by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4:21 pm ET) So the latest MRI didn't reveal anything new with Adam Eaton's elbow, and the Diamondbacks are hopeful the center fielder can begin the rehab process anew after taking 2-3 weeks off.
Yeah, OK.
I'm no doctor, but I am something of a historian. This whole rigmarole sounds an awful lot like what Carl Crawford went through -- starting up, sitting down, starting up, sitting down -- before eventually submitting to Tommy John surgery last year. The Diamondbacks aren't completely convinced either. They're sending him to Dr. James Andrews.
All is not well with Eaton's elbow. If it was, he'd be hitting more than .200 at the level where he hit nearly .400 last year. I'm not saying you should drop him in Fantasy, but if a Brandon Beachy or Michael Pineda type is still available, you might want to switch out your DL stash.
Adam Eaton expected to seek second opinion
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/23/2013) Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers told The Arizona Republic that Adam Eaton's MRI showed some fluid around the UCL but "the ligament looked the same as his prior MRI, so no new damage."
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/23/2013) The Diamondbacks announced Thursday that outfielder Adam Eaton's MRI revealed no structural damage in his elbow, after he had his rehab assignment shut down earlier in the week.
Eaton will stop throwing for two to three weeks to strengthen his left elbow before resuming his throwing program. He has been diagnosed with irritation of his left UCL, but there is no structural damage at this point.
The team has yet to establish a concrete timeline for his possible return after this latest setback.
Adam Eaton set for MRI Wednesday
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Diamondbacks team physician Michael Lee told outfielder Adam Eaton that his preliminary examination looks to be a muscle issue and not a new injury to his strained UCL, according to MLB.com. Despite the seemingly positive prognosis, the team still wants to have him undergo an MRI to rule out further damage.
Eaton was shut down from his rehab assignment after experiencing discomfort in his left elbow Monday at Triple-A Round Rock.
"Everything was going really well," Eaton said. "Made a couple of strong throws in Visalia and then got to Round Rock, and the first one there, I felt a little discomfort. Then I felt it again, and I just knew this isn't right. Against my better judgment -- because I usually try to play through stuff like that -- I told the trainer, and they got me right out of the game."
Eaton had treatment on the elbow Tuesday but said it did not seem to have much of a positive impact. Eaton was expected to join the team by the end of the month, but this setback complicates his possible return.
Setback for Adam Eaton a major concern
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/22/2013) This is why rehabilitation from a strained UCL is never as straightforward as it seems. A strain is, of course, a minor tear, and a tear in the UCL often leads to Tommy John surgery.
That's not the prognosis for the Diamondbacks' Adam Eaton just yet -- in fact, he's hopeful he can get back to playing in a few days -- but with these latest reports of him feeling something in his elbow, it's what I'm expecting. And as mentioned on the latest Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, it wouldn't be out of left field. On a rehab assignment between the California and Pacific Coast leagues, where he was practically a .400 hitter during his minor-league career, he was struggling .200. Check out the numbers for Kelly Johnson, Mike Aviles, Kyle Blanks and Carl Crawford in the weeks leading up to their Tommy John surgeries. They couldn't buy a hit either.
If I've been stashing Eaton all this time, I'm obviously waiting around for the final word, but I'm also preparing to go without him the rest of the way.
Adam Eaton leaves rehab assignment due to elbow soreness
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eatonleft his rehab assignment Wednesday to return to Phoenix and see a doctor for his ailing elbow, the Arizona Republic reports.
Eaton began his rehab assignment Monday and hasn't played in 2013 due to the injury. He was expected to be back by mid-June, but this setback could throw a wrench into those plans.
Adam Eaton singles during Triple-A rehab
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/21/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno Monday, leading off against Round Rock.
Eaton, who is rehabbing an elbow injury, went 1 for 3 before being replaced.
He started in center field and singled. Eaton recently moved his rehab to Triple-A from Class A Visalia. Eaton is expected to be re-evaluated following his third game with Reno.
Adam Eaton should be added now
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/20/2013) With Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton moving his rehab to Triple-A, now is the time for a shrewd Fantasy owner to put in a claim for the would-be leadoff hitter. Owned in 59 percent of leagues, Eaton could be back with the team by next week, and has a ton of potential to contribute in average, steals, and runs scored.
Eaton, 24, hit .259 with two homers and two steals over 85 at-bats last season with Arizona. But he hit .355 over 1,210 at-bats in the minors prior to his rehab assignment, with three seasons of 20-plus steals and an average of eight home runs per sesaon. He may need a little time to shake off rust -- Eaton is essentially going through spring training right now -- but he should be back on track by mid-June, if not earlier.
