Help Needed: Hitters Who Played Through a 2020 Injury

September 28, 2020

10/12/20: Note: First, thanks to everyone for the help. Second, the comments are closed so if any player needs to be added, reach me at @jeffwzimmerman on Twitter. -Jeff

With the season just over, I’d like some help collecting the hitters who played through an injury in 2020. First, I’m not looking for those who may have struggled because of COVID-19 complications (e.g. Austin Meadows, Scott Kingery, Yoan Moncada). That’s another study for a later date.

The information can help fantasy managers help point to why a hitter may have struggled when their 2021 prep begins. Also, my research has shown that these hitters see a production decline. It’s one offseason data point to get out of the way.

Please let me know if I’m missing any in the comments. All I ask is that as much information as possible be provided like the location (e.g. hip), when (e.g. summer camp), or an article link. Just a name doesn’t help. From my own notes and begging on Twitter, here are the hitters I have so far (list from 2017, 2018, 2019). Thanks.

Name: Injury (link)

Ronald Acuña Jr.: Wrist (link)
Ozzie Albies: Wrist (link)
Luis Arraez: Knee (link)
Nolan Arenado: Shoulder (link)
Jackie Bradley Jr.: Wrist (link)
Ryan Braun: Back (link)
Kris Bryant: Back, wrist (link)
Matt Chapman: Hip (link)
Maikel Franco: Leg (link)
Joey Gallo: Wrist (link)
Bryce Harper: Back (link)
José Iglesias: Quad/Shin/wrist (link)
Kevin Kiermaier: Foot (link)
Scott Kingery: Shoulder/Back (link)
Shed Long Jr.: Shin (link)
Max Muncy: Fracture finger/elbow (link)
Shohei Ohtani: Forearm (link)
Roberto Perez: Shoulder (link)
Jorge Polanco: Ankle (link)
Jose Ramirez: Thumb (link)
J.T. Realmuto: Hip (link)
Anthony Rendon: Wrist (link)
Pedro Severino: Hip (link)
Gio Urshela: Bone spurs (link)
Christian Vazquez: Heel (link)
Luke Voit: Foot (link)

Kyle Hendricks and Location-Based Contact Management

2021 First Run Starting Pitcher Rankings

Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.

40 Comments

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viceroyMember since 2020

6 years ago

I think JT Realmuto played through a hip injury

viceroyMember since 2020

6 years ago

Reply to viceroy

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/phillies-j-t-realmuto-starting-at-first-base/ “Since Realmuto still not 100 percent healthy after recently missing a week and a half with a hip injury, the Phillies are reluctant to expose him to catching duties”

mr_hoggMember since 2020

6 years ago

Mookie Betts, various ailments (missed a week early in the season?)

Jeff ZimmermanFanGraphs Staff

6 years ago

Reply to mr_hogg

So he didn’t play through it, just sat?

MRDXolMember since 2021

6 years ago

Yoán Moncada, although an unusual one— he was one of the players that caught COVID before the season started, and has said repeatedly that he’s been struggling with low energy and feeling weak, which varies day to day, even months after it cleared up. One link: https://sports.yahoo.com/yoan-moncada-is-still-battling-fatigue-months-after-having-coronavirus-my-body-hasnt-felt-the-same-195409870.html

-1

Jeff ZimmermanFanGraphs Staff

6 years ago

Reply to MRDXol

I mentioned no COVID. I’ll dig into it later.

Dugan

6 years ago

Adalberto Mondesi was coming off shoulder surgery and was horrid until becoming a stud in September. Not sure if that was why he was so bad but feels plausible.

edwinblumeMember since 2016

6 years ago

Pedro Severino had a hip injury Aug 23.
https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/pedro-severino-exits-sunday-with-hip-injury/770888
He stunk at the plate after that.

thebearproofsuit

6 years ago

Jose Altuve: Acute lack of banging in the ears.

JimMember since 2016

6 years ago

Reply to thebearproofsuit

Excellent.

SucramRenrutMember since 2017

6 years ago

Reply to thebearproofsuit

Reverse tinnitis.

SnerdMember since 2020

6 years ago

Ketel Marte went on the DL with a phantom left wrist injury in early September. That, along with his power mysteriously evaporating this year, would seem to indicate he may have been playing thru a bugged wrist.

6 years ago

Reply to Snerd

Hamate.

Jeff ZimmermanFanGraphs Staff

6 years ago

Reply to Snerd

I would like to see something instead of guessing.

dl80Member since 2020

6 years ago

Mitch Garver (right intercostal strain)
Andrew Benintendi (ribs) – not sure if he really “played through it” with only 53 PAs
Andrelton Simmons (ankle)
Bo Bichette (LCL)

jonvanderlugtFanGraphs Staff

6 years ago

Tim Anderson – hamstring
Tommy Pham – hamate
George Springer – wrist

-2

6 years ago

Most of the Cards’ covid cases were pitchers, but the two position players were Molina and DeJong. Yadi was basically himself as far as anyone could tell, but DeJong faded really hard in the last 2-3 weeks.

(Arbitrary endpoints warning) He hit .333/.391/.491 from 8/23 (when he returned) to 9/6; after 9/7 he hit .192/.275/.218.

TwinPeaks

6 years ago

Luis Arraez had a knee injury the whole year, except for perhaps the final two games.

phillies07_08Member since 2020

6 years ago

Scott Kingery (shoulder, back, and lingering effects of having COVID)

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/phillies/scott-kingery-injury-phillies-infield-alec-bohm

Ross

6 years ago

Edwin Encarnacion

Ross

6 years ago

Reply to Ross

https://www.mlb.com/news/edwin-encarnacion-injury-not-concerning

DarthSader9Member since 2025

6 years ago

Tell me what your competitive edge is and I’ll do your research for you.

raikuraMember since 2019

6 years ago

Ryan Braun – back injury
https://madison.com/wsj/sports/baseball/professional/ryan-braun-returns-to-brewers-starting-lineup/article_b60f9a9c-570f-52ea-8b27-4d2d25ae70cb.html (September 6)
https://madison.com/wsj/sports/baseball/professional/brewers-ryan-braun-remains-in-lineup-despite-sore-back/article_c4fdd7f1-42ed-5a05-9153-be4179e8522b.html (September 22}

raikuraMember since 2019

6 years ago

Reply to raikura

Also, the Yelich back injury was in 2019. I didn’t hear any talk about it this year.

Psychic... Powerless...

6 years ago

Kris Bryant, multiple injuries

equistMember since 2017

6 years ago

Andrelton Simmons, ankle
Anthony Santander, oblique
Nolan Arenado, AC joint
Josh Donaldson, calf
Elvis Andrus, back (may end up as a utility player)

equistMember since 2017

6 years ago

Reply to equist

Oh yeah, David Dahl, shoulder.

equistMember since 2017

6 years ago

Reply to equist

Maybe??? George Springer. Slow start, HBP, sprained wrist … but mostly a horrible slow start.

mintwinMember since 2024

6 years ago

Willie Calhoun – Fractured jaw, strained oblique & hamstring injury.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/2211781/willie-calhoun

MDMember since 2019

6 years ago

I’d suggest adding Jeff McNeil. He went down with lower back tightness and an intercostal strain on Aug 3rd. Then ran into the wall and suffered a bone bruise on his left knee on Aug 13. His numbers in August were down considerably… perhaps due to these injuries. Reported via CBSSports

rustydudeMember since 2021

6 years ago

I don’t think this is injury related but I would be interested in any Fangraphs analysis or even a simple podcast discussion on how Mondesi went from the worst position player in baseball in August to a top 5 player in September.