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Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Noah Syndergaard, Ryan Braun, Felix Hernandez

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Noah Syndergaard, Ryan Braun, Felix Hernandez

Week four came to a close with a historic 10 RBI performance by Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon, a former first-round selection of the who entered the game with only five runs batted in over the first 22 games of the season.

The former Rice University star finished the day with six hits in six at-bats, including three home runs against the Mets. Rendon is only one of two players in MLB history to notch six hits and 10 RBI in a game, joining Walker Cooper of the 1949 Chicago Cubs who completed the feat in seven at-bats.

Rendon’s breakout performance overshadowed the other major news development of the game, as New York starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard left early with what the team is calling a possible lat strain. It is the third time this season in which Thor left a game early due to injury, clearly a sign that the hard-throwing pitcher is not right physically.

In addition to Thor, here are a few other fantasy baseball related injuries that we are tracking for week four of the MLB season.

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Ryan Braun (OF – MIL)

Braun left Sunday’s game against the Braves early with tightness in his throwing arm. The veteran outfielder was initially diagnosed by team officials with a trapezius strain but later clarified the injury as a strain to his biceps on his throwing arm.

Currently listed as day-to-day, Braun will likely be out of the lineup for the Brewers as they travel to take on the Cardinals on Monday evening. Braun sounded optimistic after the game that his latest soft tissue injury would not force him to make a trip to the disabled list.

Despite Braun’s optimism, fantasy owners playing in leagues that require weekly lineups may want to consider leaving the left fielder on the bench, as Braun has been limited the past few seasons with lingering muscle strains.

Shelby Miller (SP – ARI)

Unfortunately for Arizona Diamondback fans and fantasy owners, the right forearm tightness Miller reported after his last start turned out to be a UCL tear that will require season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Obviously disappointing news for Miller, a much-maligned pitcher that appeared to regain his early-career form. Fantasy owners in non-dynasty leagues should consider dropping Miller, with fellow Diamondback Archie Bradley acting as a possible replacement should Bradley take Miller’s spot in the rotation.

Noah Syndergaard (SP – NYM)

The medical drama surrounding Syndergaard and the other members of the Mets rotation took another turn for the worse as Thor left Sunday’s game early with an apparent lat strain; the third different injury this season for the hard-throwing righty.

After allegedly refusing to undergo an MRI by team doctors and missing a scheduled start that resulted in Matt Harvey being forced to pitch on short notice, Syndergaard was clearly not himself on the mound on Sunday and was unable to finish the game against the Nationals.

Thor is set to finally undergo an MRI first thing Monday in hopes of identifying the actual cause of his medical issues. Although there is no clear timetable for his recovery as the Mets organization has been less than forthcoming, a stint on the 10-day DL to rest could be the best solution for Thor.

Brandon Crawford (SS – SFG)

Crawford pulled up lame rounding the bases on a single against the Dodgers at the start of the week. The Giants shortstop was already scheduled to miss a few days due to bereavement leave, but the groin pull ended up being more serious than previously thought and Crawford was placed on the DL retroactive to 4/26.

Felix Hernandez (SP – SEA)

Right shoulder inflammation has landed King Felix on the disabled list after leaving Tuesday’s start against the Tigers early with arm pain. An initial timeframe for Hernadez to return was listed as one to two weeks, but further tests revealed shoulder bursitis that may keep the former Cy Young winner out up to a month.

With a 2-2 record and 4.73 ERA, King Felix is clearly on the downswing of his career and not the dominant pitcher he once was. But dropping him in light of this injury could be a risky move, as Hernandez does still have strikeout potential.

Yoenis Cespedes (OF – NYM)

In keeping with the theme of poor injury management by the New York Mets coaching and training staffs, star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was placed on the 10-day DL on April 28th after reaggravating a hamstring injury.

Instead of placing Cespedes on the DL when he first injured his hamstring, the Mets allowed him to play without giving the injury time to heal, and now Cespedes is out for the next 10 days or perhaps longer.

Mitch Haniger (OF – SEA)

An oblique injury will force Hanniger to miss up to a month of action according to team officials. Haniger left Tuesday’s game against the Tigers after sustaining the injury on his second of two hits against Detroit.

Adam Eaton (OF – WAS)

The offensive barrage by the Nationals over this past weekend has been someone marred by the news that starting centerfielder Adam Eaton will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

Eaton sustained the injury while trying to beat out an infield hit, landing awkwardly on first base and then tumbling to the ground. Michael Taylor will likely replace Eaton in the starting lineup for manager Dusty Baker. Taylor could have some fantasy value in deeper leagues as the Nationals offense is so potent. However, owners looking for an Eaton-like replacement may want to consider Delino Deshields in Texas.

Steven Souza Jr. (OF – TAM)

Souza left Saturday’s game early after getting hit on the hand by a pitch from Blue Jay reliever Joe Biagini. Initially concerned that Souza broke a bone in his hand off of the 97 mph fastball, the Rays coaching staff was relieved to learn that X-rays on Souza’s hand were negative.

The starting outfielder missed Sunday’s game against the Jays but could return to the lineup early next week.

Sean Manaea (SP – OAK)

Manaea owners hoping for a breakout season from the Oakland Athletics starting pitcher have been let down so far in 2017, as the promising 25-year-old is 1-2 on the year with a 5.18 ERA.

To add injury to insult, Manaea has been placed on the 10-day DL with a left shoulder strain. The prognosis on Manaea’s injury is positive, and the team believes he will only miss one start, but shoulder injuries can linger and Manaea could be hampered for some time.

Updating Existing Injuries

Gary Sanchez (C – NYY): Bicep Strain
Throwing without pain and set to participate in a rehab assignment on May 2nd.

Madison Bumgarner (SP – SFG): Shoulder Strain
Team doctors determined that Mad Bum will not require surgery, but will need two to three months of rehab.

Miguel Cabrera (1B – DET): Groin
Participated in batting practice and ran bases over the weekend. Return from DL on Tuesday, May 2, likely.

Zach Britton (RP – BAL): Forearm
Britton began a rehab assignment on April 28th. Set to return to the Orioles on Tuesday and regain closing role shortly.


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Andrew Swanson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his archive or follow him @FantasyProsAndy.

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