The Pirates and Tigers took a big hit this week, with Josh Harrison hitting the DL, Starling Marte in some discomfort, and Miguel Cabrera is out with a strain. Marte is being re-evaluated today, and he could hit the DL. George Springer was another outfielder to hit the DL, with a broken wrist. It seems the Astros and Springer dodged a bullet, he will only be out for six weeks, as wrist injuries could be way worse. Good news is all the arms that came back this week, Jose Fernandez, Matt Moore, Patrick Corbin, Matt Cain, and Jake Peavy. In shocking news Stephen Strasburg headed back to the DL, and there is a hint of sarcasm in that sentence.
Catcher
Travis d’Arnaud has spent most of the season on the injury report, and now he is not expected to join the team when eligible to come off the DL. He is dealing with a hyperextended elbow, and has no timetable for return. John Jaso is the other fantasy worthy news, he is out on rehab assignments, and will join the Rays within the next few days. For what it is worth, David Ross is out with a concussion, maybe it effects Jon Lester over the next few starts.
First Base
Miguel Cabrera is most likely out until late August, which is a huge blow. He has a grade three calf strain, and he will hit the DL for the first time ever. Freddie Freeman will miss up until the all-star break, and will most likely rehab during that week. He is expected to join the Braves after, or within a few days after the break. Adrian Gonzalez left Sunday’s game with a bruised wrist, and nothing more. He may take a few games off, but has avoided serious injury. Ryan Zimmerman was running, and doing light baseball activities this past week. There is no timetable for him, but will definitely need rehab games before his return. This is an injury we have seen come back a week later, much like Corey Dickerson. Justin Morneau is the final first baseman out, and still has no timetable, but was starting to work out.
Second Base
The second base injuries have dwindled over the last week with Jose Altuve fully healthy, and Devon Travis back in his full time role. Dustin Pedroia took batting practice, and did some other baseball activities. It may be a stretch, but Pedroia could be back right after the all-star break. If not, don’t expect anything lengthy after. Other than Pedroia, second baseman is injury free.
Third Base
Third base injuries will welcome Josh Harrison to the DL. He is going in for a re-evaluation, but the ligament could possibly be torn. This will last up to six weeks if so, and expect Jung-Ho Kang to be the everyday player. Anthony Rendon is taking batting practice, but nothing else. The hope is for him to return right after the all-star break, but we will see where he is at then. There has been no update on Martin Prado, he is still in a strengthening program.
Shortstop
Nothing has changed here. Jed Lowrie started to rehab with the team, mainly taking dry swings. He will return to a bench role when all cleared, or possibly be shipped out of Houston.
Outfield
The news on Giancarlo Stanton is his surgery was successful, and will be four weeks away at the minimum from a return. As far as other top outfielders go, Jacoby Ellsbury is on his way back and will be activated on Wednesday. Corey Dickerson is still without a timetable, and maybe worth a cut in redraft leagues if your DL is full. George Springer is going to be out six weeks, as he took a heater off the wrist earlier this week. Matt Holliday started hitting, and doing some light jogging this week. He is traveling with the Cards to Chicago, so he will likely be activated before the break. It has been a while since I touched on this one, but Carl Crawford is heading for a rehab assignment. He is due back at the end of the July. It will be interesting to see what they do with Andre Ethier upon return. Nori Aoki will be in a cast for the next two weeks, and then have a possible timetable set after that. Hunter Pence could be back right after the all-star break if all goes well. Starling Marte likely has a strained oblique, it is day-to-day for now, but it could be an issue for a few weeks. The good news is he will have the all-star break to rest.
Pitcher
Andrew Miller is one of the lone pitchers to be activated this week, as well as Jake Odorizzi. Stephen Strasburg hit the DL this week, with an oblique strain. There is no timetable for his return. Yordano Ventura has been cleared for a rehab assignment, and he is a likely return before the all-star break, if not just shortly after. Tim Lincecum will not be lifted from the DL until after the all-star break, he was just dealing with a contusion. Jaime Garcia hit the DL, and this seems like just a 15 day stint and then be back. It is always hard to tell with his history, but likely that is the case.
