Randy Wolf out for the entire 2013 season

The Orioles have announced that pitcher Randy Wolf has elected to undergo Tommy John surgery and will be forced to miss the entire 2013 season. However, he told Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun that he plans on returning in 2014.

Wolf previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2005 as a member of the Phillies. He was signed by the Orioles after being released by the Brewers toward the end of the 2012 season. He posted a 5.65 ERA in 157.2 innings of work with both teams.

Analysis: Wolf is a gamer and I respect that he still wants to stay in the game and try to compete. However, his body is just telling him no and I don't see him pitching well when he returns in 2014. Wolf, at this stage in his career, is just an innings eater and will probably be a number #5 starter if lucky when he returns.

Anderson out for rest of season

The Athletics have announced that pitcher Brett Anderson will miss the remainder of the season following an MRI that showed a strained right oblique. Anderson injured himself during Wednesday's game.

"I was throwing the ball well and feeling good," Anderson said. "To have a fluke deal, you don't suspect it at all and the next thing you know you're out again, it's kind of disheartening from that aspect. But from the team aspect these guys have been picking each other up through the course of the season. I don't expect anything less now."

Anderson enjoyed nice success in his brief stint with Oakland this year, posting a 2.57 ERA in six starts. He filled a big void once the A's lost Brandon McCarthy to a freak injury and Bartolo Colon due to a PED suspension.

Analysis: This guy just can't catch a break. It seems like Anderson is always on the disabled list, and its a shame because he is a pretty good pitcher. He is just very injury-prone, and the Athletics have to keep note of that as he moves forward in his career. Now Oakland will have to rely on journeyman Travis Blackley to take his spot, and despite his success so far, he doesn't have any post-season experience, which could backfire on Oakland. Yet again, Anderson didn't have any post-season experience.

Berkman out for the rest of the season

The Cardinals have announced that first baseman Lance Berkman will miss the remainder of the season following yet another knee surgery.

Berkman has played only 31 games this season, and has hit .265. He underwent knee surgery to repair his right meniscus in May and missed about a month of the season.

This could mark the end of Berkman's playing career, because he did hint at retirement a few weeks ago.

Analysis: Just as I predicted, Berkman has had another injury-prone season. He is just too old to play everyday in the league, and should hang up the cleats soon. He has had one heck of a career, but I don't know what else he has to prove. He is a border-line Hall of Famer at the moment.

Markakis out for six weeks, season in doubt

The Orioles have announced that outfielder Nick Markakis will be out for six weeks following an MRI that showed that he had a broken hand. Markakis was hit by a CC Sabathia fastball on Saturday.

Manager Buck Showalter realizes that Markakis is going to be out for the remainder of the season, but also mentioned that he could return if the team makes it deep in the playoffs. Markakis has hit .298 this season with Baltimore.

Analysis: Tough break for the Orioles. Markakis is very underrated and he will definitely be missed. Now, Baltimore is going to have to rely on Nate McLouth and/or Lew Ford to fill in until he comes back.

Oviedo undergoes Tommy John surgery, out for season, next season in jeopardy

The Marlins have announced that Juan Carlos Ovideo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, has undergone Tommy John surgery to repair an elbow injury. Nunez collected 92 saves with the Marlins as their closer from 2009-2011.

Oviedo was then caught for using a false identity, and was suspended by the MLB for eight weeks. He had an elbow strain while rehabbing, and the injury never healed. He will be a free agent after the 2012 season, and it is unlikely that the Marlins will bring him back.

Analysis: Oviedo has had an awful year, and getting Tommy John surgery just puts icing on the cake. He was good with the Florida Marlins a few years ago, but bringing him back for the 2013 season doesn't make any sense. First off, he'll probably be ready to pitch in the latter part of the season, plus you don't know how he'll bounce back from the surgery. 

Billingsley officially shut down for rest of season

The Dodgers have annouced that pitcher Chad Billingsley has been officially shut down for the season after an MRI revealed a torn ligament in his right elbow. If Billingsley chooses to undergo Tommy John surgery, he will most likely be lost for the entire 2013 season as well.

Billingsley has had a nice season, posting a 3.55 ERA in 25 starts while striking out 128 hitters.

Analysis: Tough break for the Dodgers and Billingsley. It's a shame because now the Dodgers really don't have that much pitching depth, considering that prospects Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster are now in Boston's organization. This could now allow the Giants to creep up in the division and possibly take over the divisional lead. As for Billingsley, you hate when these things happen. Billingsley is one of the most underrated pitchers in the game, and if he chooses to get Tommy John surgery, he'll probably be lost for the 2013 season and will be a free agent after the 2014 season.

