Most costly MLB injuries in the first quarter of the 2017 season
Just a single injury can be the difference between an MLB playing in October and staying home. The following injuries in the first quarter of the season have been the most costly for their teams, leaving them with some uphill battles for the rest of the season.
Cam Bedrosian, RP, Angels
Bedrosian started the year as the Angels' closer but went on the DL in mid-April with a groin injury. He was nearly perfect through six appearances before the injury.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers
Beltre has yet to take the field this season due to a calf injury. The Rangers have been lucky that former top prospect Joey Gallo has turned a corner this season, serving well in Beltre's stead.
Zach Britton, RP, Orioles
Britton missed time early this season with elbow issues and is now set to miss six to eight weeks after a recurrence of the strain. The Baltimore bullpen has had hiccups without Britton, using Brad Brach and Darren O'Day to close games.
Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants
Bumgarner injured his throwing shoulder in a dirt bike accident, suffering a grade 2 shoulder sprain. He could be out until the All-Star break, while the Giants continue to struggle.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Mets
Cespedes injured his hamstring in late April, and his power has been sorely missed in New York's lineup. He was hitting .270-6-10 in 63 at-bats before the injury.
David Dahl, OF, Rockies
Dahl suffered a rib injury in spring training and has yet to return. The Rockies have managed due to the great play of Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra, but Dahl showed last season that he has tremendous upside.
Anthony DeSclafani, SP, Reds
The Reds could ill afford to lose pitching, but that's exactly what happened in spring training when DeSclafani went down with an elbow injury. He has yet to resume throwing.
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays
Donaldson suffered a calf injury in spring training that finally caused the Blue Jays to shut him down in mid-April. The injury left Donaldson out of action for more than one month.
Adam Eaton, CF, Nationals
Eaton, acquired from the White Sox in the offseason, was off to a great start before suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in a freak injury while running to first base. The Nats still have the top offense in baseball, but his contributions both offensively and defensively will be sorely missed.
Jeurys Familia, RP, Mets
Familia could miss the remainder of the season due to a blood clot in his right armpit that required surgery. He had already missed the start of the season due to a suspension.
Cole Hamels, SP, Rangers
The Rangers have found it difficult to keep up with Houston, and that will be an even bigger task without Hamels. He's set to miss significant time due to a strained right oblique.
Mitch Haniger, OF, Mariners
Haniger looked like a top AL Rookie of the Year candidate through the first three weeks of the season before suffering a strained oblique. He was hitting .342-4-16 with a 1.054 OPS in 21 games.
Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners
King Felix hasn't quite been the same in recent seasons. After a slow start, he injured his shoulder in late April. He had a 4.73 ERA in five starts before the injury.
Rich Hill, SP, Dodgers
Hill has had two stints on the DL due to blister issues after having blister problems late last season. The Dodgers are set to get him back this week, hopefully for good.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, Mariners
Iwakuma's velocity has been down this season, and the results have clearly suffered. He's now out four to six weeks with right shoulder inflammation.
Corey Kluber, SP, Indians
Kluber has tried to pitch through back discomfort early this season, but the Indians shut him down in early May after posting a 5.06 ERA through six starts.
Steven Matz, SP, Mets
Matz has yet to make an appearance this season due to an elbow injury suffered in spring training. The Mets desperately need him back with Noah Syndergaard injured and Matt Harvey struggling.
Collin McHugh, SP, Astros
McHugh made 33 starts last season but hasn't pitched this year due to an elbow injury. The Astros have managed without him, taking a big lead in the AL West, but McHugh could further strengthen the team.
Shelby Miller, SP, Diamondbacks
Miller looked like he turned his game around early this year after a nightmarish 2016 season. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn elbow ligament after four starts and underwent Tommy John surgery.
James Paxton, SP, Mariners
Paxton looked like a Cy Young candidate through six starts with a 1.43 ERA. However, he was placed on the DL in early May with elbow pain but hopes to return by the end of the month.
David Price, SP, Red Sox
Price is finally nearing a return after suffering an elbow injury in spring training. The Red Sox have lost fellow starter Steven Wright for the season, so Price's imminent return is even more important.
Alex Reyes, SP, Cardinals
St. Louis has had trouble filling the back end of its rotation, showing how much the team misses Reyes. The top prospect suffered a torn elbow ligament early in spring training and will miss all of 2017.
Garrett Richards, SP, Angels
There was concern about Richards' health after suffering a partially torn elbow ligament last season. He had a biceps injury after only one start this year, and there's no clear timetable for his return.
Carlos Rodon, SP, White Sox
The White Sox have been without Rodon since spring training, who suffered a biceps injury. The former first-round pick has ace upside but could be out well into June.
Marcus Semien, SS, Athletics
The A's could ill afford to lose offense, but Semien had surgery in April for a fractured wrist. He could return at some point in June.
Tyler Skaggs, SP, Angels
Skaggs stepped in as the Angels' ace after Garrett Richards was injured, but now the lefty is on the mend following a grade 2 oblique strain. He could be out until after the All-Star break.
Drew Smyly, SP, Mariners
Seattle's bad luck with pitching started in spring training, when Smyly suffered a strained flexor tendon after the World Baseball Classic. The M's hope to have him back by midseason.
Noah Syndergaard, SP, Mets
Syndergaard's lat injury might have been a death sentence for the Mets. There's no clear timetable for a return after posting a 3.29 ERA in five starts.
Jameson Taillon, SP, Pirates
Taillon got off to a great start with a 3.31 ERA in six starts but is now out indefinitely following surgery for testicular cancer. He's the second MLB pitcher this season to be diagnosed with the disease, joining Rockies starter Chad Bettis.
Andrew Toles, OF, Dodgers
Toles was off to a fine start, hitting .271-5-15, before suffering a torn ACL last week. He will miss the remainder of the season.
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