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Stephania Bell

  (11:03 AM)

Good morning everyone - welcome to the Friday chat. Hope you brought all your injury questions to the table 'cause here we go...

Kevin (Toronto)

Hey Stephania! Happy Friday and thanks for the chat.I just picked up Mike Gonzalez. Tell me it was agreat move and that he will recover from his surgery and be ready to close for the Braves. Have a great day!

Stephania Bell

  (11:07 AM)

Hi Kevin: Your message is so positive and upbeat that I hate to bring anything less in my answer. I think you can be fairly pleased with picking him up. He is doing very well post TJ surgery and is in Triple-A doing his final rehab. Remember though it often takes extra time for a pitcher to get his form back after this surgery. With Soriano still ailing it looks like Gonzalez will actually get the save opportunities, so he is definitely worth the gamble -good luck...

Raisin (DC)

What's the latest with Ryan Church? Two concussions in that span of time is something more usually associated with the NHL and we know what happened to Eric Lindros, Scott Stevens, etc. Can we expect him back before the All Star Break?

Stephania Bell

  (11:10 AM)

Hi Raisin: Certainly two concussions so close together is not a good thing - and it turns out that Church apparently was experiencing some lingering post-concussion symptoms since this latest one that were getting progresively more serious, the latest being a pulsating sensation in his head. The timetable is impossible to predict b/c with concussions it is completely wait and see. After bringing him back only to have him worsen, there is no way they bring him back too soon a second time. Given the severity of his symptoms, I would think it would not be before the All-Star Break, and those are just symptoms at rest. Then they have to make sure that as he increases activity the symptoms don't return when the body is stressed.

Darius (Minneapolis)

Stephania, With the injury to Albert Pujols, sounds like even when he comes back, this will still be a lingering problem without rest. Is that the case?

Stephania Bell

  (11:12 AM)

Darius: Well, he did have the same problem in September of last season, so I think it';s safe to say that this could already be considered lingering. Whether a few weeks is enough to allow him to get through the rest of the season without it flaring up is a bit of an unknown. Remember the Cardinals said they would be resting him more proactively this year (primarily for his elbow) to maintain his health, but he only had two days off - so I think as the season goes on you see him getting more regular days off.

barry (boston)

What are your thoughts on Putz's injury? How long do you expect him to be out?

Stephania Bell

  (11:17 AM)

Hi Barry: Well, the word today is that Putz hyperextended his elbow and that it caused some inflammation in his triceps (where it attaches on the back of the elbow) and it irritated the ulnar nerve, but the ligament looked healthy (the good news). There's no official timetable yet and he is supposed to be re-evaluated Monday, but my thoughts are that he will need rest to allow the inflammation to settle (assume he doesn;t throw for at least a week), then gradually work his way back (with hopefully no setbacks). I would wager at least 3-4 weeks, so you're looking at post-All Star break. Without seeing him and given how early it is, that's my best guess.

Brad (Columbus)

Stephania, do you think R. Soriano goes back on the DL or the he just needs some time to rest. Should I even bother keeeping him on my roster?

Stephania Bell

  (11:19 AM)

Brad- I think he remains a big risk b/c he continues to complain of enough pain and soreness that he can't pitch, yet the Braves can't figure out what's wrong (continue to say no structural damage). This does not mean that he does not have a genuine problem, it just means no one so far has been able to figure out what it is. Not good if you're the fantasy owner. I would move on b/c it may be uncertain - or worse - for the rest of the season.

Kyle (Athens, GA)

What's the deal with Ryan Zimmerman? Am i dumb for holding him on my bench in a 10 team mixed league?

Stephania Bell

  (11:23 AM)

Hi Kyle - and everyone else asking about Zimmerman this morning: I don't know if "dumb" is hte right word, "optimistic" maybe? The word is that he will take 4-6 weeks to try to rehab the shoulder (so you know he will be out that long). He will be re-evaluated at the All-Star break. If it appears that the shoulder is not on course, he will then undergo surgery and you can consider his season effectively over. Now the MD who examined him rated his likeliness of success with conservative treatment at about 70%, so they're hopeful it will get him through the season. Even if it does though, you may see decreased power with his swing if it continues to nag at him a bit.

Carlo (Houston)

Hi Stephania! anything on A. Wainwright? Is he going to keep his level after this finger injurie?

