Now we have an official July 2nd return date for Jose Fernandez, while a lot of rotations are also starting to get back to full strength. Some breaking news this Monday, Johnny Cueto will have his Tuesday start pushed back to Friday. The team proclaims it is just for extra rest, but with is injury issues already, it is something to keep an eye on. Jose Altuve is still day-to-day, but is expected to be in the lineup Monday or Tuesday. Freddie Freeman, Carlos Gomez, Nori Aoki, Travis d’Arnaud, Cole Hamels, Pablo Sandoval, and Carlos Gonzalez are all listed as day-to-day, with no tremendous injuries to come from any of them.
Catcher
We finally got Victor Martinez back this past week, and he sent one into the seats at Yankee Stadium over the weekend, so good news for fantasy owners. Devin Mesoraco has finalled pulled the plug on the 2015 season, and will undergo hip surgery. He will be back in 2016. No big time injury news behind the dish, d’Arnaud avoided a scare, x-rays came back negative on his elbow. He should be back at some point during the week. John Jaso took batting practice for consecutive days, but still remains without a timetable for return. He has been out since the second week of April.
First Base
Fingers crossed, we remain another week without an injury to a first baseman. Freddie Freeman is set for an MRI today on his sprained wrist, so that will be upcoming news over the next day. Justin Morneau still resides here with the cervical issue, and the concussion symptoms. There has been some activity from him doing neck exercises, and on a bike. He was back in the Rockies’ clubhouse, which is a good sign. Mark Teixeira is not in Monday’s lineup, and was heading for an MRI on his neck. If anything comes from that, check back here for updated news. Ryan Zimmerman remains without a timetable, as he is dealing with the same issue as Corey Dickerson. We have seen him go on the DL twice already this year. Nothing changing for Matt Adams, he will still be out until late July.
Second Base
With Jose Altuve due back in the lineup today or tomorrow, it appears he is at 100%. Those hamstring strains will keep popping up unless they are 100% healed. Daniel Murphy will take a few rehab games this week, and be activated by or during the weekend. He was heating up before he went down with the injury, and the Mets desperately need him back. Devon Travis will be activated from the DL mid-week. Dustin Pedroia missed a few games during the end of last week, but it seems it was just a sore knee. A MRI revealed no damage.
Third Base
Adrian Beltre is still not in the process of baseball activities, and remains without a timetable. Once he returns, things will be a little crowded, although rumors of Joey Gallo to the outfield could be a plan. The Mets have narrowed down a possibility of David Wright joining the team again at the all-star break. They say it is a realistic shot, but I will believe it when I see more movement from Wright in rehab. Pablo Sandoval took a tumble at third base during Saturday’s game, and it resulted in a minor sprain. He is day-to-day and expected back in the Sox lineup Tuesday. Martin Prado hit the 15 day DL with a shoulder sprain, but should miss two weeks.
Shortstop
Jed Lowrie remains out until after the all-star break, and the Reds have lost Zack Cozart for the year. Other than that, there is nothing to report here, carry on.
Outfield
Marlon Byrd has made it back into the Reds’ lineup this week, and Corey Dickerson has once again left his. This will be a process that lingers for the rest of the season. In redraft leagues, I am trying to ship him off, keeper leagues I would just ride him on the DL. Jacoby Ellsbury is slowly but surely coming along, he is hitting, but the Yankees still have no timetable for his return. Wil Myers is having surgery to remove bone spurs in his right wrist, he will likely be out until the end of August. Hunter Pence has been described as “a ways away” from returning, and will wear a splint for 5-7 days before trying to start baseball activities. Ender Inciarte for the Arizona Diamondbacks has a hamstring strain, and that is an injury that takes away his fantasy value, being a solid base stealer. It wasn’t described to be too serious, so he should be back mid-July. Jorge Soler is getting closer to a return, he will likely head out on rehab late this week.
Pitcher
A few relievers to touch on first, Trevor Rosenthal has some general arm soreness, but still keep tabs on him. The Cardinals expect him to be ready whenever the next save situation is, that didn’t happen this weekend so can’t say if he was ready or not. Andrew Miller is expected to miss a month with a strained forearm, so Dellin Betances will have the closer role for the meantime. Lance Lynn is expected to be back this Thursday, he was dealing with a minor forearm strain. While the Royals’ rotation keeps getting hit. Jason Vargas may skip a rehab start, and come back to the rotation later this month. Danny Duffy will need a rehab assignment, but is due back late this week. Yordano Ventura is dealing with a nerve issue in his hand, and will be shutdown for reevaluation. Jake Odorizzi is still two weeks away from being activated, he threw a bullpen session with no issues. Stephen Strasburg will pitch Tuesday against the Braves, he looked good in his rehab starts and is 100%. Hisashi Iwakuma will head out on one of two or three rehab starts this week, he is due back in mid-July.
