Playing the waiting game

Atlanta Braves fans and fantasy owners everywhere are collectively holding their breath, awaiting the results of an MRI and other exams that were performed on 20-year-old outfielder Ronald Acuna on Sunday.

Acuna was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Red Sox with an apparent leg injury. He appeared to have hyperextended his knee while running through first base to hustle out an infield single. He flipped over and collapsed to the ground in pain. While he was able to walk off the field under his own power, that came with a noticeable limp and he was seen in a wheelchair while boarding the team flight.

The Braves admitted after the game that Acuna was dealing with knee and lower back pain, but offered nothing on the specifics or a potential timeframe for his return. He was then transported to the hospital to undergo further testing, which never seems like a good sign.

The Braves are either still awaiting his MRI results from his exam at a Boston-area hospital, or they’re simply waiting for him to see the Braves’ own team doctors on Monday before providing an update on his status.

While it’s difficult to speculate, there are concerns that he may have damaged the ACL and/or MCL in his left knee.

Braves’ manager Brian Snitker was thrilled just to see Acuna walk off the field after the injury. He told reporters, "I just like the fact he walked off, because when he did it I was thinking about what Bryce Harper did last year… It looked real similar. We'll know more later."

Nationals’ slugger Bryce Harper suffered a similar-looking injury when he tripped over first base on a soggy evening last August. He was fortunate to have avoided any structural problems, but was still forced to miss six weeks of action with a deep bone bruise.

All we can do now is wait and hope that the 20-year-old phenom hasn’t suffered a significant injury.

In the event that Acuna is forced to miss any time, Preston Tucker is likely to take back over as the club’s primary left fielder. It’s a role that he excelled in prior to Acuna’s call-up during the first month of the season and makes him a must-own in NL-only leagues.

The Closing Bell

Ronald Acuna isn’t the only fantasy commodity whose status is up in the air heading into a new week. Pirates’ closer Felipe Vazquez was removed from Sunday’s outing against the Cardinals due to left forearm discomfort.

Prior to his removal, the results weren’t pretty. Vazquez was put in a tough spot on Sunday, coming on with the bases loaded and the Pirates holding a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning. He allowed an RBI single to Harrison Bader, walked Yairo Munoz to force in another run, allowed a third run to score on a fielder's choice, then walked Greg Garcia before departing.

According to the Pirates, Vazquez felt the forearm issue in his final two pitches on Sunday.

Vazquez was being treated and evaluated and was not available for comment after the game. If the injury forces him to miss some time, Edgar Santana could be the next man up in the ninth inning for the Pirates and may be worth a speculative add in all formats.

Santana has been terrific out of the Pirates’ bullpen this season, registering a 2.45 ERA and 18/4 K/BB ratio across 22 innings. While he has never saved a game at the major league level, he certainly has the stuff to work in the ninth inning.

Quick Returns

Dodgers’ president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed Sunday that star southpaw Clayton Kershaw will return to the club’s starting rotation on Thursday against the Phillies.

Kershaw has been on the shelf since May due to tendinitis in his left biceps. He made it through four innings in a simulated game on Saturday without issue and will still throw a bullpen session on Tuesday prior to Thursday’s start.

Before landing on the disabled list, the 30-year-old hurler was 1-4 with a 2.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 48/10 K/BB ratio across 44 innings in his first seven starts. If the Dodgers deem him healthy enough to return, he should immediately be entered back into fantasy lineups without hesitation.

Kershaw isn’t the only ace left-hander from the National League West that appears to be on track to return this week. Madison Bumgarner could conceivably make his Giants’ season debut on Friday against the Phillies.

Bumgarner dominated in his first minor league rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, striking out eight over 3 ⅔ hitless innings. The only base runner that he allowed was a walk. He also singled at the plate for good measure.

Bumgarner only threw 47 pitches in that outing though and would be limited to around 70 pitches in his next start. Still, Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said the club is “open-minded” about a potential return on Friday.

Fantasy owners may want to hold off on using him for that first start, if he’s indeed on a limited pitch count.