Stephania Bell

  (11:28 AM)

Hi Carlo: Wainwright tore a "pulley" near a flexor tendon in his finger, not as serious as tearing the tendon itself, but the pulley helps guide the tendon motion, so it has to heal properly in order for his grip/release to work properly (it's his middle finger). They're expecting him out at least 3 weeks, but the concern will be how it's healing and how does his grip on the ball look when he comes back (all of which of course could impact the time frame).

Santino(Boston)

Stephania (bella), Can you talk about Casilla of the A's. Ty

Stephania Bell

  (11:30 AM)

Hi Santino: Good news with Casilla - he has looked good in rehab outings. Is scheduled to make another rehab appearance this Friday and then should be activated from DL - so hopefully available this coming week.

Dan (DC)

Whats the word on Dice-K? AAA start first, or am i gonna get something from him this weekend?

Stephania Bell

  (11:32 AM)

Hey Dan: you will not get anything from him this weekend. Scheduled Triple-A start on Monday so it looks like it will be at least another week. Good news is his shoulder is feeling good and he hasn't had any setbacks so far.

Steiny (NYC)

Stephania, Victor Martinez underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Friday. How much time is he going to miss?

Stephania Bell

  (11:35 AM)

Hi Steiny: Martinez is projected to be out 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies (usually bony or cartilagefragments) in his elbow, per the team's press release. The time frame is reasonable that they are providing and with his hamstring problems as well, it gives him time to try to get his legs in better shape after a rest as well. I would not count on him for two months.

Tony (Saint Paul, MN)

Furcal's back is killing me! I've been forced to start Brendan Harris in my deep, mixed keeper league. Is there any hope for this year?

Stephania Bell

  (11:38 AM)

Tony: You and 500 other people are wondering the same thing. The problem with back problems is that this is how they behave. The way Furcal's back has been is actually more typical of how these things act for the rest of us who are not pro athletes. As much as everyone wants a fixed time frame, it is really impossible, especially given the manner of setbacks that he's already had. They're saying at least another two weeks right now, but then again we've heard tha before. last time he had problems the day before he was scheduled to be re-activated, so keep him at your own risk. I expect him back, but not sure when.

James (Portland,ME)

Stephania, I've been holding out hope for Chris Young to return. But after fracturing his skull, if it realistic to expect him to return? Thanks

Stephania Bell

  (11:39 AM)

James: It's definitely reasonable, it just extends his timetable. They have to be sure the skull is totally healed or he is at increased risk for a brain infection. As of a week ago though that was about 80%. The next question is as his activity increases, does he breathe OK or will he need to undergo nasal surgery before he can come back - that would add another 2-3 weeks. That question won't likely be answered for another week or two.

brad (nj)

How is Gallardo's knee healing? Any chance at this year?

Stephania Bell

  (11:40 AM)

Brad: Haven't heard anything - but I think you can write off the year. The earliest would be September if all went exceptionally well, and that is still early. I wouldn't want to risk the future health of one of my young aces if I'm the GM - so I doubt you see him before next year.

Ben (Boston)

What do you think about Figgins? he is back for this weekend series. Is he going to ok right away or is ti going to take him a while to get back to his normal level of hitting and running? after his injury last year caused him to miss about a month, it took him a month before he got ridiculously hot for the rest of the year. Expect that again?

Stephania Bell

  (11:44 AM)

Hi Ben: All good questions. Although not official, I expect him back in the lineup this weekend since he was activated by the team. No reason to think they'd sit on it since he has been running well in his rehab assignment. THe good news is that he has reported no soreness in his rehab starts. The question mark is that he has not played a full nine innings in any of these games. You're right - sometimes it takes a while back in at the majors to get hot again. But I think it's a chance you take. He's chomping at the bit to be back in there after the extended time.

Amy (San Diego, CA)

Carmona - is his hip going to be an ongoing concern, or is this DL stint thought to clear it up? Any concerns moving forward with this kind of injury?

Stephania Bell

  (11:47 AM)

Amy: I think it's still a bit early in his rehab for me to be convinced that he'll be past it. He just recently threw his first bullpen and will not likely go to rehab assignment until next week. The team was calling it a muscle strain, and the rest so far no doubt has helped, but until we see him using the muscles in the manner he needs to to pitch, I am not prepared to say that I think he'll be fine moving forward. Ask again in a week.

Jack (Chicago)

VERNON WELLS! WHyis there an espn conpiracy against him? What do you expect out of him the rest of the way? (Yes this is an injury question, he had a brokedn wrist he recently came back from, but for some reason espn.com has not mentioned him once) Thanks

Stephania Bell

  (11:48 AM)

Jack: Not true. I have talked about Wells several times in my injury blog, including last week indicating he looked sharp and was ready to return. I think he has come back faster and sharper than expected, and given that that is how he's starting his return, there's no reason to think he doesn't continue to perform the rest of the way.