Adam Eaton moving rehab to Triple-A
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/19/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton (elbow) is expected to move his rehab assignment from high Class A Visalia to Triple-A Reno Monday. After playing three games for Reno, manager Kirk Gibson said the Diamondbacks will reassess Eaton's status.
Gibson said he won't have trouble finding playing time for his outfielders once Eaton is healthy. Before getting hurt, Eaton was expected to be the team's starting center fielder and leadoff hitter.
"I’m not really worried about it," Gibson told The Arizona Republic. "If we have guys, we’ll find places for them to play. As we bring back some of these guys, we’ll get stronger in areas and it allows guys to go hard and then take a break and it will allow somebody else to go hard. That’s the way it is. The team has a good mentality about that. They play hard when they get in there. That’s what you want. You want to have great strength and depth."
Adam Eaton to play the field Friday
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton, who is on the 15-day disabled list, is expected to begin playing the field on his rehab assignment Friday, MLB.com reports. He has been limited to DH work as he continues to recover from an elbow injury.
Eaton increased his throwing distance to 135 feet on Tuesday.
D-Backs move Adam Eaton's rehab to Class A
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) The Diamondbacks have moved outfielder Adam Eaton's rehab assignment from Triple-A Reno to Class A Visalia.
He hit .111 with four RBI through his first 27 at-bats with Reno as he continues to work his way back from a sprained UCL in his elbow. Eaton is expected to spend a week rehabbing at Class A.
Adam Eaton swinging cold bat in rehab stint
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton appeared in his eighth consecutive game with Triple-A Reno Friday as a designated hitter.
Eaton finished 0 for 2 with a walk and two strikeouts. He is hitting .111 with four RBI through his first 27 at-bats. Eaton is expected to start in the outfield toward the end of next week, according to the Arizona Republic.
"He's not swinging the bat very well," manager Kirk Gibson said. "Actually I think he's probably pretty bored with the process and frustrated with the process."
Adam Eaton to begin rehab assignment in early May
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton threw from 90 feet Monday as he continues to rehab his elbow injury, per MLB.com. Eaton is expected to begin a rehab assignment in early May in hopes of being back with the team by late May.
"It could be that early if there is a need, but our preference would be to let him continue to play," manager Kirk Gibson said.
Adam Eaton begins throwing
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton, on the disabled list with a sprained UCL in his elbow, began throwing Friday, according to MLB.com
Eaton has been hitting since April 4 and has four plate appearances as a designated hitter at extended spring training. Manager Kirk Gibson wants to take a cautious approach with the 24-year-old and expects him to be ready to return in about a month.
"He'll throw every other day for two weeks," Gibson said. "Then he'll go to two days in a row. Probably a day or two days off, then get into three in a row. ... We're not going to rush him."
Adam Eaton takes BP on field
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton (left elbow), who is on the disabled list, began taking batting practice on the field on Tuesday, MLB.com reports. Eaton had previously hit off a tee and in the batting cages.
Eaton is hoping to return to the Diamondbacks in early to mid-May after suffering a sprained UCL in his left elbow.
Eaton suffered a sprained UCL in his elbow about two weeks ago. He took swings in the cage for the first time since the injury Thursday, but he remains two weeks away from throwing. Eaton is expected to get at-bats in extended spring training until his elbow heals enough to begin a rehab assignment.
Adam Eaton to hit the cages
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton, on the 15-day disabled list, will begin swinging in a batting cage Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
The 24-year-old suffered a UCL sprain during spring training and is expected to start throwing again in about two weeks.
"I know he's excited to do that," manager Kirk Gibson said Wednesday. "He's really champing at the bit."
Diamondbacks place Adam Eaton on disabled list
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/31/2013) The Diamondbacks have placed Adam Eaton on the 15-day disabled list, the club announced.
Eaton suffered an elbow strain in late March. The injury will keep him out for six to eight weeks. Gerardo Parra is the top candidate to replace Eaton in center field for Arizona.
Stashing Adam Eaton still worthwhile
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/28/2013) So even though he's out for two months with an elbow injury that sounds to me like it could potentially lead to something worse, I still find myself targeting the Diamondbacks' Adam Eaton in the late rounds. Obviously, I'm talking in the 20s now rather than the teens, but in any league that offers DL slots, I've decided I still want him.
Maybe it's just a stubborn refusal to give up on a personal favorite of mine -- considering how far I'm letting Mark Teixeira fall, I get the feeling it is -- but I still believe Eaton's skill set, particularly in points leagues, could lead to elite-level production.
