This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The A's slugger is slated to undergo an MRI for a right hip strain suffered over the weekend. Because X-rays can only provide details on bone injuries, MRIs are used to determine the severity of soft tissue injuries. The final diagnosis will be determined based on these more detailed images and ultimately determine how much time Chapman could be sidelined. The best-case scenario is a low-grade or Grade 1 strain and could result in minimal time missed. While the hip was reportedly sore entering the weekend, Chapman doesn't have a lengthy history of lower extremity strains. Hopefully the injury is mild, but fantasy players should anticipate being without the Oakland third baseman for at least a game or two.
The Cardinals starter was sent to the hospital Friday morning with abdominal soreness and was eventually diagnosed with a kidney ailment. Kim's exact diagnosis was a renal infarction, a blockage of blood flow to the kidneys. As in Kim's case, the blockage is often the result of a thromboembolism, better known as a blood clot. A renal infarction is treatable, but early detection is key to preventing loss of function from the bean-shaped organs. It sounds like Kim's problem was found rapidly and he has avoided any long-term kidney damage.
Unfortunately, this isn't Kim's first time suffering a thromboembolism. Back in 2010, Kim suffered a cerebral infarction, better known as a stroke. The stroke was mild but did leave him with paralysis to multiple areas of his
The A's slugger is slated to undergo an MRI for a right hip strain suffered over the weekend. Because X-rays can only provide details on bone injuries, MRIs are used to determine the severity of soft tissue injuries. The final diagnosis will be determined based on these more detailed images and ultimately determine how much time Chapman could be sidelined. The best-case scenario is a low-grade or Grade 1 strain and could result in minimal time missed. While the hip was reportedly sore entering the weekend, Chapman doesn't have a lengthy history of lower extremity strains. Hopefully the injury is mild, but fantasy players should anticipate being without the Oakland third baseman for at least a game or two.
The Cardinals starter was sent to the hospital Friday morning with abdominal soreness and was eventually diagnosed with a kidney ailment. Kim's exact diagnosis was a renal infarction, a blockage of blood flow to the kidneys. As in Kim's case, the blockage is often the result of a thromboembolism, better known as a blood clot. A renal infarction is treatable, but early detection is key to preventing loss of function from the bean-shaped organs. It sounds like Kim's problem was found rapidly and he has avoided any long-term kidney damage.
Unfortunately, this isn't Kim's first time suffering a thromboembolism. Back in 2010, Kim suffered a cerebral infarction, better known as a stroke. The stroke was mild but did leave him with paralysis to multiple areas of his body, including his face. Kim made a complete recovery and returned to pitch in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) during the 2011 season.
Kim has been placed on blood thinners to help with the clot and will need to alter his daily routine to avoid any events that could result in bruising or lacerations. While the Cardinals are hopeful Kim will return at some point this season, his recovery doesn't come with a definitive timeline. His absence over the weekend altered their rotation but should stabilize with the pending return of Carlos Martinez. Martinez, out since July 29 due to COVID-19, will start Tuesday and should help make up for the loss of Kim and allow St. Louis to utilize a standard five-man rotation.
Check Swings
Jose Altuve: The Houston second baseman is on the injured list with a right knee sprain suffered during an awkward slide into third base. While the team has downplayed the severity and remains optimistic Altuve will miss the minimal amount of time, it's worth noting this is the same knee that bothered him during the 2018 season. That injury was diagnosed as an avulsion fracture of the patella (kneecap) and required offseason surgery to fix. The latest injury doesn't appear linked but a complete recovery is necessary to insure the long-term health of the joint. Altuve is first eligible to return on September 14, meaning those invested in the former AL MVP will need to find a replacement for at least the week ahead.
Nelson Cruz: The veteran slugger was a late scratch from Sunday's game due to soreness in his hip. The issue appears to be the result of the preceding doubleheader, and the Twins opted to give Cruz a day off to manage his workload. This appears to be nothing more than a minor inconvenience, and the hard-hitting Cruz should remain a fixture in your lineup.
Jason Heyward: The Cubs outfielder was removed from Sunday's loss to the Cardinals after reporting shortness of breath and light-headedness. The decision was made to send the veteran outfielder to the hospital for further testing. The team did not have an immediate update and remain unsure of the severity of the issue. Hopefully the problem isn't serious and not related to COVID-19. Look for more information to surface, but for now consider him day-to-day at best.
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton: Both Yankees All-Stars are making progress in their respective recoveries from injury. Judge, out with his twice strained calf, is slated to begin "more aggressive" baseball-related activities on Monday. Stanton, still nursing a strained left hamstring, has also begun sports specific drills and is running at 80 percent. However, the Yankees are likely to take a cautious approach with both players' return to play to insure their availability for the postseason. This tactic is sound for a team with World Series aspirations but will be a major hinderance for fantasy players looking to claim a title of their own. Even if the duo is able to get some late regular season reps, it may be too late for them to make a significant impact on the fantasy landscape. Continue to stash them on the IL for now and search out healthier options to fill out your roster.
Dallas Keuchel: The White Sox left-hander was removed from Sunday's win with back stiffness. The team is calling the situation day-to-day but admitted Keuchel has been battling back problems for a majority of the year. As a result, the injury should be considered more of a chronic issue than an acute injury, and it seems likely to linger for the immediate future. Keuchel expects to pitch Saturday in his next scheduled start, but his level of progress in the coming days will be the deciding factor in his availability. Remain patient for now, but it may be worth eyeballing your waiver wire for a potential stop gap option.
Renato Nunez: The Venezuelan first baseman has been a notable absence from the Baltimore lineup. Nunez has been dealing with a minor hamstring issue since September 2, and it eventually cost him a pair of games over the weekend. The team continues to list him as day-to-day though Nunez does have a history of hamstring strains in his injury profile. Despite the optimism, it wouldn't be shocking to see him land on the IL, and Nunez will be a risky play in weekly formats.
Juan Soto: Soto is yet another valuable fantasy option wearing the dreaded "day-to-day" tag. The Nationals outfielder is currently sidelined with a sore left elbow, though an MRI failed to uncover any significant issues. The Nationals have a day off on Wednesday, September 9, and the team could opt to hold him out of their two-game series with the Rays to buy him some additional rest. Keep a close eye out for Washington's lineup to determine the phenom's availability.
