Catchers

Yankees catcher Jorge Posada (shoulder) threw from as far as 75 feet Thursday with better velocity. According to manager Joe Girardi, Posada's "going in the right direction" and could return in early June.

Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit fractured his left thumb Tuesday and won't participate in any baseball-related activities for at least four weeks. He'll avoid surgery on his thumb, but he could miss considerably more than four weeks after he gets in some rehab work. Ronny Paulino is set to take over as the team's everyday catcher, a role in which he served the past two seasons.

Others of Note

Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez was scratched from the starting lineup Wednesday after feeling continued discomfort in his left wrist after batting practice. He hasn't played since May 9 and didn't appear in this weekend's series with the Nationals. The team isn't sure when he will return.

First Basemen

Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira returned to the team's lineup May 14 after missing two games with back spasms.

Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs has been off resting a tight left quadriceps. He came on as a pinch-hitter in games May 13 and May 14, but hasn't started since May 7.

Others of Note

Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson tore the tendon sheath in his right wrist May 13 and will miss four to six weeks. He's been placed on the 15-day disabled list. His spot on the roster will be taken by Dmitri Young (back). Young's been on the DL since April 3 but was activated Friday, May 16.

Second Basemen

Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick tested his hamstring in a pregame workout May 15 that included agility drills and running. He'll need to go on a rehab assignment before returning, which isn't expected to happen this weekend. It isn't sure when he will be ready to return.

Others of Note

Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson returned to the starting lineup Tuesday after missing six consecutive games with a hamstring injury .... Mets second baseman Luis Castillo returned May 15 after missing three games with a strained left quadriceps. He went 2-for-2 with a walk in his return .... A's second baseman Mark Ellis is still day-to-day with a strained left hamstring, though he might not be ready to start this weekend. With the A's lacking a true backup infielder, Ellis could be available in a substitute situation. He hasn't played since May 11.

Third Basemen

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones sat out Thursday due to a sore groin. However, he was back in the lineup May 16.

Angels third baseman Chone Figgins (hamstring) did some agility drills and running as part of a pregame workout May 15. It isn't known if he will go on a rehab assignment, though he's eligible to return Tuesday.

Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra (calf) has been taking groundballs at shortstop and could start there when he returns from the disabled list, at least until shortstop Rafael Furcal (back) returns. However, Garciaparra's still feeling discomfort in his left calf and has yet to begin a rehab assignment. There's still no firm date for his return.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez pushed his strained right quadriceps at an estimated 95 percent while running the bases May 15. He's scheduled to play in rehab games beginning May 17. If everything goes smoothly, he could return May 20.

Others of Note

Melvin Mora received a second cortisone injection in his right shoulder, but still missed his second straight game May 14. His shoulder's been bothering him since spring training. ... Ty Wigginton is expected to return to the starting lineup May 16 after missing three games with a ribcage injury.... Blake DeWitt sat out May 15 due to lower back pain. ... Eric Chavez (back) went 0-for-4 with one strikeout in his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Sacramento on May 15. He started at designated hitter and could play third base by May 18. He's expected to spend three weeks with Sacramento before a possible return.... Hank Blalock was scheduled to participate in a rehab game with Double-A Frisco on Thursday, but he was forced to withdraw from the game after feeling tightness in his injured left hamstring. He was set to be evaluated May 16.

Shortstops

Troy Tulowitzki has felt no pain after beginning strengthening exercises on his torn right quadriceps. He's still a couple months from returning based off previous estimates.

Rafael Furcal landed on the 15-day disabled list last Monday due to a lower back strain. He's received one cortisone injection in his back. The placement was retroactive to May 6, making his eligible return May 21. However, the team's unsure if he'll be ready to return then.

Others of Note

Julio Lugo (concussion) was set to have his head examined May 15 by specialists after missing five games. He isn't expected to land on the disabled list, but the team isn't sure when he will return.... Jeff Keppinger will be sidelined four to six weeks after suffering a broken left kneecap Tuesday.

Outfielders

Josh Willingham aggravated his back injury taking batting practice last Monday and could seek a second doctor's opinion. A best-case scenario has him returning late this month or early in June, while the worst-case option would be surgery.

