This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The 2021 MLB season will be my 12th season as the injury analyst for Rotowire. When I started, Albert Pujols was the top-rated player on most draft boards, while Tim Lincecum was the league's most sought-after pitcher. My inaugural column covered injuries to Carlos Beltran, Josh Hamilton and Jose Reyes. Over the past decade I've broken down a variety of injuries including players hurt while playing the video game Guitar Hero, packing their bags and opening packages. While these oddities standout, the baseball season usually brings with it the same assortment of ailments that frequently send players to the injured list. This year is on track to be more of the same with position players suffering from routine sprains and strains, and pitchers nursing common shoulder and elbow injuries. Understanding the basics of each of these injuries will allow fantasy players to make informed decisions on draft day and throughout the season ahead. Thank you for allowing me to help you with this process for the past 11 years.
The Padres outfielder suffered a hamstring injury on March 11 when attempting to beat out a groundball. Further testing revealed Grisham suffered a Grade I strain of his hamstring.
Muscle injuries are classified based on the severity of the damage accrued. A Grade I strain is considered mild with the overall integrity of the muscle still intact. A Grade II strain is often referred to as a partial tear, as the injury is marked by torn fibers of the
The 2021 MLB season will be my 12th season as the injury analyst for Rotowire. When I started, Albert Pujols was the top-rated player on most draft boards, while Tim Lincecum was the league's most sought-after pitcher. My inaugural column covered injuries to Carlos Beltran, Josh Hamilton and Jose Reyes. Over the past decade I've broken down a variety of injuries including players hurt while playing the video game Guitar Hero, packing their bags and opening packages. While these oddities standout, the baseball season usually brings with it the same assortment of ailments that frequently send players to the injured list. This year is on track to be more of the same with position players suffering from routine sprains and strains, and pitchers nursing common shoulder and elbow injuries. Understanding the basics of each of these injuries will allow fantasy players to make informed decisions on draft day and throughout the season ahead. Thank you for allowing me to help you with this process for the past 11 years.
The Padres outfielder suffered a hamstring injury on March 11 when attempting to beat out a groundball. Further testing revealed Grisham suffered a Grade I strain of his hamstring.
Muscle injuries are classified based on the severity of the damage accrued. A Grade I strain is considered mild with the overall integrity of the muscle still intact. A Grade II strain is often referred to as a partial tear, as the injury is marked by torn fibers of the muscle. A Grade III or higher is reserved for complete tears or ruptures and often requires surgical intervention.
While Grisham's injury is mild, hamstring injuries remain tricky injuries to manage. As the healing process occurs, the body naturally repairs the damaged tissue. Unfortunately, the athlete may report feeling better before the scar tissue is strong enough to withstand the necessary stresses. If a premature return is attempted, the scar tissue can be easily disrupted, aggravating the original injury site, and restarting the entire healing process. Strains in other areas of the muscles may also occur if a return to play is rushed. As a result, ample time is an integral part of a full recovery, even for the mildest of strains.
The Padres medical staff is well aware of these complications and have carefully managed Grisham's activity level. He recently took batting practice and hopes to return to baserunning and outfield work soon. If he continues to progress without any problems, Grisham has a realistic shot at playing on Opening Day. However, a conservative approach now could help prevent a reoccurrence or aggravation and insure Grisham not only returns to the lineup but remains there. Don't be shocked if he starts the year on the IL or receives routine days off in the early stages of the season.
The talented Nationals pitcher has become a far too frequent feature in my column since his 2010 debut. He's battled back from Tommy John, bone chips in his elbow, and multiple strains to his back and neck. Last year, surgery to address carpal tunnel neuritis in his right wrist and hand ended his season. The procedure has a high success rate, and Strasburg was able to make his spring debut in early March. However, the right-hander suffered a lower extremity injury in his second start that's casting doubt on his availability to start the season.
Strasburg strained his plantaris, a small muscle that sits behind the calf muscle complex. It performs the same action as the calf and, unsurprisingly, displays the same signs and symptoms as a calf injury. Strasburg's injury improved enough to allow him to throw a simulated game March 19, and he is slated to start a Grapefruit League game on Wednesday. Strasburg would slot into his normal position in the rotation if he can make it through that appearance without any sort of setback and make the Opening Day roster. While the news is encouraging, Strasburg's injury history will keep his inherent level of risk high, and fantasy managers will have to ultimately decide at which spot in a draft they feel comfortable assuming that risk.
The Diamondbacks right-hander was scratched from his recent start with right forearm soreness. This won't be the last time we hear about forearm soreness this season, so let's examine why it is such a worrisome sign for pitchers.
The muscles of the forearm originate on the medial and lateral sides of the elbow. The forearm flexor bundle originates on the medial epicondyle, the same place where the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) attaches. The muscles situated on the lateral aspect of the elbow are responsible for extension of the wrist and hand. These muscles also assist the ligaments in stabilizing the elbow. Once a muscle becomes functionally limited, the ligaments of the area assume the excessive stress and become vulnerable to an injury of their own. As a result, providing the appropriate care to the area is critical to avoid a complex injury that will require surgery.
Gallen's injury is on the lateral side and occurred when he was swinging a bat, not throwing. It could be something as simple as lateral epicondylitis (better known as tennis elbow) or even a mild strain. However, Arizona will handle the situation conservatively to insure his long-term health. Look for more information on the right-hander to trickle out in the near future, but make plans just in case he starts the year on the IL.
Check Swings
Carlos Carrasco: The Mets new offseason acquisition will miss six to eight weeks with a torn hamstring. If you recall the earlier discussion regarding Grisham's muscle injury, the description of Carrasco's hamstring injury likely indicates a Grade II strain. Carrasco will need time to build his arm back up, and I'm guessing his return is likely on the latter end of his expected recovery window.
Sonny Gray: It looks like Gray will not be available for the start of the season as he continues to battle back spasms. Spasms are really more of a symptom of an underlying issue than an outright injury, a concerning proposition for a player with a history of back injuries. The Reds are optimistic his absence won't be prolonged, but I'm still dropping him down my draft board.
Dinelson Lamet: Lamet's return to the mound has taken time due to an elbow injury suffered late last season. He received a PRP injection in October and has progressively upped his workload. He is slated to start Wednesday but is expected to be on a short leash. His ADP currently sits at No. 94, which seems a bit high for me, but at least he appears to be trending in the right direction. Draft carefully here.
J.T. Realmuto: The Phillies catcher suffered a fractured thumb in February that derailed his spring training. By all accounts the thumb healed nicely, and a return to action appeared imminent. Unfortunately, Realmuto reported "general soreness" that pushed back his debut. The soreness does not appear linked to his thumb and can more likely be attributed to a sudden increase in activity. Don't let these concerns prevent you from investing in Realmuto. He remains a top fantasy catcher and should be fine, even if his return is delayed a bit longer.
