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 Up Ticks:
David Ortiz, DH BOS
He has been on the DL since May 30th with a partially torn tendon sheath in his wrist. He is expected to return to the BOS lineup July 25th for the series vs. NYY.
Fantasy Impact: The late week return makes him a reserve in weekly leagues. Not a bad thing because he may need a few games to shake the rust off. Yes, he has been crushing minor league pitching, but it is just that, minor league pitching. Owners may want to have a secondary plan even with his return as re-aggravating this injury is a significant concern.
Alfonso Soriano, OF CHC
He has been on the DL since June 12th with a fractured left hand. He is expected to return Wednesday or Thursday after a rehab assignment.
Fantasy Impact: Much like Big Papi above, you need to weigh if Soriano for half a week is better than your bench option for a full week in your active lineup. Like Ortiz, his timing may be off at first because he could not take BP for so long with the hand injury. As with Ortiz, I recommend keeping him benched this week but count on him returning for Fantasy week 18.
Troy Tulowski, SS COL
He has been on the DL since July 4th with a right hand laceration and is expected to return today.
Fantasy Impact: Let’s not get too excited with his return; he has been terrible so far this year. He did show signs of life after his stint on the DL with the strained quad, but then the hand injury. He is definitely worth a pick up if he is around in your league as a potential big second half is quite possible, but wait and see before sticking him in your active lineups.
Troy Percival, RP TB
He was activated off the DL on Sunday vs. TOR and pitched a scoreless, meaningless 9th; yielding one hit and hit a batter. He had been on the DL since July 2nd with a strained left hamstring.
Fantasy Impact: He is the closer on one of the best teams in baseball. While he may have issues with that hamstring all season, you have to get him in your active lineups.
Shaun Marcum, SP TOR
He has been on the DL since June 18 with a strained right elbow but is expected to be activated Tuesday for a start vs. BAL.
Fantasy Impact: He was great before the injury and experienced no setbacks during his rehab. He is a 2 start pitcher in Fantasy week 17 vs. weak opponents in BAL and SEA. Get him active.
J.J. Putz, RP SEA
He was activated off the DL on Sunday. He had been on the shelf since June 12th with a hyperextended pitching elbow.
Fantasy Impact: Because he has been ineffective this year and Brandon Morrow has been lights out, Putz will return as a set up man for now with Morrow as closer. Putz does have fantasy value though as there just may be a trade in the works over then next few weeks and both will end up closing, albeit for different teams.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS
He has been on the DL since late May with a torn left shoulder labrum but will come off on Tuesday vs. SF.
Fantasy Impact: He is returning ahead of schedule which is always a good sign. Even so, the best Fantasy play with him is to keep him on your bench until he proves he can help your team. He was a disappointment before he was injured and may remain as such until 100% healthy.
Down Ticks:
Erik Bedard, SP SEA
He will not come off the DL as scheduled due to left shoulder tightness and is out until at least August.
Fantasy Impact: Once again, staring in the latest, off Broadway tragic comedy, Erik Bedard. It’s the story of an orthopedically fragile prima dona who has passive-aggressive tendencies with his employer and coworkers. The show played in Baltimore last year and is now on a run in Seattle. Only he knows if and when he will pitch again.
Hideki Matsui, OF NYY
He is on the DL for an injured left knee that has not responded very well to rehabilitation to this point.
Fantasy Impact: This is looking more and more like season ending knee surgery. At this point feel free to drop him before the official news comes out. Even by some grace of God, if he returns to play this year; there is minimal chance he is as productive as he was with that bad left wheel.
Takashi Saito, RP LAD
After an MRI last Monday, he was diagnosed with a sprained right elbow and is out for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Fantasy Impact: He may return for the last month of the season but don’t bet on it. They are going to try rehab, however, there is a strong chance in the end; this will require surgery.
Gary Matthews, CF ANA
He had a MRI last Thursday which revealed a small tear in the patellar tendon of the right knee.
Fantasy Impact: His fantasy value has been declining the entire year as he has battled this injury; with this news his value has hit rock bottom.
Chris is a Certified Hand Therapist and avid fantasy sports participant. He consults and treats athletes from high school to the professional ranks sin the Baltimore/DC area for Maryland SportsCare & Rehab and Professional SportsCare & Rehab.
Tags: Hospital Injury
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