Major League Baseball

MLB Quick Hits: Tanaka's time off

Published Apr. 29, 2015 6:38 a.m. ET

John Halpin

Yankee ace Masahiro Tanaka has been placed on the DL due to wrist tendinitis and a forearm strain. Predictably, the New York media is freaking out a bit, and even offering expert medical advice. Tommy John surgery seems inevitable, right?

Maybe not. Injury guru Will Carroll of FanDuel notes in this article that Tanaka's forearm strain is (reportedly) closer to his wrist than his elbow. Could Tanaka tear his UCL and have TJ surgery at some point? Sure, but it doesn't sound like anything close to that has happened yet. The current prognosis is for Tanaka to miss about a month, and that's what we should expect for now.

In other news ...

There are five afternoon games on today's schedule, starting with Brewers-Reds at 12:35 p.m. ET, and including the fan-free White Sox-O's game at 2:05. Set your lineups accordingly.

Diamondbacks SP Archie Bradley is probably headed to the DL after getting hit in the face by a line drive on Tuesday. The Arizona Republic reports that there's a possibility of sinus and jaw fractures, but Bradley apparently avoided a more serious injury.

Dodgers OF Carl Crawford (oblique) is expected to miss about a month. Teammate Kenley Jansen (foot) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Friday, and is probably a couple of weeks away from being activated.

So, Adam Ottavino's triceps injury is closer to his elbow? This doesn't sound good.

Jed Lowrie's thumb injury needs surgery, and he'll be out until after the All-Star break. For now, the Astros are not planning to call up prospect Carlos Correa, which is no fun.

Brett Cecil got the Blue Jays' save on Tuesday. He's owned in 9.9 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. You know what to do.

Reds C Devin Mesoraco will be relegated to a pinch-hitting role "for the foreseeable future," according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mesoraco presents a unique fantasy roster issue. I'm keeping him on my bench in two leagues for now.

Rookie Michael Lorenzen will start today for the Reds. Lorenzen is a former college closer who transitioned to starting last year, and some see him as a mid-rotation pitcher. However, even against the Brewers, you shouldn't consider him today.

Speaking of the Brewers, OF Carlos Gomez (hamstring) expects to come off the DL sometime this weekend.

Mets 3B David Wright (hamstring) is eligible to come off the DL on Thursday, but is more likely to return early next week.

Royals closer Greg Holland (strained pectoral muscle) might be ready to come off the DL on Sunday, which is the first day he's eligible.

Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli is battling an illness, and isn't expected to play today.

Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon has missed two consecutive days of rehab due to "tightness in his side." At least his knee isn't acting up again, right?

It sounds like Rangers 1B/DH Mitch Moreland is headed for minor elbow surgery that could keep him out for 2-3 weeks.

Remember Tuesday's post, in which I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to name Travis Wood as the day's streaming starter selection? He pitched really well - thanks, Travis! Today's pick is Ubaldo Jimenez (32.7 percent owned), who is pitching pretty well and has a matchup against the slow-starting White Sox (29th in the majors in runs scored).

DFS advice (salaries from DraftKings): If I'm stacking a tournament lineup today, the Red Sox (vs. R.A. Dickey) get a slight edge over the Mariners (at Wandy Rodriguez). Ortiz, Hanley, Panda, Bogaerts, maybe Brock Holt. I think Dickey is toast, and EVERYBODY will stack the Mariners ... A good, cheap Mariner is Rickie Weeks ($3,600), who fits at 2B and OF ... D-backs righty masher David Peralta ($3,900) is a nice option against Colorado's Jordan Lyles ... I'm not a slave to BvP stats, but Miguel Cabrera ($4,900) is 16-for-34 with five homers against Phil Hughes ... Carlos Martinez ($7,700) looks like a nice mid-priced starter, but so would you if you were facing the Phillies.

See you back here tomorrow morning.