Injury Updates: Ryan Zimmerman, Pablo Sandoval, Casey Blake, and Mitchell Boggs Out as Cardinals Closer?

The big news this afternoon is the news that Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had hernia surgery and will be out till the All Star Break. it looks like Alex Cora and Jerry Hairston will take over at third base for the Nationals for now. Outfielder Mike Morse has been mentioned as an alternative at third base as well. Morse last played third base in 2009 where he got one game in at the hot corner. He also played 3 games at third with the Mariners back in 2007. He played 32 games at third base in the minors in 2009 as well.

Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval will miss 4-6 weeks after breaking his hamate bone in his right wrist. Sandoval will be missed in the Giants lineup as he was hitting .313-.374-.530 with 5 HRs and 14 RBIs and a 14-8 K/BB rate. The Giants may go with Miguel Tejada at 3B and move Mike Fontenot to SS. When Mark DeRosa returns from the DL on May 10th, he will more than likely take over at 3B with Tejada moving back to shortstop, so pick up DeRosa when he comes off the DL.

The Dodgers placed third baseman Casey Blake on the DL yesterday and he will be out of action for at least 4 weeks. He had surgery on his elbow to remove an infection. The Dodgers went with Juan Uribe at third base, Jamey Carroll at SS and Aaron Miles at 2B last night. I imagine that will be the lineup on most days, with Ivan DeJesus Jr. getting some looks at 2B as well.

The Cardinals appear to have replaced Mitchell Boggs as their closer as he was used in the 8th inning last night, and in the 7th inning in this afternoon's game vs the Braves. As i wrote in the morning Roundup, Eduardo Sanchez worked the 9th and 10th inning of a tie game last night, and Fernando Salas earned the save in today's 3-2 win. At this time there is no clear cut closer in St. Louis, but it appears to be a battle between Sanchez and Salas. I picked up Sanchez in my big money NL-only league this afternoon. It will be interesting who gets the call in the next save opportunity for the Cardinals. It will certainly help out fantasy owners.

Sanchez has a 17-2 K/BB rate in 10 innings of work with a 1.80 ERA and 0.70 WHIP, while Salas has a 10-3 K/BB rate in 9 1/3rd innings with a 0.96 ERA and 0/96 WHIP.

One more, this from Buster Olney tweet today: