This was not the best week in the world of baseball injury news, as we saw a few players go down for the count. Amongst the fallen whose seasons have ended are two AL pitchers, Kevin Slowey (Twins) and Chien-Ming Wang (Yankees), while the window appears to be closing for NL outfielder Conor Jackson (Diamondbacks).

This time last week, we were talking about Slowey's good bullpen outing, which was encouraging after the setback he suffered just prior to the All-Star break. He seemed to be primed for a rehab assignment over the weekend, if there were no further setbacks. The eternal caveat, "assuming no further setbacks" should be tagged on the end of every rehab projection ever issued. But then, that's why they call it a rehab process. In addition to a solid outing on any given day, an athlete on a rehab track -- and throwers in particular -- has to feel good not only during the outing, but immediately afterward, a few hours later and even the next day before he can be progressed to the next level. Despite Slowey's positive showing last Monday, he felt soreness in the wrist following a subsequent session Wednesday and by Friday he was out indefinitely. This week, Slowey announced that he would undergo surgery to remove a bone chip in his right wrist. Slowey had been anticipating surgery in the offseason anyway but the injury -- suffered when he was hit by a line drive last season -- although problematic for performing certain everyday tasks, had not affected him on the mound until recently according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

So often we talk about the risk of a pitcher returning too soon from an injury to any body part, especially one that keeps him off the mound for an extended period -- as was the case with the Yankees' Wang -- because of the risk of compensations that can ultimately lead to injury to the throwing arm itself. It appears that may have been the case with Wang, who clearly struggled to return following last year's foot surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury and a tendon tear, sustained while running the bases, of all things. Last week, we hinted that Wang might want to scrap the season and start over; it seems that his season is indeed ending as he prepares to undergo shoulder surgery Wednesday to address a damaged rotator cuff, in addition to any other potential abnormalities within the joint. This is not Wang's first shoulder surgery, which is never a plus, but he is in the capable hands of Dr. James Andrews, who has helped return many a veteran pitcher to work. Wang will have to hope that he can put this year behind him and regain his prior form in 2010, definitely a challenging task in light of his history.

Conor Jackson knows that he may be looking at 2010 before he has a chance to return to play, and is just hoping that he will be given that chance, presuming his health is restored. The Diamondbacks outfielder, who has been dealing with a painfully slow recovery from Valley Fever and pneumonia, told the Arizona Republic last week that his biggest sign of improvement thus far is the fact he is "doing everyday stuff now." Just getting out of bed used to be exhausting at times, and Jackson is still working on restoring his endurance for getting through a day, especially if a workout is involved. Although the clock may be ticking down on 2009, he's hopeful that he can work his way back for next season. This condition is not your run of the mill sports ailment, making it hard to establish timelines and expectations. Taking it one day at a time seems to be in Jackson's best interest right now.

Speaking of taking things one day at a time, we turn to the guys with injuries who are still hopeful for a return this season.

Randy Johnson, SP, Giants: Should we be surprised that Johnson has confirmed "tearing in his rotator cuff," as reported on the Giants' official Web site? Not in the least. After all, this is the throwing shoulder of a 45-year-old pitcher; wear and tear, which could include some fraying or tearing within the cuff, are to be expected. In fact, it's perhaps more surprising that this is his first major shoulder injury in his lengthy career. Johnson has endured three back surgeries and a couple of knee surgeries, and thankfully no one is talking surgery at this point with regard to his shoulder. As Johnson himself said, "I've overcome a lot of surgeries. … This is basically one more speed bump in the road of my career."

According to the Giants, Johnson will continue to follow a conservative rehab plan for now (translation: exercise and strengthening around the shoulder, progressing toward a graduated return to a throwing program) with the hope that he might be able to return for the latter part of the season. Certainly he has already accomplished many milestones, including celebrating his 300th win this year, but don't count Johnson out … yet. Despite the obvious fact he is in the twilight of his career, the competitive Johnson, who has the benefit of a previously healthy throwing arm and an understanding of what comprises intensive rehab on his side, is not necessarily ready to walk off into the sunset. Stay tuned, as we should have a better idea in August when he tries to resume throwing as to how this will play out.

Roy Oswalt, SP, Astros: Uh-oh. Oswalt left in the second inning of Tuesday's game with what the team is referring to as a left-sided back strain and is headed to Houston to be examined, according to Associated Press reports. Last year, an MRI of Oswalt's lower back revealed a small disc protrusion. It's been said in this column many times: Disc problems can go quiet, but they are always at risk for recurrence. Here are a couple of reasons why there may be cause for concern in Oswalt's case:

1. Oswalt was on the DL last year for a left-sided hip abductor strain (muscles on the outer side of the hip that raise the leg to the side and, perhaps more importantly, contribute to stability of the hip and pelvis). Why is this relevant? Because quite often disc problems in the back will manifest themselves, either primarily or secondarily, as hip abductor or gluteal strains. Although the pain referral patterns in this area can be complex, suffice it to say that Oswalt's prior hip strain, along with positive MRI findings in his back, is at least suggestive of the notion that his back was causing him difficulties last year.

