Catchers

Cleveland Indians catcher Victor Martinez (elbow) is scheduled to undergo elbow surgery Friday, June 13, to remove bone chips. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks courtesy of his inflamed right elbow.

Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek (strep throat) did not start Thursday, June 12, due to strep throat. He has been medicated, but it is not sure when he will return.

First Basemen

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (calf) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, June 11, with what the team has indicated is between a Grade 1 and a Grade 2 strained left calf. He is expected to miss at least three weeks.

Others of Note

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar (knee) left the team's game Thursday, June 12, after fouling a pitch off of his knee. The X-rays came back negative, and he is considered day-to-day.

Second Basemen

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks (knee) landed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left knee. The injury is not believed to be serious, but there is no timetable for his return.

Others of Note

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill (concussion) had been symptom-free for three full days Thursday, June 12. He must be symptom-free for seven straight days before being cleared to begin a rehab assignment.

Third Basemen

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (quadriceps) returned to the starting lineup Wednesday, June 11, after not starting the team's previous two games. He went 1-for-3 but was not able to run at full speed. He was removed in the sixth inning.

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) underwent an MRI on his shoulder Wednesday, June 11, and is expected to miss at least four to six weeks. Zimmerman is set to be re-evaluated at the All-Star break, and if the strengthening program is not working, he could undergo shoulder surgery.

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Chone Figgins (hamstring) is set to be activated from the 15-day disable list Friday, June 13. Figgins has appeared in just one game since May 4.

Shortstops

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal (back) has been told by the team to cease all baseball-related activities. The 30-year-old shortstop has been diagnosed with a bulging disc in his back and is not expected to return until sometime in July at the earliest.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (quadriceps) has started a rehab assignment with Class-A Modesto. He is slated to spend five days with Modesto before being re-evaluated Monday, June 16. He could then head to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Manager Clint Hurdle has not set a timetable, but Tulowitzki has penciled in the team's June 20-22 series for his return.

Others of Note

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jeff Keppinger (knee) has started a rehab assignment, but he is still a week or so away from returning.... Colorado Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes (knee) passed his agility tests and is slated to begin a rehab assignment Monday, June 16. There is no timetable for his return.... Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (calf) likely will begin a rehab assignment next week and could return by June 25.... Milwaukee Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy (shoulder) left early Wednesday, June 11, with irritation in his shoulder and did not play Thursday, June 12. He plans to visit with the team physician Friday, June 13.... Oakland A's shortstop Bobby Crosby (ankle) has been playing with a slightly strained right ankle.

Outfielders

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano (hand) landed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left hand. He is expected to be in a splint for three weeks and could miss up to six weeks.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez (hamstring) has a sore right hamstring and with no DH slot available due to interleague play, he could miss some time during the team's next six games.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes (hamstring) is expected to run and simulate at-bats this weekend when the team returns home. The team wants to make sure Byrnes can run at full speed before they bring him back. He is expected to return soon.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday (hamstring) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, June 10. Fellow outfielder Brad Hawpe (hamstring) was activated from the 15-day DL Friday, June 6.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford (knee) has a sore knee, but will have a chance to rest it while serving a four-game suspension for his role in a bench-clearing brawl with the Red Sox. Crawford is set to begin serving the suspension Friday, June 13.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells (wrist) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Saturday, June 7.

Mets outfielder Ryan Church (concussion) was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Friday, June 6, due to lingering complications from his second concussion this year. There is no timetable for his return.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel (knee) returned to the lineup Tuesday, June 10, after missing five games with an infected knee.

Others of Note

Florida Marlins outfielder Josh Willingham (back) was scheduled to play for Double-A Carolina on Thursday, June 12, and manager Fredi Gonzalez hopes to have him back in three weeks.... Mets outfielder Moises Alou (calf) aggravated his strained left calf Tuesday, June 10. He is considered day-to-day but could end up on the disabled list for the third time this season.... Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth (oblique) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Saturday, June 7.

