Which Player Returning From Injury Will Make Biggest Impact on 2011 MLB Season?

by abournenesn

Apr 23, 2011

Which Player Returning From Injury Will Make Biggest Impact on 2011 MLB Season? Angels first baseman Kendry Morales celebrated a walkoff grand slam in style in late May of the 2010 season: He fractured his leg jumping onto home plate as his teammates mauled him in elation.

He was 26 years old at the time of the fluke injury, but he was well on his way to taking over as the team's top hitter. In 2009, he hit 24 homers and drove in 108 while hitting .306. In 51 games prior to his freak May 29 injury, he had 11 homers and 39 RBIs to go with a .290 BA. Needless to say, the kid can rake.

Filling in for Morales this year has been Mark Trumbo, an 18th-rounder in 2004 who had eight MLB games under his belt before spring training. Do you think the Halos are excited for the return of Morales? Probably not as much as the AL West is fearing it.

Morales isn't the only stud set to return midseason as there is a pretty stacked lineup full of shelved All-Stars out there.

One of the game's best went down earlier this month when Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton fractured his right humerus. The reigning AL MVP could miss up to six weeks of action, putting the defending AL champs in a tough spot for the time being.

As for other key injuries in the AL so far this season, Evan Longoria's oblique strain has left the Rays in a difficult spot, but without him, the Tampa lineup has won eight of their last 10 games heading into Friday. The Twins have been without Joe Mauer (bilateral leg weakness), who is expected to be back in May. In better news for Minnesota, Justin Morneau (flu), is hoping to be back in the lineup any day now.

In Philadelphia, the Phillies are hoping All-Star second baseman Chase Utley can overcome a knee injury to help out the first-place Phils, who haven't skipped a beat without him. Philly is also short of a closer, as Brad Lidge is on the mend with a strained rotator cuff. Filling in for Lidge has been Jose Contreras who is (reportedly) turning 40 this season.

Sticking in the NL East, the New York Mets are expecting ace Johan Santana to return from a torn capsule by midseason. In three years with the Mets, he's gone 40-25 with a 2.85 ERA. The 6-13 Mets are relying on makeshift and aceless staff of R.A. Dickey, Jonathan Niese, Chris Capuano, Mike Pelfrey and Dillon Gee.

Jumping over a division, but sticking in the NL, the Milwaukee Brewers took a gamble this offseason by shipping off some prospects for 2009 Cy Young Award winner, Zack Greinke. They were excited to have a dangerous one-two punch atop their rotation with Greinke and Yovani Gallardo, but the former Royals ace cracked a rib during a pickup basketball game. The Brew Crew is just a 1/2 game out of first place in the NL Central and with Greinke expected to return in early May, the team could make a serious run at the Cardinals, Reds and Cubs.

Which player returning from injury will make the biggest impact in 2011? Leave your thoughts below.

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