WALK IT OFF

Nothing stings more than when a devastating injury ruins your roster. Sometimes there's nothing you can do about it, like when Carlos Beltrán and Mike Cameron collided in 2005. But other DL trips are avoidable—if you know which comebackers are worth the risk and which players are 15-day stints waiting to happen. Just follow us to the exam room.

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Mauer's prognosis doesn't look good.

JEREMY BONDERMAN, SP, DET
The 25-year-old flamethrower overcame blisters last year but succumbed to elbow inflammation in September. He's been doing exercises to strengthen his forearm and has youth on his side. But any time you hear elbow and inflammation back-to-back, proceed with caution. A moderate to high risk.

YOVANI GALLARDO, SP, MIL
Don't freak out over the fact that this 22-year-old phenom underwent surgery on Feb. 19 to address a meniscus tear in his left (plant) knee. Given his youth and overall good health, he should return to prime form in short order, maybe even by May.

JOE MAUER, C, MIN
He was limited to 109 games last season due to a string of injuries to his left leg (stress reaction, quadriceps strain, hamstring injury). Considering he also suffered a serious left-meniscus injury in 2004, you have to wonder how long Mauer can tolerate the demands of catching. A prime candidate to miss time.

HANLEY RAMÍREZ, SS, FLA
Mr. Fantasy MVP endured several episodes of shoulder subluxation (a temporary, partial dislocation of the shoulder joint) last July, which made it painful for him to swing the bat. Amazingly, he missed just four games, and his production never really suffered. Ramírez had off-season surgery to repair the shoulder, and he should be swinging at full speed again this spring. Bottom line: He's still a fantasy stud.

CURT SCHILLING, SP, BOS
Schill's personal orthopedist says he needs surgery on a badly injured biceps tendon. Red Sox docs say the shoulder can be treated with rest and rehab. He's gonna follow team orders, but there are simply no guarantees that the 41-year-old will pitch in 2008—or ever again.

Stephania Bell is a physical therapist who is a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

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