In addition to celebrating those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, Memorial Day Weekend also signifies the unofficial end of the first quarter of the MLB season.
By this time of the year, pretenders start separating themselves from contenders, slow starting pitchers start rounding into form, and early-season breakout candidates like Eric Thames, come back to Earth and start playing more to their career averages.
The Memorial Day Holiday is also a time to take another look at injured players on your roster, and whether or not it is time to cut bait, or continue to hold for the possibility of a second-half surge. It is possible that a player like Carlos Rondon could return to the White Sox and provide fantasy production later this season, but he also could just be dead weight on your roster, limiting your ability to be flexible for waiver claims.
Here are a few new injuries that we are tracking from week eight of the fantasy baseball season, highlighted by a concerning thumb injury to leading MVP candidate Mike Trout.
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Consensus first-overall pick and perennial MVP candidate Mike Trout left Sunday’s game against Miami early after injuring his left thumb stealing second base. The team announced after the game that X-rays taken on the injured thumb did not reveal a break. However, further tests will be done on Monday to determine any ligament damage.
According to a report on ESPN.com, Trout told reporters after the game that the injury is “a scary thing. Hopefully, it’s just sore and just jammed, a bad jam. I’m obviously bummed out, but Monday if it feels a little better, we’ll see how it goes.”
Fantasy baseball owners of Trout will hold their collective breath as the team awaits MRI results on Monday.
I am starting to think a special section devoted to Ryan Braun should be added to this weekly injury report, as it is a regular occurrence to include Braun’s name for various injuries, ranging from groin, biceps, and calf ailments.
The latest malaise to the Brewer left fielder is a calf strain that forced Braun to the 10-day DL on May 26. Initial reports are that Braun should be able to return by mid-June. That is assuming he doesn’t come down with another unrelated injury before then.
A collision in the outfield with Yasiel Puig resulted in center fielder Joc Pederson landing on the seven-day concussion DL. Initially diagnosed with just a neck strain, Pederson was later added to the special concussion DL after showing symptoms of a head injury.
With only two home runs and a batting average right at the Mendoza line, Pederson is barely ownable in 12-team mixed leagues. But owners in deep leagues may want to add and stash him if dropped, as he does have the potential to be a difference-maker in the second half like last season.
Jones is dealing with nagging ankle and hip injuries that kept him out of both weekend games for the Orioles. Although not considered serious enough to land on the DL, Jones owners should keep an eye on him before setting lineups on Monday. Initially, it was thought that Jones would return to action on Sunday, but the Orioles coaching and medical staff opted to give him another day of rest.
The short-term prognosis for Ian Kinsler does not appear to be as positive as Jones’, with the former landing on the 10-day DL with a hamstring injury. Kinsler missed five games earlier in May with hamstring tightness, leading some to question if this is just a flare up of the old injury or something new.
Although he is no longer a 30/30 threat and his batting average is below .250, he is tied for third among second basemen in runs scored with 30, and he will be difficult to replace in a shallow position. Jed Lowrie and Neil Walker are two players owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues that could be viable alternatives for Kinsler.
The opening day starter for the Athletics has returned to the 10-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, and this time it sounds like the A’s will take more time and be a bit more cautious bringing Graveman back to live action.
According to Susan Slusser of SFGate.com, manager Bob Melvin said that Graveman is on anti-inflammatory medication and will need rest. The team and manager believe this is “going to be a bit longer” than before.
Updating Existing Injuries
Hunter Pence (OF – SFG) Hamstring
Pence took batting practice and did some running on Saturday for the Giants, and is on schedule to begin a rehab assignment in the middle of the week. If all goes well and assuming no setbacks, a return to the Giants in early June is likely.
Justin Turner (OF – LAD) Hamstring
Justin Turner is eligible to return from the 10-day DL on Monday, but the team will not activate him, and they plan on taking it slow with their star third baseman who is sustained a grade-1 hamstring strain.
Yonder Alonso (1B – OAK) Knee Sprain
Alonso returned to action on Sunday against the Yankees, batting fifth and playing first base for manager Doug Melvin.
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Andrew Swanson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his archive or follow him @FantasyProsAndy.
