The injuries continue to mount for fantasy owners, with another pitcher heading for TJ surgery and continuing injury concerns for two of this year’s early draft picks. Here are some updates to consider when setting your lineups for the weekend and for next week, if you are in leagues where your rosters lock on Monday.
- Anthony Rendon (WAS 3B) continues to frustrate his fantasy owners and could be headed for “Bust of the Year” status. He was on a rehab assignment for his MCL injury but has since been shut down completely because of a strained left oblique muscle. There is currently no timetable for his return but I do not expect him back for 3-4 weeks.
- Alex Cobb (TB SP) initially indicated that he would try the “Tanaka Plan” and rehabilitate his injured elbow but, yesterday, indicated he has a complete tear in his ulnar collateral ligament and will have Tommy John surgery. You can safely drop him in all formats.
- Yasiel Puig (LAD OF) was expected to be activated from the DL on Monday, as he had not had any setbacks on his rehab assignment for his left hamstring strain. However, during Friday’s rehab game, Puig pulled up while running down the first base line during his third at-bat; it was similar to to the play against the Padres that ultimately put him on the disabled list. This recurring strain is a serious concern and it is unknown when Puig will be back in action due to the setback.
- Sean Doolittle (OAK RP) faced live hitters for the first time on Friday, which was earlier than anticipated, as he works to return from his rotator cuff injury. The session reportedly “went very well.” While he will most likely not be back in action for another 10-14 days he is worth stashing on your bench/DL if he is available in your league, as he should get the majority of save opportunities for the Athletics upon his return.
- Kevin Gausman (BAL SP) was placed on the 15-day DL because of tendinitis in his right shoulder. He has only thrown out of the bullpen for Baltimore, providing no fantasy value. Until he rejoins the Orioles rotation he can be ignored in all formats.
- Carlos Gomez (MIL OF) has missed the last 3 games, sitting because of a strained right hip. Remember that Gomez just returned from a right hamstring strain, so expect the Brewers to be cautious with the superstar slugger. In addition, the Brewers could be looking to start the rebuilding process earlier than expected, as they have limped out (pun intended) to a 9-20 start. Those factors could limit Gomez’s counting stats once he returns from injury, which is expected soon.
- Jose Iglesias (DET SS) only played one game this week because of a strained left groin and reports indicate he could miss the entire weekend series, as well. Keep him on your bench until the Tigers indicate he is cleared to return. This situation is starting to remind me of the Yasiel Puig strained muscle saga; if Iglesias can’t return to full action early next week he should be placed on the disabled list.
- Kenley Jansen (LAD RP) is scheduled to throw in back-to-back rehab outings this weekend, which should be the last hurdle for him to clear before rejoining the Dodgers. Reports are that Jansen could be activated early next week, though manager Don Mattingly has said that Jansen won’t immediately return to the closer role so keep that in mind when setting your lineup for next week; if you have other options to grab saves it might be wise to keep Jansen on your bench for one more week.
- Devin Mesoraco (CIN C) still is unable to squat and is limited to pinch-hitting duty or serving as the DH when the Reds have interleague play. He has indicated that he is trying to avoid surgery for his left hip impingement. The problem for Mesoraco is the 4-month rehabilitation time for this surgery; having the surgery now could result in him being out for the remainder of the season. For me, unless I am playing in an NL-only league, I am not wasting a roster spot on him. The bigger implication is for 2016; if he only serves as a DH / PH for the rest of 2015 he could lose catcher-eligibility for some portion of next season, depending on your league’s rules.
- Hanley Ramirez (BOS OF) injured his left shoulder when crashing into the left field sidewall at Fenway Park during Monday’s game. That’s the same shoulder Ramirez had surgery on in 2011 so there was some initial concern given the past injury history. Fortunately, Ramirez returned to the lineup Saturday afternoon. Manager John Farrell indicated that Ramirez is still sore but he plans to play through the pain. Shane Victorino is also slated to return on Monday, so the team does have the option of resting their outfielders more frequently, which could limit Hanley’s at bats over the next week or so.
- Jose Reyes (TOR SS) has been cleared to resume baseball activities after an MRI; apparently the small fracture in his rib has healed and it is expected that he will be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks this weekend you should plan on the Blue Jays activating him as scheduled.
- Michael Saunders (TOR OF) had fluid drained from his knee and had a cortisone injection in his left knee. Remember that Saunders had surgery on that knee during Spring Training and has had issues since. Playing on the hard playing surface at the Rogers Centre is a negative and I would not consider using him in 10- or 12-team leagues. However, in deeper leagues or AL-only leagues he is an outfielder I would have on my bench, as he does have 20+ HR potential.
- George Springer (HOU OF) was placed on the 7-day DL because of a concussion, suffered when he ran full speed into the outfield wall. He will be out until at least late next week. Springer has 30+ HR potential so his fantasy owners want him back in the lineup as soon as possible. The Astros will attempt to replace him by calling up Preston Tucker; Tucker does have some pop and could be worth a look in deeper leagues if you need power.
- Stephen Strasburg (WAS SP) experienced discomfort behind his right shoulder blade during his last start and the Nationals reported he had a “cramp”. He had a chiropractic adjustment on Wednesday and he was able to do some light throwing on Wednesday. He is scheduled for a bullpen session today and, if he completes it, should be able to make his scheduled start on Monday.
- David Wright (NYM 3B), while on a rehab assignment for a strained right hamstring, was shut down from activity Friday because of lower back pain. He did have an MRI, which did not indicate structural damage; that is a positive sign. The negative is that Wright does have a previous medical history of back issues. The current plan calls for him to resume baseball activities on Monday and, if there are no setbacks, completing his rehab assignment next week. To be safe, in weekly leagues, I would keep him benched until he returns to the Mets and shows he can play in back-to-back (again, pun intended) games.
- Christian Yelich (MIA OF) was activated from the disabled list after dealing with a herniated disc in his lower back. Yelich is a risky play, in my opinion, as I discussed here.
Jeremy Tiermini is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Jeremy, check out his archive and follow him @JeremyTiermini.