Collateral Damage Daily for August 7

Additions

• Todd Helton was placed on the 15-day DL with a torn labrum in his right hip. He will have surgery on Friday. Helton’s season only got worse when his hip pain didn’t relent despite an earlier stint on the DL. Torn labrums in the hip often cause the hip to move in a hyperflexed and/or internally rotated position. It takes about six months to recover, so Helton should be ready for spring training in 2013. Chris Nelson was activated in a corresponding move.
• Mark DeRosa was placed on the 15-day DL with a left abdominal strain, but it’s a strained groin. The location of his pain and DeRosa’s upcoming visit with a specialist in Philadelphia suggests there is concern for a sports hernia.
• Henry Blanco was placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained left thumb. Blanco injured his thumb trying to block the plate on Sunday night, and although x-rays were negative, it appeared that he tore the ligament. If it is severe enough, he may require surgery. Blanco will see a specialist for an opinion. A severe sprain could end Blanco’s season, so the Diamondbacks signed Wil Nieves as backup.

Subtractions

• Evan Longoria will be activated today after spending 98 days on the disabled list recovering from his strained hamstring. Longoria has already suffered a setback and still has soreness, although the team believes it is in a different area and is normal soreness. The Rays plan on using Longoria as a designated hitter until he is fully healed. That may not be enough; the Rays may have to give him additional rest days to make sure they don’t stress it too much. Will Rhymes was optioned to Durham.
• Erick Aybar was activated from the disabled list yesterday after missing the minimum for a slight fracture of the big toe. He was slotted right back into the starting lineup and Andrew Romine was optioned to make room.
• Raul Valdes was activated yesterday after he missed 28 days with a strained right hip. He spent more than a week longer than the average relief pitcher, but he should not have any issues going forward. Hector Luna was optioned to make room for Valdes.
• Chris Nelson was activated yesterday after recovering from an irregular heartbeat that required hospitalization and a procedure that shocked it back into rhythm. He made it through multiple rehab appearances without having any problems. Todd Helton was sent to the DL in a corresponding move.