One week into the season and the injuries continue to come in more than we’d like. Stay up to date with what is going on around the league with the latest notable updates below:
Boston Red Sox
Trevor Story (2B/SS) – Non-COVID Illness:
Manager Alex Cora has ruled Story out for Monday’s game against Detroit. This marks the second game in a row that Story is set to miss due to the non-COVID illness. He is set to travel separately from the team and his status going forward is up in the air.
Chicago Cubs
Ian Happ (OF) – Knee:
Happ was hit by a pitch in Saturday’s contest against the Brewers. He was removed from the game after the at-bat. Although x-rays came back negative, the injury held Happ out of Sunday’s lineup. Happ’s status should be updated soon and will be one to monitor should the effects continue to linger.
Chicago White Sox
A.J. Pollock (OF) – Hamstring:
Pollock was held out of Sunday’s lineup after being removed from Saturday’s game making a turn at first base and coming up lame with a hamstring injury. Pollock stated that he does not believe it is something that will linger, but that did not stop Tony La Russa from keeping him out of Sunday’s action.
Lucas Giolito (RHP) – Abdomen:
Giolito was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday after being removed from his start due to a lower abdominal strain. For now, Giolito is slated to miss two turns in the White Sox rotation. While on the IL, Giolito plans to continue to try keeping his arm in shape by throwing as much as the team allows for him to. Vince Velasquez or Reynaldo Lopez should now see an opportunity to enter the White Sox rotation in his absence.
Yoan Moncada (3B) – Oblique:
Moncada was placed on the IL before the start of the season with a Grade-1 oblique strain. The injury is supposed to keep him sidelined for three weeks. While Moncada works his way back, Jake Burger and Josh Harrison will see extended playing time at the hot corner.
Los Angeles Angels
Taylor Ward (OF) – Groin:
Taylor Ward was placed on the 10-day IL with a left groin strain he sustained in an exhibition game against the Dodgers before the start of the regular season. Manager Joe Maddon stated that Ward was slated to be the regular Right Fielder for the Angels before going down with the injury. The injury opened up more playing time for Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh. Those two should continue to see more time in the lineup until Ward returns.
New York Yankees
Jordan Montgomery (LHP) – Knee:
In the first inning of his outing on Sunday, Montgomery was hit in the knee by a comebacker. Although he was able to stay in the game, pitching 3.1 innings, Montgomery has been dealing with swelling in his left knee. He underwent precautionary X-rays after the game, where the results were negative. He is optimistic he will not miss his next start on Friday against Baltimore.
Philadelphia Phillies
Mickey Moniak (OF) – Hand
After what looked like a positive turnaround for the former first overall pick, Moniak took a pitch off of his hand against the Rays, in an exhibition game, that ended up breaking it. He was diagnosed with a broken right hand and looks to miss six weeks as he recovers. Matt Vierling will look to be the everyday center fielder for the Phillies going forward.
San Diego Padres
Blake Snell (LHP) – Adductor:
Snell was scratched from his start on Sunday with left adductor tightness. The ailment occurred during his warmup pitches and is something that he was also dealing with last season. Manager Bob Melvin stated the injury is not as severe as in the past but is unclear as to how long he will be out. MacKenzie Gore could now get the opportunity to make his Major League debut, and take Snell’s place in the rotation, while he is out with his injury.
St. Louis Cardinals
Steven Matz (LHP) – Blister:
In his start on Sunday, Matz developed a blister that did not allow him to properly grip the baseball on some of his pitches. Most of his runs allowed occurred in the inning where the blister began to form. The Cardinals are not worried about him long-term but the injury is something to monitor.
Tampa Bay Rays
Ryan Yarbrough (LHP) – Groin:
Yarbrough is dealing with a groin injury that had him placed on the 10-day IL in a precautionary move, as stated by Manager Kevin Cash. The injury occurred during a bullpen session he had in preparation for his Tuesday start against Baltimore. Tommy Romero was recalled by the Rays and will now fill his spot in the rotation.
Texas Rangers
Jon Gray (RHP) – Blister:
After cruising through the first three innings in his Rangers debut, Gray developed a blister on his middle finger that began to affect him mid-game. He was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday in hopes of him being able to return around April 19th.
Toronto Blue Jays
Hyun-Jin Ryu (LHP) – Hamstring:
Ryu was diagnosed with a hamstring contusion after being removed from his start on Sunday against the Rangers. He was seen trying to wave off the trainers before being removed so it would seem as if he should be okay for his next scheduled start in the rotation.
Washington Nationals
Anibal Sanchez (RHP) – Neck:
During his throwing session on Friday, Sanchez was dealing with some neck stiffness that, eventually, had him placed on the 10-day IL. He was diagnosed with a cervical nerve impingement in his neck. The right-hander’s return to the rotation is unclear.
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Cristian Crespo is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Cristian, check out his archive and follow him @CCres_26.
