As we begin the second week of the 2014 baseball season, the injuries keep piling up.  This is why it is important that you have depth on your fantasy baseball rosters because you never know when the injury bug is going to hit you.  The other problem with some injuries is that they can linger indefinitely while a MLB team tries to wait things out before placing a player on the DL.  That can be even more difficult to manage because it creates uncertainty in your daily or weekly lineups, and it prevents you from making a corresponding transaction to add a replacement.  So here is the Fantasy Baseball Injury Report for April 7, 2014.

Yasiel Puig (OF-LAD) 

Polarizing outfielder Yasiel Puig injured his left thumb diving into first base over the weekend and was held out of the Dodgers’ lineup on Sunday.  X-rays came back negative and an MRI revealed a strain of a ligament in his thumb.  However, the injury is not believed to be serious as it does not look like he is headed to the disabled list. Perhaps this was karma coming back to bite him since he was unable to show up to the field on time late last week.  For the record, my tweet the other day about Puig sleeping in the Dodgers’ clubhouse was simply a suggestion for the Cuban phenom.

David Robertson (RP-NYY) 

There have been many questions about whether David Robertson would be able to fill the shoes of the iconic Mariano Rivera as the closer for the Yankees.  The fact is that no one can ever fill them.  But Robertson has been very successful as Rivera's primary set-up man and demonstrated that he has the stuff and poise to do the job.  After converting his first two saves in 2014, Robertson has been placed on the disabled list with a groin strain.  He doesn't think he will miss any more than the requisite 15 days, but that remains to be seen.  Shawn Kelley earned the save on Monday, but it is unknown who Joe Girardi will turn to on a consistent basis in Robertson's absence.

Mark Teixeira (1B-NYY) 

Congratulations are in order for Mark Teixeira who managed to play three consecutive games without getting injured.  But that is where the streak ended.  Teixeira sustained a hamstring injury which landed him right back on the disabled list.  He is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday which will determine the severity of the injury.  Either way, Teixeira will be out for at least several weeks.  While he is out, Kelly Johnson will see most of the playing time at first base and rookie Yangervis Solarte will have the opportunity to ride his current hot streak.  Despite not liking the Yankees, I personally cannot wait to hear what John Sterling’s home run call will be for him.  I’d like him to sing Bocelli’s “Por ti Solarte.”

Ryan Zimmerman (3B-WAS) 

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is suffering from soreness in his right shoulder but he was able to pinch hit during Washington’s last game on Sunday.  While there is no structural damage in his surgically repaired shoulder, there is inflammation and it can be clearly seen it has affected his throwing in the field.  Right now all signs point to Zimmerman being back in the lineup on Tuesday, but this could be a recurring problem that he will have to deal with for the rest of his career.

Bobby Parnell (RP-NYM) 

Add another pitcher to the list for Tommy John surgery.  Mets closer Bobby Parnell has opted to undergo the procedure on his partial tear of the MCL in his right elbow and will miss the rest of the season.  Parnell was a question mark heading into 2014 after undergoing neck surgery last year.  But after blowing a save on Opening Day when his fastball never topped 93 MPH, there was clearly something wrong in his arm.  He can be dropped in all non-keeper leagues, and don’t hesitate to drop him in keeper leagues either if it means freeing up a spot for you.  If you are desperate for saves and you are a glutton for punishment, then pick up Jose Valverde who will be the Mets closer for the foreseeable future.  This can only end badly for everyone involved.

J.J. Hardy (SS-BAL) 

If Sir Mix A Lot was writing a song about J.J. Hardy, it would be called “Baby Got Back Spasms.”  Hardy has been in and out of the lineup the past couple days dealing with tightness and locking in his back.  The Orioles do not appear overly concerned about the severity, so it doesn’t appear as though he will land on the disabled list.  But back injuries are always a concern, especially for a power-hitting shortstop.  You are better off just keeping him on your bench in either daily or weekly leagues until he is deemed 100% and can stay in the lineup.

Dexter Fowler (OF-HOU) 

Astros outfielder Dexter Fowler has missed four games with a bout of gastroenteritis.  Whether he ate some bad sushi or caught that stomach bug that is going, it has cost Fowler several games after he got off to such a great start with his new team.  He was back in the Astros’ clubhouse today which is a good sign that he is on the road to recovery.  But he will need to regain some strength which could take a couple extra days before he is back in the lineup.  Someone get some Lysol for Houston’s clubhouse.

Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service.  You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),