Jim, Birmingham

HELP!!! I'm in a very deep league. With the reference to Furcal and his back problem, is it safe to say Kostay is worth dropping for maybe a Cardinals outfielder? Even though LaRussa platoons them?

Stephania Bell

  (11:51 AM)

Jim: I feel your pain. Yes, move Kotsay. He has had back problems (and surgery) before and now irritation of his sciatic nerve b/c of a bulging disc. It's just not good news - remember the Braves were probably only hoping to get a good year out of him. Maybe go with Josh Anderson - just a thought.

Rod(Reading Pa)

So am I save starting Morrow in place of Putz for the next week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:51 AM)

Yep.

Mario (NYC)

When can we expect Eric Byrnes to return, and what can we expect out of him the rest of the way? Thanks....

Stephania Bell

  (11:53 AM)

Mario - and all the other Byrnes questioners: It's still a bit of a gamble b/c he hasn't run at full speed yet. The thought was that he might be activated for the Royals series this weekend, but the D-Backs are unwilling to commit, and understandably so, b/c they haven't yet sen him run full speed in a non-gmae situation. He has had two problem hamstrings, not jsut one, and they need him to steal bsaes, so they will not put him back too soon. I think this week is still iffy, wait until next week to put him in your lineup.

Xtina (Dallas)

What should we expect from Tulo coming back from the injury? 100%?

Stephania Bell

  (11:57 AM)

Xtina: I think you have to expect that when Tulo is activated they are considering him to be 100%, b/c the risk of re-injury here at anything less would be too high. He is doing his rehab assignments now and the good news is that he is increasing the amount of his playing time progressively and is continuing to feel good. The not-so-good news is that he is not playing well. But some of that will get better as he gets more playing time under his belt. They have projected a return date of June 20 lately, but if he's your guy, chekc the wires to see how he fares in his rehab assignment over the next week b/c I could easily see this getting pushed back, there is no reason to rush him.

Sam ( Minneapolis)

Hi Stephania how is Troy Percival doing?

Stephania Bell

  (11:58 AM)

Hi Sam: Percival is doing really well. He is expected to be activated today after throwing all week. Expect him back in the lineup immediately.

Brad(NM)

Do you have any news about Kendrick Perkins' shoulder?

Stephania Bell

  (12:00 PM)

Hi Brad: Nothing official yet but ti sounds like he might have dislocated (or at least subluxed) his shoulder. Not good as he ahs had repeated problems with shoulder dislocations in the past. It could present a serious problem in his potential to play Sunday, but unfortunately I can't confirm the specifics yet.

Rob (State College)

Stephania - Sorry to keep hitting you with this question every week, but I'd love your input. Who would you target as buy low players based on perceptions of injury risk (or current injury status) that you think is unwarranted? And who would you sell high on based on your feelings that they are at high risk of injury but are seen generally as healthy? P.S. Just learned you were at KU - I got my doctorate there! Rock Chalk, National Champions!!

Stephania Bell

  (12:06 PM)

Rob: You are a patient soul. Congrats to a fellow Jayhawk. You are asking a great question, but it's one I really have to think longer and harder about to give you a proper answer. I will tell you that I have thought that King Felix is just one bad breaking pitch away from tearing his ulnar collateral ligament - and when he hurt his elbow last year, I thought that might be it. He has impressed me this year however, and of course, all pitchers are at risk for their elbows, and it's usually just a matter of "when not "if". I even have him in one of my leagues, but I always expect that any day could be his last. For a player on the flip side, I think you might be able to pick up Rich Harden by scaring a fellow leaguemate with reminders of his injuryhistory. There is no denying that he does have an injury history, it's just that I think he is at a point where his value outweighs the risk, especially for the second half of this baseball season. I will try to come up with some other guys for you - you will have me thinking all week.

Stephania Bell

  (12:08 PM)

Sorry gang - my time is up. Thanks for all the excellent questions. There are so many injuries in baseball alone that there's never enough time to get to all of them - and now football is getting ready to kick off - and of course we're still in NBA playoffs and everyone is watching Tiger with his knee this week. Please keep coming back with the great questions on Fridays and I'll do my best to keep up. Have a great weekend - hope all your fantasy players stay healthy...