2014 Fantasy Baseball: The Fix DL Report — Week Two
Welcome to the second 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.
I will try to avoid mentioning injuries that don’t seem like long-term issues. However, I will at times discuss things that could be a red flag for injury (i.e. Bobby Parnell’s velocity – which I talked about before he came down with his elbow injury).
OUT FOR THE SEASON: Patrick Corbin, Brandon Beachy, Kris Medlen, Jarrod Parker, Cory Luebke, Bruce Rondon, Bobby Parnell, Jameson Taillon
ON THE WAY BACK: Boone Logan (activated), Devin Mesoraco (activated), Ryan Cook (activated), Jonathan Broxton (activated), De La Rosa (Friday), Craig Gentry (this week).
PLAYERS TO WATCH (Not on DL): Matt Moore (elbow), Ryan Braun (thumb), Omar Infante (jaw/head injury), Yasiel Puig (thumb), Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder), Oswaldo Arcia (wrist), JJ Hardy (back), Josh Willingham (wrist).
· Each season, there are players I heavily avoid in fantasy baseball. It would take a significant drop in price for me to even consider changing my mind buying into them. Moore is on that list. His velocity is only dropping and the control hasn’t improved to the point that will allow him to take another step as a pitcher. Now, he is heading for an MRI on his elbow, and although the Rays are optimistic, the situation is very worrisome.
· Braun has a thumb problem and it stems all the way back to last season. He is on recorded stating that his numbers dropped in the 25 games he played with the injury in 2013, so owners should be worried. However, Braun claims they are working on methods to deal with it, but surgery doesn’t appear to be an option at this point.
· Puig has a strained thumb ligament, and although he may not be heading to the disabled list, owners must be concerned about how this could affect his power and overall performance.
· Zimmerman is dealing with right shoulder issues yet again, but the MRI only showed inflammation. He may head to the disabled list. I haven’t kept track of how many cortisone shots Zimmerman’s shoulder has received, but it may be getting to the point of alarming.
Here is week one’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 two.
Week Two:
Pitchers |
Injury |
Expected Return |
Fantasy Implications |
Joe Saunders (SP) |
Ribs | Mid-to-Late April | Saunders is out, Colby Lewis is in, and that is the real story here. Lewis has been mixed league worthy in the past and if he can keep the walks down and the strikeouts up, he could be at least a stream-worthy option. |
Brian Wilson (RP) |
Elbow | Mid April | Holds leagues take notice. Wilson appears likely to come back in mid-April, barring a setback. |
Nate Jones (RP) |
Hip | Late April | Well, at least the hip explains Jones’s lackluster performance thus far. This will only make it harder for him to get a chance at the closer’s role this season. |
James Taillon (SP) |
Elbow | Out for the Season | Sigh. Taillon was expected to be up at some point this season, but has now undergone Tommy John surgery. This hurts for the Pirates, dynasty owners, and fans of baseball everywhere. |
Bobby Parnell (RP) |
Elbow | Our for the Season | We mentioned the possibility of a health concern last week and then the news sprung about an elbow issue. Parnell is now going under the knife for Tommy John. Valverde isn’t very good, but maybe he gets lucky enough to hold down the job. |
David Robertson (RP) |
Groin | Mid-to-Late April | Things were going pretty swimmingly for Robertson, but now it appears he will be shelved for at least a while. If you need saves, Shawn Kelley is the add. |
Others on the DL: Vic Black
Hitters |
Injury |
Expected Return |
Fantasy Implications |
Mark Teixeira (1B) |
Hamstring | Late April | Teixeira can’t catch a break. The only possible upside to this is that it gives him another month to strengthen that surgically repaired wrist. Yangervis Solarte, a worthwhile AL-only add, will get plenty of playing time and plenty of chances to show what holes he may have in his offensive game. He didn’t strikeout much the past two seasons in Triple-A, and even showed some pop, so he may be able to hold his own. |
Will Middlebrooks (3B) |
Calf | Mid-to-Late April | He still strikes out too much, but owners were hoping for plus power. Waiting is the hardest part. |
A.J. Ellis (C) |
Knee | Mid-to-Late May | Knee surgery will sideline him for at least a month. He isn’t the biggest fantasy name, but this can sting for some in deep or two-catcher leagues. |
Others on the DL: Jason Bartlett
The Author