Designated Hitters

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner (shoulder) is slated to be examined early next week to determine if he is ready to begin a rehab assignment.

Oakland A's designated hitter Frank Thomas (quadriceps) met with a doctor Wednesday, June 11, and manager Bob Geren hopes to have him back within the next few days.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield (oblique) took batting practice for the second straight day Wednesday, June 11. There is no timetable for his return.

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Garret Anderson (knee) did not start Wednesday, June 11, due to a sore right knee. He is expected to be ready this weekend.

Starting Pitchers

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder) threw 50 pitches during a bullpen session and is scheduled to throw again Friday, June 13. He could then make a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, possibly Monday, June 16. He might rejoin the rotation next week.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jake Peavy (elbow) was activated off the disabled list Thursday, June 12, and pitched six scoreless innings to pick up the win in his return.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Fausto Carmona (hip) threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday, June 12, and is scheduled to throw 50 during another bullpen session Sunday, June 15. Carmona could then begin a rehab assignment next week. The team has yet to determine when he will return.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (finger) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained middle finger. He is set to be re-examined next week but is expected to miss at least three weeks.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (cramps) was removed early Thursday, June 12, due to cramps.

Others of Note

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman (shoulder) is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing treatment to clear a blood clot in his axillary vein. He could also undergo surgery to remove a rib if it is determined the rib caused the blood clot.... Braves starter Tom Glavine (elbow) landed on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow soreness. He underwent an MRI on Thursday, June 12, but nothing has been released. There is no timetable for his return.... Braves starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens (ankle) was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday, June 11, due to a twisted right ankle. The team hopes he will avoid the disabled list.... Indians starting pitcher Jake Westbrook (elbow) underwent season-ending surgery Thursday, June 12.... Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) could return before the All-Star break if he comes back as a reliever.... Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jason Schmidt (shoulder) has experienced pain in his shoulder, delaying his rehab. There is no timetable for him to resume his rehab.... New York Yankees starting pitcher Phil Hughes (ribs) is expected to start throwing in two weeks. He could return sometime in the latter half of August.... Yankees starter Ian Kennedy (lat) threw a bullpen session Monday, June 9, and was scheduled to throw another one during the week. There is no timetable for his return.... Cardinals starter Joel Pineiro (groin) was activated off the 15-day disabled list Thursday, June 12.... Cardinals starting pitcher Mark Mulder (shoulder) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Saturday, June 14. There is no timetable for his return.

Relief Pitchers

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (shoulder) underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday, June 10. Whether Smoltz is able to pitch again in his career will be determined by his rehab. He is done for the season.

Braves closer Rafael Soriano (elbow) is still experiencing tendonitis in his elbow. He remains unavailable, and there is no timetable for his return.

Cincinnati Reds closer Francisco Cordero (flu) was available to pitch Thursday, June 12, after missing two days due to the flu bug.

Houston Astros closer Jose Valverde (knee) has been bothered by mild soreness in his left knee. However, he does not expect it to be an issue.

Oakland Athletics closer Huston Street (groin) has been bothered by a groin problem since the last weekend. It has already cost Street some velocity, and pitching coach Curt Young is worried it will cause him to alter his mechanics. Street has made just one appearance since June 4.

Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz (elbow) has been diagnosed with a hyperextended elbow and will not be used for the team's weekend series. Putz also has triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve. He has not been placed on the DL and is scheduled to be re-evaluated Monday, June 16.

St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jason Isringhausen (hand) is set to come off the disabled list Friday, June 13. However, he is not expected to return to his former role right away.

Tampa Bay Rays closer Troy Percival (hamstring) threw a simulated inning Tuesday, June 10, and the team is expected to activate him from the disabled list Friday, June 13.

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Chad Cordero (lat) was set to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, June 11. There is no timetable for his return.

Others of Note

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez (elbow) has looked sharp in two rehab appearances and could return soon.... Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joel Zumaya (shoulder) is set to pitch for Triple-A Toledo on Friday, June 13, and could return early next week.... Oakland A's reliever Joey Devine (elbow) is pain-free and expects to play catch Friday, June 13. He could go off his anti-inflammatory meds soon. There is no timetable for his return.

