The reigning American League MVP and this season's frontrunner for the same award is headed to the injured list with an elbow issue. Fortunately, an MRI performed on the joint revealed the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) intact and the injury has been diagnosed as a right flexor strain. As a result, surgery will not be needed, and the Yankees are optimistic he will miss the minimal amount of time. However, Judge isn't completely out of the woods yet and the injury will be worth monitoring when he inevitably returns.
Baseball, particularly throwing, places a high amount of stress on the elbow. Two structures, the flexor bundle and the UCL, sit on the inside portion of the elbow and work synergistically to maintain the integrity and stability of the joint. If one of these two units is compromised by injury, the other structure can be overloaded as it assumes extra responsibility. As a result, a mild flexor strain can lead to a UCL sprain and vice versa.
UCL sprains for a pitcher are notoriously problematic and fuel the Tommy John epidemic. They are less of a concern for positional players but can still be limiting. Bryce Harper played through a high grade UCL sprain and Shohei Ohtani was able to return as a designated hitter long before he returned to the mound. However, flexor strains are a bit different. The muscles associated with the flexor bundle are directly involved with grip and can negatively impact a player's swing. Even
The reigning American League MVP and this season's frontrunner for the same award is headed to the injured list with an elbow issue. Fortunately, an MRI performed on the joint revealed the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) intact and the injury has been diagnosed as a right flexor strain. As a result, surgery will not be needed, and the Yankees are optimistic he will miss the minimal amount of time. However, Judge isn't completely out of the woods yet and the injury will be worth monitoring when he inevitably returns.
Baseball, particularly throwing, places a high amount of stress on the elbow. Two structures, the flexor bundle and the UCL, sit on the inside portion of the elbow and work synergistically to maintain the integrity and stability of the joint. If one of these two units is compromised by injury, the other structure can be overloaded as it assumes extra responsibility. As a result, a mild flexor strain can lead to a UCL sprain and vice versa.
UCL sprains for a pitcher are notoriously problematic and fuel the Tommy John epidemic. They are less of a concern for positional players but can still be limiting. Bryce Harper played through a high grade UCL sprain and Shohei Ohtani was able to return as a designated hitter long before he returned to the mound. However, flexor strains are a bit different. The muscles associated with the flexor bundle are directly involved with grip and can negatively impact a player's swing. Even if Judge can manage the associated symptoms, his productivity could dip with any degree of limitation in his approach at the plate. Judge is simply too valuable to consider benching in any fantasy format but it may worth scaling back your expectations for the foreseeable future.
Stay up to date on who is in and who is out with RotoWire's MLB Injury Report!
The 31-year-old outfielder has become somewhat synonymous with injuries over the past few seasons as an assortment of issues have limited his availability. Fortunately, he has managed to stay relatively healthy this season, with his only IL stint coming after he sustained a concussion. However, he did not play Sunday due to a rib injury that was later diagnosed as left rib cartilage irritation.
The majority of the rib cage is made up of bone tissue, including the ribs themselves and the sternum (breastbone). However, the ribs are anchored to the breastbone by collage-rich hyaline cartilage, better known as costal cartilage. These attachment sites can become inflamed, resulting in a condition known as costochondritis. Costochondritis often develops after an illness that is accompanied by severe coughing, but it can appear following trauma or other types of strain.
The condition can be painful but often resolves relatively quickly with rest and treatment. The Twins are currently calling Buxton day-to-day but a few more days off could be needed. While this minor setback is frustrating, it's nice to know he's avoided a more severe problem.
Check Swings
Felix Bautista: The Orioles placed their closer on the 15-day IL with right shoulder discomfort. He reportedly was slated for an MRI on Friday, but the results have yet to be made public. The injury could impact Bautista's availability at the trade deadline and for the remainder of the season. Seranthony Dominguez is the best option in what looks to be a closer by committee approach from Baltimore. In a Baltimore season dominated by injuries, Bautista's setback seems all but fitting. At least the Orioles are expected to get catcher Adley Rutschman back Monday. Rutschman has been out since June 19 with an oblique strain.
Marcelo Mayer: The Red Sox shortstop hits the 10-day IL with a right wrist sprain. Time lost to sprains is often dictated by the severity of the injury, and the Red Sox did not disclose that information. As a result, the length of Mayer's absence carries a wide range of possibilities, leaving fantasy managers in an unfortunate wait-and-see situation.
Luis Robert: It was a rough weekend for the White Sox outfielder. He missed Saturday's game with groin tightness and then was hit with a Daniel Palencia fastball in his return Sunday. X-rays on his right forearm were negative, meaning Robert is looking at a forearm contusion or bone contusion. It does not sound like Chicago is preparing for him to be sidelined long, if at all. His availability for Monday's series opener versus the Phillies will likely come down to any associated symptoms, like pain or swelling. A day off for recovery could be doubly beneficial, as it would let the forearm heal while also providing additional time to address whatever was affecting his groin. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Grant Holmes: Well, that escalated quickly. Holmes was removed from Saturday's loss to the Rangers with right elbow inflammation and promptly placed on the 15-day IL. Less than 24 hours later he was shifted to the 60-day IL, suggesting the injury is more complex than simple inflammation. An assortment of serious injuries may be in play here, with surgery a strong possibility. Look for more information to trickle out soon, but an extended absence is coming.
Landen Roupp: The Giants pitcher hit the IL for the same reason as Holmes, though he remains on the 15-day IL. The root of his inflammation has not been revealed, but hope that it is a minor issue remains. Testing on Roupp's elbow came back negative for structural damage but that doesn't provide much insight for just how long he will be sidelined. If he responds well to treatment he could be back after missing just two starts, but that remains fluid for now.
Tanner Scott: Scott completes the elbow inflammation trifecta, joining Holmes and Roupp on the IL. The lefty did tell reporters he expects to return this season, but a definitive timeline has not been established. Scott did report feeling a "stinging sensation" in his forearm, hinting the issue could be a nerve-related issue like neuritis. Keep an eye on his level of work after he receives a few days off to get a better idea if his return will come sooner rather than later.
