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MLB Injury Report: Archie Bradley, Carlos Gomez, Max Scherzer

Despite the gruesome sequence, Archie Bradley escaped without serious injury

Despite the gruesome sequence, Archie Bradley escaped without serious injury

The injury assault on pitchers continues, but there is one slugger that should return to the lineup in time for next week’s games. Here are some updates as you set your lineups for the weekend and next week’s scoring period.

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  • Archie Bradley (ARI SP) was struck on the right side of his face by a Carlos Gonzalez comebacker. While he was placed on the 15-day DL, the good news is that the Diamondbacks are reporting that he does not have any facial fractures and he has shown no signs of concussion. He should return after the minimal stay on the disabled list, but I would wait a start or two to make sure that he is not suffering any residual psychological issues as a result of this scary injury.
  • Alcides Escobar (KC SS) was struck in the head by a Danny Salazar fastball on Wednesday. He was diagnosed with a left cheek contusion. Yesterday, Kansas City reported that Escobar was experiencing concussion-like symptoms. He will be re-evaluated this morning, but it would not be surprising to see the team place him on the 7-day disabled list for concussions.
  • Carlos Gomez (MIL OF) has been taking swings for the last 10 days, and has not had any setbacks while doing outfield drills recently . He hopes to return today, but the Brewers have yet to confirm that. If there are no setbacks it does appear that he will be back by Monday at the latest. Once he returns he should be active in all formats.
  • Greg Holland (KC RP) has thrown a few bullpen sessions. Royals manager Ned Yost indicated that Holland could return early next week. Wade Davis has been excellent in Holland’s absence, but Holland will regain the closer role once he returns. It appears he is worth starting next week if you play in a league with weekly lineups.
  • Phil Hughes (MIN SP) left Wednesday’s start against Detroit because of a mild strain to his left hip flexor. His next start is in doubt. I would expect him to miss at least one start as Minnesota makes sure he is at full strength.
  • Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA SP) has started some light throwing, which is a good sign. However, there is a big difference between light throwing and the type of pitching that can get MLB hitters out. The Mariners have not deviated from the initial timeframe where Iwakuma will miss 2-4 weeks, but remember that this injury is one that forced Roy Halladay to be out of action for a longer period of time.
  • Desmond Jennings (TB OF) injured his knee on Saturday and has yet to return to action. Tampa Bay has not provided specific information about the injury, but manager Kevin Cash did say that he does not think Jennings will play until next week, when the team travels away from the harder artificial turf of Tropicana Field. Plan on keeping him on your bench until the Rays make an official announcement on his status.
  • Mat Latos (MIA SP) left his last start with a strained left hamstring. While the team has indicated that he is day-to-day, I would not be surprised if a DL stint is in his future. His left leg is his plant leg, and residual soreness could cause a change in mechanics. This led to Adam Wainwright’s arm issues last season.
  • Jed Lowrie (HOU SS) tore a thumb ligament on Monday while sliding into home and is scheduled for surgery today. He will be out through at least the All Star break. Shortstop is a relatively weak position, as I noted in my piece on Jose Reyes.
  • Brandon McCarthy (LAD SP) had Tommy John surgery yesterday and is out for the rest of this season and at least the first month of next season. He can be dropped in all formats.
  • Devin Mesoraco (CIN C) is still 7-10 days away from catching for the Reds, according to Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty. This has been a frustrating injury for fantasy owners, since the Reds never placed Mesoraco on the DL, forcing owners to use a pinch-hitter in the catcher’s spot or to carry an extra catcher.
  • Adam Ottavino (COL RP) lost his job as the Rockies’ closer when he was placed on the 15-day DL with inflammation in his right triceps. He will have a follow-up examination on Monday, when the Rockies return home. Stash him on your DL until more information is known.
  • Joel Peralta (LAD RP) was placed on the 15-day DL with right shoulder soreness, which has been plaguing him since Spring Training. In leagues that count holds he had some value, but there are plenty of players available to replace him. If you don’t have a DL spot for him it is safe to release, as replacing him should not be that difficult.
  • Albert Pujols (LAA 1B) did not play in yesterday’s game against Oakland, and there is speculation that he will miss the weekend series in San Francisco. He is not ready to play defense and, in the NL park, does not have the luxury of being the DH. It appears that Pujols will avoid the DL, but monitor his progress over the weekend to see if he is full-go for next week, especially if you are in weekly leagues.
  • Anthony Rendon (WAS 3B) gave his fantasy owners a scare when he missed a few games in his rehab assignment because of tightness in a trunk/abdominal muscle. If there are no other setbacks it appears that he will play in 5-6 rehab games, per manager Matt Williams, which would make him a consideration starting for the week of May 11th.
  • Max Scherzer (WAS SP) is scheduled to start for the Nationals today, so this injury should be behind him; start him in all formats.
  • Nick Swisher (CLE 1B) is on a rehab assignment with the Columbus Clippers, the Indians’ Triple-A team, and could return next week. He could be worth a look in very deep mixed leagues or AL-only leagues.
  • Masahiro Tanaka (NYY SP) was placed on the 15-day DL with a forearm strain/wrist tendinitis in his right arm. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has indicated that Tanaka will miss at least a month. He was perhaps the highest-risk player heading into 2015 because of his sprained ulnar collateral ligament. If you own him you should stash him on your DL and hope that the one-month timetable is accurate.
  • David Wright (NYM 3B) has increased his baseball activities, but GM Sandy Alderson has indicated that he is still at least a week away from returning to New York’s lineup.

Jeremy Tiermini is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Jeremy, check out his archive and follow him @JeremyTiermini.

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