This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The grind of the MLB season is coming to a close. Hopefully, you're still fighting for a title or basking in the glow of a brand-new championship. If you didn't claim the ultimate prize, it's never too early to begin making draft day plans for next season. Let's take a look at a few injuries still lingering and a few worth watching in the offseason.
The Cubs playoff hopes are quickly diminishing as injuries have sent the team into a downward spiral. Bryant added his name to the list Sunday when he awkwardly slipped on first base. The All-Star's foot slid on the bag before being forced inward in a direction known as inversion as it made contact with the ground. The mechanism of injury is common in a lateral ankle sprain, an injury later confirmed by the team. X-rays were negative, though an MRI on Monday seems likely. The situation is eerily similar to teammate Anthony Rizzo who suffered a similar injury the previous Sunday. Rizzo's injury ultimately was diagnosed as a moderate ankle sprain, though he surprisingly was able to return after missing just three games. However, Bryant's availability for the remainder of the season could come down to Chicago's success over the next few days. If the team is officially eliminated from playoff contention, look for Bryant to be shut down in preparation for next season.
The Royals speedster is once again sidelined by a shoulder injury. Mondesi subluxed his left shoulder on
The grind of the MLB season is coming to a close. Hopefully, you're still fighting for a title or basking in the glow of a brand-new championship. If you didn't claim the ultimate prize, it's never too early to begin making draft day plans for next season. Let's take a look at a few injuries still lingering and a few worth watching in the offseason.
The Cubs playoff hopes are quickly diminishing as injuries have sent the team into a downward spiral. Bryant added his name to the list Sunday when he awkwardly slipped on first base. The All-Star's foot slid on the bag before being forced inward in a direction known as inversion as it made contact with the ground. The mechanism of injury is common in a lateral ankle sprain, an injury later confirmed by the team. X-rays were negative, though an MRI on Monday seems likely. The situation is eerily similar to teammate Anthony Rizzo who suffered a similar injury the previous Sunday. Rizzo's injury ultimately was diagnosed as a moderate ankle sprain, though he surprisingly was able to return after missing just three games. However, Bryant's availability for the remainder of the season could come down to Chicago's success over the next few days. If the team is officially eliminated from playoff contention, look for Bryant to be shut down in preparation for next season.
The Royals speedster is once again sidelined by a shoulder injury. Mondesi subluxed his left shoulder on Sunday when he attempted a diving catch. He missed 41 games when he suffered the same injury in mid-July. A subluxation is better known as a partial dislocation. In this type of injury, the joint temporarily comes out of alignment but naturally returns to its normal positioning. However, the trauma associated with the injury doesn't come without consequences. For a joint to dislocate, even partially, there has to be damage to the surrounding tissue, including ligaments and muscle. Shoulder subluxations also may result in damage to the labrum. Surgery could be an option if the joint remains unstable or any significant labrum trauma has occurred. Look for the Royals to consider all treatment options and make a decision soon to ensure Mondesi has as much recovery time as possible. The return to play rate for position players with shoulder labrum tears is high and shouldn't limit Mondesi's value on the basepath.
Check Swings
Javier Baez: The Cubs shortstop has been cleared to return in a limited capacity and made pinch-running and pinch-hitter appearances over the weekend. Baez, still recovering from a fractured thumb, is unable to successfully catch a ball without pain. However, he hopes to return to full action in the critical week ahead, but, like with Bryant, his availability could depend on the standings. Any late-season action would be a major win for those still clinging on to Baez, though he can't be counted on for his normal level of productivity. Nevertheless, the fact that he is even trying to play is a good indication the injury isn't expected to be a long-term problem.
Freddie Freeman: The Atlanta infielder will not travel with his teammates to Kansas City due to lingering discomfort in his right elbow. The pain has been linked to a bone spur in the joint, an issue that will not completely resolve without aggressive treatment. Instead, the Braves will give Freeman the next four days off and treat the associated symptoms. He's expected to rejoin the team for their final series of the regular season.
Joey Gallo and Jose Ramirez: A pair of AL sluggers will take different routes in their respective returns from broken hamates. Ramirez, out since fracturing the tiny carpal bone in his wrist in late August, is expected to be activated in time for Tuesday's game against the White Sox. The hope is Ramirez can help Cleveland secure one of the two AL Wild Card spots still up for grabs. Players often display an initial dip in power when returning from this injury, so expectations should be scaled back a tad for the remainder of the year. In Texas, Gallo's year is likely over with the Rangers long eliminated from the postseason picture and his broken hamate still not 100 percent. Gallo will return next season as one of Texas' starting corner outfielders.
Kolten Wong: The Cardinals shortstop suffered a moderate hamstring strain over the weekend and is unlikely to return for the remainder of the regular season. The term "moderate" strain is often utilized to describe a Grade 2 strain, better known as a partial tear. The recovery for these types of injuries is often measured in weeks, not days, and St. Louis will take a conservative approach in treatment with a playoff berth clinched. Fantasy owners invested in Wong can comfortably send him to the waiver wire.
Luis Severino: The Yankees ace made his 2019 debut last week and is already in top form. He's been on a strict innings limit in his first two starts of the season but has yet to give up a run while striking out 13 in nine total innings pitched. Severino was sidelined for a majority of the season after dealing with rotator cuff inflammation and a strained latissimus dorsi muscle in his throwing arm. He seems to have gotten back on track and should play a role in New York's postseason run. It also sets him up for a normal offseason and a return to fantasy relevance in 2020.
Mike Trout: The Angels outfielder underwent successful surgery Friday to remove a neuroma from his right foot. The inflamed tissue was compressing a nerve in Trout's foot and forced the Angels to end his season prematurely. Fortunately, the team expects him to have his stitches removed and be out of his specialized walking sandal in roughly two weeks. They do not anticipate the injury will alter his offseason plans. Trout hit a career-best 45 homeruns this season and should return as the top overall pick in most fantasy formats.
Christian Yelich: The reigning National League MVP is making progress in his recovery from a fractured kneecap, though he isn't expected to return this year. It looks like he will avoid surgery and recently began running on an altered-gravity treadmill. The team is optimistic Yelich will be able to run without limitation by late October, and he'll be set to begin his routine offseason conditioning program. Yelich should enter next year's draft as a top tier selection.
