For many players, injuries are unexpected nuisances that are ultimately inevitable. For Brett Anderson, injuries are a way of life. Once again, a minor injury has turned into a serious problem that will cause him to miss at least all of June meaning he will end the first half with a total of five starts. Since 2010, Anderson has pitched just 44 games and only 25 of them since 2011. Did someone say Mark Prior? Anderson is once again proving that drafting the A’s sixth-starter is always a smart move and Dan Straily owners have to be feeling pretty good about themselves today.
Let’s take a look at who has joined Brett Anderson this week in the MLB injury report.
Miguel Gonzalez (thumb): Gonzalez, out since May 4, is expected to be activated on Tuesday and start against the Yankees.
Shane Victorino (hamstring): Having just recovered from a back injury, Victorino left Monday’s game with a hamstring injury. The injury reportedly isn’t a serious one but keep an eye on his status before starting him.
Andrew Bailey (bicep): Bailey has been activated off the DL and is expected to resume closing for the Sox.
Matt Garza (arm): Garza is expected to be activated on Tuesday and will make his season debut against the Pirates. Last season Garza went 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 96 K in 103.2 IP.
John Danks (shoulder): Danks is expected to make his season debut this week and will likely pitch Friday against the Marlins. Once he returns, either Dylan Axelrod or Hector Santiago will have to return to the bullpen.
Michael Cuddyer (neck): Cuddyer is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Friday when the Rockies face San Francisco. Cuddyer is batting .319 with seven homers and 23 runs driven in this season.
Austin Jackson (hamstring): Jackson is expected to be activated from the disabled list by Monday May 27. Jackson is batting .272 with 33 runs and five steals this season.
Bud Norris (back): Norris had his start pushed back to Tuesday after leaving his last game with back spasms. Norris is 4-4 with a 4.32 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 33 K but has only allowed more than three runs twice this season.
Salvador Perez (hip): Perez had to leave Monday’s game after injuring his hip while chasing down a foul ball. It’s merely a bruised hip but the Royals may keep Perez out for a game or two.
Jarrod Dyson (ankle): Dyson is expected to miss two-to-four weeks with a sprained ankle.
Ted Lilly (ribs): Lilly will return to the Dodgers rotation Saturday against the Cards. Lilly had allowed five earned runs and 18 baserunners over eight innings in his only two starts this season.
Andy Pettitte (back): Pettitte has been placed on the disabled list with a back injury which means Vidal Nuno will be recalled for at least two to three starts. Nuno has pitched eight scoreless innings this season and went 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 26 K in four Triple-A starts this year. He also has a career 2.85 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 8.5 K/9 in 94 minor league games.
Brett Anderson (foot): Well, it’s quickly becoming a typical Brett Anderson year. What was thought to be a minor ankle injury is now a stress fracture in his foot. Anderson will miss at least the next month but stress fractures can often take longer to recover from.
Ryan Howard (knee): What was originally consider knee inflammation may actually be a torn meniscus. He is currently considered day-to-day but it’s looking like a more serious injury than first thought and will likely require a DL stint.
Carlos Ruiz (hamstring): Ruiz returned from his 25 game suspension and lasted just 16 games before landing on the 15-day DL with a strained hamstring. He is expected to miss three-to-four weeks.
Andrew McCutchen (knee): McCutchen hasn’t played since Saturday with a sore knee but after being checked out he is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday to face the Cubs.
Jaime Garcia (shoulder): Garcia’s shoulder is at it again and he is scheduled to be examined by Dr. James Andrews. When people talk to Dr. Andrews, a surgery usually follows shortly after. Garcia will be replaced by Tyler Lyons who is 2-1 with a 4.47 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 38 K/9 BB in eight Triple-A starts this year.
David Freese (thumb): Freese sat out Monday’s game after cutting his thumb on Norichika Aoki‘s cleat on Sunday. He may be able to play Tuesday.
A.J. Pierzynski (oblique): Pierzynski has been activated from the disabled list and will play Tuesday. He is batting .263 with four home runs and 11 runs driven in this year.
Ian Kinsler (ribs): Kinsler has been placed on the disabled list with a rib injury and will be replaced in the lineup by Leury Garcia and Jurickson Profar.
Ryan Mattheus (hand): Mattheus punched a locker after he allowed five runs on Sunday and broke his pitching hand. He isn’t fantasy relevant, I just wanted to point out what an idiot he is.
Jayson Werth (hamstring): After being re-evaluated, Werth is now expected to miss an additional two weeks as he recovers from his hamstring injury.
Ross Detwiler (oblique): Detwiler missed his Monday start but may be able to pitch by Sunday when the Nats take on the Phillies.
