This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The hamstring strain is the most common injury in major league baseball. Already this season we have seen Fernando Tatis Jr., George Springer and Jose Altuve hit the injured list with hamstring strains. While hamstring strain injuries appear more frequently in position players, that doesn't mean pitchers are immune either. Early this season Cubs pitcher Jon Lester missed time with a left hamstring strain, and Adam Wainwright hit the IL last week with a strain of his own. Joining them on this list is Mets ace Noah Syndergaard who suffered a right hamstring strain over the weekend and has already been placed on the 10-day IL.
In addition to a varying occurrence rate, hamstring injuries affect pitchers differently than position players. The hamstring muscles are active throughout a pitcher's delivery, particularly when it comes to transferring momentum and helping the athlete maintain a stable base. A strained or tight hamstring on his plant leg could significantly limit this ability and lead to other issues, particularly in the shoulder and elbow.
Syndergaard is slated to undergo an MRI Monday to determine the severity of the strain. A low-grade stain would likely keep him out close at least two weeks with a more moderate strain having a lengthier timeline. However, it would likely be in the team's best long-term interest to handle his recovery conservatively. A premature return remains one of the biggest contributors to aggravation or recurrence.
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Jose Altuve: The six-time All-Star has resumed his
The hamstring strain is the most common injury in major league baseball. Already this season we have seen Fernando Tatis Jr., George Springer and Jose Altuve hit the injured list with hamstring strains. While hamstring strain injuries appear more frequently in position players, that doesn't mean pitchers are immune either. Early this season Cubs pitcher Jon Lester missed time with a left hamstring strain, and Adam Wainwright hit the IL last week with a strain of his own. Joining them on this list is Mets ace Noah Syndergaard who suffered a right hamstring strain over the weekend and has already been placed on the 10-day IL.
In addition to a varying occurrence rate, hamstring injuries affect pitchers differently than position players. The hamstring muscles are active throughout a pitcher's delivery, particularly when it comes to transferring momentum and helping the athlete maintain a stable base. A strained or tight hamstring on his plant leg could significantly limit this ability and lead to other issues, particularly in the shoulder and elbow.
Syndergaard is slated to undergo an MRI Monday to determine the severity of the strain. A low-grade stain would likely keep him out close at least two weeks with a more moderate strain having a lengthier timeline. However, it would likely be in the team's best long-term interest to handle his recovery conservatively. A premature return remains one of the biggest contributors to aggravation or recurrence.
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Jose Altuve: The six-time All-Star has resumed his rehab assignment after experiencing fatigue in his surgically repaired leg. Altuve originally hit the IL with a hamstring strain but had his return delayed following the setback. He will continue the assignment through Monday and could be in line for a weekend return. His level of injury risk will remain elevated for the immediate future.
Andrew Benintendi: The Red Sox outfielder was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup due to soreness in his left quadriceps. The injury is reportedly mild, and the team thinks he will available for the team's series opener against the Twins. Hopefully he's avoided a strain, and a day off will allow him to return to action quickly.
Byron Buxton: Buxton remains limited after being struck by a stray fast ball on the wrist. The injury was described as a wrist contusion, but, as we've seen already this season with Dee Gordon, that doesn't mean the injury isn't serious. Keep a close eye out for an update to get a better idea of his availability for the week ahead.
Kyle Hendricks: The Cubs pitcher has hit the IL with right shoulder inflammation. There has been no indication about what is causing the discomfort and inflammation, but it seems muscular in nature. The team is optimistic that Hendricks will be back before the All-Star break but a multiweek absence is to be expected. Top pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay could be asked to join the rotation, with Tyler Chatwood and Mike Montgomery also slated to fill in.
Hunter Pence: Pence's 2019 return to relevancy has been one of the feel good stories of the season. However, a groin strain has put a halt on his comeback. The Rangers fear the injury is significant and are expecting it to sideline the outfielder for the foreseeable future. He will undergo further testing Monday, but it sounds like he will be out for a while. Pence's absence and a hamstring injury for Nomar Mazara will test the depth of Texas' roster. Fortunately, Willie Calhoun is wrapping a four-game rehab appearance with Triple-A Nashville and could be activated as soon as Monday. Calhoun has missed the last month after straining his left quadriceps.
Stephen Piscotty: The A's outfielder is dealing with a scary ailment that required surgery late last week. Piscotty had a melanoma, a form of skin cancer, removed from his right ear. Fortunately, melanoma is treatable when caught early, and the team is optimistic about his long-term health after the surgeon was able to completely remove the issue. He will wait additional pathology reports before returning, but the surgery site should be a nonissue when he is cleared to play. Piscotty has said he will don a double-earflap helmet when he returns but should be able to resume playing at his normal level.
Nick Senzel: The Reds rookie appears to have avoided a serious injury after a foul ball bounced up into his face. The impact opened up a laceration above his eye that required stitches to close, but he didn't suffer any injuries to the eye itself. Look for him to be back in action quickly.
Andrelton Simmons: The Angels infielder continues to make surprising strides in his way back from a Grade 3 left ankle sprain. He was originally ruled out for eight to 12 weeks but has a chance to return in nearly half the time. Simmons could begin a rehab assignment in the coming days with an outside shot of being activated by the weekend. I would still proceed with caution and anticipate the Angels providing him extra rest days during his first few weeks back.
George Springer: Springer will attempt to run the bases Monday for the first time since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on May 24. The step should serve as an important hurdle in his rehab protocol and should help establish a more definitive timeline on his recovery. The team has admitted they're being particularly careful with his treatment, and a return still seems a week or two away at best.
Yoan Moncada: The White Sox outfielder can't seem to shake an upper back injury that has limited him to six total innings played since June 10. It's hard to pinpoint the exact muscle involved, as the injury was initially called back spasms before being downgraded to a back strain. "Upper back tightness" was the reason given for his removal from play on Sunday, and he's now listed as day-to-day. Fantasy owners may want to look elsewhere this week, as there is no guarantee Moncada plays a full slate, even with an off day on Monday. An IL trip may be needed to get ahead of this injury and allow Moncada ample time to heal.
