Collateral Damage Daily for September 17

Sam Fuld left yesterday’s game with a strained right hamstring and is day-to-day. … Chris Tillman is expected to start today against Seattle after missing the last two weeks with ulnar neuritis in his right elbow. … Gregor Blanco is expected to miss at least a few more days with left shoulder inflammation. … Mitchell Boggs might miss a few days with low back stiffness. He has a known bulging disc in his back from last year, which might be playing a role in the stiffness. … Austin Jackson is day-to-day with a sore left ankle after crashing into the outfield wall on Saturday. … Zack Cozart has taken batting practice for the last few days, but the Reds are still unsure of his return date. … Mike Adams is not expect to return until tomorrow at the earliest. … Corey Hart did not feel too well yesterday after his running session. He may have an injection in the next few days. … Edwin Encarnacion is day-to-day with a sore right big toe. … Carlos Beltran is dealing with a stiff back and might miss another day or two. … For what it’s worth, Padres manager Bud Black does not think Carlos Quentin needs surgery on his problematic knee. … Fernando Martinez is officially day-to-day with right knee inflammation, but he could miss a lot more than that. Swelling usually does not result from simple inflammation, and he has had a lot of problems with this knee before. …. Jake Westbrook is expected to play catch today and hopes to return on September 24. … Clayton Kershaw was scratched from Sunday’s start and will visit a hip specialist in New York for a second opinion. … Mike Morse is still out of the lineup because of a bone bruise in his left wrist but hopes to return tomorrow. … Donnie Murphy suffered a concussion on Wednesday when he was kneed in the head by Chase Utley. He has not officially been ruled out for the season, but he will be re-evaluated this week to check his progress. … Wilson Betemit may be lost for the season after he re-injured his wrist during batting practice on Friday. He is going to be re-evaluated this week. … Jason Donald suffered a right forearm contusion and is day-to-day. … Chris Young is dealing with a lingering quad strain and is day-to-day. … Brian McCann is dealing with right hamstring tendinitis and is day-to-day. … Alex Avila collided with Prince Fielder yesterday while chasing a pop up and suffered an injured jaw, although the severity of it is still unclear. The good news is that he showed no concussion symptoms and is day-to-day. … Angel Pagan is day-to-day with a sore lower back. … Casper Wells has been out of the lineup since Friday with a stiff neck and is day-to-day. … Willie Bloomquist still is experiencing pain in his back and does not have a timetable for a return.

Additions

• Lorenzo Cain is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a grade II strain of his right hamstring on Thursday. These injuries usually take three to four weeks to heal, which means that 2012 is a lost season for Cain. He already missed about three months with groin and hip flexor problems, so he will focus on his strength and conditioning in the offseason. He is expected to be fully healthy for spring training.

Subtractions

• Ben Sheets was activated from the disabled list on Saturday after missing 22 days with right shoulder inflammation. He is expected to pitch out of the bullpen for the rest of the season. A three-week recovery for a pitcher suggests mild shoulder inflammation, but the Braves will have to be cautious down the stretch and monitor his skilled throws, not just the pitches on the mound.
• Sean Rodriguez was activated from the disabled list sooner than expected. He missed 20 days between the majors and minors. It does not mean he is completely healthy, though. He still can’t swing a bat and is expected to be used solely as a defensive replacement down the stretch.
• Robbie Ross was activated on Saturday after he missed just over the minimum with a strained left forearm. He was able to throw a bullpen session on Friday without any troubles and is expected to the left-handed specialist for the rest of the year.