Fantasy owners and Washington Nationals fans were dealt a significant blow on Thursday with the loss of dynamic leadoff hitter Trea Turner to a fractured wrist. The leading base stealer in the Major Leagues was placed on the 10-day disabled list on June 30th with an unknown timetable for return.
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman suffered the same non-displaced fracture in his wrist and will likely miss up to 10 weeks. Fantasy owners looking for a replacement will be hard pressed to find an outfielder with the speed and power upside that Turner provides, however, there are speed options like Jarrod Dyson and Delino DeShields available in more that 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Here are a few other new injuries that we are monitoring from last week’s action.
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Anderson was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle, with the team expecting the four-year vet to miss between four and six weeks of action. The move to the disabled list was made after an MRI revealed the injury. However, the team has not said whether it is a Grade 1 or 2 strain.
Fellow starting pitchers Cole Hamels and Tyler Skaggs have each missed significant time well past six weeks with oblique strains, with the latter expected to miss up to 12 weeks of action.
After leaving last Sunday’s game against the Rockies early with an uncharacteristic bout of wildness, Brandon McCarthy was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right knee inflammation. Manager Dave Roberts was unaware of the injury prior to McCarthy’s start and told reporters after the game that he was unsure if knee pain was a factor in McCarthy’s struggles.
There is no timetable for his return, but it is likely that he will require more than just 10 days of rest to recover. It would also make sense for the Dodgers to give the oft-injured pitcher an extended period of rest to ensure that he will be ready for the team’s playoff push.
One of the most disappointing free agent acquisitions of the year, Mark Melancon and his 4.35 ERA was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right pronator strain. After signing a four-year, $62 million deal over the offseason to help shore up a historically bad Giants bullpen, Melancon has been nothing short of awful, with four blown saves and a 1.35 whip in 20 innings of work.
Manager Bruce Bochy told reporters on June 28th that Melancon will undergo an MRI, but that the team is unsure how long the closer will be out of action. The Giants have no other viable options at closer and Melancon will retain his job when he returns to the field. The question is when will that be and will he be productive for fantasy owners. In the meantime, former Rangers closer Sam Dyson is first in line for save opportunities in San Francisco.
Upton missed both games of a doubleheader on Saturday and Sunday’s rubber match against the Cleveland Indians with an oblique strain. Although he is currently listed as day-to-day and the team has yet to place him on the DL, it would not be a surprise if he lands on the 10-day DL on Monday to allow for the required rest.
A pleasant surprise for fantasy owners as the No. 5 ranked second baseman over the first half of the season, Castro has been excellent with a .313 batting average and 52 runs scored for the Bronx Bombers.
Unfortunately, a right hamstring strain has derailed Castro’s season for the next few weeks, with the former Chicago Cub landing on the 10-day disabled list on June 27th. On a positive note, the injury does not appear to be severe, and Castro has already begun taking batting practice on Sunday.
Updating Previous Injuries
Mike Trout (OF – LAA) Thumb
Trout took batting practice on Friday and appears to be close to returning from a thumb injury. It is possible that he may be activated before the All-Star break, but it is more likely that he will be out past the mid-summer classic.
Freddie Freeman (1B – ATL) Wrist
Freeman also appears close to returning to action after participating in live batting practice on June 28 for the first time since injuring his wrist.
Dallas Keuchel (SP – HOU) Neck
The bearded one has been participating in long-toss for over a week and is set to begin throwing off a mound this weekend. Look for Keuchel to make his return after the All-Star break.
Madison Bumgarner (SP – SF) Shoulder
MadBum made his first rehab start on Saturday since injuring his shoulder in a dirt bike accident on April 20th. He threw 62 pitches over 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits.
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Andrew Swanson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his archive or follow him @FantasyProsAndy.