2. Could compensations have contributed to this exacerbation of his back pain? It's certainly possible. Remember that Oswalt was dealing with some numbness in his pitching hand in mid-July. While Oswalt emphasized that that was no big deal and that problem seems to have resolved itself, even a few days of seemingly the most minor adjustments can sometimes lead to bigger problems. Turns out that Oswalt was actually experiencing some discomfort in his back toward the end of his latest start (which followed the numbness episode), as well as during a subsequent bullpen. While by no means definitive, it is food for thought.

Oswalt's latest setback came just as the Astros placed reliever LaTroy Hawkins on the disabled list with shingles in his lower back (shingles is actually the result of a virus -- the same one that causes chicken pox -- that attacks a nerve pathway and it can cause some of the nastiest pain you can imagine). Shingles will usually resolve itself within several weeks, but the pain can be very debilitating and individuals respond at their own rates. Here's hoping for Hawkins' sake that his recovery is swift. Here's hoping for the Astros and fantasy owners everywhere that Oswalt's back episode is of the minor variety.

Aaron Rowand, OF, Giants: Rowand's right forearm has been bothering him since he absorbed a Tommy Hanson pitch there back on July 20. After missing a week's worth of starts and still having trouble throwing because of discomfort, Rowand had an MRI on his ailing forearm which revealed a slight tear. The good news is that he has been able to pinch hit and, according to the San Jose Mercury News, the Giants do not expect him to be out on defense for much more than another week. Soft tissue injuries are notorious for taking a little longer than expected, so it remains to be seen if Rowand will return to the starting lineup as quickly as the Giants are hoping.

Rick Ankiel, OF, Cardinals: Maybe it's still the aftereffects of that vicious crash into the wall. Ankiel, whose shoulder has been bothering him some since the May collision, now has a groin strain to add to his list of 2009 ailments. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that he is expected to be out Wednesday, but the question becomes whether his absence will extend beyond then. Despite the sore shoulder, Ankiel had been producing well during the past week. Even if this injury is minor, the accumulation of his various soft tissue injuries does give some cause for concern.

On the mend

Or maybe not so much … Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard continues to be plagued by inflammation and pain in his throwing shoulder. The News-Tribune is reporting that Bedard, who had a DL stint earlier this year because of his left shoulder, is still having pain if he attempts to lift his arm. At odds with that, the Tribune also reports that the Mariners hope Bedard can throw a bullpen session Wednesday relatively pain-free. Let's see: The shoulder has been an issue for more than a month, it is still painful when he attempts to move it, but he's going to try to throw? Call me skeptical, but this does not sound like a pitcher who's well on the road to recovery. Given his level of pain and the fact he did have surgery on this shoulder prior to the start of the season, I am not particularly optimistic about his chances of having a healthy close to the season.

On an upbeat note, Braves pitcher Tim Hudson looks like he could potentially return to a spot in the rotation sometime in the latter part of August. Hudson, who is returning from reconstructive elbow surgery (Tommy John) is making his series of rehab starts and so far, so good. According to the Braves' official Web site, they would like to see Hudson make at least three, and possibly four more rehab starts in an effort to increase his arm strength prior to rejoining the team. We all know by now the words of caution about a guy initially coming back from such a big surgery, but he certainly is worth watching for those looking for a late-season pickup.

The A's are hoping to see Justin Duchscherer in their rotation in the near future as he eyes a comeback in August. Duchscherer, who has been sidelined this season following elbow surgery, has made his first rehab start, throwing two innings in that outing. Surgery ended up revealing no major structural damage in his elbow, despite the intense pain he was having, so it's hard to say that all his woes are behind him, but other than a couple of setbacks during rehab as a result of low back pain, Duchscherer has not had any post-operative complications. He is slated for a rehab start with the Sacramento River Cats on Friday, according to the A's official Web site, and if all goes well, he could be back in Oakland within the next couple of weeks.

And finally …

The Mets sure are trying to sound optimistic about one of their guys making it back soon, and the one they're leaning toward is shortstop Jose Reyes. Reyes, out since late May with first a calf injury, then a hamstring injury that has been slow to heal, is making progress, but not the type that inspires a lot of confidence. As of Saturday, Newsday was reporting manager Jerry Manuel expected Reyes "optimistically" to return within 10 to 14 days. It would seem very optimistic in that, as of Tuesday, Manuel was acknowledging to Newsday that Reyes had yet to test the leg in running the bases, a necessary step before he would even be eligible to play in rehab games. All fantasy owners know that Reyes' value comes primarily in the form of speed, and Reyes himself said recently that he might not achieve 100 percent health this season. It's understandable that the Mets want to see the glass as half-full, but fantasy owners need to see the Mets' glass as balancing on a very unstable surface, one that could tip over and spill at any minute. And in case you're wondering, the two Carloses (Delgado and Beltran) are not close enough to returning to discuss this week. Stay tuned. More on them, along with teammates Gary Sheffield and John Maine, next time.