Many major league players look forward to the All Star break to show off their talents on the big stage: the best from the National League vs the best from the American League. Other players look forward to the All Star break to recover from injuries, or to start their rehab assignments.
Melky Cabrera, TOR
Cabrera is out since the end of June with tendinitis in the knee, but has moved his rehab to AA New Hampshire. Melky is scheduled to return after the All Star break, so key an eye on updates over at Bluebird Banter, SB Nation's Blue Jays fan site.
Brandon Morrow, TOR
Morrow last threw last Tuesday, so it appears he still isn't even close to coming back from, right forearm soreness. He was expected to throw a side session on July 12th, but there has been no updates on how that session went, so it appears he may not have thrown it. Not good. He has been out since late May, and will need several rehab starts before returning, so he could be out till mid-late August.
Brandon Beachy, ATL
Beachy is currently on a rehab assignment, and has made two starts for AAA Gwinnett. In his first start, he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk in 3 innings. In his second start on Sunday, he looked better giving up a run on 4 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. He will probably make another rehab start on Friday and return to the Braves rotation toward the middle of next week.
Jason Heyward, ATL
Heyward suffered a strained right hamstring running the bases last Thursday night, and did not play over the weekend. He should be back after the All Star break, having rested the hamstring for a week. Heyward's teammate Justin Upton is dealing with a strained left calf and missed two games over the weekend. He, like Heyward, should return after the break. Time off heals these wounds.
Chris Carpenter, STL
I thought Carp would be out for the whole season, but the veteran starter made his first rehab start last night for AA Springfield. He lasted just 2.2 innings, giving up 3 runs, 2 earned runs, on 6 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. The Cardinals may look to use him to give Shelby Miller some rest down the stretch.
Matt Kemp, LAD
Kemp is out with left shoulder irritation, yes, the same shoulder that was operated on last offseason. Kemp was told to not swing a bat for a week, but he is scheduled to swing a bat this week and should return when eligible on July 21st. He has been a huge disappointment to fantasy owners this season, and I am of the mind that his shoulder was never really fully healthy this season. I see the old Kemp returning in 2014.
Yasiel Puig, LAD
Puig is dealing with a sore hip, an injury he suffered running into the outfield wall in Colorado earlier this month. He sat out on Saturday, but returned in the middle of Sunday's game, so he appears to be fine to return after the All Star break.
Matt Holliday, STL
Holliday left with some right hamstring tightness last Thursday, and sat out the weekend series vs the Cubs. I imagine the four day break, along with sitting out the weekend series, will be enough rest for him to return to the Cardinals lineup on Friday. Then again, the Cardinals have Allen Craig who could play left field to allow Holliday to get an extra day of rest after the break.
Jeff Locke, PIT
Locke was scratched from his last start due to lower back stiffness, and also missed the All Star game as a result. He has been one of the bigger surprises of the 2013 season, going 8-2 in 18 starts with an amazing 2.15 ERA. The Pirates will need him at 100% to make the playoffs for the first time in two decades. He is scheduled to be back in the rotation next Sunday, so the All Star break happened at the right time for Locke and the Buccos.
Ben Revere, PHI
In probably the weirdest injury, Ben Revere broke his right foot on a foul ball over the weekend, and will be out until late August, early September. Even then, I am not sure how much he will use his speed on the base paths coming off the broken foot.
Clay Buchholz, BOS
Buchholz is dealing with right shoulder inflammation and was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday, but is still experiencing discomfort and will not make his scheduled rehab start this week. At this point, I don't think we see Buchholz till early to mid August, which could impact the Red Sox priority list at the trade deadline.
Derek Jeter, NYY
Jeter returned for one game last week, but suffered a Grade 1 quad strain running out a ground ball and is considered day to day at this point. The All Star break came at the right time for Jeter as well, but I can see the Yankees taking it slow with Jeter after the break.
Alex Rodriguez, NYY
Rodriguez has a lot more going on right now than his rehab assignment, but that will be discussed at a later date. ARod moved his rehab to AA last night, going 2-4 with a HR and 2 RBI vs Reading. Arod stated after the game that he on pace to return on July 21st, so if you believe he can help your roster, go out and grab him.
Curtis Granderson, NYY
The Grandyman is recovering from a broken knuckle after being hit with a pitch, and is scheduled to return in late July or early August. He is currently swinging a bat, so that is a good first step. There is no timetable for his rehab assignment, but it should be within the next week or so.
If you have any questions, make sure you post them in the comments section below.
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