Clearly, the price is right. If you don't need that DL spot for anyone else, what do you have to lose?
Adam Eaton injury is terrible news
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/22/2013) This morning on the Eye on Baseball podcast, I was telling Chris Cwik that the one hitter I want on all my Fantasy teams this year is Adam Eaton.
This afternoon, I'm staying away.
OK, so as a last-round DL stash, I still dig him and all of his talents. But he's no longer the quintessential sleeper. Now, he's just a big, fat risk.
He has a small tear in his UCL -- a ligament that, when torn, often requires Tommy John surgery. His tear is small enough that it should heal on its own, but for that to happen, he can't throw for four weeks. And even then, "should" is hardly a guarantee.
This one makes me sick to my stomach. Eaton was the kind of late-round pick that was supposed to set my team apart. The official timetable the Diamondbacks give for his recovery is six to eight weeks, but is someone so unproven really worth the wait? Over a Matt Joyce type, maybe.
At least it happened before the biggest draft weekend of the year.
A.J. Pollock could get the call
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013) The Diamondbacks have been talking up 25-year-old outfielder A.J. Pollock as nearly major-league ready so far in spring training, and it looks like they might need his services right away. The team announced Friday that they will be without Adam Eaton for at least the first month of the season, leaving a hole in the outfield on opening day that Pollock might have the chance to fill.
Earlier in the spring, Diamondbacks' Triple-A manager Brett Butler told the Arizona Republic that Pollock compares favorably to Angels outfielder Mike Trout, last season's Rookie of the Year winner in the AL.
"He's Mike Trout without the pop," Butler said.
Pollock, a first-round pick in the 2009 draft, is batting just .241 in 22 Cactus League games. He put up a .318 batting average and .780 OPS at Triple-A Reno last season.
Adam Eaton could miss up to two months with elbow sprain
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/22/2013) Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton has been lighting up the Cactus League so far in anticipation of his first opening-day start, but the team announced Friday that it will not have Eaton available to open the season. Eaton was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his left elbow, an injury that will keep him out for six to eight weeks.
At this point, it does not appear as if Eaton will need surgery, but this injury is likely to sideline him for at least the first month of the regular season. With Cody Ross also likely to begin the season on the disabled list, the Diamondbacks opening-day outfield might consist of Jason Kubel, A.J. Pollock and Gerardo Parra. Eaton was batting .390 in the spring with three stolen bases, two home runs and 10 RBI in 20 games prior to the injury.
Eaton feels no pressure
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/17/2013) The Arizona Daily Star reports Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton is ready to tackle the pressure of being a leadoff hitter in the majors. "I don't feel any (pressure)," he said. "I'm ready for the opportunity and excited for it." Manager Kirk Gibson hasn't anointed Eaton the team's opening day leadoff hitter and starting center fielder, but the prospect certainly has his manager's attention. "You could see the kind of element that he could bring to a team," Gibson said. "We've never had a leadoff hitter since I've been here. That's exciting. That changes the way our lineup goes. You get a guy that's disruptive at the top of the lineup, that can get on base, that can chop the ball, put pressure on the infielders. He's very aggressive on the bases." General manager Kevin Towers views Eaton an asset on the base paths. "It's not only his threat to steal second, but he was very effective in the minor leagues at stealing third as well," Towers said.
Eaton held in high regard
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/10/2013) MLB.com reports the Diamondbacks have high hopes for outfield prospect Adam Eaton, who is the strong favorite to be the team's opening day center fielder. "Adam is a really exciting player," Diamondbacks minor league director Mike Bell said. "Everywhere he's been, he's put up huge offensive numbers. He plays solid defensively, he steals bases, he gets on base. If he plays the way he's been playing, I think he's going to be a tremendous player for us."
Eaton gearing up to compete
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/9/2013) After breaking his hand in the final week of the regular season, Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Eaton is only about a month into his offseason training program and is still working to regain the strength in his hand, according to MLB.com. "It's going real well," Eaton said of his rehab. "I got cleared right before Christmas and I've been hitting for probably about three weeks or so. It feels great. There's no pain, there's no restriction of movement." After hitting .259 with a .382 on-base percentage in a September call-up last season, Eaton appeared destined to be the Diamondbacks' leadoff hitter in 2013, especially after the team traded Chris Young to the Athletics early in the offseason. But now that Cody Ross is in the mix, Eaton expects to have to compete. "You prepare yourself the same," Eaton said. "It doesn't matter if you're 12th on the depth chart."
