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October 6, 2012

Playoff Prospectus

Postseason Collateral Damage

by Corey Dawkins

Two games in, eight teams remaining. Each of the eight has ongoing injury concerns, which we will review below.

Baltimore Orioles
After coming back from knee surgery to remove a loose body and clean up scar tissue, Jason Hammel tweaked his knee in his second start and has been out since September 11th. Hammel got a reassuring MRI and felt good after his 70-pitch simulated game on Monday. He is the favorite to start on Sunday against the Yankees, but there remains a possibility that it will flare up on him, particularly since it is his landing leg. Steve Johnson reportedly feels much better after throwing a bullpen session and performing fielding drills to test his left knee. An MRI ruled out structural damage but he is wearing a brace to provide comfort and stability. Johnson feels he is ready to go. Nick Markakis is still probably at least another two weeks away, and is healing slower than hoped. The thumb fracture was not the cleanest -- multiple pieces were broken, an injury which typically takes longer to heal. He is hoping to have the pins removed early next week but still needs a few weeks in a splint to improve his motion and strength. Wilson Betemit’s wrist is progressing a little faster than initially expected and he could possibly be ready if the Orioles make it to the ALCS.

The following Orioles are injured and are not expected to return this year: Oliver Drake (shoulder), Randy Wolf (elbow), Brian Roberts (hip), Tsuyoshi Wada (elbow), Stuart Pomeranz (oblique and back), Nick Johnson (wrist), and Nolan Reimold (neck).

New York Yankees
Even though Mark Teixeira is back on the field, he will be at an increased risk of reinjury for the rest of the postseason. It is not a huge risk. Jayson Nix is dealing with a strained left hip flexor and is at least a week away. He might be left off the postseason roster entirely. Robinson Cano is still dealing with a sore left hand but his two home runs on the final day of the season proved he can still be productive.

The following Yankees are injured and are not expected to return this year: Mariano Rivera (ACL), Michael Pineda (shoulder), Dellin Betances (shoulder), Pedro Feliciano (shoulder and ankle), Brad Meyers (shoulder), and Cesar Cabral (elbow).

Detroit Tigers
Ryan Raburn is trying to rehab his strained quad in Florida in hopes of playing in October. Nothing is guaranteed. Max Scherzer came back from a sprained ankle and shoulder fatigue to pitch on the final day of the regular season, but both injuries can linger, particularly the shoulder fatigue. He is expected to return during the ALDS without any restrictions. Dan Schlereth has been rehabbing from his left shoulder tendinitis and may return in the playoffs, but is not guaranteed to return this year. Octavio Dotel will also be followed closely after his late-season sore right biceps.