This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Yordano Ventura
For the third time this season Ventura was forced to exit a start early due to injury. However, this latest setback has the potential to be much more serious than the previous two ailments, the result of cramping in his calf and thumb. Ventura's current injury involves his ulnar nerve, a nerve that runs alongside one of the bones of the forearm. It enervates the muscles of the forearm and is responsible for the sensation in the pinkie and ring fingers. Most people have aggravated their ulnar nerve when the hit their elbow, they just refer to the injury as "hitting their funny bone."
Ventura's ulnar nerve problem manifested itself as finger weakness and a subsequent MRI discovered a pocket of swelling around the nerve near the elbow. The concern shouldn't be the swelling itself as much as what exactly is causing the inflammation. The ulnar nerve is located near the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and the flexor tendon bundle and injuries to either structure could result in swelling in the area. However, the Royals are optimistic the integrity of the ligament and tendon has not been compromised and an increase in usage or his recent time spent in the batting cage may be the true culprit. They currently do not expect their ace to miss a start but fantasy owners should have a contingency plan in place should the injury be a precursor to something more serious.
Hunter Pence
Pence has landed on the disabled list with
Yordano Ventura
For the third time this season Ventura was forced to exit a start early due to injury. However, this latest setback has the potential to be much more serious than the previous two ailments, the result of cramping in his calf and thumb. Ventura's current injury involves his ulnar nerve, a nerve that runs alongside one of the bones of the forearm. It enervates the muscles of the forearm and is responsible for the sensation in the pinkie and ring fingers. Most people have aggravated their ulnar nerve when the hit their elbow, they just refer to the injury as "hitting their funny bone."
Ventura's ulnar nerve problem manifested itself as finger weakness and a subsequent MRI discovered a pocket of swelling around the nerve near the elbow. The concern shouldn't be the swelling itself as much as what exactly is causing the inflammation. The ulnar nerve is located near the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and the flexor tendon bundle and injuries to either structure could result in swelling in the area. However, the Royals are optimistic the integrity of the ligament and tendon has not been compromised and an increase in usage or his recent time spent in the batting cage may be the true culprit. They currently do not expect their ace to miss a start but fantasy owners should have a contingency plan in place should the injury be a precursor to something more serious.
Hunter Pence
Pence has landed on the disabled list with wrist tendinitis and while the move is retroactive to June 3, it seems unlikely he will be activated soon after being held out of baseball activities for a considerable stretch. The team has determined a bone callous that developed near the fracture site of his forearm injury is contributing to the recurrent inflammation in the area. Pence, who missed the first six weeks of the season after breaking his forearm, first injured the wrist while attempting to field a ball. He hyperextended his wrist on the play and was left with a tendon injury. Now the injured tendon is being irritated by the callous and Pence was simply unable to play through the associated symptoms. With the callous identified, the Giants medical team can begin addressing the problem and get Pence back to a clean bill of health. Expect this to take at least another week with a late June return more than likely.
Zack Cozart
The Reds shortstop is out for the season after suffering a devastating knee injury. Cozart tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and the biceps femoris tendon in his right knee after awkwardly slipping on first base. The normal recovery for an ACL injury is generally nine to 12 months but Cozart may need additional time to heal given the associated muscle damage. The biceps femoris is part of the hamstring muscle group and is located in proximity to the also-injured LCL. Cozart will now face a grueling rehab process and while a spring training appearance isn't completely out of the question, it wouldn't be shocking to see the injury have a carryover effect into the 2016 season.
Check Swings
Jose Altuve
The Astros spark plug sat out the team's weekend series with the Mariners after straining his right hamstring. The injury is reportedly a low-grade strain, though these injuries tend to be a bit more problematic for players dependent on their speed. Hopefully Houston opts to play it safely and let Altuve return only when he's 100 percent. The other Texas team may be forced to do the same with their leadoff man, as Rangers' outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. was removed from Sunday's outing with a hamstring strain of his own.
Adrian Beltre
The Rangers corner infielder recently admitted his sprained and lacerated thumb isn't healing as fast as he would like and that his time on the DL is likely to last longer than initially expected. Beltre did have his stitches removed and though he will technically be available to return this week, it seems like it will be late June before he returns. While Beltre's fantasy owners have to be frustrated by the setback, those invested in Joey Gallo get the reassurance that the hard-hitting rookie will remain in Texas.
Corey Dickerson
The Rockies outfielder was off the DL for less than three days before his plantar fasciitis flared up once again. Dickerson's dealing with a chronic condition that can easily be aggravated. While he remains a productive fantasy option, there's just no guarantee he will be physically able to remain in the lineup for an extended period of time.
Ryan Zimmerman
Dickerson isn't the only player dealing with plantar fasciitis. Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day DL with the condition though the team hopes his stay will be brief. Regardless, the same recommended approach for Dickerson should be utilized here and fantasy owners shouldn't expect the issue to be completely resolved in two weeks.
Bryce Harper
The Nationals slugger sat out Sunday after being hit by a pinch on his left knee Saturday. The injury isn't considered serious though Harper will be evaluated again Monday. Washington is headed to Tampa Bay for a two-game interleague series so the team could utilize Harper as the designated hitter if the knee improves, even just a small amount.
Doug Fister
The Nationals did receive a bit of good news on the health front, as Fister reported no problems following his second rehab stint. He has been out since May 15 with a strained flexor muscle in his right forearm. He will complete a bullpen session within the next few days and could return the rotation as early as Wednesday.
Stephen Strasburg
Strasburg also received a positive report over the weekend and is progressing through his rehab protocol. After facing off live hitters and not experiencing any setbacks, Strasburg could toss a bullpen session within the next few days. The next step toward returning would then be a minor league rehab assignment, setting up a potential return in late June.
Editor's note: an earlier version of the article stated that Strasburg would return in late July. It has been corrected to state late June.
