This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The Chicago Cubs
Javier Baez will be sidelined indefinitely with a hairline fracture of his left thumb. The 26-year-old shortstop injured the digit on a slide on September 1 and missed four straight games before an MRI was performed revealing the extent of the injury. Fractures are often given classifications based on the manner in which they occur and the pattern of the resulting damage. The various types of fractures include spiral, greenstick, oblique and many other unique patterns. While the hairline designation indicates the fracture was tiny, the subsequent treatment plan will likely dictate how long Baez sits. If the fracture resulted in any type of displacement, season-ending surgery could be warranted. The Cubs have sent their All-Star to a hand specialist and should make a decision based on their findings in the near future. Fantasy owners would be wise to fear the worst and have a long-term fill-in readily available.
Addison Russell would normally be the automatic replacement for Baez, though he too is managing an injury. The Cubs infielder was hurt Sunday when a stray fastball from Milwaukee pitcher Adrian Houser struck him in the face. He initially stayed in the contest but eventually left with what was diagnosed as a nasal contusion. Russell was also being monitored from concussion-related symptoms. He did travel with the team to San Diego, but Chicago's decision to promote prospect Nico Hoerner could be an indicator they expect Russell to miss some time.
To add to their injury woes, Cubs third
The Chicago Cubs
Javier Baez will be sidelined indefinitely with a hairline fracture of his left thumb. The 26-year-old shortstop injured the digit on a slide on September 1 and missed four straight games before an MRI was performed revealing the extent of the injury. Fractures are often given classifications based on the manner in which they occur and the pattern of the resulting damage. The various types of fractures include spiral, greenstick, oblique and many other unique patterns. While the hairline designation indicates the fracture was tiny, the subsequent treatment plan will likely dictate how long Baez sits. If the fracture resulted in any type of displacement, season-ending surgery could be warranted. The Cubs have sent their All-Star to a hand specialist and should make a decision based on their findings in the near future. Fantasy owners would be wise to fear the worst and have a long-term fill-in readily available.
Addison Russell would normally be the automatic replacement for Baez, though he too is managing an injury. The Cubs infielder was hurt Sunday when a stray fastball from Milwaukee pitcher Adrian Houser struck him in the face. He initially stayed in the contest but eventually left with what was diagnosed as a nasal contusion. Russell was also being monitored from concussion-related symptoms. He did travel with the team to San Diego, but Chicago's decision to promote prospect Nico Hoerner could be an indicator they expect Russell to miss some time.
To add to their injury woes, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant remains day-to-day with a lingering right knee injury. Bryant initially hurt the knee in late June following an awkward slide. The soreness has persisted, forcing Bryant to miss two of Chicago's last four outings. Knee injuries are often slow to heal, particularly bone bruises. The natural mechanics of the joint complicate recovery and contribute to persistent symptoms. The Cubs have stated they will manage his workload down the stretch, suggesting he's bound to receive routine days off moving forward. His upside is too high to ignore, but adding someone else to give you roster flexibility on the days Bryant sits is advised.
The injury bug hasn't just infested the Cubs offense, as their top reliever and one of their best second-half starters have struggled with health issues. Closer Craig Kimbrel went on the injured list late last week with right elbow inflammation, though an MRI didn't reveal any structural damage. The team opted to give him an extended break and hope his symptoms dissipate with treatment and rest. There is a growing optimism that he will be ready Thursday, the first day he is eligible to return from the IL. Monitor his progression throughout the week to get a better idea of his short- and long-term status.
The Cubs are hoping Kimbrel's progress mirrors that of starter Yu Darvish who returned after being skipped once during the rotation. Darvish has been bothered by tightness in his right forearm since early July but has performed well despite the injury. In 11 starts since the All-Star break, Darvish has compiled a 2.96 ERA and 85 strikeouts. The totals include Saturday's start where he pitched five shutout innings in his return. Darvish will remain a high-risk, high-reward fantasy option for the remainder of the year.
Check Swings
Bryce Harper: The hard-hitting outfielder did not start either of Philadelphia's games over the weekend because of a bruised hand. However, he was able to enter Sunday's game as a pinch-hitter and should be back in the lineup on Monday. The injury could lead to a small dip in power, but Harper remains a must-start.
Keston Hiura: The Brewers rookie has resumed running as he works his way back from a hamstring strain. While the progress is encouraging, the activity was light and in a controlled setting. As a result, don't expect Hiura to be on the verge of a comeback. The injury was diagnosed as a Grade 2 strain, better known as a partial tear. These types of injuries are often accompanied by a recovery measured in weeks, not days, and Hiura remains a ways away from returning. His absence from the lineup has been compounded by Mike Moustakas's lingering wrist and hand injury that has kept him out of the everyday lineup for nearly a week. Moustakas continues to report pain while swinging a bat, though a trip to the IL doesn't appear imminent.
Max Kepler: The Twins outfielder is slated to undergo an MRI on his lingering shoulder issue. The Twins have indicated the injury is to one of the muscles near his scapula (shoulder blade). The description is a bit vague, as the rotator cuff muscles all sit on or near the shoulder blade as do numerous other muscles designed to assist with moving the bone during shoulder motion. These muscles are often underappreciated and an injury to any one could disrupt the entire fluidity of the shoulder joint. Look for Kelper to miss some time to start the week with the results of the testing setting up the possibility of an extended absence.
Starling Marte: The Pirates expect Marte to miss at least a few days after the outfielder injured his wrist on Sunday. Marte suffered the injury when his wrist was forced into hyper-flexion during a running catch in the outfield. The resulting force left Marte with a sprained wrist, though he indicated after the game that he avoided serious damage. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if the Pirates opt to send the former All-Star for an MRI to determine the severity of the ligament damage. With the Pirates out of the playoff hunt, look for them to manage his return conservatively.
Mike Trout: A sore right toe kept the American League MVP candidate in the dugout for the majority of the weekend series against the White Sox. Trout wants to play, but lingering discomfort in the joint has made that difficult. This looks like it could be an issue for the remainder of the season, though Trout remains too good to bench outright. Keep him in your lineup but understand he can't be counted on for a full slate of games.
