This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Dustin Pedroia
Reoccurring hamstring strains are a far too common problem in sports, and Boston's second baseman becomes the latest MLB player to enter the tedious cycle. Pedroia initially suffered the injury in late June and missed nearly a month while recovering. However, the final phase of recovery appears incomplete as the associated symptoms remain, despite a clean MRI. In an attempt to accelerate the final phase of healing, Pedroia will undergo a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. PRP injections involve extracting a sample of the injured athlete's blood and breaking it down to a protein-concentrated mixture. As its name suggests, the PRP mixture is filled with platelets, the primary component of blood responsible for clotting. By increasing the platelet count, the body's natural healing response works faster and more efficiently. Studies have also shown that the recurrence rate of hamstring strains is lower following PRP treatment.
Time still remains a necessity and a PRP injection doesn't guarantee a thing. Earlier this season Rangers, outfielder Josh Hamilton utilized PRP treatment on a hamstring strain but did not return until just over three weeks following the procedure. While Hamilton's injection occurred early in the recovery process, it does suggest that fantasy owners shouldn't expect Pedroia back any time soon. A mid-August return seems likely and I wouldn't be surprised to see this stretch out even longer. If you are unable to stash Pedroia and are still fighting for the postseason, I'd consider scouring the waiver wire for a more reliable option. Texas
Dustin Pedroia
Reoccurring hamstring strains are a far too common problem in sports, and Boston's second baseman becomes the latest MLB player to enter the tedious cycle. Pedroia initially suffered the injury in late June and missed nearly a month while recovering. However, the final phase of recovery appears incomplete as the associated symptoms remain, despite a clean MRI. In an attempt to accelerate the final phase of healing, Pedroia will undergo a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. PRP injections involve extracting a sample of the injured athlete's blood and breaking it down to a protein-concentrated mixture. As its name suggests, the PRP mixture is filled with platelets, the primary component of blood responsible for clotting. By increasing the platelet count, the body's natural healing response works faster and more efficiently. Studies have also shown that the recurrence rate of hamstring strains is lower following PRP treatment.
Time still remains a necessity and a PRP injection doesn't guarantee a thing. Earlier this season Rangers, outfielder Josh Hamilton utilized PRP treatment on a hamstring strain but did not return until just over three weeks following the procedure. While Hamilton's injection occurred early in the recovery process, it does suggest that fantasy owners shouldn't expect Pedroia back any time soon. A mid-August return seems likely and I wouldn't be surprised to see this stretch out even longer. If you are unable to stash Pedroia and are still fighting for the postseason, I'd consider scouring the waiver wire for a more reliable option. Texas second baseman Rougned Odor remains available in a surprisingly high number of leagues and is in the middle of an impressive hitting streak since being recalled in mid-June.
Adam Lind
One of the most stable parts of the Milwaukee lineup was missing Sunday after back tightness forced Lind from Saturday's loss to the Diamondbacks. The team opted to play it safely with Lind but have yet to reveal any more specifics regarding the injury. Remember, tightness is usually just a symptom and pinpointing what is causing the problem is key to a full recovery. The Brewers do not have the luxury of an off-day Monday, traveling to San Francisco to take on the Giants. Consider Lind day-to-day and those in weekly leagues will have to keep a close eye on his status before utilizing him for the week. Lind has also been a fixture of trade rumors and may be held out until all possible options are explored.
Freddie Freeman
The Braves cut Freeman's rehab assignment surprisingly short and activated him in time for the weekend. He did not start Saturday but did make a pinch-hit appearance. He returned to the lineup Sunday, collecting a single in four at-bats. He is simply too good to bench but I am a bit leery of how he will do and a possible recurrence. The team referred to the injury as a contusion but reports of excessive fluid that had to be drained and multiple cortisone injections suggest the injury wasn't quite that simple. If the injury involved any tendons or the surrounding tendon sheath, it could be easily aggravated. Again, Freeman is worth the risk but have an insurance policy handy just in case.
Check Swings
Miguel Cabrera
It's a small step forward, but any positive progress in Cabrera's recovery from a severe calf strain is noteworthy. The Tigers slugger participated in baseball activities on back-to-back days, including fielding drills and batting practice. However, the calf is a primary component of explosive movement and both of these drills occurred in a controlled setting. He will need to be able to successful complete high-intensity drills like accelerating and running before he will be cleared to play. A mid-to-late August return remains likely.
Alex Gordon
Like Miggy, Gordon has shown small signs of progress but remains a ways away from returning. The Kansas City outfielder has begun throwing and hopes to begin swinging a bat within the next two weeks. However, his Grade 3 groin strain carries a similar timeline to Cabrera's injury, and the Royals anticipate him missing the full eight weeks.
Dee Gordon
The Marlins second baseman could be back on the active roster as soon as Tuesday. His dislocated thumb has responded well to treatment, and he was slated to appear in a rehab assignment over the weekend. However, Mother Nature had other plans and Sunday's game was postponed due to rain. Gordon may need some time to shake off the rust at the plate but the injury shouldn't affect his ability on the base paths.
Norichika Aoki
The Giants plan on activating Aoki on Monday prior to the team's game against the Brewers. Aoki has not played since June 20 when he suffered a fractured fibula. Fortunately, bone tissue heals well and Aoki should be ok moving forward. I'm betting San Francisco gives him the occasional day off but Aoki could be a nice addition for a team looking for some outfield help to finish out the year.
Drew Smyly
After nearly three months on the DL, Smyly has begun his rehab assignment. Out since early May with a torn labrum in his shoulder, the Rays lefty wasn't particularly impressive, lasting just 2.1 innings while surrendering four earned runs for Triple-A Durham. The rehab assignment is expected to last several more starts, and a mid-August return remains the plan.
Stephen Strasburg
The Nationals will send Strasburg out on a rehab assignment Wednesday though they have yet to release how long it will last. The hard-throwing right-hander is currently working his way back from an oblique strain after missing time earlier in the season with a trapezius strain. Until he isolates the breakdown in his kinetic chain, Strasburg's inherent risk will remain high.
Mike Trout
Trout gave fantasy owners a scare Sunday but quickly made amends. In the fourth inning of the Angels' win over the Rangers, the reigning MVP jammed his wrist diving for a ball. While he appeared shaken at the time, Trout crushed a grand slam, his second homer of the game, just two innings later. Trout and manager Mike Scioscia downplayed the injury after the game and seem optimistic that Monday's day off will provide enough rest and recuperation to keep him in the lineup.
