Collateral Damage Daily for April 9

Several new injuries have occurred since Friday's writing. Dustin Moseley first felt something in his right shoulder in the fifth inning on Saturday while pitching to Matt Kemp. Pain set in just above his armpit, but Moseley managed to finish out the inning by striking out Kemp and Andre Ethier. It is important to note that this is different from the dislocation he suffered in his left, non-throwing shoulder in 2011 that required surgery. Moseley's strained shoulder is expected to respond well to treatment but still need several weeks at least.

Doug Fister suffered a left costochondral strain during his start on Saturday against the Red Sox and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The injury can feel similar to oblique strains but instead involve the area where the rib bone meets the softer cartilage. Costochondral injuries can take as long as oblique injuries and be just as troublesome to heal. As with most injuries, the severity of the injury is key to determining how long Fister will be out.

Jed Lowrie was placed on the disabled list on Friday afternoon after spraining his thumb in spring training. He was already taking batting practice from both sides of the plate on Sunday and appears to be nearing a return when eligible on Friday.

Scott Linebrink was placed on the disabled list for capsulitis in his right shoulder. Capsulitis includes frozen shoulder, aka adhesive capsulitis, but it is not clear whether Linebrink is suffering from this. True frozen shoulder makes it almost impossible to pitch because it severely limits range of motion, not allowing the arm to get back into a position necessary to throw. More likely, the different tissues that blend into the capsule including the ligaments have become injured, resulting in inflammation of the capsule. The Cardinals do not want to push Linebrink too quickly, so he’s probably several weeks from returning.