Jose Fernandez is closing in a return date, and Stephen Strasburg will throw a rehab start before returning. Travis d’Arnaud and Justin Verlander were some notable returns this week, while a few more Cardinals hit the DL. Corey Dickerson left the game on Saturday, and has not returned to the lineup since, he could be due for another DL stint.
Catcher
Devin Mesoraco was called back from his rehab stint this weekend, and was quoted to never look healthy. He was going to be an outfielder if was able to complete his rehab stint, but that did not happen. It is highly unlikely we see Mesoraco this season, and really should look towards surgery sooner rather than later. Victor Martinez will play four games with the Mud Hens this week, and will likely be back by this upcoming weekend. He went 1-4, with an RBI single in his rehab debut. Also some news on John Jaso, he has been hitting in a batting cage, but is yet to have a time table.
First Base
Justin Morneau remains without a timetable, and Matt Adams will still be out till September. These are the two major injuries for first baseman this season. James Loney is in the midst of healing a broken finger, he will likely not be back till late July, early August. It has been a modest injury report for the first base position this season, and hopefully it stays that way.
Second Base
Jose Altuve is listed as day-to-day with a hamstring strain, it doesn’t appear to be serious, and you should see Altuve in the lineup Tuesday or Wednesday. Daniel Murphy is getting some at-bats in, but is not running the bases. The Mets believe he will come off the DL when eligible, which is next Saturday. Jonathan Schoop for the Baltimore Orioles could be sent out on a rehab trip in the next week, and return to the team mid-July. Devon Travis is heading out on a rehab assignment, there is a slight chance he joins the Jays on the weekend.
Third Base
Adrian Beltre being out has led to Joey Gallo showcasing his power, with four home runs so far this season. Beltre had the stitches removed, but is till not able to grab a bat. He will likely be out longer than expected, yet the Rangers offense has not slowed down without him. Ryan Zimmerman is dealing with what Dickerson has been dealing with all season, so you can see the possible length of time he can miss. He is without a timetable, and you will see Tyler Moore in his place. Martin Prado will likely be out for a week with a shoulder sprain, but will avoid the DL.
Shortstop
Jed Lowrie is out till post all-star break if you are keeping tabs on him. He underwent thumb surgery in early May. Nothing has changed here. Zack Cozart is done for the year, he tore ligaments in his knee. The injury plagued Reds can not catch a break right now, Cozart was hitting .258 with nine home runs. He was having a better than career average year, so this is a sad story.
Outfield
A few day-to-day guys are back in the lineup, Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts. Last week, I touched on Marlon Byrd being out indefinitely with a broken wrist, and Jayson Werth out until August with the same issue. Khris Davis underwent successful surgery for his meniscus, and will be out the 4-6 weeks. Matt Holliday has a grade 2 quad strain, which is a step down from what Adams has. He will be reevaluated in two weeks. Hunter Pence is dealing with tendinitis from the surgery, and it will be a few days before he resumes baseball activities. At that point it will be clearer to see where he is at. This is going to be frustrating for Corey Dickerson and his owners over the rest of the season, this will be something that will flare up from time to time. He is out of the lineup on Monday, and will continue to be a day-to-day player until he hits the DL, or plays in consecutive games. Jacoby Ellsbury has been running, and is near a rehab stint. He hopes to be back by the end of the month, and it is likely.
Pitcher
So we are getting pretty close to full health at the pitcher rotation. Jose Fernandez threw five scoreless innings in his rehab start, and he will now take on a Triple-A rehab start this week. End of June is now an option for his return. Yordano Ventura avoided a scare, and is now slated to pitch this week, he has no structural damage. Danny Duffy and Jason Vargas are both due back this month as well. Jake Odorizzi, who is dealing with oblique soreness, was long distance throwing this week. There is no clear timetable, but likely the beginning of July is when he will be on the mound. Stephen Strasburg will make a Double-A rehab start, and be back in a week. Doug Fister will be back before Stras here shortly. Hisashi Iwakuma is ramping up his bullpen sessions, but will still need to make two rehab starts before returning. Jake Peavy fanned eight over four innings, but allowed four earned. He will need one more rehab start before returning to the Giants rotation. Lance Lynn has a date set for June 23rd, he will likely just miss the minimum of 15 days, and be back on track to join the rotation.
