Catchers

There were no major injuries of note.

Others of Note

Texas Rangers catcher Gerald Laird (hamstring) was sent to Arizona on Thursday, July 10, to spend a week rehabbing before returning to work out with the Rangers for two days. If all goes well, Laird is expected to begin a rehab assignment. It's not sure how long he would spend on a rehab assignment.

First Basemen

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko (oblique) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, July 8.

Others of Note

Texas Rangers first baseman Hank Blalock (wrist) is expected to begin a three-game rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Monday, July 14. If everything goes smoothly, Blalock could return from the DL Friday, July 18.... Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton (back) received a second epidural Thursday, July 10, to ease the pain in his leg caused by his lower-back inflammation. According to manager Clint Hurdle, Helton has started some light exercise, though there remains some soreness in his hip. There is no timeframe for his return.

Second Basemen

Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla (ankle) returned to the lineup Thursday, July 10, after sitting out since June 28 with a sprained left ankle.

Others of Note

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent (back) returned to the starting lineup Thursday, July 10, after sitting out Wednesday, July 9, to rest his back.... Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui (hamstring) was activated from the 15-day DL and started Wednesday, July 9.

Third Basemen

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) took batting practice for the third straight day Thursday, July 10. Club officials hope Zimmerman can begin a rehab stint by early next week. Zimmerman has been out since late May with a labral tear in his left shoulder. There is still no definitive timetable for his return.

Shortstops

Detroit Tigers shortstop Edgar Renteria (hamstring) suffered a mild left hamstring strain Wednesday, July 9, and did not play Thursday, July 10. Manager Jim Leyland hopes Renteria, who is considered day-to-day, can return Friday, July 11.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (hand) suffered a laceration on his hand that required 16 stitches and forced him to the 15-day DL Saturday, July 5. He was expected to start taking ground balls and doing some light exercises Tuesday, July 8. There is no timetable for his return.

Others of Note

Oakland Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, July 5, with a strained left hamstring. Crosby has been able to take batting practice and run without discomfort, and he feels he'll be able to return as soon as he's eligible.

Outfielders

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano (hand) has been officially ruled out of the All-Star Game but could return during the Cubs' second series after the All-Star break, according to manager Lou Piniella.

Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (leg) fouled a pitch off his leg Thursday, July 10, and was removed from the game in the ninth inning. The injury is not believed to be serious, but he was not in the team's starting lineup Friday, July 11.

Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew (back) did not play Wednesday, July 9, due to back stiffness, but he is expected to be available this weekend.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells (hamstring) has been sent to the 15-day disabled list with a Grade 2 strain of his hamstring. This figures to be Wells' second lengthy stint on the DL as he is expected to miss between four and six weeks.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez (oblique) is improving and believes he could be activated when he is eligible next week.

New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon (shoulder) hopes to begin hitting off a tee Monday, July 14. It is not sure how much longer he will be out before returning.

Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes (hamstring) is leaning toward a non-surgical approach to recover from a torn left hamstring, but he will still likely miss the rest of the season.

Texas Rangers outfielder Milton Bradley (knee) was scratched Wednesday, July 9, due to tendonitis in his left knee and was limited to a pinch-hitting appearance Thursday, July 10. He is day-to-day.

New York Mets outfielder Ryan Church (concussion) returned to the 15-day DL Tuesday, July 8, due to lingering effects from his May 20 concussion. Church has not ruled out a stint on the 60-day disabled or taking the rest of the season off to recover.

Others of Note

Colorado Rockies outfielder Willy Taveras (quadriceps) returned to the lineup Monday, July 7, after failing to start since Tuesday, July 1, though he did have two pinch-hit appearances in that stretch.... New York Mets outfielder Moises Alou (hamstring) tore his left hamstring while attempting to rehab his pesky calf injury with Double-A Binghamton and the Mets are recommending surgery, which would likely force him out for the rest of the season.... Minnesota Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer (finger) remains out with his finger injury and is not expected to be able to begin a rehab assignment before the All-Star break. If the pain lingers, Cuddyer could undergo further testing on his finger.... San Diego Padres outfielder Brian Giles (hamstring) is expected to sit out the team's weekend set against the Braves.... Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes (knee) underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair meniscus tears in his right knee Wednesday, July 9. He could return in late August or early September.... Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton (ribcage) is expected to miss the last three games of the first half of the season due to a strained oblique. Upton is set to be re-evaluated over the All-Star break and could end up on the disabled list if he does not improve.

