A trio of Marlins’ starters are among the many pitchers that are on this week’s injury report. There are also two upper-tier catchers readying to return. Here is a quick summary of some of the key injuries fantasy owners should be aware of when setting rosters this week.
- Troy Tulowitzki (COL SS) is considered day-to-day with tightness in his left quadriceps. He is off to a slow start, but with his injury history and a potential trade away from the friendly confines of Coors’ Field, I would start exploring trade options. If I could move Tulo for 75% of his draft-day value I would do it.
- Henderson Alvarez (MIA SP) was activated by the Marlins for the start on Sunday. While he did post decent ratios last season he is not a strikeout pitcher and his value is limited to NL-only leagues.
- Alex Avila (DET C) has been sidelined with a left knee injury. Visits to three different doctors did not reveal a clear diagnosis, according to the Detroit Free Press, so Avila is going to try the “rest and rehab” route. He has struggled offensively this season and can be dropped in all formats.
- Matt Cain (SF SP) was hoping to return from his right flexor tendon strain prior to the All-Star Break. However, per Andrew Baggarly via Twitter, he still has elbow discomfort when throwing. At this point, I would only take a chance on Cain in NL leagues, but I would not waste a bench spot on him if your league does not have a DL.
- Jarred Cosart (MIA SP) is scheduled to return from a hamstring injury for Tuesday’s start. He is like teammate Henderson Alvarez; decent ratios, fewer Ks, with his fantasy value limited to NL-only leagues.
- Travis d’Arnaud (NYM C) has been cleared to resume hitting on Monday. Barring setbacks he should start a rehab assignment soon, and could be back by next week.
- Corey Dickerson (COL OF) left Saturday’s game early because of his plantar fasciitis. If you own him this is something you should expect for the rest of the season, so if you have not done so yet, have a back-up plan in place.
- Sean Doolittle (OAK RP) continues to progress in his rehabilitation from his partially torn rotator cuff. There have been no reports of setbacks, so he is still on track to return in late May. Doolittle is worth keeping on your bench/DL if he is available in your league, as he should get the majority of save opportunities for the A’s once he returns. Tyler Clippard will continue to be Oakland’s closer for now.
- Doug Fister (WAS SP) was diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon in his right forearm. Per Nationals manager Matt Williams, the results of the MRI were positive and the team is hopeful Fister will only need to follow the rest/rehab plan, though they have not identified a clear timetable for his return.
- Shane Greene (DET SP) left Friday’s start early and an MRI confirmed a diagnosis of ulnar neuritis (an inflammation of the ulnar nerve, found in the elbow). Initial fears were that this injury would lead to a second Tommy John surgery for Greene, but the ulnar collateral ligament appears fine. The Tigers have not announced if Greene would miss his next start, but I would not be surprised if he is held out of one start as a precaution. Play it safe and bench him this week.
- Yan Gomes (CLE C) continues to make progress in his rehab assignment for his sprained right MCL. Barring setbacks, Cleveland could activate him next week. He should be in your starting lineup as soon as the Tribe activates him. In leagues with rosters that lock on Monday you should plan on waiting until next week to have him active for you.
- Desmond Jennings (TB OF) has started running but is not doing any work on the turf at Tropicana Field, limiting the stress on his left knee in an attempt to keep the bursitis from flaring up. If you drafted him for 2015 you were probably counting on him for 20+ stolen bases. However, don’t be surprised if Jennings barely reaches double-digit steals this year. If someone in your league is looking for speed see if you can move Jennings.
- Kelly Johnson (ATL 3B) strained his right oblique muscle and was placed on the 15-day DL. His fantasy value is really limited to NL-only leagues, and I expect him to be out for 2-4 weeks.
- Mat Latos (MIA SP) struggled in Saturday’s game against Atlanta before he left with a left-shin contusion. A line drive off the bat of Cameron Maybin knocked Latos out of the game, and he reported swelling and a knot post-game. Latos also left the clubhouse with the aid of one crutch. Don’t be surprised if Miami skips Latos’ next start, especially with Alvarez and Cosart returning this week.
- Jonathan Lucroy (MIL C) has resumed catching activities, so his progress from his fractured left hallux (big toe) continues. If there are no issues while catching, the final step before heading on a rehab assignment will be base running. Expect him back in 10-14 days.
- Devin Mesoraco (CIN C) could come to a decision soon regarding surgery for the torn labrum in his hip. If he has discomfort when catching a bullpen session this week, while with the team in Kansas City, he will opt for surgery.
