This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Giancarlo Stanton
The Marlins sluggers will be on the shelf for at least four weeks after breaking a bone in his wrist. The league-leader in home runs and RBI was injured Friday in the sixth inning of a loss to the Dodgers. He swung through a pitch and was visibly in pain following the at-bat. After the pain and swelling increased, Stanton was sent for further evaluation and the fracture was found. He opted for surgery that was performed Sunday.
Specifically, Stanton broke his left hamate, a small bone located at the base of the pinkie finger. A hamate fracture is a surprisingly common injury in baseball, primarily due to its location. The oddly shaped bone has a hook-like projection that often sits in direct contact with the knob of a bat. If the hitter takes an awkward swing or grounds his bat, stress if often diverted through the hook of the hamate, causing it to break.
A fractured hamate can have its complications, as it serves as an anchor point for several wrist flexor muscles. Furthermore, the hamate sits in close proximity to the ulnar nerve and any associated nerve damage could result in a weakening of the individual's grip strength and a lost or diminished feeling in the pinkie.
Surgery for a hamate fracture is often the best course of action and is relatively straightforward. The surgeon simply goes in and removes the damaged bone. This allows for a quick recovery and players are often back between four
Giancarlo Stanton
The Marlins sluggers will be on the shelf for at least four weeks after breaking a bone in his wrist. The league-leader in home runs and RBI was injured Friday in the sixth inning of a loss to the Dodgers. He swung through a pitch and was visibly in pain following the at-bat. After the pain and swelling increased, Stanton was sent for further evaluation and the fracture was found. He opted for surgery that was performed Sunday.
Specifically, Stanton broke his left hamate, a small bone located at the base of the pinkie finger. A hamate fracture is a surprisingly common injury in baseball, primarily due to its location. The oddly shaped bone has a hook-like projection that often sits in direct contact with the knob of a bat. If the hitter takes an awkward swing or grounds his bat, stress if often diverted through the hook of the hamate, causing it to break.
A fractured hamate can have its complications, as it serves as an anchor point for several wrist flexor muscles. Furthermore, the hamate sits in close proximity to the ulnar nerve and any associated nerve damage could result in a weakening of the individual's grip strength and a lost or diminished feeling in the pinkie.
Surgery for a hamate fracture is often the best course of action and is relatively straightforward. The surgeon simply goes in and removes the damaged bone. This allows for a quick recovery and players are often back between four and six weeks.
Barring complications, the long-term effects of surgery to repair a hamate fracture appear to be minimal. The extensive list of players to undergo the procedure includes Ken Griffey Jr., David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Pablo Sandoval (twice). Each of these players was productive upon their return, though a small dip in power occurred for several weeks following the procedure. Look for Stanton to be back by early to mid-August with a slight decrease in home runs initially.
Bryce Harper
Harper continues to be bothered by hamstring issues, though his latest problem is a bit different than last week's episode. He missed a lone game on June 19 with a strained left hamstring before returning for four straight outings, but he then exited an extra-innings affair with cramps in the opposite hamstring. Harper managed to return Sunday, though played in just one of Washington's two games. Cramps are not as significant as a true strain but it is possible for cramping to result in a strain. He remains too valuable to outright bench but as I suggested last week, scaling back your expectations for the next few weeks wouldn't be unreasonable.
Check Swings
Byron Buxton
Buxton becomes the latest victim of the headfirst slide. The rookie center fielder will miss at least four weeks after suffering a sprained thumb when his left hand got caught underneath his body. The injury is an unfortunate setback but may be a blessing in disguise for optimistic fantasy owners that had hoped Buxton would make an immediate impact. He's struggled since being called up, batting .189 in 11 games, and the injury provides a good excuse to move on in yearly formats. He maintains his value in dynasty leagues but will need ample time to work his way back.
Jacoby Ellsbury
The Yankees outfielder is nearing a return after suffering a knee injury in mid-May. He will head to New York's spring training facility on Monday and plans on beginning a rehab assignment later in the week. As long as Ellsbury is able to avoid any setback, he could be back with the big league club as early as this weekend. Owners in daily formats should keep an eye on his activity level throughout the week, while those in weekly leagues can prepare to have Ellsbury back next Monday.
Jose Fernandez
While the Marlins will miss Stanton, the return of Fernandez will help ease some of the pain. The 22-year-old right-hander is expected to return Thursday against the Giants after undergoing Tommy John in mid-May of last season. It would be unfair to expect him to instantly return to last year's elite level but he's worth a roster spot in all formats.
Tim Lincecum
The former Cy Young winner appears bound for the first DL stint of his career. Lincecum is nursing a bruised pitching arm after taking a line drive to the area over the weekend. He reported tightness in the area and noticeable swelling was reported. The team is being proactive with his care and can better stomach the move with Jake Peavy and Matt Cain slated to return this week.
Matt Moore
It appears the Rays will also get a boost from a pitcher that needed Tommy John last season. Moore is slated to return at some point this week, with Thursday a realistic target date. Like Fernandez, he will need time to return to top form but Moore is also worth a look in all formats.
Brandon Phillips
The Reds second baseman is dealing with injuries to both hands. He "jammed" his left thumb earlier in the week and was unable to play on Wednesday. He returned before the weekend but then jammed the pinkie on his opposite hand Sunday. While the term jammed isn't a true diagnosis, it usually indicates a sprain. Even if the injuries are minor, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which Phillips can effectively play with both hands less than 100 percent.
Hanley Ramirez
The Red Sox have sent Ramirez back to Boston for further evaluation on his bruised left hand. He has already undergone a CT scan and an X-ray but is now slated for a MRI. The fact that the pain remains and the team has yet to provide an actual diagnosis remains a bit unsettling. Hard injuries can occasionally be missed on initial imaging and remain undetected until the healing process has begun. The inevitability of a DL-stint looms, so consider Ramirez a risky play for the upcoming week.
