This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
David Wright
The Mets third baseman suffered another delay in his rehab, one that will likely be more problematic than simply aggravating a still-healing hamstring. Wright, out since straining his right hamstring in mid-April, has twice reported soreness in his lower back. Further evaluation revealed the seven-time All-Star is suffering from a condition known as spinal stenosis. Stenosis occurs when the spinal column is narrower than normal, limiting the available space for the spinal cord. In Wright's case, the narrowing is occurring in the lumbar region of his spine.
As can be expected, spinal stenosis is considered a serious condition, one that has altered the careers of multiple professional athletes. In the NFL, Giants running back David Wilson saw his career end after just 21 games following a diagnosis of cervical stenosis. Hall of fame receiver Michael Irvin also saw his playing days end prematurely after it was discovered his spinal column exhibited narrowing. In baseball, former Mets and Phillies great Lenny Dykstra retired from baseball due to spinal stenosis.
While Wright has no immediate plans of retiring, the situation does raise multiple red flags. To start, the associated symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis often affect the lower extremities. That could be a major issue for a player with a lengthy history of lower back and hamstring issues. These two muscle groups work synergistically to support the pelvis and lower spine. Tight hamstrings often limit motion in the pelvis, causing a muscle imbalance in the lower back. As a result,
David Wright
The Mets third baseman suffered another delay in his rehab, one that will likely be more problematic than simply aggravating a still-healing hamstring. Wright, out since straining his right hamstring in mid-April, has twice reported soreness in his lower back. Further evaluation revealed the seven-time All-Star is suffering from a condition known as spinal stenosis. Stenosis occurs when the spinal column is narrower than normal, limiting the available space for the spinal cord. In Wright's case, the narrowing is occurring in the lumbar region of his spine.
As can be expected, spinal stenosis is considered a serious condition, one that has altered the careers of multiple professional athletes. In the NFL, Giants running back David Wilson saw his career end after just 21 games following a diagnosis of cervical stenosis. Hall of fame receiver Michael Irvin also saw his playing days end prematurely after it was discovered his spinal column exhibited narrowing. In baseball, former Mets and Phillies great Lenny Dykstra retired from baseball due to spinal stenosis.
While Wright has no immediate plans of retiring, the situation does raise multiple red flags. To start, the associated symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis often affect the lower extremities. That could be a major issue for a player with a lengthy history of lower back and hamstring issues. These two muscle groups work synergistically to support the pelvis and lower spine. Tight hamstrings often limit motion in the pelvis, causing a muscle imbalance in the lower back. As a result, the muscles of the lower back become overworked and taxed, causing pain and sometimes spasm. Couple these potential issues with the stenosis and Wright could be in for a world of pain. Furthermore, stenosis often worsens over time, meaning the 32-year old veteran could be limited by stenosis-related problems for the remainder of his career.
Treatments are available but they often depend on what exactly is causing the spinal column to narrow. Herniated discs can be treated surgically, as can the presence of any foreign bodies like cysts or bone spurs. Bone alignment, specifically at the facets, is another common cause of stenosis and could be a contributing factor given Wright's previous stress fracture in the area. It too can be addressed in the operating room but would be accompanied by a lengthy recovery.
The Mets are attempting to avoid surgery and are hoping a meeting with a back specialist and aggressive physical therapy will get Wright back on the field. However, fantasy owners can't exhibit the same patience and should begin considering their fall back plans. Given the uncertainty, and potential seriousness, of the situation, I would move Wright in a trade for anything of practical value.
Check Swings
Miguel Cabrera
Cabrera received the day off Monday in order to rest his "cranky" right ankle. While Detroit is downplaying the seriousness of the discomfort, it is a bit worrisome to see the surgically repaired joint already causing issues. Cabrera underwent surgery in the offseason to remove bone spurs in the area and repair a stress fracture in one of the tarsal bones in his foot. Keep him in your lineups but hope this is just a minor setback and not the start of a cycle of problems.
Neftali Feliz
The Rangers placed Feliz on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of an axillary abscess in his right arm. The axillary classification simply means the puss-filled mass is in his armpit. The abscess was drained and excised and Feliz will now spend the next few weeks allowing the wound to heal and taking various steps to avoid infection. The injury is likely a minor setback but will hinder him in any attempt to win back the closing position from teammate Shawn Tolleson.
Kyle Blanks
Feliz isn't the only Ranger dealing with an abnormal growth. Blanks was placed on the 15-day DL on Friday with a pilonidal cyst. These growths occur at the bottom of the coccyx (tailbone). Like Feliz, Blanks had his growth removed and will spend the next few weeks ensuring the area stays clean and heals appropriately.
Jose Bautista
The Blue Jays outfielder is hoping to return to the outfield within the next week. The decision is a good sign his nagging shoulder injury is improving and that the cortisone injection he received over the weekend was the final part of a detailed recovery plan. Hopefully this means he can begin to improve on his .215 average.
Jacoby Ellsbury
Details remain limited on Ellsbury's knee injury but the Yankees continue to insist he won't need surgery for the problem. However, it does sound like they are preparing for his recovery to take longer than the allotted 15 days. Part of the problem appears to be the demands of his position and the stress it places on and through the joint. As a result, it may be wise to consider a more long-term option when seeking out a replacement for the former All-Star.
Yasmani Grandal
The Dodgers catcher was placed on the 7-day concussion DL over the weekend after taking a bat and a ball off his facemask. The catching position remains one of the positions most prone to concussions and Grandal joins a long list of recently concussed catchers including John Jaso, Hector Sanchez and Curt Casali. The team has already sent Grandal to Triple-A Oklahoma City to allow him to make a few minor league appearances before returning to the club. If all goes well, he should be back with Los Angeles by the weekend.
Steven Souza
Souza did not play Monday after leaving Sunday's game with a left wrist sprain. Tampa is calling the outfielder day-to-day though preliminary X-rays were negative. A MRI has been performed though the results have not been released. Hopefully the injury is no big deal and Souza can be back in the lineup soon. Regardless, consider scaling back your expectation for the next week to 10 days until he moves past any functional limitations.
