Injury Report

09/06/2010 5:41 AM -  Ed Lilly

I don’t like September, not even a little bit. Summer is over, school is started and cold whether is right a round the corner. September is the month that many of you are looking to make a move or keep your lead and it is also the time where teams begin to play games with injuries an it is almost impossible to determine the severity of injuries and how long guys maybe out. Teams not in the race want to get a look at younger players so veterans sit out games, teams that are in the playoffs rest players or give slightly injured players extra time off. Rosters expand so more players see time and the minor league season ends and no more minor league rehabs. It is a month that MLB does not give a lot of help to us fantasy players.

Hamilton isn't a great play this week.

Josh Hamilton has had knee problems for a number of years so it’s not surprising that he is suffering knee issues again among other injuries. Hamilton received an injection this week, which acts as joint lubricant. The injection usually indicates a bone-on-bone problem. Hamilton received the same injection last season and it did not affect his play. Hamilton is also suffering a rib problem that is more painful than the same rib injury he suffered last year. Look for him to miss most of the week.

Ricky Nolasco will be having surgery to repair his torn meniscus and will be 100 % well before Spring Training. I can’t figure out what went on here. It was clear two weeks ago that he was injured and should have surgery and yet he was allowed to make another start. Well. I guess better late than ever.

Dustin Pedroia underwent foot surgery on Friday to insert a screw in his fractured left foot. It seems that he may have re-injured his foot since returning. Pedroia will rehab this winter and should be ready by Spring Training.

Jason Kendall is scheduled to have surgery to repair his torn rotator cuff. This doesn’t mean much in the fantasy world but you have to wonder if this is a career ending injury since the rehab time is somewhere around 8-10 months.

Cliff Lee looks like he is going to miss his start tomorrow. He was supposed to throw a bullpen session on Saturday and had to cancel that but he did throw from flat ground in the outfield. Lee is suffering from back problems and it looks like it is not healing as fast as Lee and the team would like. It is not time to panic yet and though it doesn’t help Lee owners it is better to get him right before the playoffs.

Conor Jackson is a tough one to evaluate. He once was filled with much hype and talent and still may be to a degree but after missing most of last season with Valley Fever and now he appears to have a sports hernia and is done for the season you have to wonder about his prospects. He will be ready for Spring Training but with whom. The A’s took a low cost risk and it really didn’t work out and being arbitration eligible Jackson may be looking for a new team.

QUICK THOUGHTS: Elvis Andrus left Saturday’s game with hamstring tightness and look for him to miss a few games. Chris Young will make a AAA rehab start on Tuesday and could be some help before the season is over, possible in the bullpen. Congratulations to Chipper Jones who got tossed from Saturday’s game while on the D.L., a one game suspension when the 2011 season starts. Johan Santana threw a bullpen session that was described as “ fine” but I think he may miss Tuesday’s start. Look for Jay Bruce to be out until at least tomorrow with a sore back. Jerry Hairston who is eligible to come off the D.L. on September 12 could return a few days later than that. Jeff Clement has a pulled oblique, which is bad luck since he is on the D.L. with a torn meniscus. Joey Devine threw a 20 pitch simulated game on Saturday and is hoping to see action before the season is over. Look for Brian Fuentes to miss another game or two while recovering from a sore back. Marcus Scutaro has been having pain in his right shoulder since the beginning of August so he will have an MRI tomorrow to check to see if there is any structural damage. Jeff Karstens missed today’s start due to shoulder pain and look for him to be out for the rest of the season. Derek Lowe threw on Sunday with no pain so look for him to make his start on Wednesday but pain in his elbow will remain for the rest of the season. Carlos Silva will make a start on Tuesday with a pitch count. Nick Swisher had an MRI on Sunday and it showed no structural damage only a deep inflammation, look for him to try to play through the pain. Mark Reynolds left Sunday’s game with a swollen right hand, this is a recurring injury so look for him to miss a couple of games. Aramis Ramirez left Sunday’s game with a sore right quad and should be considered day-to-day.