Bonifacio shutdown for rest of season

The Marlins have announced that outfielder Emilio Bonifacio will be shutdown for the remainder of the 2012 season due to a right knee injury. Bonifacio hasn't played since August 21.

Bonifacio finishes the season hitting .258 in 274 plate appearances with 30 stolen bases. The Marlins have also announced that Bonifacio could possibly be facing off-season surgery.

Analysis: This is the right move for the Marlins. Shutting down Bonifacio is smart because playing him while he's hurt in a lost season doesn't make sense. Bonifacio got off to a great start earlier in the season, but several injuries, specifically a wrist injury, really ruined his season.

Inge out for season following shoulder surgery

The Athletics announced that third baseman Brandon Inge will be forced to miss the rest of the season following a shoulder surgery that he will undergo in the coming days. Apparently Inge will see the doctor in a few days, and will be available to pinch hit off of the bench although he has a dislocated shoulder. Inge hopes to return to Oakland next season.

Unless Inge gets a few more at-bats, he will end the season with a .218 batting average with 12 homers and 54 RBI in 83 games. He was cut by Detroit in April and Oakland picked him up after their third baseman, Scott Sizemore, was forced to miss the entire season.

Analysis: Tough break for Inge and the Athletics. Don't let the numbers fool you, Inge has been very good with the Athletics this year, providing many clutch hits and a spark off of the bench. He is also a very versatile player, so Oakland will definitely miss him. Hopefully he recovers nicely and possibly re-signs with Oakland in the off-season. He seems comfortable there and I'm sure that they would want him back. He is tough as nails and a great teammate to have.

Gonzalez tears ligament in ankle, out for season

The Astros have announced that shortstop Marwin Gonzalez is out for the season following an MRI that showed that he has a torn ligament in his ankle. He has injured after landing awkwardly on first base in Thursday's game against the Giants.

Gonzalez won't be placed on the disabled list because interim manager Tony DeFrancesco doesn't believe that the injury will require surgery, plus the rosters expand today. 

Gonzalez was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Astros a few months ago. He hit .234 with 2 homers and 12 RBI's on the season. 

Analysis: I hate when I see these type of injuries. Gonzalez is playing for a team that will struggle to get 50 wins on the season, and he puts in his full effort to beat out a grounder in a four run game. Tough break for a good guy, and hopefully he recovers nicely. He is still very young, so hopefully he has a roster spot next season. 

Rodriguez undergoes elbow surgery, out for season

The Nationals announced that relief pitcher Henry Rodriguez underwent elbow surgery yesterday and will be out for the remainder of the season. The surgery was supposedly going to clean up a bone spur in his right elbow.

Rodriguez won't be able to pick up a baseball for 10 to 12 weeks, but is expected to be ready for Spring Training next season. He has posted a 5.83 ERA in 29.1 innings of relief this season. He had the closer's job earlier in the season, but he was eventually replaced by Tyler Clippard.

Analysis: Rodriguez got off to a nice start earlier in the season, converting his first 5 save opportunities. However, he started to get wild and lost his closer's job. He has an incredible raw arm, and most of his pitches end up to be around 98-100 mph. Good luck to him and hopefully he lives up to his hype next season.

Furcal to have Tommy John surgery, out for season

The Cardinals placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the 15 day disabled list yesterday with an apparently elbow injury. Today, Furcal's MRI confirmed that the injury is a a torn UCL ligament in his elbow that will force him to miss the remainder of the season. Fellow shortstop Pete Kozma has been recalled from Triple-A.

Furcal left Thursday night's game at Washington early after he felt a pop in his elbow. Furcal has hit .264 wit 5 homers and 49 RBI in 121 games with St. Louis this season. He made the All-Star team back in July.

Analysis: Tough blow for the Cardinals. Furcal has been pretty good this season and his defense and speed are hard to replace. Now the club will have to rely on internal options like Pete Kozma to fill in for the final month of the season. St. Louis could perhaps make a trade to acquire a shortstop but keep in mind that if they acquire someone, that player cannot play in the post-season with them.

Worley to have elbow surgery, out for season

The Phillies have announced that pitcher Vance Worley will undergo elbow surgery next month and will miss the remainder of the season. Worley was shut down on Wednesday, a day after a poor outing. Philadelphia called up pitcher Tyler Cloyd from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Worley had a 6-9 record with a 4.20 ERA in 2012. He had an 11-3 record with a 3.01 ERA last season as a rookie.

