Why Hamate Bone Injuries Are Surging Among MLB Stars

This article dives into the hamate bone injuries that cropped up for several MLB stars ahead of spring training. It looks at how they’re being treated and what that could mean for Opening Day and beyond.

Understanding the hamate bone and its role in baseball

The hamate is a small, hook-shaped bone on the outer wrist, right where the hand meets the forearm. It’s crucial for grip strength in the ring and pinky fingers and also helps with wrist flexibility.

Both of those things matter a lot when someone’s swinging a bat with authority. When the bat knob keeps pressing against the hamate, the bone can get stressed and start to hurt after thousands of swings.

Sometimes, a sudden spike in pressure—a hard hit, a foul tip, or even a checked swing—can fracture the bone if it’s already weakened. Athletes in other sports, like hockey and golf, face similar risks because they’re always jamming or torquing their wrists during powerful moves.

Surgeons usually choose to remove the hamate instead of repairing it because the bone just doesn’t heal well. The blood flow there is poor, and leaving it in can mean a longer recovery or another injury down the road.

Modern strength and conditioning programs have eased worries about losing grip or power after hamate removal. Excision has become a practical option for players who need to swing quickly and forcefully.

Recovery after hamate excision usually takes about six to eight weeks. The focus is on letting scar tissue heal and getting back to pain-free batting.

Players work through rehab to restore grip strength, range of motion, and bat speed without rushing and risking a setback. These factors all play into the decision about when someone’s ready to return, especially with Opening Day looming.

Impact on star players and Opening Day plans

The early spring window got messy for several big names dealing with hamate issues. This threw a wrench into roster management and Opening Day hopes.

Corbin Carroll ran into a setback that’ll keep him out of the World Baseball Classic. It’s a tough break for both him and the D-backs as the season approaches.

In New York, Francisco Lindor had hamate surgery on Feb. 11. He faces at least a six-week recovery, which pushes back his spring ramp-up and could shift the Mets’ Opening Day plans.

On top of that, Jackson Holliday, the top prospect, landed on the sidelines with his own hamate injury. He’ll miss the early spring games while teams keep a close eye on his power and swing mechanics at the big league level.

• Corbin Carroll – hamate setback; out of the World Baseball Classic; team monitoring swing and long-term power.
• Francisco Lindor – hamate surgery on February 11; at least six weeks of rehab; gradual return to full batting practice.
• Jackson Holliday – hamate injury; spring training status up in the air; timeline for MLB readiness under review.

Hamate injuries can really disrupt things in the short term, but with the right surgery and targeted rehab, most players bounce back. Medical and performance staff generally agree: excision rarely derails a return to elite play.

The main focus is on pain-free batting, keeping grip strength, and making sure the path back is safe and steady. Updates on these players will definitely be on everyone’s radar as spring training unfolds and teams lock in their rosters for Opening Day.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Why are hamate bone injuries popping up with so many MLB stars?