It has been an active few days with several star players getting placed on the disabled list or receiving time off to nurse injuries.  There are some times during the season that worse than others for players to get hurt, and right now is one of them.  With the All Star break just a couple weeks away, teams are inclined to shut players down for longer periods of time to give them extended rest.  This is problematic for fantasy GMs, so you need to be prepared with sufficient depth on your roster at all positions.  So, without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy baseball emergency room.

Carlos Correa (SS-HOU)

The Astros continue to roll but will now have to do so without their star shortstop for at least a week.  They placed Carlos Correa on the disabled list due to stiffness in his back which has been bothering him for the better part of a week.  Correa is batting .268 with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 46 runs scored and two stolen bases which is right in line with what is expected of him.  Fantasy GMs will need to prepare to be without him for the next week at least and possibly through the All Star break.  Marwin González will likely play shortstop in Correa’s absence.

Kris Bryant (3B-CHC)

The Cubs initially did not think that Bryant would need a trip to the disabled list for his shoulder injury, but that is not the case now.  Bryant was added to the DL retroactive to June 23 meaning he is eligible to return on July 3.  It remains to be seen whether that will be possible as the Cubs could want to be overly cautious with their star third baseman.  Bryant is an elite player who has put up pedestrian statistics thus far, so perhaps the trip to the DL will help rejuvenate him when he returns.

Christian Yelich (OF-MIL)

The Brewers just lost Lorenzo Cain to the disabled list and now may also be without Christian Yelich who was removed from Thursday’s game against Cincinnati with tightness in his lower back.  Yelich grounded out in his only at bat and then never took the field.  The extent of his injury is not known yet, so he should be considered day-to-day until we have more information.  This is a big loss for fantasy GMs who depend on Yelich for production in all five Roto categories.

Josh Donaldson (3B-TOR)

Bad news for fantasy GMs who were hoping Donaldson was on his way back from a calf injury.  The Blue Jays’ third baseman had a setback while taking ground balls during his rehab assignment and an MRI showed that he had an acute strain of his left calf.  Donaldson will now be shut down for several weeks meaning it could be at least a month before he is able to return.  He has been limited to only 36 games and was only batting .234 with five home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored and two stolen bases.  Continue to stash him because he could provide a big boost upon his eventual return.

Ozzie Albies (2B-ATL)

Albies has emerged as a fantasy stud this year with a .271 batting average along with 17 home runs, 46 RBI, 61 runs scored and seven stolen bases.  He was hit by a pitch on his foot on Tuesday and ended up missing Wednesday’s game.  He is still experiencing some soreness so his status for Friday is up in the air at this point.  He should be back on the field as soon as the pain and soreness subsides so do not plan on being without him much longer.

J.T. Realmuto (C-MIA)

Realmuto has missed the past four games with a sore wrist after he had a ball fouled off of him last weekend.  He is expected to be back on the field this weekend against the Mets which is good news for fantasy GMs anticipating this battle for the basement of the National League East.  Realmuto is easily one of the most valuable fantasy catchers in the league with his .308 batting average along with ten home runs, 32 RBI, 38 runs scored and one stolen base.

Kyle Seager (3B-SEA)

One Seager is already out for the season and now the other one is dealing with an injury as well.  Kyle Seager missed Thursday’s game due to a ligament injury in his toe.  He underwent x-rays which did not reveal any fractures or structural damage, so it appears that he will be able to avoid the disabled list.  Andrew Romine started in place of Seager on Thursday and would likely continue to play in his place if Seager needs some additional time off.  Seager does not provide help with batting average, but he does have 15 home runs, 49 RBI and 38 runs scored making him a viable starting option.

Salvador Pérez (C-KC)

Perez was removed from Wednesday’s game against Baltimore when he was hit on the forearm by a foul ball and lost feeling in his hand.  Kansas City was off on Thursday so he had some extra time to rest and recover.  Perez is planning on playing on Friday but that will depend on how he is feeling before game time.  Either way, he will not need a stint on the disabled list which is good news for fantasy GMs who have only gotten 59 games out of him thus far.

Dylan Bundy (SP-BAL)

It should not come as a surprise that the Orioles played it safe and placed Bundy on the disabled list after he suffered an ankle sprain running the bases last weekend.  Baltimore had held out hope he could make his next start, but they decided to be cautious with their ace who is 6-7 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 96 innings.  The Orioles have nothing to play for now so they made the wise decision and shut Bundy down to allow his ankle to fully heal.

Steven Wright (SP-BOS)

Wright had been brilliant before his last start in which he was bombed for ten runs against Seattle, but it seems apparent his balky knee was part of the problem.  The Red Sox placed him on the disabled list due to inflammation in the knee which has been a recurring problem for him over the past couple of years.  Wright’s overall numbers are still solid with a 2-1 record along with a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 40 innings including four starts.  Despite those solid numbers, he is not worth keeping when you can find a better option on the waiver wire.

Caleb Smith (SP-MIA)

The Marlins have very few things to revel about this year, but Caleb Smith was certainly one of the team’s bright spots.  He was 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 88 strikeouts in 16 starts before being diagnosed with a Grade 3 lat strain which will likely cost him the remainder of the season.  It is possible he will undergo surgery, but even a conservative treatment plan would mean a lengthy enough absence where he should be shut down for the year.

Zack Cozart (SS/3B-LAA)

The Angels have been ravaged by injuries all season and now have lost Zack Cozart for the season due to a torn labrum.  He will undergo surgery to repair his shoulder which puts a merciful end to his disappointing debut season with the Angels.  Cozart was coming off a huge 2017 season with the Reds and signed a lucrative free agent contract before rewarding the Angels with a putrid .219 batting average and only five home runs and 18 RBI.  He can be dropped in all league formats.