MLB Injury Updates

Pedro Martinez, SP
Day-To-Day
News: Manager Jerry Manuel raised the possibility that Martinez could be skipped Sunday, with Mike Pelfrey taking his turn if Pedro needs more time to rest a sore groin and tight shoulder, the NY Newsday reports.

Mon, July 14
Al Reyes, RP
Out: 15-day DL
News: The Rays are expected to activate Reyes (biceps) off the DL on Friday.
Spin: That presumes Reyes successfully gets through his last scheduled minor league rehab apperance on Sunday. He'd move into a seventh-eighth inning role in the Rays bullpen.

Mon, July 14
Jason Schmidt, SP
Out: 60-day DL
News: Schmidt (shoulder) allowed five runs (four earned) in 2.1 innings in Sunday's Triple-A rehab start, the LA Times reports.

Mon, July 14
Jeff Suppan, SP
Out: 15-day DL
News: Suppan (elbow) threw his first bullpen session Sunday since going on the disabled list, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Spin: "It never really hurt when I was throwing," Suppan said. He still plans to be activated and make his first start July 22 against the Cardinals.

Mon, July 14
Johnny Damon, CF
Out: 15-day DL
News: Damon (shoulder) had his first hitting session pushed back at least a couple of days, the Associated Press reports.

Spin: The shoulder is still too sore for Damon to start swinging, but he should be able to pick up a bat soon. "Had a little tough time sleeping last night," Damon said after undergoing treatment Monday at the Yankees' minor league complex. "Today it felt a little sore. We're just going to hold back the swinging at least two more days. Hopefully it won't be too long of a time." He was expected to return to the Yankees around July 20, but will probably need a few more days to recover.

Mon, July 14
Brian Giles, RF
Day-To-Day
News: Giles (hamstring) expects to play Thursday when the Padres return to action against the Cardinals, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.Spin: Giles played through the injury for several weeks before deciding to take some time off, sitting out the past six games. "There has been noticeable improvement," Giles said. "Getting off it for a couple of days was the right decision."

Mon, July 14
Luis Castillo, 2B
Out: 15-day DL
News: Castillo, on the DL since July 3 with a strained left hip flexor, is eligible to return as early as Friday in Cincinnati. But the Mets have given no indication that he'll be ready, and manager Jerry Manuel is in no hurry to deal with the whole second-base conundrum, the NY Newsday reports.

Mon, July 14
Todd Helton, 1B
Out: 15-day DL
News: Helton (back) is pain-free thanks to a second epidural, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Mon, July 14
Kip Wells, SP
Out: 15-day DL
(blood clots in right hand) is likely to start for the Rockies on July 21 at home against the Dodgers, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Mon, July 14
Wily Mo Pena, LF
Out: 15-day DL
News: Pena will undergo surgery in the next week to 10 days to repair a small tear in his left shoulder, the Washington Times reports.

Spin: No word on Pena's recovery time, but it's possible that he won't be back this season. Pena's lack of power at the plate -- two home runs -- has been linked to his shoulder injury. Probably time to cut bait.

Mon, July 14

Erik Bedard, SP
Out: 15-day DL
News: Bedard (shoulder), who was expected to start July 21 when he comes off the disabled list, has been pushed back at least a day, and the Mariners are unsure when he will actually start again, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.

Spin: Bedard is now slated for July 22, but even that is 50/50, according to the report. The Mariners need to get him on the mound to audition him for a trade. But don't expect him to pitch again until he is fully healthy.

Mon, July 14
Hideki Matsui, LF
Out: 15-day DL
News: Matsui (knee) took 59 swings in his second on-field batting practice in Tampa on Sunday, NY Newsday reports. He also hit off a tee and did soft-toss.
Spin: Matsui said he is progressing as planned and manager Joe Girardi said he hopes Matsui will be activated from the DL after the All-Star break, perhaps as early as Friday. That timetable seems a bit optimistic given that just a few days ago season-ending surgery seemed like a possibility, but it's good to hear such positive news about Matsui's recovery. Don't expect him to return Friday, but a late July comeback seems like a strong possibility.

Mon, July 14
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Day-To-Day
News: X-rays of Youkilis' left triceps came back negative, the Boston Herald reports.

Mon, July 14
Willy Taveras, CF
Day-To-Day
News: Taveras (left quadriceps) will probably go on the DL if he isn't healthy after the All-Star break, according to the Denver Post.

Mon, July 14
Jeff Francis, SP
Out: 15-day DL
News: Francis (left shoulder inflammation) threw a successful 45-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Mon, July 14
Chris Snyder, C
Out: 15-day DL
News: Snyder (testicular fracture) is tentatively scheduled to play in a rehab game for Triple-A Tucson on Friday, the East Valley Tribune reports.

Mon, July 14
Ryan Church, LF
Out: 15-day DL
News: Church was cleared Sunday to do some light running and even took some swings in the indoor cages as he works his way toward a rehab assignment, the NY Newsday reports.

Spin: Church was cleared for activity after returning from a two-day visit to the Cleveland Clinic confident his recent fatigue and dizziness troubles were migraine-related and not directly attributable to two concussions. Doctors there reviewed tests conducted by the Mets-affiliated Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan and left Church enthusiastic that he will play again this season. The Mets still haven't figured out a timetable for his return - he's eligible July 21 - but Church was encouraged by Sunday's activity and his condition is significantly improved. If Church is able to return to the full-time, outfield duty, it somewhat lessens the Mets need to acquire an outfielder with Moises Alou already out for the year.

Mon, July 14
Angel Pagan, CF
Out: 15-day DL
News: Pagan revealed on Sunday that he has a torn labrum in his left shoulder, contrary to earlier reports that it was simply a bruise, the New York Daily News reports.

Mon, July 14
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Out: 15-day DL
News: Tulowitzki (lacerated right palm) will likely require a minor league rehab assignment, according to the Denver Post.

Mon, July 14
Ryan Sweeney, LF
Day-To-Day
News: The A's are hopeful that Sweeney (finger) will be able to return to the lineup on Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Mon, July 14
Phil Hughes, SP
Out: 15-day DL
News: Hughes (ribs) threw 25 fastballs during his second bullpen session on Monday, the Associated Press reports.

Mon, July 14
Justin Upton, RF
Day-To-Day
News: Upton (oblique/strained rib cage muscle) is uncertain if he will be able to return when Arizona resumes play on Friday, the East Valley Tribune reports.

Spin: "At this point, we're still working on it," Upton said. "We'll see what four days can do and evaluate then." He did not rule out the disabled list as a possibility, but Upton missed the last five games and will have another few days to rest, so he should be able to avoid the DL.