Jose Guillen has played the last five games as the team's designated hitter because of a hip flexor, but could be back starting in left field soon. His hip injury limits him when he runs, but not during his swing.

Vernon Wells was placed on the disabled list after he broke his left wrist May 9. His injury has forced Alex Rios to move to center with Brad Wilkerson and Kevin Mench taking over in right. Wells is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Others of Note

Coco Crisp is battling nausea and migraine headaches and was unable to play May 16... J.D. Drew remains unavailable due to a hyperextended wrist. He was set to undergo an MRI on Thursday, but felt he would avoid a stint on the disabled list, though there is no return date.... Carlos Gomez didn't start May 15 due to an illness, though he was inserted as a defensive replacement late in the game.... Milton Bradley did not play in a couple games last week due to a sore shoulder. He returned to the lineup over the weekend.

Designated Hitters

Gary Sheffield (shoulder) returned to the designated hitter spot after five games in left field. He'll remain as the team's designated hitter until his throwing is no longer restricted and his shoulder is healed. He likely will be used primarily as a pinch-hitter during interleague play.

Starting Pitchers

Randy Johnson suffered a bruise on his left hand when he took a groundball off it Tuesday. He's still started on Sunday.

Clay Buchholz landed on the 15-day disabled list due to a torn fingernail on the middle finger on his throwing hand. He might have been able to make his next start, but the team felt they needed to make a roster move to bring up another outfielder. He's likely to be ready to return when the 15 days are up, but there's some speculation he could be sent to Triple-A Pawtucket at that time.

John Lackey (triceps) allowed just one run on six hits over seven innings in his return from the disabled list Wednesday.

Yovani Gallardo underwent surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee May 13 and the results were "outstanding," according to assistant general manager Gord Ash. He was set to begin his rehab May 14, but is likely done for the season.

Scott Baker (groin) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session May 15, and he could begin a rehab assignment soon after if all goes well. He likely would throw two more bullpen sessions May 17 and May 19 before pitching in a rehab game May 21 or May 22. The team won't place a return date on him until after he pitches in a rehab game.

Pedro Martinez (hamstring) threw 55 pitches in simulated game Wednesday, and the team is hoping to get him on a schedule of throwing every five days. The team's refused to set a timetable for his return, though he could be back as soon as early June.

Others of Note

Doug Davis (thyroid cancer) threw a lengthy bullpen session May 15 and is slated to pitch for Triple-A Tucson on May 18. He could return to the D-Backs rotation May 23.... Adam Loewen (elbow) is scheduled to join the team in Florida next week and throw a bullpen session. He doesn't have a set return date.... Bartolo Colon (oblique) looked good during a rehab start May 15 after throwing six shutout innings for Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox need a starter for May 20, but Colon remains at least one more rehab start from being promoted.... Curt Schilling (shoulder) threw from 60 feet Saturday, May 10. He was hoping to increase the amount of pitches he throws and the distance, but there is still no timetable for his return.... Jake Westbrook (ribs) threw a four-inning simulated game May 13 and is scheduled to make a rehab start for Single-A Lake County on May 17, though it might be pushed to May 18. He could return to the team after the rehab assignment.... Dontrelle Willis (knee) is scheduled to make his next rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on May 17. There's no timetable for his return.... Wandy Rodriguez (groin) is set to throw a simulated game May 16 and could be cleared for a rehab start if all goes well. It isn't sure when he'll be ready to come off the disabled list.... Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) has been throwing from 90 feet on flat ground as part of his throwing program. It isn't sure when he'll return.... Jason Schmidt (shoulder) threw around 36 pitches in a bullpen session May 14 and is slated to throw a rehab start May 17 for Class-A Inland Empire. He doesn't have a firm return date.... Mark Prior (shoulder, back) had his right shoulder examined by Dr. James Andrews on May 15, and the team will wait a few days before making any decisions on his return. It appears doubtful he'll return by the beginning of June, which was the team's original target date.... Mark Mulder (shoulder) was slated to throw another bullpen session May 15, and a minor league rehab assignment could be in the near future. However, there's still no timetable for his return.... Kevin Millwood (groin) landed on the disabled list with a strained right groin. It isn't sure how much time he'll miss.

