As I write this, the Mets announced that Max Scherzer‘s next start will be pushed back until Wednesday. All sources state that it isn’t serious, just some lingering shoulder soreness, but it’s still not a thing fantasy managers want to hear. There is also a chance that the Mets thought, “Who better for Jose Butto to get his second career start against than the historically-awful Oakland A’s?” Scherzer is now in line to face the Dodgers. If he doesn’t make that start, then it’s time for fantasy managers to freak out a bit.
It was a rough Week 2 for pitchers, most especially Jeffrey Springs, who looked like he could be in the AL Cy Young conversation with his early performance. Let’s take a look at the roundup.
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Fantasy Baseball Injury Roundup: Week 2
Springs left his start on Thursday after only four innings, shaking his hand in that awful way that pitchers do when something seems very wrong. He was diagnosed with ulnar neuritis with the caveat that more testing is necessary. On Friday, sources stated the Rays suspect it is more than a nerve issue, and Springs will be out for at least two months. If surgery is needed, he could miss the remainder of the season.
What to do: I got asked this question a lot on our Discord, and my answer is pretty simple. If you have the IL space, you stash him in redraft leagues until a timetable is announced. If he will miss the rest of the season, he is droppable. If you’re in a redraft league without IL space, he is droppable. In a dynasty league, he is a stash at this point.
The Rangers placed Seager on the 10-day IL with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which typically means a month-long absence. As we’ve discussed, hamstrings are particularly troublesome and can linger for a long time. Just unfortunate news for one of the most targeted in preseason drafts.
What to do: Stash on IL. The Rangers are keeping Semien at second base and moved Josh H. Smith to shortstop. The shortstop pool has gotten thinner in the first couple of weeks, but there is probably a waiver wire option with more value than Smith.
Speaking of hamstrings, they took out another power option this week when Stanton landed on the 10-day IL. Further testing revealed a Grade 2 strain.
What to do: Stash on IL if you have space. The Yankees called up Oswald Peraza, who is worth a pickup as he did well in his major league time last year.
Woodruff was diagnosed with a sub-scapular strain in his pitching shoulder, and he will likely miss more time than the original two-week timetable. He appears to be avoiding surgery at this time, but fantasy managers will need to prepare for a lengthy absence.
Smith hit the 7-day IL with concussion symptoms. As we’ve seen in the past, the concussion protocol can sometimes keep players out much longer than seven days. Austin Barnes will take his place, but he is not a great option as a fantasy replacement.
Other Injuries
- Kris Bubic (SP – KC): 15-day IL with an elbow injury
- Matt Manning (SP – DET): 15-day IL with a broken toe
- German Marquez (SP – COL): 15-day IL with a forearm injury
- Aaron Civale (SP – CLE): 15-day IL with an oblique injury
- Connor Overton (SP – CIN): 15-day IL with an elbow injury
- Tim Anderson (SS – CWS): 10-day IL with a knee injury
- Orlando Arcia (2B – ATL): 10-day IL with a wrist injury
- Kyle Farmer (2B, SS – MIN): 10-day IL with a mouth injury
- Ji-Man Choi (1B – PIT): 10-day IL with an Achilles injury
- Joc Pederson (OF – SF): 10-day IL with a wrist injury
Injury Updates
Daniel Bard (RP – COL) & Randal Grichuk (OF – COL)
We’ll see you next Monday. May you all keep your IL spots open and, as always, good luck!
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Kelly Kirby is a featured writer and content specialist at FantasyPros. You can check out her archive here and follow her on Twitter at @thewonkypenguin.