With a dwindling injury report, we move to a new format today. A couple of big names are on their way back, or have returned this week. Freddie Freeman was in the lineup Sunday, and the issue with fluid in his wrist still does not seem to be an issue. Nori Aoki is due back after a fractured leg, and you wonder how the lineup will shakeout now. Matt Duffy has moved up to the three spot, could Angel Pagan drop out of the top of the lineup? Stephen Strasburg is heading off to a rehab start in Triple-A this week, and will likely be joining the team early next week. Jaime Garcia is back this week, and will jump in for a two-start week. We will see how long he lasts this time.
There are a few newer injuries to report from this past week, biggest one is Dustin Pedroia heading back to the DL. The hamstring soreness returned after a few days of being back in the lineup. The hamstring issues are tricky, and I don’t believe he was 100% when he returned. Michael Cuddyer is another one who hit the DL. Not that he has been much use for fantasy baseball, but he will likely be out for two weeks minimum. A few day-to-day guys to worry about for weekly leagues, Adam Lind with back tightness, Brock Holt with knee tightness, Matt Wieters with back stiffness. All three are expected back in the lineups at some point this week.
Onto the bigger names, Miguel Cabrera was taking grounders as his last update, which is good progress for him. While the Tigers are out of the race, fantasy owners of Miggy sure aren’t. He will be back at some point in August, but no substantial date has been set. George Springer is still without a timetable for return, and has yet to build momentum for any sort of baseball activity. Alex Gordon is already expected to resume baseball activities, such as jogging, and hitting some time this week. This is a nice sign for someone who can return right at the beginning of September or late August. Some news on Justin Morneau this week he was fielding grounders, so this could mean a return over the next month or so. He would possibly be a late power grab as the season goes on. Josh Harrison has been running and taking grounders, as he currently is healing a partially torn thumb ligament. David Wright could be set for a rehab stint very soon, he is completing baseball activities over the week. Giancarlo Stanton no longer needs the brace required, and is due back this month.
Some guys who are likely to return right after their DL time – Denard Span and Dee Gordon (who should be back this week). Unlikely returns, Clay Buchholz, Miguel Montero, Jesse Hahn, Steven Matz, and David Freese. He is dealing with a broken finger, and we have seen players come back early from it, such as Adrian Beltre.
