Bryce Harper was injured on Friday sliding head first into third base.  He was placed on the DL with a “sprained thumb.”  If this is indeed the correct diagnosis, there’s no reason to believe he will be out for more than the 15 days required.  The notable exception to this estimate, however, is Chase Utley in 2010 when he initially went on the DL with a sprained thumb only to later be told he had a torn thumb UCL. Thumb injuries sliding headfirst should make one more concerned about a torn ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb which would require a much longer stint on the DL. Ultimately, this makes a fantasy impact because it should make one slightly more likely to stream a pitcher against the Nationals although they are still a potent enough offense that I would think long and hard before doing so.

Chris Davis is headed to the DL with a strained left oblique.  Unlike pitchers with oblique strains who tend to have longer DL stays, position players with oblique strains on the same side that they bat from (Davis bats left handed but throws right) miss on average just 21 days.

Finally, Anibal Sanchez left with a laceration of his middle finger. It is uncommon to miss more than the 15 day minimum. As has been pointed out in a variety of locations, Josh Beckett is a notable exception to a quick and easy return. Really, this helps those who against all odds have held on to Drew Smyly because it makes it less likely that the Tigers will skip him as originally planned.