- Mike Minor (ATL SP) had surgery to repair the labrum in his throwing shoulder and is out for the rest of 2015. He can safely be dropped in all formats. I would also not draft Minor next season.
- Justin Morneau (COL 1B) has been placed on the 7-day concussion DL because of symptoms that arose after diving for a ball in Wednesday’s contest against the Dodgers. In addition to the concussion symptoms, Morneau has a strain to the muscles of his neck (the cervical region of the vertebral column). He does have a history of concussions, so it would not be surprising if Morneau was out longer than the 7-day DL timeline. Keep him on your bench this week and monitor the reports out of Colorado.
- Wil Myers (SD OF) is battling left-wrist tendinitis, but the Padres expect him back on Tuesday. He has been fairly productive this season, but don’t be shocked if Myers hits fewer than 15 home runs because of the wrist issues and the size of Petco Park.
- Yasiel Puig (LAD OF) will be out for at least two more weeks after an MRI showed that his hamstring injury has not healed. In his absence, Andre Ethier has performed well and increased his trade value.
- Anthony Rendon (WAS 3B) has reported to the Nationals’ minor league complex to start baseball activities. Don’t expect him back before June and monitor his progress closely, as Rendon has already had numerous setbacks with his knee and oblique injuries.
- Jose Reyes (TOR SS) has been taking batting practice, but he was not able to fully extend his arms because he was concerned about re-injuring his rib. Toronto has not reported any adjustments in his return date, so look for him to be back at the end of May or the first week of June. However, keep close tabs on reports of his swing mechanics. If he continues to be guarded with his swing, his rehab assignment will be pushed back.
- Hyun-Jin Ryu (LAD SP) suffered a setback in his rehabilitation for his shoulder injury. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly indicated, per Bill Plunkett on Twitter, that Ryu’s timetable for throwing was “still in the question mark phase.”
- Michael Saunders (TOR OF) went back on the DL because of pain and increased fluid in his left knee. He will see Dr. James Andrews early this week to make sure there is no new structural damage in the surgically-repaired knee. Toronto is hoping 4-to-6 weeks of rest will help alleviate the problem, but GM Alex Anthopoulos has said that Saunders might not be 100% until the offseason. I think you can safely drop Saunders in all formats, as the mix of the harder artificial surface at the Rogers Centre and the removal of 60% of Saunders’ meniscus will limit his effectiveness for the rest of 2015.
- Jean Segura (MIL SS) fractured his right pinkie on a headfirst slide during Tuesday’s game. While Segura wanted to try and play through the injury, Brewers GM Gord Ash placed him on the disabled list to make sure the fracture does not become displaced, which would result in a longer absence. Expect Segura to miss 2-to-3 weeks.
- Drew Smyly (TB SP) is out for the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder and can be dropped in all formats.
- Masahiro Tanaka (NYY SP) will throw a bullpen session on Monday and, if all goes well, could start a rehab assignment later in the week.
- Chris Tillman (BAL SP) was scratched from Sunday’s start because of back tightness. The Orioles have indicated he will make a start later his week. After three productive seasons, Tillman has struggled this year. He is limited to use in AL-only leagues until he strings together 2-3 quality starts.
- Jayson Werth (WAS OF) was hit by a pitch on his right wrist on Friday. X-rays were negative, and he needs to wait for the swelling to subside before he can have an MRI. In weekly leagues, play it safe and keep him on your bench.
- Matt Wieters (BAL C) has had no setbacks in his return from Tommy John surgery and the Orioles expect him back by June 4th.
- David Wright (NYM 3B) was scheduled to meet with Mets’ team doctors over the weekend to evaluate the status of his right hamstring strain and soreness in his lower back. He is scheduled to go very slowly with baseball activities on Monday to see how his back responds. At this rate, the best-case scenario for Wright would be a return to action in June. If I was a Wright owner, I would be making plans to be without him for the rest of the season and any production from him at all would be a bonus.
- Ben Zobrist (OAK 2B) has been increasing his baseball activities and is scheduled to start a rehab assignment early this week. Oakland will have him play both infield and outfield during his stint in the minors. Barring any setbacks it appears as if he will be back with the A’s next week. He is an attractive fantasy player because of his multi-position eligibility, which could also play a factor in Zobrist being dealt to a contender as the trade deadline nears. If he stays in Oakland for the rest of the season I don’t expect him to reach double digits in home runs or stolen bases.
Jeremy Tiermini is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Jeremy, check out his archive and follow him @JeremyTiermini.