Analysis: Worley has had a tough year but this is the right call for the Phillies. There is no need in having him pitch while hurt for the last month of the season. We all know how good Worley could be when he's 100%, and hopefully he regains his dominance next season.

Bautista to undergo wrist surgery, out for rest of season

The Blue Jays announced that their star outfielder Jose Bautista will be out for the remainder of the season following a wrist injury. Bautista should be fully healed by Spring Training next season, and his recovery should take 3-4 months.

Bautista has had a pretty good year in 2012, but has been restricted due to his wrist injury. He has hit .241 with 27 homers and 65 RBI in 92 games.

Analysis: Tough blow for the Blue Jays but Toronto isn't really competing this year, so getting this wrist injury fixed is the right call. You simply can't risk a player like Jose Bautista, considering that he is one of the elite sluggers in the game. On the brighter note, Toronto can now give prospects Moises Sierra and Anthony Gose a shot at next year's club, or maybe even auditioning them for other teams in case they make a trade for some pitching help.

Hairston Jr. to undergo hip surgery, out for season

The Dodgers have announced that utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. will undergo hip surgery, and will be out for the remainder of the season. Hairston Jr. has been on the disabled list since August 13.

He has hitting .276 with four homers before the injury. He also played third base, second base, shortstop, and left field for Los Angeles this year.

Analysis: Terrible news for the Dodgers. Hairston Jr. has been very good for them this year and he provided a lot of versatility. Now, with Juan Uribe struggling, look for them to make a move to add an infielder. The Dodgers are slowly fading away, and they are going to need to add another utility player in order to stay in the race.

Santana shutdown for rest of season

The Mets announced that starting pitcher Johan Santana will be shutdown for the rest of the season. No surgery is required, but the club wants Santana to get ready for next season, a season where he will make $31 million. Pitcher Collin McHugh will start in Santana's place against Colorado on Thursday.

Santana has posted a 4.85 ERA this season. He had serious shoulder surgery after the 2010 campaign and missed the entire 2011 season.

Analysis: This is definitely the right move because the Mets aren't going anywhere and there is no reason to put him out there every fifth day in pain. Also, it is good that New York is getting the chance now to call up some younger players, because Santana is locked up through the 2013 season, and will probably be gone after that.

Carl Crawford to have surgery, out for rest of season

The Red Sox have announced that outfielder Carl Crawford has requested to get season-ending Tommy John surgery to fix a torn UCL in his throwing arm. Crawford has been playing with the injury for the entire season, and will undergo the operation tomorrow.

Crawford will most likely return to the Red Sox nine months from now, and GM Ben Cherington seems okay with this decision.

"We'll focus the decision more on what's best for Carl," Cherington said. "What gives him the best chance to be the player that we know he can be for the longest period of time." 

Crawford signed a $142 million deal with Boston two off-seasons ago, and has been a major disappointment since. He finished this season with a .282 batting average, along with 3 homers and 5 stolen bases in 31 games.

Analysis: Tough break for Crawford and I was really hoping that he would have a nice comeback season in 2012. 2012, however, has been a mess for the guy and it's a shame that he is going to have to miss part of next season as well. Hopefully he comes back as the old Carl Crawford because if he doesn't, I can certainly see him being traded.

Chris Getz out for season with broken thumb

The Royals have announced that infielder Chris Getz will miss the rest of the season due to a broken thumb. The club recalled infielder Johnny Giavotella from Triple-A, where hit .323 with 71 RBI.

Getz hit .280 with 17 RBI on the season, and will be arbitration eligible after the season.

Diaz to have surgery, out for season

The Braves have announced that outfielder Matt Diaz will be out for the season following a thumb surgery that he is about to undergo. Diaz has been on the disabled list since July 21, and was playing through the pain for a few weeks before that.

Diaz has hit .222 with 2 homers and 13 RBI in 51 games this season with Atlanta.

Middlebrooks has broken wrist, possibly out for rest of season

Will Middlebrooks has been placed on the 15 day disabled list by the Red Sox with a broken right wrist, and will most likely be out for the rest of the season. Middlebrooks got hit on the right wrist by a fastball by Indians relief pitcher Esmil Rogers Friday night.

Middlebrooks has been very good this year, hitting .288 with 15 homers and 54 RBI in 75 games.

Helton to undergo hip surgery, out for rest of season

The Rockies announced that first baseman Todd Helton will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Friday to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. Helton has been placed on the 15 day disabled list and Colorado reinstated Chris Nelson from the 15 day disabled list in a corresponding move.

Helton has hit .238 with seven homers and 38 RBI this season, and has had a sore hip since early June.