Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Buxton Hits the Wall

Byron Buxton

The Twins outfielder is now on the injured list for the third time in the past two months following another collision with the outfield wall. Buxton first mishap in the outfield resulted in a concussion, and he's now slated to miss at least the next two weeks after injuring his left shoulder. The injury was described as a shoulder subluxation, a surprisingly helpful description. 

The terms "subluxation" or "dislocation" are utilized when the injury involves to the ball-and-socket joint, medically known as the glenohumeral joint. A subluxation occurs when a force causes the joint to become partially displaced. Subluxations often realign naturally by the surrounding supportive structures of the joint like muscles and ligaments. These types of injuries are often referred to as partial dislocations. A true dislocation occurs when the displacement of the joint is complete. The injury often requires outside help to return it to its original positioning and is considered a more serious injury.

While Buxton's injury isn't a complete dislocation, the impact that jarred his shoulder had to have disrupted soft tissue in the area to force the joint out of alignment. As a result, Buxton will require time off to let the resulting injuries appropriately heal. A late August or early September return seems like a best-case scenario.

David Dahl

Like Buxton, Dahl is an outfielder who has shown a propensity for injury. Dahl's latest injury is a right high ankle sprain that occurred while he attempted to snag a fly ball. High ankle sprains or syndesmotic sprains tend to be more problematic than the "normal" lateral ankle sprain. High ankle sprains involve the distal tibiofibular joint, the area where the tibia and fibula bones of the lower leg join with the talus bone of the foot. A strong and durable ligament known as the interosseous ligament is positioned across the joint to connect the tibia and the fibula. Two additional ligaments help stabilize the ankle mortise, the area surrounding the head of the talus. Any injury to one of these ligaments earns the high ankle classification.

High ankle sprains often require longer recovery windows. As a result, don't expect Dahl to return when he is first eligible. The Rockies did not place a firm timetable on his recovery but have hinted at a multiweek absence.

The ankle injury is just the latest setback for Dahl, who has endured multiple injuries throughout his career, including an oblique strain earlier in the season, a broken right foot in 2018, and a stress reaction in his ribs that cost him the entire 2017 campaign.

Check Swings

Willson Contreras: The Cubs catchers has hit the IL with a hamstring strain. He's slated for an MRI Monday to determine the severity of the strain. Even a Grade 1 strain would likely result in a multiweek absence with anything higher carrying a lengthier recovery window. Look for the details from his evaluation to surface in the near future.

Edwin Encarnacion: The Yankees slugger will miss at least three weeks with a hairline fracture of his wrist. The injury occurred when Encarnacion was struck on the right wrist by a Josh Smith slider. Initial X-rays were negative, but a subsequent CT scan detected the break. It doesn't appear the fracture was displaced, meaning surgery is unlikely at this point. However, this is not the first time Encarnacion has suffered this type of injury. He broke the opposite wrist during the 2009 season and would miss two months while recovering. Encarnacion reported this injury felt worse, suggesting he's in for a lengthy recovery. I'm guessing he misses more than three weeks, and an early September return seems optimistic at best.

Mitch Haniger: The Mariners outfielder is making progress in his recovery following surgery for a ruptured testicle and could return before the end of the month. He's hoping to be cleared for batting practice at some point in the week ahead. If all goes well, Haniger would likely embark on a rehab assignment before finally being activated. He could still be a nice late-season boost for teams looking to make a last-minute push and is worth stashing if someone sent him to the waiver wire.

Aaron Hicks: The Yankees outfielder has been placed on the 10-day IL with a right flexor strain in his elbow. There was some concern that Hicks had injured his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and would subsequently need Tommy John surgery. While a trip to the operating room has been avoided for now, Hicks' injury still involves a major stabilizer of the elbow. He will miss at least 10 days, but I'm betting he misses at least a few weeks. Brett Gardner is the most likely candidate to man center field with Cameron Maybin and Mike Tauchman likely to see an increase in playing time.

Adalberto Mondesi: The MLB stolen base leader remains out with a left shoulder subluxation. The injury is the same issue detailed earlier with Buxton and continues to limit Mondesi. He has begun hitting off a tee, but the Royals remain unsure about a possible return. Manager Ned Yost is optimistic that he will return before the end of the season, but that isn't exactly reassuring for fantasy owners. Mondesi has more value in keeper or dynasty leagues than he does in one-year formats, and those desperate for games played may have to consider cutting him loose.

Yadier Molina: The future Hall of Famer has spent the past few days on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis and is nearing a return to the big club. Molina hasn't played since July 6 due to a tendon strain in his right thumb. The impressive play from backup Matt Wieters could create a timeshare behind the dish or at least let the Cardinals ease Molina back into everyday starting duties. Wieters has hit .258 with a .876 OPS since taking over, while hitting six home runs and driving in 10 RBI. 

Max Scherzer: The Nationals ace is eligible to come off the IL on Monday, though that seems unlikely. Scherzer has made just one start over the month due to recurring back issues. The current problem is a strained rhomboid, one of the stabilizing muscles of the shoulder located in the middle of the back. He did resume throwing on Friday but will need to throw off a mound before he can realisticly consider a return from the IL. Look for him to sit at least one more week.

Luke Voit: The impact of Encarnacion's injury is worsened by the injury currently sidelining his Yankee teammate. Voit is currently out with a sports hernia and could be lost for the remainder of the season. He recently received a cortisone injection in the area and is set to be reevaluated later this week. At that time the team will decide if he will need a core muscle repair surgery that would likely end his regular season. Voit's fantasy value for the rest of the year hinges on that decision, and those invested in the 28-year-old will have to remain patient until that time.

Luis Severino: While the Yankees offense continue to be ravaged by the injury bug, their pitching staff could receive a boost in the near future. Severino is slated to throw off a mound Friday as he continues to work his way back from a latissimus dorsi strain. However, it seems likely Severino returns as a member of the bullpen, and any future fantasy plans should be made accordingly.