Designated Hitters

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (wrist) has been taking batting practice this week, and the Red Sox plan on increasing the pitching speed at the end of the week. "Big Papi" is expected to need a few minor league rehab starts before returning.

New York Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui (knee) hit off a tee and took soft toss Thursday, July 10. He hopes to return sometime this month.

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Frank Thomas (quadriceps) will likely hit in the batting cage Friday, July 11, and he believes he can return before the end of the month.

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder) is hoping to know in another two weeks if he's ready to pick up a bat and begin working toward a rehab assignment. It is not known how much longer after starting a rehab assignment he would need before returning.

Starting Pitchers

Seattle Mariners starter Felix Hernandez (ankle) will likely be activated from the 15-day disabled list to start Friday, July 11.

Mariners starting pitcher Erik Bedard (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, July 10, due to stiffness in his left shoulder. The move was made retroactive to Saturday, July 5.

St. Louis Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (finger) was cleared to begin a throwing program Monday, July 7, and could be throwing off the mound by the end of next week. He is eyeing a return in the first half of August.

Cleveland Indians starter Fausto Carmona (hip) threw a simulated game Thursday, July 10, and could begin a minor league rehab assignment soon. The Indians hope to have him back shortly after the All-Star break.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Aaron Harang (forearm) has been diagnosed with a strained forearm and general manager Walt Jocketty has indicated Harang will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. MRI results came back negative and Harang would be eligible to return July 24.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Chris Young (nose) is breathing well after his surgery performed June 30 and is expected to throw a second simulated game Friday, July 11, after completing a bullpen session Monday, July 7. There is no concrete return date for Young.

Houston Astros starter Roy Oswalt (hip) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, July 8, and is expected to make his next start Friday, July 11.

Blue Jays starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (tooth) underwent an emergency root canal before his start Wednesday, July 9. He picked up the win despite allowing seven runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Others of Note

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Micah Owings (gluteus) hit three batters and walked five over 5 2/3 innings Wednesday, July 9, during his first start since injuring his gluteus muscle.... Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jason Schmidt (shoulder) played catch Wednesday, July 9, and will likely make a rehab start Sunday, July 13, or Monday, July 14. There has been no word how many rehab starts Schmidt would need before returning.... Pittsburgh Pirates starter Ian Snell (elbow) was activated from the 15-day DL Tuesday, July 8.... St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, July 9, and is scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, July 14. Carpenter is looking at a return sometime in August.... Cardinals starting pitcher Mark Mulder (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day DL with a left shoulder strain. Mulder's career could be over.... Texas Rangers starter Vicente Padilla (neck) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, July 9, due to a strained muscle in his neck. The move was made retroactive to Saturday, July 5.... Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dustin McGowan (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a tear in his rotator cuff. He could begin rehabbing the injury next week and is expected to miss at least four weeks. He was placed on the 15-day DL Wednesday, July 9.

Relief Pitchers

Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks (back) landed on the 15-day disabled list because of left scapula bursitis, which causes Jenks pain in his upper back. Jenks' placement on the DL is considered precautionary because the White Sox did not want to risk further injury with the upcoming All-Star break affording addition rest. Jenks plans to be ready after break.

Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz (elbow) looks set to return from the DL after the All-Star break, though manager Jim Riggleman plans to break him in slowly with a couple of midgame outings.

Tampa Bay Rays closer Troy Percival (hamstring) would like to throw off the mound sometime before the All-Star break. It is unclear how much more time Percival will miss.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Matt Capps (shoulder) has been working in rehab since Sunday, July 6. He is not expected to return until early September.

