Melvin Upton Injured; Out For Spring
The news trickled in this morning…
Upton didn't complete today's workout because of right foot discomfort (near his big toe). He'll be further evaluated this afternoon.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 27, 2015
It sounds like Upton will be sidelined for more than just a few days. Still waiting to hear the significance of his injury. #Braves
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 27, 2015
…but then the concern increased – until we heard the verdict:
Test results reveal inflammation in Melvin Upton’s left foot. Foot will be in short leg cast for 2 weeks, then walking boot for 4-6 weeks
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) February 27, 2015
That there is actually a name for this condition seems somewhat more worrisome to me:
Melvin Upton expected to begin regular season on disabled list. #Braves announce he has sesamoiditis; no baseball activities until April.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 27, 2015
Sesamoiditis?
I’m not a doctor; I don’t play one on the Internet…. but I can use Google:
"A sesamoid is a bone embedded in a tendon. Sesamoids are found in several joints in the body. In the normal foot, the sesamoids are two pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint.Acting as a pulley for tendons, the sesamoids help the big toe move normally and provide leverage when the big toe “pushes off” during walking and running. The sesamoids also serve as a weight-bearing surface for the first metatarsal bone (the long bone connected to the big toe), absorbing the weight placed on the ball of the foot when walking, running, and jumping."
Multiple kinds of injuries can result from problems in this area, including fractures and the infamous Turf Toe. Sesamoidities is a little different. Quoting again from the same source:
"This is an overuse injury involving chronic inflammation of the sesamoid bones and the tendons involved with those bones. Sesamoiditis is caused by increased pressure to the sesamoids. Often, sesamoiditis is associated with a dull, longstanding pain beneath the big toe joint. The pain comes and goes, usually occurring with certain shoes or certain activities."
Prognosis
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You saw the estimated time missed above… frankly, from what I’m reading, that might be the absolute minimum. If there’s “chronic… increased pressure” in that area of the foot, then a change in footwear might be needed as well.
Since Melvin will end up missing all of Spring Training, I could also see an extended time in the minors for rehab… which might actually work in favor of swing corrections, as well. I would not anticipate seeing him back in major league games until at least May, though.
More on what that means for the Braves and that Center Field position a bit later.