This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
I hope you have survived the war of attrition and remain in contention in your fantasy baseball leagues. It's been a chaotic season where big name players including Ronald Acuna (ACL), Fernando Tatis (shoulder) and Mike Trout (calf) missed substantial stretches of time due to injury. The approaching offseason will allow some of these players time to recuperate, while others will be making trips to the operating room to directly address lingering issues. For now, let's look at the latest injuries that should impact the final week of the regular season.
The Giants' "captain" was injured Sunday while attempting a bunt. The ball struck Belt on his left thumb and a detailed evaluation performed Monday revealed a fracture. Oddly enough, Belt has previously fractured the same thumb when he was hit by a pitch during the 2014 season. Thumb fractures are difficult to manage, but time lost is often linked to the involved bone. The base of the thumb is formed by the first metacarpal. Two additional bones, the proximal and distal phalanges, make up the thumb itself. Fractures to the metacarpal and proximal phalange are more problematic as they involve mobile joints. Surgery is often required to stabilize fractures in these areas, especially if any displacement has occurred. Fractures to the tip of the thumb are considered less severe but can still negatively impact grip. Belt is currently examining all possible treatment options, but it seems likely he misses multiple weeks recovering. He missed 50 games and
I hope you have survived the war of attrition and remain in contention in your fantasy baseball leagues. It's been a chaotic season where big name players including Ronald Acuna (ACL), Fernando Tatis (shoulder) and Mike Trout (calf) missed substantial stretches of time due to injury. The approaching offseason will allow some of these players time to recuperate, while others will be making trips to the operating room to directly address lingering issues. For now, let's look at the latest injuries that should impact the final week of the regular season.
The Giants' "captain" was injured Sunday while attempting a bunt. The ball struck Belt on his left thumb and a detailed evaluation performed Monday revealed a fracture. Oddly enough, Belt has previously fractured the same thumb when he was hit by a pitch during the 2014 season. Thumb fractures are difficult to manage, but time lost is often linked to the involved bone. The base of the thumb is formed by the first metacarpal. Two additional bones, the proximal and distal phalanges, make up the thumb itself. Fractures to the metacarpal and proximal phalange are more problematic as they involve mobile joints. Surgery is often required to stabilize fractures in these areas, especially if any displacement has occurred. Fractures to the tip of the thumb are considered less severe but can still negatively impact grip. Belt is currently examining all possible treatment options, but it seems likely he misses multiple weeks recovering. He missed 50 games and seven weeks when he broke his thumb in 2014. Those invested in Belt should look elsewhere for the final week of the regular season.
The Blue Jays outfielder has missed three consecutive games after teammate Randal Grichuk accidently stepped on his right hand. The incident left Gurriel with a laceration on his right middle finger that required two stitches to close. Stitches are commonly used to help close deep or wide lacerations and generally need five to seven days to adequately help. The time needed may vary if the location of the cut is on the surface of a joint that is constantly moving.
Toronto had a scheduled day off Monday, giving Gurriel a full four days of rest following the injury. The team is optimistic the stitches and cut will be sufficiently healed in time for Tuesday's game against the Yankees. These is a chance the cut could split, but the low number of stitches suggests the laceration isn't considerably large. Gurriel should be utilized in normal fashion with a slightly uptick in overall injury risk.
It's been a rough few weeks for the Astros right-hander, as he is back on the injured list less than a week after returning from a bout with COVID-19. During this recent stretch Greinke is 0-2 in three starts with a 12.46 ERA, while surrendering 18 earned runs, including five home runs.
His latest ailment is listed as neck soreness, though the team is talking like the injury isn't exactly mild. Soreness is more a symptom than an actual diagnosis, and hearing Greinke admit he doesn't think he can currently pitch for a sustained outing isn't exactly encouraging. He was able to throw a bullpen session on Sunday, and the team is optimistic he will make one more start before the end of the regular season. However, a possible shift to the bullpen has been at least discussed and it appears Greinke's fantasy value for the remainder of this season is low. The 2009 Cy Young Award winner will be a free agent in the offseason.
Check Swings
Elvis Andrus: The shortstop's first season in Oakland comes to a premature end as he suffered a broken leg while scoring a game-winning run. The injury was confirmed on X-ray and diagnosed as a fibula fracture. The fibula is the thin, long bone located on the outer aspect of the lower leg. Its distal end is the lateral malleolus, the big bump that makes up your ankle. Baseball injury guru and good friend of Rotowire Will Carroll suggested the injury may have initially occurred when Andrus was struck by a pitch earlier in the week. It does not appear Andrus will need surgery, and he should have plenty of time to rest and recuperate during the offseason. He should be an active participant in Spring Training.
Cedric Mullins: The Orioles outfielder did not play Sunday due to a sore hamstring. The team is hopeful an extended bit of rest will allow him to play Tuesday against the Red Sox, and he is currently considered day-to-day. However, hamstring strains are often easily aggravated, making Mullins a risky play for the rest of the season.
Salvador Perez: The record-breaking Royals catcher was removed from Monday's contest against Cleveland, but it does not appear it was injury related. Perez appeared in postgame interviews and said it was simply a decision to give him the final inning off. Keep using the slugger as you would normally but prepare for a possible rest day or two.
Hyun Jin Ryu: In addition to Gurriel, Toronto is also expected to get back a key member of the rotation with Ryu slated to start on Tuesday. The left-hander has been sidelined since September 17 after suffering a neck strain. The issue appears to have resolved itself, and Ryu should not be limited. However, he was struggling before the injury, sporting a 10.07 ERA in his last five outings.
Joey Votto: After dealing with soreness in his left knee and missing two games over the weekend, Votto returned to the lineup Monday in impressive fashion. The veteran finished 2-for-4 from the plate, including two home runs and four RBI. The Reds have not been officially eliminated from the playoffs, and Votto seems determined to remain in the lineup as long as he can. However, a Reds loss or a Cardinals win ends Cincinnati's postseason aspirations and may lead to Votto resting his ailing knee for the rest of the year. Consider him day-to-day moving forward.
