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Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Fernando Tatis Jr., Jacob deGrom, Christian Yelich (2021)

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Fernando Tatis Jr., Jacob deGrom, Christian Yelich (2021)

It’s week 17 of the Fantasy Baseball season, and the injuries piled up. Guys like Eloy Jimenez, Andrew McCutchen, Brandon Nimmo, Josh Donaldson, Rhys Hoskins, and DJ LeMaheiu are all battling day-to-day ailments. While Dinelson Lamet, Chris Sale, Chris Moran, Alex Bregman, and Jack Flaherty are all on the cusp returning. Let’s dive in:

Players Injured: Alex Cobb, Fernando Tatis Jr., Michael Brantley, Jacob deGrom, Chris Paddack, Raimel Tapia, Jared Walsh, Christian Yelich, Tyler Glasnow, Domingo German, Trea Turner, Tony Gonsolin, James Kaprielian 

Potential Benefactors: Jamie Barria, Ha-Seong Kim, Tylor Megill, Rich Hill, Ryan Weathers, Connor Joe, Matt Thaiss, Tyrone Taylor, Nestor Cortes, David Price, Daulton Jefferies

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Injury Roundup 

Alex Cobb (SP – LAA)
Alex Cobb (wrist) went on the IL retroactive to July 27th with inflammation in his wrist. Cobb’s having a decent season for the Angels with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 77 and 2/3 innings, and his underlying numbers are even better – 3.17 xFIP, 3.64 SIERA, 2.62 FIP. However, the injury won’t keep him out long, so he’s a stash. Jamie Barria will start for Cobb while he’s out. 

Fernando Tatis Jr. (SS – SD)
Fernando Tatis Jr. (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury when sliding into third base on Friday. A dislocated shoulder is a persistent injury for Tatis, and he missed time earlier this season, too. The Padres put him on the IL with timelines for return ranging from a minimum stay to season-ending surgery. Managers will want to keep up-to-date because if Tatis isn’t close to being ready in 10 days, the chances of a season-ending surgery go up significantly. There’s no replacing him in fantasy, but the Padres will use Jake Cronenworth at shortstop and Adam Frazier at second. Ha-Seong Kim could see an uptick in playing time too. 

Michael Brantley (OF – HOU)
Michael Brantley (ankle) left Sunday’s game early with an ankle injury. X-rays were negative, so it looks as if he’s going to avoid the IL. Instead, the Astros will probably use Yordan Alvarez in left field if Brantley misses a game or two to start the week. 

Jacob deGrom (SP – NYM)
Jacob deGrom (forearm) suffered a setback this week after a bullpen session on Thursday. He’ll be shut down for two weeks and might return in early September after a ramp-up in mid-August. At this point, managers in head-to-head leagues can consider it a win if he’s back in time for the playoffs. Rich Hill and Tylor Megill will stick in the rotation while deGrom is out. 

Chris Paddack (SP – SD)
Chris Paddack (oblique) went on the IL this week after a start against the A’s. He’s been a disappointment this season with a 5.13 ERA, but his underlying numbers are much better – 3.72 xFIP, 3.72 FIP, 3.92 SIERA, and 4.50 K/BB ratio. So if he’s dropped in your league, he’s worth picking up when he gets close to a return. Ryan Weathers enters the rotation in Paddack’s place. 

Raimel Tapia (OF – COL)
Raimel Tapia (toe) didn’t play over the weekend because of a sprained toe. Tapia will return sometime this week, and a trip to the IL is unlikely. Connor Joe filled in for Tapia while Tapia was out. 

Jared Walsh (1B – LAA)
Jared Walsh (abdomen) went on the IL retroactive to July 27th with an ab strain. He hurt himself during the game on Monday and wasn’t feeling any better on Wednesday, so the Angels sent him to the IL. A low-grade strain typically requires two or three weeks to recover, and it sounds like that’s what Walsh is dealing with here. He should return mid-late August. Matt Thaiss is filling in for Walsh at first base. 

Christian Yelich (OF – MIL)
Christian Yelich (COVID-19) is vaccinated but had mild symptoms and failed a COVID test on Monday. MLB rules state a player must miss a minimum of 10 days after testing positive, so Yelich won’t be able to return until the end of the week. He’s likely to be activated as soon as he’s eligible. Getting vaccinated doesn’t prevent you from catching COVID, but it will reduce the symptoms. Tyrone Taylor receives a bump in playing time with Yelich out.

Tyler Glasnow (SP – TB)
Tyler Glasnow (elbow) isn’t made of glass, but it sure feels that way for fantasy managers. Unfortunately, he will miss the rest of the season and potentially all of next season because of Tommy John surgery. 

Domingo German (SP – NYY)
Domingo German (shoulder) exited his start on Saturday early with shoulder inflammation. He had pitched well for two straight starts. There’s no timetable for his return, and the Yankees are usually pretty cautious with their arms. Newcomer Andrew Heaney slots into German’s spot, and ‘Nasty’ Nestor Cortes has a shot at becoming the fifth man in the rotation. 

Trea Turner (SS – LAD)
Trea Turner (COVID-19) went on the COVID-IL on July 29th, which means he’s eligible to return on August ninth, and when he does, it will be for a new team at a new position. Instead, the five-tool shortstop is now playing second base for the LA Dodgers in what most general managers would likely describe as “unfair.”

Tony Gonsolin (SP – LAD)
Tony Gonsolin (shoulder) struggled in his start on Friday and went to the IL on Saturday. Unfortunately, he’s got shoulder inflammation, and there’s no timetable for his return. The 27-year-old has a pretty 2.78 ERA, but his underlying numbers forecast future pain for fantasy managers – 5.14 xFIP, 4.45 FIP, 5.05 SIERA, and a 1.62 K/BB ratio. David Price is going to make a couple of starts while the Dodgers are battling injuries. 

James Kaprielian (SP – OAK)
James Kaprielian (shoulder) has an inflamed AC joint and will need to miss a couple of starts, but it doesn’t appear to be that serious. He’s having a promising rookie season with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 72 and 1/3 innings. Daulton Jefferies got the call to replace Kapriellan.

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Lucas Babits-Feinerman is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Lucas, check out his archive and follow him @WSonFirst.

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