Baseball Guru
05-20-2004, 06:17 PM
KFFL Weekly Injury Roundup - Thursday, May 20
May 20, 2004
Welcome to KFFL.com's Injury Round Up. Each week, we bring you the latest from around the diamond on key injury issues. Who are the latest players on the disabled list that could affect their team's production? Which players may be headed to the DL soon and which players may be returning to the fold in the coming days or weeks?
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS
San Francisco Giants OF Barry Bonds (back) may be going to the 15-day disabled list if his back spasms do not heal in the next couple of days. Bonds woke up Wednesday, May 19, with back pain in Chicago and was scratched for that night's game with the Cubs. Bonds has been hampered for the last week, first by a sinus infection and then by back problems.
Chicago Cubs OF Sammy Sosa (back) went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, May 19, with a sprained ligament in his back. In one of the more odd injuries in recent years, it is believed Sosa aggravated the back spasms after two violent sneezes over the weekend. No timetable was given for Sosa's return to the starting lineup.
Sosa is being joined on the 15-day disabled list by P Kerry Wood (triceps). The Cubs made the move Thursday, May 20 saying they didn't want to take any chances since the injury isn't fully healed. The team is hoping to make the move retroactive to Wednesday, May 12. Teammate P Mark Prior (Achilles/elbow) continues recovering from his injury. Prior is expected to pitch Thursday, May 20, in the first of two rehab stints with Class-A Lansing, throwing 45-50 pitches in the first outing and expanding in the second.
Anaheim Angels 3B Troy Glaus (shoulder) will have surgery on his right shoulder Friday, May 21. Most reports have Glaus sidelined until at least August; although the team is concerned Glaus may miss the remainder of the season. The Angels have already discussed bringing in free-agent 3B Aaron Boone, lending credence to the theory Glaus may be finished for the season.
The Anaheim Angels received more bad news when OF Garret Anderson (arthritis) was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and is expected to be out until the second half of the season. The team has been snakebiten by injuries thus far this season as they currently have four of their projected starters on the disabled list.
Atlanta Braves 2B Marcus Giles (collarbone) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, May 18, with a broken right collarbone sustained in a collision with OF Andruw Jones. He is expected to be out 6-8 weeks.
AROUND THE DIAMOND
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Baltimore Orioles - OF Jay Gibbons (back) does not expect to miss any playing time despite lower back problems that have hampered his batting stance and affected his swing.
Boston Red Sox - OF Trot Nixon (back) is on a rehab assignment with the Red Sox's Rookie League team, with no timetable given for his return ... 3B Bill Mueller (knee) returned to the lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing three games due to an inflamed right knee ... OF Manny Ramirez (groin) has been limited to designated hitter duty this week due to a sore groin ... SS Nomar Garciaparra (Achilles) is scheduled to have a meeting with manager Terry Francona to discuss his rehab efforts. Garciaparra has not played yet this season.
New York Yankees - 1B Jason Giambi (back) returned to the lineup Wednesday, May 19, after missing time due to back spasms. He hit a two-run homer in a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Angels ... C Jorge Posada (nose) returned to the lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing four games with a fractured nose.
Toronto Blue Jays - C Greg Myers (ankle) continues a slow recovery from a twisted ankle, and Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca indicated Myers has a pretty bad twist of the ankle and has not progressed well ... P Justin Speier (elbow) is still expected back at the end of his stay on the 15-day disabled list. He can be activated Wednesday, May 26.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox - P Dan Wright (elbow/shoulder) went on the Triple-A disabled list Saturday, May 15, as the one-time fifth starter for the White Sox may have had injury problems that hampered his playing ability with the parent club.
Cleveland Indians - P Jason Stanford (forearm) and OF Ryan Ludwick (knee) were both transferred to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, May 19 ... SS Omar Vizquel (respiratory infection) returned Monday, May 17, after missing two games.
Detroit Tigers - The team has not decided whether OF Dmitri Young (leg) will make a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo or simply report back to the parent club when he is healthy. Young is supposed to test his legs on the bases before the Friday, May 21 game with the Seattle Mariners ... P Jason Johnson (blister) has a finger blister that will be difficult to treat because Johnson is a diabetic. The injury is not serious, but his recovery period from it will likely be slower than non-diabetic pitchers traditionally experience.
