Trying to recover from injuries

The injury report is crowded and it's no doubt taking a toll on your Fantasy roster. David Gonos takes a look at some of the bigger injuries affecting some of the bigger names.

When people talk about injuries, there are so many varieties, it's important to distinguish the differences.

There's Bartolo Colon's elbow injury that could sideline him the rest of the year. There's also the America's Funniest Home Videos whiffle ball-to-the-groin injury that could sideline a dad for a month. And there's the bruised ego I suffered last week after having 1,421 e-mails making fun of me when Ervin Santana was sent down the day after I said he's in line for a big second half ... Even my mom called me a hack.

But most injuries just need time to heal, and in some cases rehab is in order. (I'm going on a two-week rehab assignment to Stuart Smalley's self-affirmation camp.)

Fantasy owners have to keep in tune with not just the injured players themselves, but who is benefiting from the boo-boo, and what the future outlook is for said victim. So I thought right now would be a prudent time to take a step back and look at a group of injured players and the ramifications that go with them.

Bad arms on good people

A good pitcher with a sore arm is like going to a buffet when you are on a diet -- there's only so much you can do, but you know you're walking away disappointed.

The following pitchers are dealing with injuries associated with their arms, whether it's their hand, forearm, elbow or shoulder, these are grouped together because one injury on the arm can affect other areas.

Bartolo Colon, SP, LAA (elbow): The Angels lost their ace Monday after just one inning after he complained of elbow irritation. Of course, he didn't leave the game until after he gave up four runs to the visiting Oakland A's. "We're concerned," manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com. "It's in a little different spot than it was before. He'll be examined (Tuesday) [by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the team's orthopedist], and we'll see what happens." Whenever you hear the words "Yocum," "Andrews" or "rumored to be traded to Colorado" for your Fantasy pitchers, you always cringe. Colon started just 10 games in 2006, but that was a rotator-cuff injury. He has recently dealt with triceps inflammation, which helps explain why he has been so bad over his past 10 starts. Since May 17, Colon's ERA has climbed from 3.69 to 6.72. If Colon has to go on the DL -- expect the Angels to turn to Ervin Santana for help. He allowed just one earned run on two hits and three walks in seven innings for Triple-A Salt Lake. He struck out six. I'd say, pick Santana up now, but my mailbox is still full of hate-mail. (He is only owned in 47 percent of SportsLine leagues, by the way.)

Josh Johnson, SP, FLA (forearm): In his last minor-league outing, Johnson allowed only three hits in 3 1/3 scoreless innings for Class A Jupiter. He might be ready to start July 31 against Colorado. Marlins' management is feeling good enough about his status that they aren't expected to trade for any starting pitching. "J.J. is a big help," general manager Larry Beinfest said. "You can't trade for that." Rick Vanden Hurk will probably get bumped back to the minors once Johnson returns.

My shoulder hurts just writing so much about the following shoulder injuries.

Randy Wolf, SP, LAD (shoulder): The veteran will pitch for Class A Inland Empire Wednesday during a rehab assignment. He threw 45 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday and he is targeting Aug. 4 (at home vs. Arizona) for his return. It's good to see that this is a shoulder problem and not directly related to his surgically-repaired elbow. Despite being on the disabled list for what will be a month, he is still third on the team in innings (102 2/3) and he's still available in 58 percent of our leagues.

Takashi Saito, RP, LAD (shoulder): An MRI showed no structural damage to the 37-year-old's right shoulder, so he's expected to rejoin the club soon, according to MLB.com. Through Monday, he had missed six games with an injury that apparently had first affected him several years ago in Japan. He might return Tuesday at Houston, but any time he misses allows the Dodgers to audition Jonathan Broxton in the gamestopper's role. Joe Beimel is also an option for saves if Saito misses more time and Broxton gets overused. Broxton is a big fella with dominant stuff, but he has already blown three saves in just five opportunities. If you own Broxton in keeper leagues, you might want to root for Saito's return, so that Broxton can season a little longer before being thrown into the fire.

Rich Harden, SP, OAK (shoulder): Harden is currently taking it easy in is native Canada as he tries to rest and rehabilitate his shoulder. There is no truth to the rumor that Harden, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are looking for a fourth for their golf outings. Harden could be back later this week in the series at Seattle, but don't hold your breath. Dallas Braden and Lenny Dinardo are in the rotation until Harden and Esteban Loaiza (knee) return.

Brett Myers, RP, PHI (shoulder): Is it safe to say that putting Myers into the bullpen midseason with no experience was officially a bad move? He's expected to be ready to come off the 15-day disabled list as early as Thursday according to manager Charlie Manuel. So the Phillies will have three closers (including Tom Gordon and Antonio Alfonseca) in their bullpen, with the least experienced one in that role saving games. Meanwhile, their pitching staff has the worst ERA in the NL (4.87). Something tells me we'll be hearing from Myers' shoulder again before the season ends.

A.J. Burnett, SP, TOR (shoulder): The oft-injured right-hander threw off an elevated mound Friday for the first time since going on the DL. Bullpen sessions, simulated games then a rehab assignment will follow in the coming days, but there is no timetable set for his return. Jesse Litsch is in the rotation until Burnett returns.

Pedro Martinez, SP, NYM (shoulder): A midseason return for Pedro is all but a dream now. If he can make it back in August, be happy. He threw 50 pitches (three innings) in a simulated game on Monday, but it's possible he won't return until early September now. While the team contends that the 10-day break in his rehab program was prescribed by the club's medical staff, you have to wonder. "I've said all along that whatever we get from Pedro this year is a bonus," general manager Omar Minaya told MLB.com. "It's one of those things where his body is going to say what happens next." Uh-oh. So far, we haven't heard many good things from Pedro's body. He's still owned in 28 percent of SportsLine leagues and he's definitely worth a reserve roster spot for most formats because of his ability when healthy.

