There was an abundance of good injury news this week as stud prospects like Homer Bailey, Wladimir Balentien, Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Hank Conger and others made their way off of the trainer’s table and back into their respective starting lineups. As can be expected though, the news wasn’t all good for the following prospects…
Matt Bush ’s career has taken yet another turn for the worse, as the Padres put out official word that he has a torn elbow ligament requiring Tommy John surgery, thus shelving the talented youngster with the electric arm through the 2008 season. It remains to be seen what role Bush will have with the Padres upon his return, but at only 21-years old, he is plenty young enough to make his way through this obstacle and be a contributor to the Padres in perhaps as early as 2010.
The inevitable news that Yankees 1st Rounder Andrew Brackman was having Tommy John surgery finally became official on Monday, as reported by the NY Daily News. The Yankees $13.4 million investment into the giant flamethrower now appears to have been a riskier one than ever. While the Yankees have more disposable income than any other team in the game, $13.4 million for a 21-year old with a wing on the mend is something we all need to keep our eyes on. With any luck Brackman will keep that cannon of an arm from 60-feet, 6-inches and be a staple with the Yankees by late 2010.
Red Sox right-hander, Justin Masterson, better keep out of the trainer’s room if he doesn’t want to get labeled a potential ‘injury-prone’ player. Masterson continues to struggle with strains, twice to his groin and now once to his calf. While a mild strain doesn’t sound like much, it has often been something that plagues many a pitchers’ career. While I am certainly not ready to place Masterson into this category, it is something we need to watch out for nonetheless.
Finally, Carlos Gomez was officially transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day DL by the Mets. However, unlike his prospect-counterpart Fernando Martinez, Gomez’s hamate bone fracture was not nearly as severe, leading Mets GM Omar Minaya to speculate that Gomez will be back in action by mid-September – Gomez began a rehab assignment yesterdad. Expect a late callup for the speedster as the Mets head down the stretch run.
As always, the newest injuries and updates are up front while the older injuries with no updates are down below. At the very bottom you will find a list of players who have been taken off of the list altogether due to their now being healthy. In addition, all rankings shown are as of the latest rankings put out by ProjectProspect.com that are applicable to the player in question.| Injuries not listed last week/injury updates | ||||||||
| Top-75 No. | Player | Pos | Injury | Age | Org | Level | Out Since | Return |
| 16 | Homer Bailey | RHP | Groin Strain | 21 | CIN | A+ | 7/17 | Playing |
| Bailey got rocked in his first start back from a strained groin in an A+ game where he surrendered 6 ER on 8 hits in just 3 innings. This was more rust than anything given that Bailey hadn't been on the mound with live action in over a month. | ||||||||
| 25 | Fernando Martinez | CF | Fractured Hamate Bone | 18 | NYM | AA | 7/30 | Spring Training 2008 |
| Pay no attention to that GCL Mets box score that show Martinez going 0-3 on the 16th of August. It was a recording error and Martinez is still on the mend after having surgery on his hamate bone. Timetable for return has not changed. | ||||||||
| 41 | Adam Miller | SP | Elbow Soreness | 22 | CLE | AAA | 7/19 | Playing |
| Word was last week that we might not see Miller until Instructional Leagues, but it appears that elbow soreness has caused little concern among Indians' head honchose as Miller made his return on the 21st of August in relieft and pitched again on the 24th. | ||||||||
| 43 | Carlos Gomez | LF | Fractured Hamate Bone | 21 | NYM | MLB | 5/11 | Mid-September |
| Recent word is from the NY Daily News that Gomez should be ready to go by mid-September, which is good news for the Mets and Gomez fans alike. He began a MiLB rehab assignment yesterday. | ||||||||
| 45 | Justin Masterson | RHP | Strained Calf | 22 | BOS | AA | 8/16 | Playing |
| All of a sudden these strains have become quite the problem of Masterson. There is no reason to think he won't get right back on track as he returns, but keep an eye out to see this becomes a constant problem for the talented right-hander. | ||||||||
| NR | Andrew Brackman | RHP | Tommy John Surgery | 21 | NYY | R | Season | 2009 |
| Brackman finally opted for Surgery, ending his chances of beginning his career with the Yankees in 2008. $13.4 million for a pitcher to have TJ surgery is quite a roll of the dice. It will be interesting to see if the Yankees know what they are doing. | ||||||||
| NR | Matt Bush | RHP | Tommy John Surgery | 21 | SD | A | 8/9 | 2009 |
| What an unfortunate free fall for such a talented youngster. We finally received official word that 2004's No. 1 overal pick (as a hitter) needs elbow surgery, further setting his career back. Hopes are he will take the mound again in early 2009. | ||||||||
| Removed from the list: Matt Mangini, Wladimir Balentien, Deolis Guerra, Hank Conger, Ryan Sweeney, Tyler Clippard, Glen Perkins, Scott Moore, Brett Anderson, Ryan Sweeney, Jeff Niemann, | ||||||||
| Old Injuries | ||||||||
| Top-75 No. | Player | Pos | Injury | Age | Org | Level | Out Since | Return |
| 36 | Jose Tabata | RF | Wrist & Hand Injuries | 18 | NYY | A+ | 8/9 | No Timetable |
