Michael Brantley’s latest injury may hamper his fantasy value for the remainder of the season
This week’s injury update is a long one with many big-name players. Let’s get right to it.
- Nori Aoki (SF OF) was placed on the seven-day concussion DL on August 13. The original injury occurred when Aoki was hit by a pitch in the third inning of last Sunday’s games. He returned on Wednesday but left that contest after five innings upon running into the outfield wall when making a catch. Concussion symptoms can linger so don’t be surprised if he is out of action for longer than a week.
- Erick Aybar (LAA SS) missed the last two games because of tightness in his lower back. He suffered the initial injury on Wednesday making a diving stop, and the tightness appeared after the game against the White Sox. Manager Mike Scioscia stated, “We’re very encouraged by the direction it moved today, but certainly, if he’s going to be down for a week to 10 days, you have to look at some other options. But this is Day Two, and hopefully it won’t be much longer.” If you roster Aybar, and I think he is only useful in AL-only leagues, have a backup plan in place for next week.
- Michael Brantley (CLE OF) is dealing with soreness in his left shoulder and is considered day-to-day. An MRI did not reveal any structural damage and Brantley received a cortisone injection to help manage his symptoms. Manager Terry Francona explained, “So he’ll sit for a couple days. But it’s not a DL (injury). He’s been playing through a lot. Hopefully, a couple of days down will help the rest of his body.” He has also battled back injuries this year so that this injury could be related. With Cleveland sitting in last place in the AL Central, I expect them to be very conservative with any injured players for the remainder of the season. Once the rosters expand in September, I would expect Brantley to get more frequent rest days, which could hurt your fantasy team down the stretch.
- Lucas Duda (NYM 1B) has missed four starts because of a lumbar, or low back, strain. His status is still up in the air, as he could return Saturday or the Mets could hold him out until early next week. Back issues can linger so monitor his progress throughout the weekend and, if he does not note any improvement, don’t be surprised if Duda is placed on the disabled list at some point.
- Maikel Franco (PHI 3B) remains day-to-day because of a bruised left wrist. It does not appear as if he will need extended time off but monitor his progress after attempting batting practice this weekend.
- Freddie Freeman (ATL 1B) started a rehab assignment and is expected to return from his oblique injury when he is eligible to come off the disabled list on August 19. I would play it safe in weekly leagues and keep him benched to make sure there are no setbacks.
- Sonny Gray (OAK SP) was scratched from his most recent start due to back spasms. He will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, with a follow-up evaluation on Sunday and if there are no lingering symptoms he is expected to rejoin the A’s rotation on Monday.
- Phil Hughes (MIN SP) was placed on the disabled list retroactive to August 10 because of inflammation in his lower back, and he sounds pessimistic about his return. “I just don’t know how I’m going to feel,” Hughes said. “I can’t map my progress. We all saw in Cleveland how it goes when I’m not feeling well. I’d rather come back 100 percent than not because I won’t give us much of a chance to succeed if I’m not healthy.”
- Jason Kipnis (CLE 2B) is making progress in his recovery from the right shoulder inflammation that sidelined him and he could be activated from the disabled list on Monday. “As much as I want to fight it, and get out there early, I can’t fight it right now, because what they’re doing right now is working, so I have to stick to the course,” Kipnis said. “But I’m very happy with today … I haven’t talked to them, so I don’t know what the plan is, but it can’t be much longer than that [first game in Boston].” Monitor his progress this weekend to see if he had any setbacks before making your final roster decisions on Monday.
- Starling Marte (PIT OF) has not started a game since leaving Wednesday’s game early because of discomfort in his left hand after fouling a ball off his left hand. Consider him day-to-day for now.
- Salvador Perez (KC C) missed his third straight game because of an injured left wrist. Neither X-rays nor an MRI showed significant damage, but he was re-evaluated by the team’s medical staff on Friday. “They’re still keeping him away from baseball stuff,” explained manager Ned Yost. “They want to determine where he’s at, if he needs more time, or not.” Consider Perez day-to-day until the Royals update his status, which will hopefully be this weekend.
- Hanley Ramirez (BOS OF) has been out of action since fouling a ball off of his left foot last Friday. While X-rays continue to be negative, Ramirez has not reported any improvement. He was sent for another round of tests yesterday so consider him day-to-day until Boston provides an update.
- Yasmany Tomas (AZ OF) left Tuesday’s game early because of tightness in his left calf. Though he was not expected to miss much time he has not appeared in a game since the injury. “We wanted to run him out (Friday) with a full batting practice and have him available off the bench,” manager Chip Hale said. “He’ll probably start (on Saturday).”
- Matt Wieters (BAL C) has not seen game action since leaving the August 11 contest early because of a strained right hamstring. It does not appear as if he will need a trip to the disabled list now, as the injury does not bother Wieters when he is catching. “As long as I can run and be close to slow speed like I normally am then we will be good,” Wieters said.
- C.J. Wilson (LAA SP) had season-ending surgery to remove the bone spurs in his left elbow. He can safely be dropped in all formats.
- David Wright (NYM 3B) could return to the Mets’ lineup this week. He has been on the disabled list since mid-April and was ultimately diagnosed with spinal stenosis. I previously wrote about his fantasy prognosis and not much has occurred to force me to alter my opinion.
- Christian Yelich (MIA OF) bruised his right knee when he collided with the outfield wall on Sunday and has not appeared in a contest since. X-rays were negative but he has residual swelling which his prevented his return. “He just has to be comfortable and able to run, especially if we have him in center field,” manager Dan Jennings said. “He’s close, but he’s not quite there.” While it does not appear that a trip to the disabled list is needed make sure you monitor Yelich’s status before setting your rosters on Monday.
Jeremy Tiermini is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Jeremy, follow him @JeremyTiermini.
