This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
The American League MVP candidate has made his final case to the voters, as an injury will prematurely end his 2019 season. Trout is slated to undergo surgery to address a nerve-related issue in his foot. The procedure will remove a neuroma from his right foot that has resulted in pain and discomfort in the ball of his foot for the last few weeks.
A neuroma occurs when a mass develops in the sheath that surrounds a nerve. The growth is often benign but results in pain and burning in the area. Trout is dealing with a specific type of neuroma known as a Morton's neuroma. In this injury, the neuroma appears between the distal ends of the third and fourth metatarsals, the bones that help bridge the tarsals of the midfoot and the toes. The area is particularly thick due to the converging of multiple nerve branches, leaving it vulnerable to neuroma development.
Trout initially attempted to utilize cryotherapy to alleviate the symptoms but was unable to reach a level of comfort that would allow him to continue playing. Now the problem will be surgically excised, and he should be able to complete a normal offseason load. However, neuroma formation can be linked to issues like improper footwear and biomechanical issues of the foot. If Trout's neuroma is the result of some underlying problem, that problem will also need to be addressed to ensure his long-term durability. Look for Trout to remain one of the first players
The American League MVP candidate has made his final case to the voters, as an injury will prematurely end his 2019 season. Trout is slated to undergo surgery to address a nerve-related issue in his foot. The procedure will remove a neuroma from his right foot that has resulted in pain and discomfort in the ball of his foot for the last few weeks.
A neuroma occurs when a mass develops in the sheath that surrounds a nerve. The growth is often benign but results in pain and burning in the area. Trout is dealing with a specific type of neuroma known as a Morton's neuroma. In this injury, the neuroma appears between the distal ends of the third and fourth metatarsals, the bones that help bridge the tarsals of the midfoot and the toes. The area is particularly thick due to the converging of multiple nerve branches, leaving it vulnerable to neuroma development.
Trout initially attempted to utilize cryotherapy to alleviate the symptoms but was unable to reach a level of comfort that would allow him to continue playing. Now the problem will be surgically excised, and he should be able to complete a normal offseason load. However, neuroma formation can be linked to issues like improper footwear and biomechanical issues of the foot. If Trout's neuroma is the result of some underlying problem, that problem will also need to be addressed to ensure his long-term durability. Look for Trout to remain one of the first players selected in all 2020 fantasy formats.
The Red Sox outfielder is slated to visit with team physicians as he also battles foot pain. Betts began reporting discomfort in his left foot after the team's series against the Blue Jays. The reigning AL MVP attributes the pain to the playing surface in Toronto though he admitted it has never been this big of an issue. Visiting players have long complained about the turf in the Rogers Centre despite an upgrade several years ago. The turf is hard and unyielding, and teams often have opted to rest players nursing lower extremity issues when visiting Toronto. However, studies on the injury rates on turf vs. grass surfaces remain largely mixed across sports, and blaming Bett's current ailment solely on the field would be rash, especially since an outright diagnosis has yet to surface. We should get a better idea of Betts' status following his meeting with the doctors, but for now consider him day-to-day. It's worth mentioning that the Red Sox will travel to Tampa later in the week and play a three-game series at Tropicana Field, another stadium lined with turf.
Check Swings
Carlos Correa: Correa could be activated as soon as Tuesday after missing 25 games with a back injury. The Astros shortstop was rehabbing with Triple-A Round Rock but was unable to continue as the team's season came to a close on Friday. Correa is reportedly feeling "great" and is slated to return to the big league club on Monday. However, it sounds like the team will closely monitor his innings played with the postseason on the horizon and may provide routine rest days and pull him early from individual games he starts.
Starling Marte: Marte continues to battle inflammation in his sprained left wright. The injury has limited the Pirates outfielder to a pinch-running role, and the team remains noncommittal on his status moving forward. Even if Marte is able to return, it seems likely the injury causes him problems while batting, limiting his overall production. Fantasy teams entrenched in playoffs matchups may need to consider letting him loose to add a healthier, more reliable option.
Anthony Rizzo: The Cubs injury woes continue to mount as Rizzo suffered a sprained ankle during the third inning of Sunday's game. X-rays did not indicate a fracture, though an MRI is slated for Monday. MRIs are used to visualize ligament and muscle-related injuries, and the severity of Rizzo's sprain should be made known in the near future. Rizzo could miss minimal time if the injury is simply a low-grade sprain, though he shouldn't be counted on to play in a full slate of games this week.
Gary Sanchez: The Yankees catcher is once again dealing with a groin-related injury. Sanchez suffered the injury Thursday when attempting to steal a base. The injury is the second time this season he has strained his left groin. He stated the injury is comparable to his previous injury that sidelined him for just over two weeks. As a result, Sanchez' fantasy value takes a considerable hit, especially with the team unlikely to utilize the injured list. Oddly enough, Sanchez endured a similar scenario last season when he required two separate IL stints due to multiple strains of his right groin. Look for Sanchez to carry an elevated level of injury risk for the remainder of the season and into next year as well.
Giancarlo Stanton: While Sanchez heads to the bench, it looks like Stanton is nearing a return to the lineup. The Yankees outfielder has been limited to just nine games played this season due to shoulder and knee injuries. His latest injury, a sprained posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), has kept him out since late June. He's expected to start in left field but likely will receive regular days off as the team prepares for the playoffs. It's hard to put much faith in Stanton's durability but he could be worth a late-season gamble for team's reeling from injuries elsewhere.
Christian Yelich: The Brewers outfielder is done for the season after fouling a ball off of his knee. The impact fractured his patella (kneecap), though it doesn't appear surgery will be needed to fix the break. Patella fractures can require a prolonged period of recovery, as the natural biomechanics of the knee can complicate healing. Yelich is looking at a six- to eight-week recovery that should allow him to adequately prepare for the 2020 season. Like Trout, Yelich should retain his short and long-term fantasy value.
