2014 Fantasy Baseball: The Fix DL Report – Week Four
Welcome to the fourth week of the Fix DL Report. Each week I (@Rich_Migs) will cover significant fantasy baseball injuries. As the season continues, the report will address some of the most recent injuries and their fantasy implications.
OUT FOR THE SEASON: Patrick Corbin, Brandon Beachy, Kris Medlen, Jarrod Parker, Cory Luebke, Bruce Rondon, Bobby Parnell, Jameson Taillon, Avisail Garcia, Matt Moore, Maicer Izturis, Ivan Nova
ON THE WAY BACK: Jason Giambi (activated), Mark Tiexiera (activated), Mike Minor (this week), Shane Victorino (this week), Will Middlebrooks (this week/early next week), Jake Arrieta (this week/early next week), Matt Harrison (this week), David Robertson (activated)
PLAYERS TO WATCH (Not on DL/DL Updates): Carlos Gonzalez (knee), Adam Eaton (hamstring), Taijuan Walker (shoulder), J.J. Hardy (hamstring), Jordy Mercer (ankle), Desmond Jennings (groin), A.J. Pollock (neck), Yeonis Cespedes (heel), Shin-Soo Choo (ankle)
- Carlos Gonzalez has knee tendinitis, but he intends to not miss time with the issue. Will it disrupt his fantasy production? Stolen bases? Power? He has an injury history and owners have every right to be worried.
- Eaton is going to miss at least a few games with a hamstring strain. The disabled list hasn’t been ruled out as of yet.
- Taijuan Walker is still working his way back from shoulder issues and things will be made clearer for fantasy owners on Wednesday, which is when he will get a follow-up exam.
- J.J. Hardy has dealt with a lot of dings this season. You bought him for his shortstop power, but has yet to show any. Maybe it isn’t the worst idea in the world to give him an extended break to get healthy.
It’s another week, so another pitcher looks to be heading towards Tommy John surgery. Ivan Nova is the unfortunate one this time. There is also a fantasy ace heading to the DL, and it may be time for owners, especially those in dynasty leagues, to be worried.
Here is week three’s DL report. I will be doing my best to avoid too much repetition each week, so be sure to refer back to the past DL reports to keep track of all the injuries. Let’s take a look at some of the key fantasy players on the disabled list entering week three.
Week Four:
Pitchers |
Injury |
Expected Return |
Fantasy Implications |
Chris Sale (SP) |
Elbow |
Unknown (6-9 weeks) |
The MRI came back revealing only a strain, but owners need to be concerned. A quick Google search tells you that this could be easily over a month, and possibly more than two. Sale’s mechanics have been questioned from the beginning, so who knows where this will lead him. |
Ivan Nova (SP) |
Elbow |
Out for Season |
A popular fantasy pick, Nova couldn’t get it going this season, but perhaps we now know why. A decision will be made shortly on Tommy John surgery, but we know how this usually goes. David Phelps is likely to get the first crack in the rotation and should be added in AL-only leagues and considered in very deep leagues. |
Joe Kelly (SP) |
Hamstring |
Unknown |
Kelly will be out at least a couple of weeks with a left strained hamstring. Tyler Lyons did an admirable job against the Mets and deserves a look in NL-only leagues. |
Tanner Scheppers (SP) |
Elbow |
Unknown |
Scheppers is going to be sidelined with muscle inflammation in his elbow. It wasn’t going great for him as a starter anyway, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see him back in the bullpen upon his return. |
Felipe Paulino (SP) |
Rotator Cuff |
Unknown |
Paulino has a lot of trouble staying healthy and throwing strikes. When he returns from his rotator cuff inflammation, he may be moved to the bullpen. |
Wandy Rodriguez (SP) |
Knee |
Unknown |
Rodriguez hasn’t been good, so maybe this DL stint can help him get it together. The right knee inflammation could have affected his performance. |
Others on the DL: Scott Feldman (biceps)
Hitters |
Injury |
Expected Return |
Fantasy Implications |
Kole Calhoun (OF) |
Ankle |
Late May/ Early June |
A bad ankle sprain is going to cost a sleeper favorite some time. Calhoun was just starting to come on, but it looks like owners will have to wait a while to see their sneaky value work out. |
Michael Cuddyer (OF) |
Hamstring |
Early May |
Cuddyer has been a little banged up, and the hamstring wasn’t healing fast enough. He should be back once eligible. Corey Dickerson and Drew Stubbs should pick up more at-bats, while Charlie Blackmon continues to lock up CF duties. |
Adam Lind (OF) |
Back |
Early May |
Lind sounded pretty down about his back a couple of days ago and he couldn’t get healthy quick enough. The assumption is that he will be back after 15 days. |
Juan Lagares (OF) |
Hamstring |
Early May |
Well, there goes that outfield glut everyone was so worried about. Eric Young Jr. will be getting a full slate of at-bats and his stolen base potential makes him a consideration in most leagues. Although he isn’t too fantasy friendly, Lagares deserves to man centerfield upon his return (in reality baseball), but he may be regulated to fourth outfield duties upon his return. |
Logan Morrison (OF) |
Hamstring |
Unknown |
He’s off to a poor start with limited at-bats and an injury history. The Mariners lack big time talent in the outfield, and even first base, but all that still unlikely to matter for Morrison’s fantasy relevance. |
Lorenzo Cain (OF) |
Groin |
Early May |
Cain may only miss 15 days, but Jarrod Dyson could be a nice plug-n-play for deep leaguers who need stolen bases. |
The Author
