This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
I love my job, but I hate to work. This stems largely from the fact that the moment my services are necessary it means someone is hurt. I generally feel like the harbinger of doom. But occasionally the sun breaks through the ominous clouds and I get to talk about a player's impending return. This week we have a flurry of big names set to return from prolonged absences.
The Mets expect Lindor to return to the field Tuesday for the first time since he strained his oblique on July 17. He will return with an elevated level of injury risk, but the threat of re-injury in oblique injuries is smaller than strains to lower extremity muscle groups like the hamstrings or quads. Once back, Lindor will finally get the chance to partner with the recently acquired Javier Baez to cover the Mets' middle infield. Baez just got over an injury of his own, returning to action after missing time with back spasms. Baez will also have an increased risk of recurrence, especially if the source of his spasms remains untreated. However, both players are too talented to keep on the bench and should be employed as usual.
The Twins slugger is nearing a return from his broken finger suffered in late June. Buxton's injury involved his fifth metacarpal, the bone that bridges the area between the wrist and the pinkie finger. He did not require surgery, and the bone appears to have mended nicely. He's
I love my job, but I hate to work. This stems largely from the fact that the moment my services are necessary it means someone is hurt. I generally feel like the harbinger of doom. But occasionally the sun breaks through the ominous clouds and I get to talk about a player's impending return. This week we have a flurry of big names set to return from prolonged absences.
The Mets expect Lindor to return to the field Tuesday for the first time since he strained his oblique on July 17. He will return with an elevated level of injury risk, but the threat of re-injury in oblique injuries is smaller than strains to lower extremity muscle groups like the hamstrings or quads. Once back, Lindor will finally get the chance to partner with the recently acquired Javier Baez to cover the Mets' middle infield. Baez just got over an injury of his own, returning to action after missing time with back spasms. Baez will also have an increased risk of recurrence, especially if the source of his spasms remains untreated. However, both players are too talented to keep on the bench and should be employed as usual.
The Twins slugger is nearing a return from his broken finger suffered in late June. Buxton's injury involved his fifth metacarpal, the bone that bridges the area between the wrist and the pinkie finger. He did not require surgery, and the bone appears to have mended nicely. He's gripping a bat without issues and has begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul, hitting a monster home run over the weekend. If he continues to show little lingering signs of the injury, look for Minnesota to activate him at some point in the next few days.
The Dodgers are optimistic they will have their All-Star outfielder back soon, perhaps as soon as Thursday. Betts has not played over the last two weeks because of inflammation in his hip. The problem stems from a bone spur in the area that will not be addressed surgically, at least for the moment. His associated symptoms have finally subsided, and he was scheduled to play in a pair of simulated games on Monday and Tuesday. If he can make it through those back-to-back outings without the inflammation and discomfort returning, Betts should be cleared to return. However, the risk of a flareup will remain as long as the bone spur is still positioned in his hip. Look for Betts to take regular days off so he can receive routine maintenance and treatment on the area.
Los Angeles isn't the only team anticipating a midweek boost. Darvish is expected to return from injury just in time for the Padres' upcoming three-game series against the Dodgers. The five-time All-Star has not played since reporting tightness in his back in a start on August 12. Fortunately, the area appears to have improved with prolonged rest and treatment as he completed a pair of bullpen sessions without a setback. Darvish's return could help stabilize a San Diego pitching staff that struggled with injury over the past few weeks. Even their injury replacements have had issues, as the recently signed Jake Arrieta suffered a hamstring strain in his Padres debut and has already been placed on the IL.
While it's nice to write about impending returns, we can't ignore last week's traumatic injury to Oakland pitcher Chris Bassitt. Bassitt was struck in the face by a comebacker, resulting in multiple lacerations and fractures to his face.
The skull comprises the neurocranium that surrounds the brain and the facial skeleton. The eye socket, clinically known as the orbit, is made up of seven different bones from both the neurocranium and the facial skeleton. Among these the bones are the upper jaw (the maxilla), the bone of the forehead (the frontal bone) and the cheekbone (zygomatic bone). Bassitt managed to break several of the bones in an injury known as a tripod fracture. He also suffered a broken jawbone (mandible). While his eyeball did not sustain any trauma, the broken bones did displace, meaning surgery will be necessary to return the bones to their normal positioning. Surgery was slated for Tuesday after Bassitt reported a noticeable improvement in the amount of swelling in the area. While there is an outside shot Bassitt could return this season, it would not be surprising if he is done for the season. A more definitive timeline should be established following his procedure.
Check Swings
Alex Bregman: It's hard to figure out just what is exactly going on with Bregman's recovery from multiple lower extremity strains, but it looks as though there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Bregman initially strained his quadriceps in June but was sidelined again with a hamstring strain. Fortunately, he was healthy enough to play for Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend and on Monday, making a Tuesday or Wednesday return possible. I'll be closely monitoring his activity level upon his return to get a better gauge on his overall health. There's reason for optimism here, but it's cautious optimism. Teammate Kyle Tucker could also be returning soon as he works his way through the health and safety protocols.
Nelson Cruz: The 41-year-old slugger was placed on the COVID-19 IL over the weekend but is expected to return Tuesday. It appears Cruz was ill and likely reported possible COVID-19 symptoms but has since tested negative for the virus. Cruz may take the field for Tampa's two-game interleague series against the Phillies, especially with first base man Ji-Man Choi headed to the IL with a hamstring strain.
Noah Syndergaard: The Mets pitcher is slated to begin a rehab assignment later this week. While he won't return to New York's starting rotation, the return to action marks a significant step forward in his rehab from last year's Tommy John surgery. A strong finish to the year could put Syndergaard back on the radar for 2022 MLB fantasy drafts.
