Several notable players like Charlie Blackmon, Yuli Gurriel, Salvador Perez, and Bryce Harper missed time this week with day-to-day type injuries. All the players above played on Sunday; hence I won’t include them in the round-up. Ian Happ returned from the IL with a bang, and so did Jazz Chisholm. Unfortunately, there was more bad than good this week – two COVID outbreaks, one in San Diego and one in New York, World Series MVP Corey Seager suffered a fractured hand, and Ronald Acuña Jr. rolled his ankle.
Players Injured: Zac Gallen, Carson Kelly, Ronald Acuña Jr., Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, A.J. Pollock, Gleyber Torres, Aaron Hicks, Giancarlo Stanton, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto, J.T. Realmuto, Didi Gregorius, (San Diego Padres COVID-19 outbreak – Francisco Tatis Jr., Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers, Jurickson Profar, Jorge Mateo), Brandon Belt, Ty France, Paul DeJong, Tyler O’Neill.
Potential Benefactors: Luke Weaver, Tim Locastro, Sheldon Neuse, Matt Beaty, Luke Raley, Tyler Wade, Brett Gardner, Estevan Florial, Jonathan Villar, Jose Peraza, Khalil Lee, Nick Maton, Brian O’Grady, Tucupita Marcano, Ha-Seong Kim, Darin Ruf, Wilmer Flores, Matt Carpenter, Justin Williams
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Injury Round-up
Zac Gallen (SP – ARI)
Arizona scratched Zac Gallen (elbow) before his start on Wednesday. He has a sprained elbow, and early results indicate surgery will not be necessary. Gallen made a quick recovery from a fractured forearm earlier this season but will be out at least a couple of weeks with this injury. Riley Smith started in Gallen’s place on Wednesday, and Luke Weaver slid into the back-end of the D’Backs rotation.
Carson Kelly (C – ARI)
Carson Kelly (toe) was OPSing 1.104 before succumbing to a fractured toe on Saturday. It’s a tuft fracture, which means the tip of the toe broke. Similar injuries in fingers typically take at least one month to recover. Daulton Varsho will move behind the plate, but he was already catcher eligible in most leagues. Injuries are piling up for the D’Backs, and with all the moving pieces, Tim Locastro could benefit.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF – ATL)
Ronald Acuña Jr. (ankle) is day-to-day with an ankle injury that he suffered on Thursday. Manager Brian Snitker stated Acuña could be back in the line-up as soon as Monday. Managers can keep an eye on this situation, but it appears as if the top player in fantasy will be back soon.
Corey Seager (SS – LAD)
Corey Seager (hand) suffered a fractured hand after being hit by a pitch on Saturday. It’s unfortunate because he had been underperforming before the injury and is a free agent after the season. Manager Dave Roberts stated that Seager would be out at least a month and Gavin Lux would take reps at shortstop in his absence. Sheldon Neuse could see time at second base since Chris Taylor is out as well.
Chris Taylor (OF – LAD)
The Dodgers lifted Chris Taylor (wrist) from Sunday’s line-up with a mysterious wrist injury. The extent of damage is unknown, but if he can play this week, it will likely be at second base, as the Dodgers infield plays a little game of musical chairs to replace the injured Corey Seager. Managers will need to stay tuned as this situation develops. Sheldon Neuse covered for Taylor on Sunday.
A.J. Pollock (OF – LAD)
A.J. Pollock (hamstring) hurt himself after trying to play through a hamstring injury. His initial injury occurred on May 7th. Still, He remained available as a pinch-hitter and finally went on the IL after returning to the line-up on Friday. He’ll likely be out until June, best case scenario. Luke Raley and Matt Beaty are covering for Pollock and Cody Bellinger while they recover from injury. Both Raley and Beaty might see an uptick in playing time because of Pollock’s injury.
Gleyber Torres (SS – NYY)
Gleyber Torres (COVID-19) tested positive on Thursday. He’s vaccinated, so it’s likely not that serious. He’s one of eight Yankees to test positive, but the other’s are all coaches. Tyler Wade is filling in for Torres until he’s eligible to return.
