It seems as though the sky is falling every couple days because each time I prepare to write the injury report there is more breaking news of another key player getting hurt. We have already seen two of the top pitchers in baseball sustain injuries that will keep them out for months. Today’s article features arguably the two best hitters in the league, so prepare yourself. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the fantasy baseball emergency room.
Day to Day
Mike Trout (OF-LAA) – The Angels reported that Trout has some tightness in his hamstring and was out of the lineup for the first time this season on Thursday. While that likely raises some red flags and has fantasy GMs in a panic, it does not appear to be anything that will cause Trout to miss any time. You would never know that he has been bothered by this injury for a while because he is hitting a stellar .358 with eight home runs, 20 RBI, 21 runs scored, and five stolen bases. This seems to be nothing more than a day off for the elite outfielder and you should expect him back on the field on Friday.
Bryce Harper (OF-WAS) – A collective gasp emerged from fantasy GMs when Harper was removed from Thursday’s game against Arizona with a groin injury. He sustained the injury while diving for a ball in the outfield and the Nationals exercised caution by taking him out of the game. Harper is unquestionably one of the top players in the league with his .376 batting average along with nine home runs, 27 RBI and 35 runs scored. He is considered day-to-day and shouldn’t miss much time, if any at all. Washington is already short-handed in the outfield after losing Adam Eaton so veteran Chris Heisey is the most likely candidate to fill in for Harper if he does need a day off.
Carlos Gonzalez (OF-COL) – CarGo’s disastrous start to the season took another hit as he left Thursday’s game against San Diego with a cramp in his right calf. Gonzalez is hitting just .200 with two home runs and six RBI through his first 100 at bats. It’s difficult to determine if CarGo’s first 100 at bats were more or less productive than Donald Trump’s first 100 days. Gonzalez is listed as day-to-day and there is no indication right now that he is looking at an extended absence. He could get a day or two off to simply rest and recover. Alexi Amarista replaced him on Thursday and is a likely candidate to get some at bats if CarGo cannot go.
Ian Kinsler (2B-DET) – Kinsler is considered day-to-day after experiencing some tightness in his hamstring on Wednesday. Detroit has indicated that he did not strain the muscle so there does not appear to be any concern about the severity of the injury. Andrew Romine took over for Kinsler at second base when he left the game early and would likely step in and play if Kinsler needs another day or two to recover. Kinsler has been one of the most consistent fantasy second baseman for years but is off to a slow start hitting just .206 with three home runs and eight RBI. Be patient with him through the injury and his struggles at the plate because the law of averages will even out.
Jacoby Ellsbury (OF-NYY) – Ellsbury suffered a bruised nerve in his elbow and has missed several games this week. He had an MRI which confirmed the nerve injury and he could be placed on the disabled list if he is not able to return this weekend. Ellsbury has been productive thus far batting in the clean-up spot and teeing things up for Aaron Judge. Aaron Hicks will earn regular playing time if Ellsbury needs an extended absence which makes him a viable waiver wire candidate thanks in large part to his .288 batting average and five home runs in a limited capacity.
Marcus Stroman (SP-TOR) – Stroman lasted only three innings in his previous start against the Yankees before being removed due to some discomfort in his right arm. He is expected to make his next start so the injury is not considered serious. He had been pitching great until the Yankees lit him for five runs but his overall stat line is still solid with a 2-2 record and a 3.89 ERA.
Todd Frazier (3B-CHW) – Frazier has been dreadful thus far hitting .188 with only three home runs. He missed some time recently with the flu and is now dealing with a back injury which caused him to miss Thursday’s game. He is receiving treatment and is hoping to play on Friday, but that decision won’t be made until closer to game time. Frazier was a hot commodity during draft time due to his multi-positional eligibility and the fact he is playing for a contract. He should turn things around before long but there is cause for concern with these various issues that have cost him some time.
Dexter Fowler (OF-STL) – The Cardinals lost two-thirds of their outfield on Thursday including Dexter Fowler who left the game with a shoulder strain. He suffered the injury diving for a ball in center field but the extent of the injury is not known yet. Fowler was a big free agent acquisition by the Cardinals but has gotten off to a slow start batting just .223 with four home runs and nine RBI. St. Louis moved Aledmys Diaz to the outfield and put Greg Garcia at shortstop on Thursday but they will likely have to make a roster move if Fowler and/or Piscotty are expected to miss more than just a day or two.
Stephen Piscotty (OF-STL) – As stated above, the Cardinals also lost Piscotty to a hamstring injury on Thursday. He had to be helped off the field after sustaining the injury running out a ground ball. Piscotty has also gotten off to a slow start with only two home runs and 11 RBI. Jose Martinez replaced him and should see most of the playing time in Piscotty’s absence if he lands on the disabled list which seems likely.
On the DL
Corey Kluber (SP-CLE) – Kluber got roughed up last Tuesday against Detroit and was taken out of the game early after experiencing more tightness in his back. Cleveland placed him on the disabled list and he could miss a couple starts. Kluber’s numbers have been wildly inconsistent with an overall record of 3-2 with a 5.06, 1.37 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in 37.1 innings through six starts. The bloated ERA and WHIP are a result of three awful starts where he got lit up, but then dominated in his other three starts. Kluber is an elite starting pitcher so just stash him on your bench or in a DL slot and hopefully he is able to come back after ten days.
Cole Hamels (SP-TEX) – Hamels has been the model of consistency and durability for many years but has now landed on the disabled list with an oblique strain. He is expected to miss up to two months which is a significant enough period of time where you can consider dropping him if you are limited with bench or DL slots. The Rangers expect to get Tyson Ross back by the end of the month so he should help fill the void. None of the Rangers other internal options like Alex Claudio or Anthony Bass are worth taking a flyer on.
Greg Bird (1B-NYY) – The Yankees appear to have given Bird a pity DL stint as they claim that his right ankle bruise is still aggravating him. Bird has been atrocious thus far batting .100 with only one home run and three RBI in his first 60 at bats. He will be shut down for a week and then will likely require a rehab assignment before coming back. Chris Carter should see more playing time at first base in Bird’s absence which is good news for people who like home runs and strikeouts.
On the Mend
Gary Sanchez (C-NYY) – Great news for fantasy GMs as the Yankees will activate Gary Sanchez from the disabled list in time for Friday’s game against the Cubs. Sanchez has been out since the beginning of April with a biceps injury but appears fully healed after hitting well in a rehab assignment. He got off to a very slow start batting .150 with only one home run, but the pressure is now off of him with Aaron Judge anchoring the Yankees potent lineup.
Tyson Ross (SP-TEX) – Ross threw a 30-pitch bullpen session earlier this week and is scheduled to throw a simulated game over the weekend. The Rangers are targeting a return in June for Ross who hasn’t pitched in a year after recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome. He would provide a big boost for Texas who has lost Cole Hamels for a couple months. Ross is a viable waiver wire acquisition to stash if you have the roster flexibility.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and co-host of the Fantasy Alarm Podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment).