Matt Kemp, Roy Halladay and 7 Superstars Who Will Never Be the Same in 2012

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It seems that every year there are at least a few players that struggle to stay healthy throughout the season, and it really impacts their performance.

This season, there looks to be a number of players that are in for a tough year. Injuries have kept them out and they may struggle to return to form until the 2013 season.

Missing extended periods of time can cause players to lose their rhythm and prevent them from performing consistently. This can have a major impact on the standings at the end of the year. 

Matt Kemp

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Hamstring injuries tend to linger around and they can often get re-aggravated. Matt Kemp has found that out the hard way.

Kemp is now likely headed back to the disabled list, according to Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times. This will be a big loss for the Dodgers.

Once he does return, Kemp may struggle to consistently perform at his highest level because of the number of at-bats that he has missed.

Roy Halladay

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Roy Halladay is the ace of the Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff, and losing him for any amount of time is bound to be difficult. Therefore, losing him for at least six weeks will have a big impact on the Phillies' performance this year.

As a result of missing all of this time, Halladay may struggle to get back into his groove. This could cause the Phillies to miss out on the playoffs.

Ryan Howard

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The latest update on Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard is that he will not be returning in June, according to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. (via the Sporting News).

When Howard does return, everyone else will be in midseason form. Howard, on the other hand, will just be getting started. He could be in for a very long season and may not be very productive again until 2013.

Doug Fister

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Doug Fister had already been placed on the disabled list for the second time because of a left-side strain—an injury that has clearly stuck around.

This will have a negative impact on both Fister and the Detroit Tigers this year. He will likely not pitch as well as he did last year, and will not be the No. 2 starter that the Tigers are looking for.

Stephen Drew

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Stephen Drew's season ended early last year when he broke his ankle in July 2011. He has now reached extended spring training and he is getting closer to the majors.

Once Drew returns, it is hard to expect a lot from him in 2012. It may not be until 2013 that Drew shows that he is fully healthy and productive.

Carl Crawford

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The Carl Crawford signing has been an absolute disaster for the Boston Red Sox. Crawford has been on the disabled list for a large part of his Red Sox tenure and he has been very unsuccessful when he has been on the field.

Crawford is still not throwing as a result of elbow soreness, according to Michael Vega of the Boston Globe. When Crawford does return, little will be expected of him.

Chris Carpenter

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The St. Louis Cardinals have yet to have Chris Carpenter step onto the mound for them yet in the 2012 season. He is close to beginning a throwing program, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

It seems unlikely that Carpenter will make a significant number of starts this year. Furthermore, even when Carpenter does return, he might not be the player that he was in the past.