Aaron Hicks (OF – NYY)
Aaron Hicks (wrist) has a torn tendon sheath in his wrist. Former Yankee Mark Teixeira suffered this injury twice, once he returned to the field after a shot and the second time he needed season-ending surgery. It’s impossible to say what the prognosis for Hicks is at this point. Whatever happens, I’m sure the Yankees won’t miss his .627 OPS. Brett Gardner will fill in, in Center Field for the time being but Gardner isn’t fit for everyday at-bats at this point in his career. Down on the farm, Estevan Florial was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A and could be recalled by the Yankees later this summer if Hicks is out for a long time.
Giancarlo Stanton (DH – NYY)
Giancarlo Stanton (quadriceps) has been out of the Yankees line-up since Friday. The injury isn’t severe, but it’s always scary to see Stanton’s name pop up on the report, given his history. It’s worth noting that the Yankees played in Tampa before the injury. The turf down there is notorious for causing aches and pains, especially for big-bodied sluggers like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Managers need to stay tuned, but the expectation is Stanton will be back early in the week.
Jeff McNeil (2B – NYM)
Jeff McNeil (hamstring) was held out of several games this week with aches and pains, and he left Sunday’s game early with a tight hammy. He’s going for an MRI on Monday. The Mets are getting J.D. Davis back soon, which would push Jonathan Villar from the line-up but with the injury to McNeil, Villar isn’t going anywhere. Jose Peraza could play until Davis returns but will be the odd man out when he comes back.
Michael Conforto (OF – NYM)
Michael Conforto (hamstring) left Sunday’s game early and is going for an MRI on Monday. The extent of his injury is unknown, but it would be wise for managers to have a backup plan if he requires a stay on the IL. The Mets could call Khalil Lee up to fill in for Conforto if he misses time.
J.T. Realmuto (C – PHI)
J.T. Realmuto (wrist) is day-to-day after being pulled out of Saturday’s game with the injury. Phillies’ backup catcher Andrew Knapp is also hurt, so Rafael Marchan is filling in. Realmuto has been solid this season with a .886 OPS. Fantasy managers should expect him back early next week unless he suffers a setback.
Bryce Harper (OF – PHI)
Bryce Harper (shoulder) left Saturday’s game early with shoulder tightness. He’s considered day-to-day but didn’t play on Sunday. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the situation closely but expect him to be back early next week.
Didi Gregorius (SS – PHI)
Didi Gregorius (elbow) has been out since Wednesday with elbow stiffness. It’s encouraging that he hasn’t been placed on the IL yet, but he probably will go on the IL if he’s not back early next week. Nick Maton is playing shortstop while Didi is out.
San Diego Padres COVID-19 Outbreak
Francisco Tatis Jr., Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers, Jurickson Profar, and Jorge Mateo are all on the COVID-19 IL and have been since Monday/Tuesday. It’s impossible to say when they’ll return, but there is no minimum stay for COVID-related injuries. Brian O’Grady, Tucupita Marcano, and Ha-Seong Kim are playing regularly in the interim.
Brandon Belt (1B – SF)
Brandon Belt (side) hasn’t played since Saturday with a side injury. He first suffered the injury on May 11th, missed the next couple of games, played on the 14th, had one at-bat on the 15th, and was out of the line-up on Sunday. It’s worth noting that on Sunday, he was in the line-up but scratched during the pre-game. He may require a stint on the IL, in which Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores could fill in.
Ty France (2B – SEA)
The Mariners sent Ty France (wrist) to the IL on Friday. It’s unclear how long France will be out, but he’d been struggling before the injury. Dylan Moore will play second in his absence.
Paul DeJong (SS – STL)
Paul DeJong (rib) has seven home runs this season but a measly .177 batting average. He was hit by a pitch on Tuesday and then aggravated the injury further on Wednesday. He’ll be out indefinitely, Tommy Edman will cover short, and Matt Carpenter moves into the line-up to play second base.
Tyler O’Neill (OF – STL)
Tyler O’Neill (finger) left Sunday’s game early with a finger injury. Manager Mike Shildt said O’Neill is day-to-day. Justin Williams is likely to fill in for O’Neill if O’Neill misses time.
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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.