This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Hill's ongoing problem with blisters persists, as the veteran pitcher aggravated the issue just two pitches into his return. Hill's battle with blisters dates back to 2016 while he was with the A's and has carried over to Los Angeles. This latest setback will mark the fifth time blister-related problems have sent him to the disabled list since joining the Dodgers.
Blisters aren't as significant as a torn ligament or muscle but can be equally limiting. A blister generally develops in an area of high friction. As an area of skin is subjected to repetitive chafing it becomes irritated, causing fluid to accumulate between the upper layers of skin. Sources of chafing can include a nearby finger or fingernail or the seams of the baseball. Certain pitches tend to increase friction based on the necessary grip.
Blisters can be extremely painful and, even worse, are vulnerable to infection. To further complicate the problem, treatment options remain limited. Over the years a plethora of home remedies to treat blisters has emerged, including toothpaste, vinegar, diaper rash cream and even urine. However, none have proved effective, and blister treatment remains an unproven science without a true cure.
Additionally, MLB rules prohibit major league pitchers from taking the mound with athletic tape or bandages on their hands or fingers. As a result, players are unable to pitch around or through blisters. Instead, the area must be completely healed before they are able to effectively pitch again.
The Dodgers will hold out
Hill's ongoing problem with blisters persists, as the veteran pitcher aggravated the issue just two pitches into his return. Hill's battle with blisters dates back to 2016 while he was with the A's and has carried over to Los Angeles. This latest setback will mark the fifth time blister-related problems have sent him to the disabled list since joining the Dodgers.
Blisters aren't as significant as a torn ligament or muscle but can be equally limiting. A blister generally develops in an area of high friction. As an area of skin is subjected to repetitive chafing it becomes irritated, causing fluid to accumulate between the upper layers of skin. Sources of chafing can include a nearby finger or fingernail or the seams of the baseball. Certain pitches tend to increase friction based on the necessary grip.
Blisters can be extremely painful and, even worse, are vulnerable to infection. To further complicate the problem, treatment options remain limited. Over the years a plethora of home remedies to treat blisters has emerged, including toothpaste, vinegar, diaper rash cream and even urine. However, none have proved effective, and blister treatment remains an unproven science without a true cure.
Additionally, MLB rules prohibit major league pitchers from taking the mound with athletic tape or bandages on their hands or fingers. As a result, players are unable to pitch around or through blisters. Instead, the area must be completely healed before they are able to effectively pitch again.
The Dodgers will hold out Hill for at least the next four weeks. He will spend the time conditioning and wait for the blister to callus and heal. Still there's no guarantee the problem won't resurface as soon as Hill resumes throwing. As a result, he remains an untrustworthy fantasy commodity. Stash him if possible but don't be afraid to move on if the assumed risk is too much to manage.
Another ill-fated dive will cost Pollock substantial playing time. Pollock missed a bulk of the 2016 season with a fractured elbow sustained during a headfirst slide into home. Now a defensive dive has left the Arizona outfielder with a broken thumb and will sideline him for at least four weeks.
The thumb comprises three bones, the two phalanges and the first metacarpal. The carpometacarpal joint sits at the base of the thumb where the metacarpal articulates with a small carpal bone of the wrist. This union forms a saddle-shaped joint that's integral for moving the thumb in multiple directions.
The second bone of the thumb is the proximal phalanx, and it connects to the first metacarpal bone to form the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The MCP joint is stabilized by the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that attaches to the base of the proximal phalanx. The final bone is known as the distal phalanx, which forms the tip of the thumb.
While the exact location of Pollock's injury remain unclear, we do know the fracture is an avulsion fracture. This means a small piece of the bone has been pulled away by a ligament or tendon. This suggest the MCP joint is likely involved. Fortunately, surgery hasn't been discussed and rest remains the current course of treatment. A quick four-week return appears to be a best-case scenario, and it's more likely that Pollock is sidelined between six to eight weeks.
Check Swings
Greg Bird: The often-injured Yankees first baseman is hoping to return to the lineup sometime within the week. He has been on the DL since undergoing ankle surgery in March. Bird has now had ankle surgeries in back-to-back seasons. The first procedure was needed to remove an os trigonum bone from his ankle. His follow-up procedure was also a debridement and included the removal of a sizeable bone spur from the joint. With the root of his pain no longer within the joint, Bird might finally be able to move past this nagging problem. However, his inability to remain healthy still makes him a risky investment even in deeper formats. Tyler Austin may see a dip in opportunities upon Bird's return to the Yankees.
Miguel Cabrera: The Tigers are progressively managing Cabrera's rehab for a strained hamstring. The former AL MVP recently returned to batting practice but has yet to resume running. While the process may seem painstakingly slow, remember hamstring injuries can be deceptive. An injured hamstring may begin to feel better before the scar tissue is completely incorporated at the injury site, opening the door for possible aggravation or re-injury. Exhibit patience here, and let the Tigers continue their conservative approach. Consider Cabrera out for the foreseeable future.
Khris Davis: Oakland's right-handed slugger is expected to land on the DL after suffering a right groin strain on Sunday. Further testing is expected to be carried out in the coming days, though fantasy owners should prep for a two- to three-week absence.
Howie Kendrick: The veteran utilityman will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his Achilles. Surgery will be performed, and rehab will very likely carry over into the start of next season. The injury will create an opportunity for Washington's top prospect, outfielder Juan Soto. The 19-year-old was called up over the weekend but was not in the lineup on Sunday.
Clayton Kershaw: Kershaw had another week of positive progress in his rehab for biceps tendinitis. The Dodgers ace threw a 30-pitch bullpen session over the weekend and could begin a rehab assignment in the near future. The team will monitor his shoulder following each session to insure the tendon remains uninflamed. Barring a setback, Kershaw should be back in the lineup by early June.
Cole Hamels: The Rangers lefty is expected to take the mound on Tuesday after a stiff neck forced him to sit out his last start. The stiffness appears to have resolved, though I'd be leery about starting him this week, despite his two scheduled starts.
Ryan Madson: The Nationals are sending Madson for an MRI on his injured pectoral. The evaluation should help determine the severity of the strain and help establish a more definitive timetable on a possible return. Remember a pectoral strain is often a shoulder injury posing as a chest injury. The pectoral tendon attach to the upper arm bone known as the humerus, forming the anterior area of the armpit. This positioning allows the pec to play a role in fluid shoulder motion, including rotation. Given the muscle's importance to pitching, look for a low-grade or mild injury to continue to sideline Madson for a few weeks. Brandon Kintzler will take over as Washington's setup man with Sean Doolittle remaining the closer.