Kansas City Royals - IF Desi Relaford (hamstring) has a hamstring injury serious enough to land him on the disabled list, but no indication has been given whether or not that will happen ... 2B Tony Graffanino (knee) participated in on-field workouts Tuesday, May 18, for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair torn knee cartilage Monday, May 3 ... OF Aaron Guiel (eyes) underwent successful laser surgery to repair his blurred vision and is expected to resume baseball related activities Tuesday, May 25.
Minnesota Twins - C Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 with a home run Wednesday, May 19, in his first extended spring training game since suffering a knee injury Tuesday, April 6. He has been on the DL ever since ... 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (back) is day-to-day with a hyperextended lower back ... OF Shannon Stewart (foot) is also day-to-day, with a case of plantar fasciitis ... P Rick Helling (leg) is expected to start Thursday, May 20, in a Double-A rehab game. Once healthy, Helling will either need to wait for a spot to open up for him in Minnesota or he can be released to pursue opportunities with another club.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Anaheim Angels - OF Tim Salmon (knee) is expected to miss two or three more weeks after aggravating a left knee injury during a minor-league rehab assignment ... P Brendan Donnelly (elbow) will likely be out another two or three weeks due to elbow problems, as Donnelly himself admitted he had been throwing too much in rehab ... 1B Darin Erstad (hamstring) will likely be sidelined until the end of June, although he did hit off a tee for the first time Tuesday, May 18 ... C Bengie Molina (groin) is day-to-day with groin discomfort.
Oakland Athletics - OF Mark Kotsay (knee) is back in the lineup after being day-to-day with right knee tendonitis.
Seattle Mariners - DH Edgar Martinez (back) resumed full-time duty Wednesday, May 19, one day after being relegated to pinch-hitting status due to back problems ... 2B Bret Boone (hip) was back in the starting lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing five starts due to a strained hip flexor.
Texas Rangers - P Colby Lewis (rotator cuff) will miss the rest of the 2004 season following rotator cuff surgery performed Wednesday, May 19. It should be four or five months before he can resume throwing ... OF David Dellucci (back) is day-to-day with back problems.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Atlanta Braves - SS Rafael Furcal (hand) has missed 16 straight starts dating back to Saturday, May 1, with problems in his right arm and hand. He has reportedly made significant improvement and may return to the field Friday, May 21 ... P Paul Byrd (elbow) made a rehab start Tuesday, May 18, at Double-A Greenville and is hoping to return to the Braves sometime in June.
Florida Marlins - P A.J. Burnett (elbow) is about three weeks away from returning to the Marlins pitching rotation. The earliest he can come back is Wednesday, June 2.
Montreal Expos - 1B Nick Johnson (knee) is on a rehab assignment with Class-A Brevard County ... OF Carl Everett (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, May 18.
New York Mets - P Al Leiter (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with tendonitis in his left shoulder ... OF Mike Cameron (finger) is day-to-day with a small ligament tear in his right pinkie finger. He hopes to avoid the disabled list.
Philadelphia Phillies - P Randy Wolf (elbow) was diagnosed with left elbow tendonitis but should not miss any starts ... 2B Placido Polanco (hamstring) is about 75 percent recovered from hamstring problems and should be able to return from the disabled list Sunday, May 23 ... P Billy Wagner (groin) likely won't be ready to come off the DL Sunday, May 23, as manager Larry Bowa wants Wagner to throw off a mound before pronouncing him ready to go.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs - 2B Todd Walker (shoulder) returned to the starting lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing four starts due to a sore right shoulder ... 2B Mark Grudzielanek (Achilles) is reportedly seeing a foot specialist in the hopes of expediting his recovery.
Cincinnati Reds - OF Austin Kearns (wrist) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, May 19, expressing anger with the team at being left at Triple-A Louisville when it was clear his injury had healed ... 1B Sean Casey (thumb) returned to the lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing time due to a sprained left thumb ... OF John Vander Wal (knee) has made great strides in rehabbing his knee injury and could return by the end of May.
Milwaukee Brewers - 3B Wes Helms (knee) suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament Wednesday, May 19, when he slipped and fell in the dugout a few hours prior to that night's game with the Montreal Expos. Helms may have to go on the disabled list, but it is not known pending results of an MRI how long Helms will be sidelined ... 2B Junior Spivey (hamstring) is expected back in the lineup Friday, May 21 ... OF Ben Grieve (groin) returned to the lineup Wednesday, May 19, after missing two games due to a sore groin ... P Chris Capuano (thigh) was deemed not ready to return from a rehab assignment and remains on the disabled list.
Pittsburgh Pirates - OF J.J. Davis (finger) went on the 15-day DL Wednesday, May 19, with a sprained right pinkie.