American League Quick Hits: Mookie Betts was a late scratch from the Red Sox’ lineup on Sunday due to tightness in his left side. He’s expected to sit out Monday’s game as well. He’s considered day-to-day for the time being, but if it’s actually an oblique issue instead of his side, there’s a chance he could wind up on the disabled list… Khris Davis (groin) took batting practice for the first time on Sunday and is hopeful that he’ll return from the DL when first eligible on Thursday… Matt Davidson missed his fifth straight game on Sunday due to back tightness and there’s an “outside possibility” that he could be placed on the disabled list… Justin Upton (forearm) sat out Sunday’s game but is expected to return to the Angels’ lineup in a day or two… Shohei Ohtani is tentatively scheduled to start on Wednesday against the Tigers in Detroit… The Blue Jays plan to keep Joe Biagini in the bullpen going forward... Jean Segura has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to return to the Mariners’ lineup on Monday... Joe Mauer (concussion) is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Thursday… Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) could rejoin the Tigers during their upcoming nine-game homestand… Blaine Hardy struck out six over seven innings of one-run baseball to beat the White Sox… Chris Sale was rocked for six runs over 4 ⅓ innings in a loss to the Astros… Masahiro Tanaka whiffed eight over six innings of one-run ball to beat the Angels… Ryan Tepera worked a scoreless ninth inning against the Phillies to earn his second save, but manager John Gibbons was quick to note that he’s still employing a closer-by-committee approach in Toronto… Austin Pruitt earned his first save, working the final 5 ⅔ innings of Sunday’s victory over the Orioles… Jason Hammel punched out a season-high 10 batters over 5 ⅓ scoreless innings to defeat the Rangers… Ryon Healy went 3-for-4, including a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning, as the Mariners topped the Twins… Jose Altuve went 4-for-6 with two RBI as the Astros fell to the Indians in a wild game. Prior to lining out to center field in the ninth inning, Altuve had astonishingly collected hits in 10 straight at-bats. That feat set a new club record, beating his own of eight consecutive at-bats with hits set in June of 2017… Evan Gattis swatted a pair of home runs in a losing effort there… Greg Allen blasted a walk-off homer in the 14th to lead the Indians in that come-from-behind victory… Alex Colome worked a perfect ninth inning to collect a save in his Mariners’ debut on Sunday… Frankie Montas was terrific in his first start with the A’s, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings against the Diamondbacks.

National League Quick Hits: The Padres acquired Phil Hughes, cash and the 74th overall pick in this week’s first year player draft from the Twins for minor league catcher Janigson Villalobos. It’s a terrific haul for the Padres in exchange for taking on Hughes’ contract… Mike Montgomery will start for the Cubs on Monday in place of the injured Yu Darvish… Nick Kingham is expected to start for the Pirates on Tuesday if Ivan Nova (finger) is unable to go… According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Giants could consider releasing veteran outfielder Hunter Pence once his minor league rehab assignment is completed… Todd Frazier (hamstring) is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas early this week… DJ LeMahieu (thumb, wrist) took batting practice for the first time since sustaining his injuries, though there remains no clear timetable for his return… Kris Medlen announced his retirement from professional baseball… Wilmer Flores was lifted from Sunday’s  game against the Brewers with lower back soreness and was flown back to New York for further evaluation… Yu Darvish will undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the severity of his triceps injury...Pablo Sandoval made his first career start at second base in Sunday’s loss to the Cubs… Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts indicated that Max Muncy could get a look at second base… Jesus Aguilar homered for the second straight game and drove in four runs as the Brewers topped the Mets… Stephen Strasburg fired five shutout innings against the Marlins, striking out eight in the victory… Bryce Harper socked his National League-leading 16th homer in that victory… Ian Happ wasn’t in the Cubs’ starting lineup on Sunday due to a sore shoulder. He’s considered day-to-day… Mike Foltynewicz carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and fanned seven in a win over the Red Sox… Carlos Gonzalez went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer as the Rockies pounded the Reds… Walker Buehler struck out eight over seven frames of one-run ball as the Dodgers bested the Padres… Franchy Cordero (forearm) is expected to be placed on the 10-day disabled list on Monday as Hunter Renfroe (elbow) returns… Javier Baez blasted his 13th home run of the year and drove in three runs as the Cubs bested the Giants on Sunday Night Baseball.