the body's natural healing response, Scherzer received a stem cell injection in the area. Stem cell injections are similar to the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that have gained popularity over the past few years. The stem cells utilized in the treatment are harvested from bone marrow, often from the hip, and then injected into the injury site.

Based on the complexity of the problem, I doubt the issue resolves itself quickly, and a return trip to the IL wouldn't be shocking. Scherzer has to give his current problem time to improve to avoid a cascading injury down the arm, especially at the elbow. You will be hard-pressed to find a replacement player who will provide stats similar to the former Cy Young winner, but finding a pitcher who can fill-in for several starts is a must for those invested in Scherzer.

Check Swings

Ronald Acuna : Apparently the only thing that can slow the Atlanta phenom is a stiff neck. Acuna was pulled from Sunday's game due to stiffness in his neck following a collision with Philadelphia's Jean Segura. Fortunately, he reported an improvement in the pain following the game and is optimistic he will be available Monday. Even if the team opts to give him a day off to start the week, it looks like Acuna avoided a serious injury. 

Dee Gordon : The speedy infielder has already resumed batting practice less than a week after straining his right quadriceps. The team is confident in his improvement and believes he could begin baseball-related activities as soon as this week. Gordon has a realistic chance at returning when first eligible, especially if he can run without any limitation or discomfort. The Mariners could limit his activity on the base path upon his return, but he does appear ahead of schedule.

Cole Hamels : The Cubs leftie is expected back this week after throwing three innings for Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. He gave up three runs on three hits but showed an improvement in command when compared to his first rehab start. Hamels hasn't pitched at the big league level since suffering a strained oblique on June 28. He will return to face the Brewers in Chicago's upcoming series against Milwaukee.

Adalberto Mondesi : The Royals updated Mondesi's status over the weekend, reporting the shortstop is progressing since subluxing (partially dislocating) his shoulder on July 26. The update noted a reduction in symptoms including pain and discomfort. He has begun limited throwing and cage work, and will be reassessed later in the week. While Mondesi won't be back this week, it's nice to hear he is improving and inching toward a return.

Tommy Pham : The Rays outfielder suffered a right hand sprain over the weekend, though X-rays did not uncover any bone damage. Unfortunately, the diagnosis reamins a bit vague considering the numerous ligaments located in the hand or wrist. Without knowing the structure involved, determining an exact timeline is difficult. Consider him day-to-day for now and keep an eye out for more details to pop up over the next few days.

Danny Santana : The 28-year-old has been a surprise fantasy producer for Texas, but he made an early exit from Sunday's game. There was some speculation that a trade was the reason for Santana's departure, but it was later revealed he was limited by tightness in his left calf. He's currently considered day-to-day, but the Rangers could opt for a conservative approach to treatment if they are planning to move Santana.