Plenty of setbacks, re-injuries, and brand new injuries to cover in this week’s injury report – but luckily some key comebacks to plug those holes as well. Let’s take a look at the who’s hanging out in baseball’s medical ward this week.
J.J. Putz (elbow): Putz is looking strong in his recovery from an elbow injury and should begin a short rehab stint on Friday and be back with the club by next week. Putz is expected to take over the closer job but these things are never certain.
Aaron Hill (hand): Hill is currently playing some rehab games in Triple-A but is expected to rejoin the DBacks by the weekend series vs. the Reds. Hill was batting .306 with two homers and six runs batted in through 10 games before breaking his hand.
Evan Gattis (oblique): The Braves have placed Gattis on the 15-day DL with a strained right oblique. These injuries usually take longer than 15-days meaning his big bat will be gone from your lineup well into July.
Brandon Beachy (elbow): Beachy was finally expected to make his season debut on Tuesday but was scratched with fluid buildup in his surgically repaired elbow. There’s no structural damage but there’s no timetable for his return right now. Beachy owns a 3.07 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 237 career innings.
Jason Hammel (illness): Hammel was scratched from his start Monday and again on Tuesday but he should be back once his illness clears up. Hammel has been struggling, giving up four or more runs in five of his last eight starts.
Clay Buchholz (neck): The early favorite for Cy Young was scratched from Tuesday’s start and will likely go on the DL barring a change on Tuesday. Optimistically, he may go as soon as Saturday if his bullpen session goes well but a DL stint is likely. Perhaps the Sox will throw highly touted prospect Rubby De La Rosa if Buchholz does miss more time.
Mike Carp (hamstring): Carp left Sunday’s game with a cramp in his hammy but is expected to play at least one of Boston’s double-header games on Tuesday.
Mike Napoli (illness): Napoli hasn’t played since last Thursday with an illness but is expected to play at least one of Boston’s double-header games on Tuesday.
Nick Swisher (shoulder): Swish hasn’t played since Saturday and may not play until Friday after receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder. Swisher has struggled through the injury all month, posting just a .125 BA and four RBI over 13 games.
Chris Perez (shoulder): Perez is expected to start a Double-A rehab on Tuesday and is likely to be activated by Friday. Perez has just six saves this season and has blown two.
Anibal Sanchez (shoulder): The Tigers placed Anibal Sanchez on the DL on Monday but he is only expected to miss two starts with a shoulder injury.
Alex Avila (forearm): The Tigers placed Avila on the DL on Monday after he got beaned on Sunday. Avila has played terrible all season, owning just a .172 BA, five homers, and 13 RBI.
Ryan Braun (thumb): The Brewers have placed Braun on the 15-day DL with a thumb injury and it’s unclear how long Braun will miss at this time.
Josh Willingham (knee): Willingham hasn’t played since Friday but may return to the Twins lineup as early as Tuesday vs. the White Sox.
Kevin Youkilis (back): Youkilis was placed on the 15-day DL once again with the same back injury that’s plagued him the last two seasons. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he missed most or all of the rest of the season.
Mark Teixeira (wrist): Tex continues to deal with his ailing wrist tendon and is likely to land on the DL once again. There’s also the possibility of season-ending surgery looming there depending on how his injury progresses.
Marco Scutaro (hand): Scutaro hasn’t played since last Tuesday when he was hit on the hand by a pitch and will try to see if he can play with a pinky splint before any decision on his return is made.
Alex Cobb (head): Cobb escaped a more serious Happ-like injury and was able to be released from the hospital with just a mild concussion. It’s unclear right now how long he will miss.
Carlos Ruiz (hamstring): Ruiz is playing a rehab stint in the minors and is expected back in the lineup by Friday.
Chase Utley (oblique): Utley is expected to start a rehab assignment on Wednesday and after that could rejoin the team as early as the weekend series against the Mets.
Everth Cabrera (hamstring): Cabrera had to leave Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and there’s no word yet on how serious his injury is.
Carlos Quentin (shoulder): Quentin hasn’t played since last Friday with a shoulder injury and while he’s considered day-to-day he may need a DL stint.