| This hand and wrist injury is becoming quite the problem for the amazingly talented OF. Although unconfirmed, belief is that this is the same injury that hit Tabata earlier in the season. Hopefully this time off is what he needs to get back into form. | ||||||||
| 64 | Scott Elbert | LHP | Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery | 21 | LAD | AA | 4/16 | Spring Training 2008 |
| The Dodgers' top pitching prospect is out for the year after finally going under the knife in June. Scarring was found on Elbert's labrum, prompting the need for surgery. Elbert should be ready by next spring; however will not be allowed to throw again for several months. | ||||||||
| 69 | Jaime Garcia | LHP | Elbow | 21 | STL | AA | 7/18 | Spring 2008 at the earliest |
| The Cardinals have to choose between bad news or worse news for their prospect's ailing elbow; rest or surgery. The Cards are opting for the former, but it is looking like surgery might be the end result. If so, Garcia will more than likely be out for all of 2008. | ||||||||
| NR | Joaquin Arias | SS | Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery | 22 | TEX | AAA | 6/29 | Late September |
| Arias had suffered what Texas GM Jon Daniels described as "just a little bit more than normal wear and tear." The Rangers hope to have him back on the field by late September; however, expect him to be out until 2008 | ||||||||
| NR | Thomas Diamond | RHP | Tommy John Surgery | 24 | TEX | AAA | Season | Spring Training 2008 |
| In a surprise to even the Doctors that operated on him, the supremely talented Diamond needed Tommy John Surgery. He will be back and ready to go next Spring, as Texas will look to add him to their rotation mid-year if all goes as planned. | ||||||||
| NR | Anthony Lerew | RHP | Tommy John Surgery | 24 | ATL | AAA | 5/20 | Mid-August 2008 |
| Lerew clearly was not his usual dominant self during his short stint with the Braves earlier this summer, which was later confirmed by Lerew's need for TJ Surgery. Lerew will look to take the mound again sometime in the late Summer of 2008. | ||||||||
| NR | Humberto Sanchez | RHP | Tommy John Surgery | 24 | NYY | AAA | Season | Spring Training 2008 |
| Sanchez was supposed to be to the Yankees what Joba Chamberlain is having to do right now -- be their verion of Joel Zumaya. With his elbow at last repaired. Sanchez may at last be able to stay on the mound for more than a few months at a time. | ||||||||
| NR | Greg Reynolds | RHP | Shoulder Tendonitis | 22 | COL | AA | 6/19 | Spring Training 2008 |
| Reynolds' shoulder was causing him discomfort all year long, so shutting him down for the remainder of the season was a smart thing for the Rockies to do. Hopefully the talented 1st rounder can return to form in 2008. | ||||||||
| NR | Dellin Betances | RHP | Enflamed Right Elbow | 19 | NYY | A | 7/15 | No Timetable Set |
| Don't be surprised if the Yankees shut down their 19-year old flamethrower for the rest of the season. Throwing in the high-90s, the 6' 7", 185 lbs. Betances puts a tremendous amount of strain on his elbow, thus the injury. Better to be safe than sorry when you have a talent like this guy. | ||||||||
| NR | Kyle Drabek | RHP | Tommy John Surgery | 19 | PHI | A | 6/15 | Late 2008 |
| The Phillies' 2006 top pick had to undergo surgery in July which will put him out for most, if not all, of 2008. The team says it doesn't expect this year off to set Drabek's progression back any, so expect him to advance into Double-A in late 2008. | ||||||||
| NR | Shane Lindsay | RHP | Surgery on Frayed Labrum | 22 | COL | A | Season | No Timetable Set |
| Lindsay had surgery on a frayed labrum last October and was expected to begin throwing again in March. It is now August and the Rockies seem to be hush-hush on Lindsay's status. Assume he is out for the year until we hear otherwise. | ||||||||
| NR | Brahiam Maldonado | OF | Fractured Metacarpal - Middle Finger | 22 | NYM | A | 8/4 | Late August |
| The Mets surprising 10th rounder has done nothing but dominate down at Class A Savannah since signing. A damaged metacarpal is not uncommon and should not be looked upon as a major injury. Brahiam will be back in action soon. | ||||||||
| NR | Landon Powell | C | Torn ACL | 25 | OAK | AAA | 7/2 | Spring Training 2008 |
| Only days after getting promoted to Triple-A Sacramento, Powell went down with a torn ACL that will keep him out at least until next spring training. Powell has been a promising prospect for the A's, but his age coupled with his injury certainly do not bode well for his future. | ||||||||
| NR | Ryan Kalish | CF | Fractured Hamate Bone | 19 | BOS | A | 7/16 | Spring Training 2008 |
| What is it with OF's and hamate bones? After an absolutely torrid Class-A campaign (.368 / .471 / .540), Kalish will attempt to pick up next year where he left off. The bone was not displaced, therfore surgery is trying to be avoided since the injury heals much better if healed naturally. | ||||||||
| NR | Dexter Fowler | CF | Broken Pisiform Bone | 21 | COL | A+ | 6/17 | Arizona Fall League |
| Fowler broke his pisiform bone while crashing into the outfield wall. The break required to pins to be inserted into his risk. While it was expected that the Rox would bring him back in mid-August, they thought it better to hold him out until the AFL now. | ||||||||
| NR | Chris Garcia | RHP | Knee & Tommy John Surgery | 21 | NYY | A+ | Season | Spring Training 2008 |
| The knee was a minor setback that won't set the timetable for this talented arm back at all. Look for Garcia to continue the success he had in 2006. He will not continue rehabbing again until November. His elbow is on track for Spring 2008. | ||||||||
| <<< August 18th Injury Report | ||||||||
Brandon can be reached at btcharpied@projectprospect.com