Good arms, bad bodies

Randy Johnson, SP, ARI (herniated disk): The Big Unit played long toss Monday and he might throw a simulated game Tuesday, which would be a major step in his recovery. He should get at least one more simulated game after this one before management decides to slot him back into the rotation, possibly next week. He's 16 wins away from the magical number of 300, but time is running out and his body has officially stopped cooperating. His K/9 is much better this year than it was in the Bronx last season. But how often is the back going to allow him to pitch pain-free? Former Mets/Marlins prospect Yusmeiro Petit is 2-2 with a stellar 2.54 ERA in five starts in Johnson's absence heading into Tuesday's game.

Brian Fuentes, RP, COL (back): He played catch on Monday, but there's still no timetable for his return just yet. Manny Corpas is closing games in Denver, with five saves and a 1.00 ERA in the month of July, so the sense of emergency isn't quite there.

Phil Hughes, SP, NYY (Hamstring, ankle): He had his rehab start postponed Monday due to rain and he might even return for Week 18 (July 30-Aug. 5). He was impressive in his short time with the Yankees earlier this summer and they'll be leaning on him for the next couple months. He's only owned in 33 percent of SportsLine leagues, so check his availability in yours. His return will send Kei Igawa back to the 'pen.

Ben Sheets, SP, MIL (finger): This guy doesn't just have your normal arm injury. He suffers exotic injuries, like an inner ear infection that caused vertigo, and now he has a sprained middle finger. MLB.com reports that he has yet to begin throwing, eight days after incurring the injury. He said there is no timetable for his return, but it's speculated that he'll likely miss about a month. His absence re-opens a rotation spot for pitching phenom Yovani Gallardo. The 21-year-old right-hander has exited all four of his starts with the lead. He'll start against the Reds Tuesday.

Scott Olsen, SP, FLA (common sense): After a suspension for an alleged locker room fight and being charged with a DUI last week -- Olsen has been quite busy making people shake their heads at the young lefty. Despite his recent brain farts, he'll stay in the Marlins' rotation while they allow the legal process to take its course.

Hurtin' hitters hoping to heal

Juan Rivera, OF, LAA (broken leg): He's making progress and finally running again. He has taken part in some batting practice and he's throwing long toss, but there's still no timetable for his return. Expect the Angels to continue to take their time with him.

Nick Johnson, 1B, WAS (broken leg): It's like an epidemic, these broken legs. Johnson had a cortisone shot this week to deal with the pain. That doesn't sound like he's anywhere near being ready to return. Meanwhile, Dmitri Young (heel) is ranked fourth in the majors in batting average and leads the Nats in batting, hits, RBI and OPS.

Miguel Tejada, SS, BAL (wrist): He's expected to get checked out by a doctor on Tuesday, hoping to begin batting practice immediately. He took 100 ground balls in practice Friday and he's dying to get back on the field. That's something you can expect from a guy that had played 1,152 consecutive games (the fifth-longest streak ever). You have to wonder if the Orioles are hoping he'll return quickly -- so they can trade him.

Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA (shoulder): You couldn't help but wince when you saw how much pain the sophomore shortstop was in after a hard swing in his first at-bat Sunday night when he suffered a slight dislocation of his shoulder. As of Tuesday, he is still listed as day to day, with Wednesday being a targeted return date. But Han-Ram has had problems with this shoulder as recently as last season, when he missed five games after injuring it on another swing at the plate. According to MLB.com, he also fell on this shoulder while playing Winter League ball in December. Alfredo Amezaga moves from center field to shortstop until Ramirez returns, but it's Cody Ross that benefits with at-bats as the new starter in center.

Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX: The Rangers' breakout second baseman is very close to a rehab assignment and he's hopeful of rejoining the active roster on July 31 at Cleveland. He's only owned in 50 percent of SportsLine leagues and for a second baseman with his pop -- that's a travesty. He'll start a three-game rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco Thursday, according to MLB.com.

Hunter Pence, OF, HOU (wrist): Pence will be sidelined from four-to-six weeks with a right wrist capsular sprain with a small chip fracture. He leads all rookies in extra-base hits (43) and total bases (176), and many Fantasy owners can credit their presence near the top of the standings to Pence's breakout year. Ryan Braun will likely pull ahead in the NL Rookie of the Year race over the next month. He also injured his left wrist in previous seasons, but he has been a quick healer. Chris Burke will become the everyday center fielder once again, which will allow the team to evaluate him for next year and beyond. Jason Lane might also return to Houston. He's hitting .308 with eight homers and 35 RBI in 42 games at Triple-A Round Rock. Consider making a proactive move and pick Lane up in larger leagues.

Rocco Baldelli, OF, TB (hamstring): When a player vows that he will be back by the end of the season, that's usually a pretty bad sign for all of those Fantasy owners expecting he'd be back this month. He was eligible to come off the DL on Monday, but he didn't, although he's now able to begin baseball activities again. "I've been throwing, I'm hitting again and I'm starting to run," Baldelli told MLB.com. "I'm starting to get a little bit closer. And I think the next step, instead of doing it every other day, is to start pushing things and going a little bit sooner every day. That's what really gets you ready to get back out there, get your legs feeling good every day." Meanwhile, he's gathering dust on 18 percent of SportsLine's rosters. His return would likely move B.J. Upton back to second base, with Ty Wigginton becoming more of a DH.

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