Others of Note

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Marmol (undisclosed) was limping after he covered first base Wednesday, July 9, but he reported feeling OK following the game.... Oakland Athletics reliever Joey Devine (elbow) made 45 throws from 120 feet and could begin throwing off the mound soon. He hopes to return shortly after the All-Star break.... Washington Nationals relief pitcher Chad Cordero (shoulder) underwent surgery Tuesday, July 8, to repair a frayed labrum and partial tear of the biceps tendon. He could be ready for spring training next year.

The Fantasy Sports Doc - Expert Analysis - Dr. Alan Knopf's Take

Dr. Alan Knopf has been a clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Joint Implant Service at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He is an attending staff member of the school's County General Hospital - Keck School of Medicine. He specializes in knee, shoulder, ankle, hip and trauma surgery. Dr. Knopf is board certified by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Board of Arthroscopic Surgery.

For more information regarding Dr. Knopf's work, go to http://www.fantasysportsmd.com/index.htm.

Ryan Church, OF, New York Mets - Post-concussion syndrome, Placed on 15-day DL

Concussions

A concussion is a brain injury. The brain is protected in a housing much like a football helmet. It's floating in a body of fluid (cerebral spinal fluid). A sudden motion of the body that is rapidly stopped causes the brain to hit the skull, and bleeding occurs.

The initial increase in fluid (blood) increases the pressure of the fluid encased in the skull. This may be experienced as anything from a mild headache to severe blackout.

If the bleeding is severe, the blood needs to be evacuated by opening the skull. This is done to release the pressure buildup and avoid permanent damage brain injury or death.

That is the reason the injury should be observed in a hospital. After the initial injury, the scar tissue may form outside or inside the brain and may lead to episodes of dizziness or convulsions (seizures).

Post-concussion syndrome

Repeated episodes of concussions may lead to long-term brain deterioration (dementia) or spasticity depending on the region of the brain injured. Church has had prior concussions this year alone. His long-term outcome if he continues in baseball is in definite jeopardy.

Without knowing the results of brain imaging (MRI), I would conclude that Church would be best served by rest and not exposing himself to further head trauma this season.

Bobby Jenks, RP, Chicago White Sox - Left scapula bursitis, Placed on 15-day DL

Shoulder bursitis

The shoulder joint is lubricated by a sac of fluid between the humerus and the acromion process. It lubricates the rotator cuff attachment of tendons of the shoulder blade (scapula) and the shoulder bone (humerus). This complex is like a crane with a cable and pulley.

Shoulder bursitis is an inflammation of the sac. The sliding motion of the cable on the pulley of the crane needs constant lubrication. A repetitive motion like throwing with velocity or lifting heavy weight can cause an irritation and cause swelling of the bursa, which can lead to chronic change in the bursa as well as a change in the rotator cuff itself.

If left untreated and with repetitive use, eventually a rotator cuff rupture will occur. Treatment includes rest, ice, anti-inflammatory pills or steroid injections into the bursa sac (although not more than three per year). The inflammation usually resolves in four to six weeks.

If recurrence of bursitis reoccurs, shoulder arthroscopic surgery may be necessary; healing and rehab may take two to three months.

Shoulder blade (scapula) bursitis

This condition, which Jenks has, is inflammation of any of the bursas of the scapula (shoulder blade or wing bone). Scapula bursas are soft sacs filled with lubricating fluid that facilitate motion in the scapula area. There are several bursas around the body of the scapula.

Scapula bursitis develops most frequently in the bursa between the body of the scapula and muscles of the chest wall (ribcage). Therefore, scapula bursitis differs from shoulder bursitis because it only involves the bursa (sac) lining the shoulder blade and ribcage and not the top of the shoulder joint (humerus and glenoid articulation).

Complications

Frozen scapula, with temporary or permanent limitation of the normal mobility of both scapula and shoulder

Prolonged healing time if activity is resumed too soon

Proneness to repeated flare-ups

Pitching motion would put stress on the shoulder blade bursas just like the shoulder bursa at the rotator cuff; therefore, the acute treatment would follow the same rehabilitation.

The recommendation is rest for two to four weeks. Administer ice, heat, anti-inflammatory medicine and a possible steroid injection. Once the inflammation and pain have resolved, a stretching and muscle strengthening can begin.