May 20, 2004
Welcome to KFFL.com's Injury Round Up. Each week, we bring you the latest from around the diamond on key injury issues. Who are the latest players on the disabled list that could affect their team's production? Which players may be headed to the DL soon and which players may be returning to the fold in the coming days or weeks?
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS
San Francisco Giants OF Barry Bonds (back) may be going to the 15-day disabled list if his back spasms do not heal in the next couple of days. Bonds woke up Wednesday, May 19, with back pain in Chicago and was scratched for that night's game with the Cubs. Bonds has been hampered for the last week, first by a sinus infection and then by back problems.
Chicago Cubs OF Sammy Sosa (back) went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, May 19, with a sprained ligament in his back. In one of the more odd injuries in recent years, it is believed Sosa aggravated the back spasms after two violent sneezes over the weekend. No timetable was given for Sosa's return to the starting lineup.
Sosa is being joined on the 15-day disabled list by P Kerry Wood (triceps). The Cubs made the move Thursday, May 20 saying they didn't want to take any chances since the injury isn't fully healed. The team is hoping to make the move retroactive to Wednesday, May 12. Teammate P Mark Prior (Achilles/elbow) continues recovering from his injury. Prior is expected to pitch Thursday, May 20, in the first of two rehab stints with Class-A Lansing, throwing 45-50 pitches in the first outing and expanding in the second.
Anaheim Angels 3B Troy Glaus (shoulder) will have surgery on his right shoulder Friday, May 21. Most reports have Glaus sidelined until at least August; although the team is concerned Glaus may miss the remainder of the season. The Angels have already discussed bringing in free-agent 3B Aaron Boone, lending credence to the theory Glaus may be finished for the season.
The Anaheim Angels received more bad news when OF Garret Anderson (arthritis) was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and is expected to be out until the second half of the season. The team has been snakebiten by injuries thus far this season as they currently have four of their projected starters on the disabled list.
Atlanta Braves 2B Marcus Giles (collarbone) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, May 18, with a broken right collarbone sustained in a collision with OF Andruw Jones. He is expected to be out 6-8 weeks.
AROUND THE DIAMOND
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Baltimore Orioles - OF Jay Gibbons (back) does not expect to miss any playing time despite lower back problems that have hampered his batting stance and affected his swing.
Boston Red Sox - OF Trot Nixon (back) is on a rehab assignment with the Red Sox's Rookie League team, with no timetable given for his return ... 3B Bill Mueller (knee) returned to the lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing three games due to an inflamed right knee ... OF Manny Ramirez (groin) has been limited to designated hitter duty this week due to a sore groin ... SS Nomar Garciaparra (Achilles) is scheduled to have a meeting with manager Terry Francona to discuss his rehab efforts. Garciaparra has not played yet this season.
New York Yankees - 1B Jason Giambi (back) returned to the lineup Wednesday, May 19, after missing time due to back spasms. He hit a two-run homer in a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Angels ... C Jorge Posada (nose) returned to the lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing four games with a fractured nose.
Toronto Blue Jays - C Greg Myers (ankle) continues a slow recovery from a twisted ankle, and Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca indicated Myers has a pretty bad twist of the ankle and has not progressed well ... P Justin Speier (elbow) is still expected back at the end of his stay on the 15-day disabled list. He can be activated Wednesday, May 26.
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox - P Dan Wright (elbow/shoulder) went on the Triple-A disabled list Saturday, May 15, as the one-time fifth starter for the White Sox may have had injury problems that hampered his playing ability with the parent club.
Cleveland Indians - P Jason Stanford (forearm) and OF Ryan Ludwick (knee) were both transferred to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, May 19 ... SS Omar Vizquel (respiratory infection) returned Monday, May 17, after missing two games.
Detroit Tigers - The team has not decided whether OF Dmitri Young (leg) will make a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo or simply report back to the parent club when he is healthy. Young is supposed to test his legs on the bases before the Friday, May 21 game with the Seattle Mariners ... P Jason Johnson (blister) has a finger blister that will be difficult to treat because Johnson is a diabetic. The injury is not serious, but his recovery period from it will likely be slower than non-diabetic pitchers traditionally experience.
Kansas City Royals - IF Desi Relaford (hamstring) has a hamstring injury serious enough to land him on the disabled list, but no indication has been given whether or not that will happen ... 2B Tony Graffanino (knee) participated in on-field workouts Tuesday, May 18, for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair torn knee cartilage Monday, May 3 ... OF Aaron Guiel (eyes) underwent successful laser surgery to repair his blurred vision and is expected to resume baseball related activities Tuesday, May 25.