The Fantasy Sports Doc - 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.

Alfonso Soriano, OF, Chicago Cubs, Broken hand, Placed on 15-day DL

There are five metacarpal bones in the hand. They are the bones that support the fingers and make up the palm. The hand has a rich blood supply. Therefore, metacarpal fracture heals rapidly (three to four weeks). A painless grip may take two weeks longer.

Treatment is a cast or a splint for two to three weeks. Surgery is not required as long as the bone has not shifted its alignment (displaced fracture). Surgery can be done with a pin inside the bone or a plate outside the bone to maintain proper alignment during healing. A minimum fracture, like Soriano suffered, means no displacement and surgery is not required.

Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis, Strained calf, Placed on 15-day DL

A strain is an injury in which muscle fibers or tendons are stretched or torn. People commonly call such an injury a "pulled" muscle. A calf strain is an injury to the muscles and tendons in the back of your leg below your knee.

A strain of your calf muscles can occur during a physical activity in which you push off forcefully from your toes. It may occur in running, jumping or lunging and may cause immediate pain in the back of your lower leg. You may hear or feel a pop or a snap. You may get the feeling that someone has hit you in the back of the leg. It is hard to rise up on your toes. Your calf may be swollen and bruised.

Treatment may include:

Applying ice packs to your calf for 20-30 minutes every three to four hours for two or three days or until the pain goes away

Elevating your leg on a pillow while you are lying down

Wrapping an elastic bandage around your calf to keep the swelling from getting worse

Using crutches, if it is too painful to walk.

Taking anti-inflammatory medicine

Undergoing physical therapy, which may include treatment of the muscle tissue by a therapist using ultrasound or muscle stimulation.

Having your health care provider or therapist tape the injured muscles while they are healing to help you to return to athletic activities

Performing rehabilitation exercises

The length of recovery depends on many factors, such as your age, health and if you have had a previous calf injury. Recovery time also depends on the severity of the injury. A mild calf strain may recover within a few weeks, whereas a severe injury may take six weeks or longer to recover from. You need to stop doing the activities that cause pain until the muscle has healed. If you continue doing activities that cause pain, your symptoms will return and it will take longer to recover.

Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Returning to your activities will be determined by how soon your calf recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better. The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury.

You may safely return to your activities when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:

You have full range of motion in the injured leg compared to the uninjured leg.

You have full strength of the injured leg compared to the uninjured leg.

You can walk straight ahead without pain or limping.

Calf strains are best prevented by warming up properly and doing calf-stretching exercises.

The range of the injury's severity is graded below.

First Degree: An injury to muscle fibers without a tear that will heal in three to four weeks.

Second Degree: A muscle injury with a partial tear that will heal in six to eight weeks.

Third Degree: A complete tear of the muscle that may require surgical repair. The recovery time is generally three to six months.

Adam Wainwright, SP, St. Louis, Sprained right middle finger, Placed on 15-day DL

The finger pulley system is rather complex. In this case, it involves the flexor tendons of the fingers and is intimately associated with finger grip. Injuries to the pulley system of the fingers are most common in rock climbing.

The flexor tendon pulley system is made up of five restraints to increase the efficiency and power of the tendon. This is just like a fulcrum under a teeter totter.

The flexor tendons (profundus and sublimis) attach to the fingers on the bottom surface (phalanges). Each joint level has a pulley to assist the tendon in its flexion power.

The A2 pulley is at the level of the PIP (proximal interphalangeal) joint, or the second joint from the fingernail. This is the most common injury.

The most common symptom of this injury is inability to flex and extend the finger at this level, along with pain, swelling and hemorrhage. If a bow string appearance occurs, usually more than one pulley is injured.

The healing time usually requires four weeks, of which two weeks of immobilization is required. Surgery may be required if more than one pulley is involved. Gripping the baseball may require additional time. The longest finger is the one most commonly injured.