2014 Fantasy Baseball: The Fix DL Report – Week Five
Welcome to the fifth 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, A.J. Griffin
ON THE WAY BACK: Mike Minor (this week), Shane Victorino (activated), Will Middlebrooks (activated), Jake Arrieta (this week), Gordon Beckham (activated), Clayton Kershaw (next week), Juan Lagares (this week/next week), Manny Machado (this week)
PLAYERS TO WATCH (Not on DL/DL Updates): Ryan Braun (oblique), Aramis Ramirez (elbow), Wilin Rosario (hand), Jean Segura (eye), Trevor Plouffe (triceps), Hanley Ramirez (thumb), Yeonis Cespedes (hamstring), Yangervis Solarte (shoulder), Seth Smith (groin), Alex Avila (shin), Donnie Murphy (foot),
Braun, Rosario, and Cespedes all deserve close watch as any of them could end up on the disabled list. Braun didn’t start Monday, but was seen in the on-deck circle Monday. He was never used as a pinch hitter, however. Rosario has an MRI pending on his hand, which should tell us more. Cespedes appears close to returning, but owners have seen that show before.
We lost a lot of sluggers to the DL this week, including one I expected to breakout in a MVP-sort of way. We also lost another starter to Tommy John surgery – A.J. Griffin. When all is said and done, this may be the Year of the Injury Bug.
Here is week four’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 Five:
Pitchers |
Injury |
Expected Return |
Fantasy Implications |
Anibal Sanchez (SP) |
Finger |
Mid-May |
What sounds like a nasty blister has forced Sanchez to the DL, but it sounds like he will be back as soon as eligible. Drew Smyly was supposed to be skipped in the rotation this week, but that plan may be put on the shelf. |
Scott Feldman (SP) |
Biceps |
Early May |
Feldman who? We have Collin McHugh. Feldman is still targeting for an early May return, but McHugh won’t be going anywhere if he keeps putting up zeroes. |
Jason Grilli (RP) |
Oblique |
|
It isn’t surprising to see Grilli miss time, which likely means Mark Melancon is already owned in your league. |
Jose Veras (RP) |
Oblique |
Late May |
Veras will be out for a few weeks, allowing Hector Rondon to seize the closer’s job and never give it back. Go get him folks. |
Others on the DL: Matt Albers (shoulder)
Hitters |
Injury |
Expected Return |
Fantasy Implications |
Bryce Harper (OF) |
Thumb |
Late May/ Early June |
Sigh. Some of us were hopeful this would be the season of Harper’s breakout season, but it looks like that is going to be on hold for now. If I had to guess, we won’t see Harper until after the All-Star break. Nate McLouth hasn’t done the job in limited time, but he is in line for a boost in playing time and should be added in modestly deep formats. |
Mark Trumbo (OF) |
Foot |
Mid-June |
Trumbo has a stress fracture in his left foot. He had a similar injury in 2011, which caused him to miss six months. So, this is relatively good news. But there is always the chance this injury drags. A.J. Pollock, Cody Ross, and Geraldo Parra won’t have to worry about playing time for a while and Tony Campana gives deep leaguers a chance to pick up a stolen base specialist. |
Chris Davis (1B) |
Oblique |
Early May |
Davis landing on the DL isn’t going to go over well with owners, especially considering his slow start. However, the injury doesn’t sound too serious and Davis is expected back after a couple of weeks. |
Justin Ruggiano (OF) |
Hamstring |
June |
Ruggiano has a Grade-2 hamstring strain and will miss at least a month. Ryan Kalish will get the most at-bats from Ruggiano’s absence. Of course, most owners would rather see Kris Bryant get the call. Perhaps by July. |
Devin Mesoraco (C) |
Hamstring |
Unknown |
At first, Mesoraco had to deal with Dusty Baker. Now he has to deal with the injury bug. He looks primed for a big season if he can just stay on the field and get proper playing time. Mesoraco shouldn’t be out for too long, but for now, Brayan Pena will fill in. |
Russell Martin (C) |
Hamstring |
Mid-May |
Martin received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his strained hamstring, so there’s that. It isn’t yet known if Martin will come back once eligible. |
Chase Headley (3B) |
Calf |
Mid-May |
Reports have been good about Headley’s strained calf. It doesn’t sound like an injury that should keep him out for too long. In the meantime, Jace Peterson will give the San Diego Padres a glimpse into the future. |
Conor Gillaspie (3B) |
Hand |
Early May |
The door is open for Marcus Semien to take over third base. He has to knock it down. Gillaspie is out with a sore hand. |
Others on the DL: Kevin Kouzmanoff (back)
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