After Bryce Harper slammed into the wall and laid bloody in the outfield for a good minute, many a sportswriter questioned whether the 20-year-old plays “too hard.” Isn’t it fun when sportswriters make the thing that makes a player special, the thing they harp on about for hours, out to be a negative? As a rule, most mainstream sportswriters are jackasses who simply need to fill space on a page and Bryce Harper, stitches and bruises and all, does not need to change a thing. Let’s take a look at some other guys dealing with far worse ailments than cuts but apparently play just the right amount of hard in this week’s injury report.
Bryce Harper (neck, knee): Harper had to leave Monday’s game after slamming face first into the outfield wall. He needed stitches below his chin but came out of it concussion free. He did hurt his neck and knee in the process as well so he will likely be held out at least a few days to recover.
B.J. Upton (shoulder): Upton left Monday’s game with a shoulder contusion and is unlikely to play Tuesday. It’s not a serious injury so he should be back in the lineup shortly.
Jayson Heyward (appendectomy): Heyward may be ready to return to the lineup as soon as Friday when the Braves begin their homestand against the Dodgers.
Wei-Yin Chen (oblique): Chen has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained oblique but is unlikely to miss more than a couple of weeks. Steve Johnson will likely be recalled to take over Chen’s spot.
Miguel Gonzalez (thumb): Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day DL with a thumb injury but is not expected to miss more than a couple of weeks.
Andrew Bailey (biceps): Bailey may return as soon as this weekend but more likely by next Monday. He is expected to reclaim the closer job with Junichi Tazawa struggling in his absence.
Chris Perez (shoulder): Perez wasn’t able to pitch Sunday or Monday but is expected to be ready to close again soon as he deals with shoulder stiffness.
Michael Cuddyer (neck): Cuddyer has been placed on the DL with a bulging disk in his neck but is expected to return by the end of May. Eric Young and Charlie Blackmon will handle right field duties in his absence.
Austin Jackson (hamstring): Jackson has been placed on the 15-day DL with a sore hamstring but is not expected to miss more than a couple of weeks. Andy Dirks will likely handle most of the center field duties while he’s out.
Jose Altuve (jaw/bereavement list): Altuve, who is also dealing with a jaw injury suffered after colliding with Jimmy Paredes, has been placed on the bereavement list and should be back in a few days.
Bud Norris (back): Norris had to leave Monday’s start with back spasms but the extent of his problem is unknown. Check his status after the team has a chance to examine him.
Erick Aybar (hamstring): Aybar was unable to play on Monday with a hamstring injury but is expected to start against the Royals on Tuesday.
Josh Hamilton (illness): Hamilton had to leave Monday’s game as he continues to suffer from a respiratory infection but is not expected to miss any time.
Josh Beckett (groin): Beckett had to leave Monday’s game with a groin strain but is not expected to miss his next start at this time.
Zack Greinke (collarbone): Greinke may be ready to return to the rotation as soon as Wednesday.
Curtis Granderson (forearm): Granderson is expected to be activated for Tuesday’s game against the Mariners.
Chris Young (quadriceps): Young is expected to return to the A’s on Wednesday or Friday.
Coco Crisp (hamstring): Crisp is expected to be activated off the disabled list on Wednesday.
Josh Reddick (wrist): Reddick, on the DL with a wrist injury, may need surgery but will wait a week to see how his wrist feels.
Brett Anderson (ankle): Anderson is expected to return to the rotation by the end of the week which means it’s back to the minors for Dan Straily.
Russell Martin (neck): Martin hasn’t played since last Thursday with a sore neck but is expected to start on Tuesday.
Jake Westbrook (elbow): The Cards have placed Westbrook on the DL with inflammation in his elbow but is not expected to miss an extended period of time. John Gast is expected to take his spot in the rotation in his absence after putting up a 1.16 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 38 minor league innings this season.
Desmond Jennings (groin): Jennings, out since last Thursday with a sore groin, is expected to play in Tuesday’s game against the Red Sox.
Brandon Morrow (back): After missing his last start, Morrow is expected to take the mound against the Giants on Wednesday.