Minnesota Twins - C Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 with a home run Wednesday, May 19, in his first extended spring training game since suffering a knee injury Tuesday, April 6. He has been on the DL ever since ... 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (back) is day-to-day with a hyperextended lower back ... OF Shannon Stewart (foot) is also day-to-day, with a case of plantar fasciitis ... P Rick Helling (leg) is expected to start Thursday, May 20, in a Double-A rehab game. Once healthy, Helling will either need to wait for a spot to open up for him in Minnesota or he can be released to pursue opportunities with another club.
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Anaheim Angels - OF Tim Salmon (knee) is expected to miss two or three more weeks after aggravating a left knee injury during a minor-league rehab assignment ... P Brendan Donnelly (elbow) will likely be out another two or three weeks due to elbow problems, as Donnelly himself admitted he had been throwing too much in rehab ... 1B Darin Erstad (hamstring) will likely be sidelined until the end of June, although he did hit off a tee for the first time Tuesday, May 18 ... C Bengie Molina (groin) is day-to-day with groin discomfort.
Oakland Athletics - OF Mark Kotsay (knee) is back in the lineup after being day-to-day with right knee tendonitis.
Seattle Mariners - DH Edgar Martinez (back) resumed full-time duty Wednesday, May 19, one day after being relegated to pinch-hitting status due to back problems ... 2B Bret Boone (hip) was back in the starting lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing five starts due to a strained hip flexor.
Texas Rangers - P Colby Lewis (rotator cuff) will miss the rest of the 2004 season following rotator cuff surgery performed Wednesday, May 19. It should be four or five months before he can resume throwing ... OF David Dellucci (back) is day-to-day with back problems.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Atlanta Braves - SS Rafael Furcal (hand) has missed 16 straight starts dating back to Saturday, May 1, with problems in his right arm and hand. He has reportedly made significant improvement and may return to the field Friday, May 21 ... P Paul Byrd (elbow) made a rehab start Tuesday, May 18, at Double-A Greenville and is hoping to return to the Braves sometime in June.
Florida Marlins - P A.J. Burnett (elbow) is about three weeks away from returning to the Marlins pitching rotation. The earliest he can come back is Wednesday, June 2.
Montreal Expos - 1B Nick Johnson (knee) is on a rehab assignment with Class-A Brevard County ... OF Carl Everett (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, May 18.
New York Mets - P Al Leiter (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with tendonitis in his left shoulder ... OF Mike Cameron (finger) is day-to-day with a small ligament tear in his right pinkie finger. He hopes to avoid the disabled list.
Philadelphia Phillies - P Randy Wolf (elbow) was diagnosed with left elbow tendonitis but should not miss any starts ... 2B Placido Polanco (hamstring) is about 75 percent recovered from hamstring problems and should be able to return from the disabled list Sunday, May 23 ... P Billy Wagner (groin) likely won't be ready to come off the DL Sunday, May 23, as manager Larry Bowa wants Wagner to throw off a mound before pronouncing him ready to go.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs - 2B Todd Walker (shoulder) returned to the starting lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing four starts due to a sore right shoulder ... 2B Mark Grudzielanek (Achilles) is reportedly seeing a foot specialist in the hopes of expediting his recovery.
Cincinnati Reds - OF Austin Kearns (wrist) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, May 19, expressing anger with the team at being left at Triple-A Louisville when it was clear his injury had healed ... 1B Sean Casey (thumb) returned to the lineup Tuesday, May 18, after missing time due to a sprained left thumb ... OF John Vander Wal (knee) has made great strides in rehabbing his knee injury and could return by the end of May.
Milwaukee Brewers - 3B Wes Helms (knee) suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament Wednesday, May 19, when he slipped and fell in the dugout a few hours prior to that night's game with the Montreal Expos. Helms may have to go on the disabled list, but it is not known pending results of an MRI how long Helms will be sidelined ... 2B Junior Spivey (hamstring) is expected back in the lineup Friday, May 21 ... OF Ben Grieve (groin) returned to the lineup Wednesday, May 19, after missing two games due to a sore groin ... P Chris Capuano (thigh) was deemed not ready to return from a rehab assignment and remains on the disabled list.
Pittsburgh Pirates - OF J.J. Davis (finger) went on the 15-day DL Wednesday, May 19, with a sprained right pinkie.