Relief Pitchers

John Smoltz (shoulder) threw 25 "easy throws" May 15 and was expected to throw all his pitches in a longer bullpen session Saturday. He could begin a rehab assignment next week. There's no projected return date, though he hopes to return before the end of the month.

Joe Borowski (triceps) is scheduled to throw a simulated game May 16. He's expected to remain on the disabled list for at least one more week.

Others of Note

Rafael Soriano (elbow) is expected to face live hitters May 16 or May 17, and he could then begin a short rehab assignment. The team is hopeful he can be activated next week.... Chris Ray is slated to throw off a mound May 19 for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery. He's then expected to join the team in Florida to throw bullpen sessions. There's no timetable for his return.... Jason Isringhausen (hand) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday, because of a lacerated right hand. The team hasn't said how Isringhausen suffered the injury, but reports have surfaced that he may have been injured punching the television in the clubhouse. He was recently demoted from the closer position.

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's 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.

Clay Buchholz, SP, Boston Red Sox - Torn fingernail - Status: 15-day DL

One of the Red Sox's top pitching prospects, the 23-year-old Buchholz tore the fingernail on the middle finger of his right hand - his pitching hand.

People tend to underestimate the effect of such injuries to pitchers. How could a torn fingernail affect the grip on the ball (his curveball and changeup are his best pitches)? How long does this generally take to heal? Is there any medicine or treatment involved? The team's talking about having him pitch fewer innings when he returns - does this help the healing process? When could he regain full movement on his pitches?

The fingernail injury depends on the degree of separation from its bed (the pink area underneath the nail). This is the blood supply and growth area of the nail.

When the tear occurs there is associated bleeding and pain. If the nail's still partially attached, it may be sutured or glued back into place after it has been cleaned and the bleeding is controlled. A complete nail avulsion (tearing away) may also be replaced as above, but will be totally replaced in three to six months by the nail bed.

The nail will have to be protected for two to three weeks until the nail heals to its bed. The pain factor may be aggravated by certain grips on the baseball. This may affect the velocity and the type of pitch thrown.

The effectiveness of a pitcher's grip could be compromised for at least six weeks. Once healed, the effect on the grip is no longer compromised.

Jeff Keppinger, SS, Cincinnati Reds - Broken left kneecap - Status: 15-day DL

Keppinger fouled a ball off his left kneecap and underwent an MRI on Wednesday to determine the extent of the damage. Baseball players constantly put pressure on the knees, regardless of position. What's the average recovery time for such an injury? Are there degrees of broken kneecaps?

A fracture of the patella is an injury to the kneecap. The kneecap is one of three bones that make up the knee joint. The patella is lined with cartilage on its undersurface and is important in providing strength for extension of the knee joint.

The kneecap is attached on top by the quadriceps muscle and on the bottom to the shin (tibia) by the patella tendon. If the fracture is separated or pulled apart, surgery is the only option. If it is not pulled apart, it will heal on its own with a brace or cast in extension four to six weeks. The muscle will then need to rehab. If surgery is necessary, the season is over for the athlete, as it'll take a total of three months to heal and usually requires removal of hardware after the healing occurs.

Ryan Doumit, C, Pittsburgh Pirates - Fractured left thumb - Status: 15-day DL

Doumit suffered a "slight fracture near the top of the left thumb" while catching a pitch during his last game. Reports are saying he's "sidelined indefinitely."

Like all major league catchers, he throws right-handed, with the left thumb being on his glove hand. What's the difference in rehab time between the various types of fractures? Would it be a quicker recovery for a designated hitter, who wouldn't have to use a glove at all? How would a fractured thumb affect a player's grip on a bat?

The last bone in the fingers and thumb is the distal phalanx. It has an abundant blood supply. This means that it will bleed internally. It'll swell and may bleed under the nail bed (subungual hematoma). If it bleeds, the buildup may require drainage to relieve the pressure that could be causing extreme pain.

The bone heals rapidly usually in 10 days to three weeks, but the sensitivity can remain for two months. Therefore, it is not recommended that a player begins catching a baseball for four to six weeks, even with a catcher's glove.