The season is flying by as we are just a couple weeks away from Memorial Day. This edition of the injury report features several players that have yet to play all season, but they are on the road to recovery. If you drafted and stashed them, your patience could be rewarded because their returns can have the impact akin to making a big trade. So without further adieu, here is the next installment of the walking wounded.
Kenley Jansen (RP-LAD)
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen is set to make his season debut this weekend after recovering from a foot injury. Jansen probably won’t close games immediately, but it should not take long for him to reclaim his role in the ninth inning. Jansen will provide a huge boost to fantasy GM’s who have stashed him since the draft.
Anthony Rendon (2B/3B-WAS)
This has been one of the most frustrating and disappointing stories since March. Rendon was a consensus late first round to early second round draft pick thanks to his five-category production and positional flexibility. However, a knee injury has sidelined him for two months and then he sustained an oblique injury while attempting to rehab a few weeks ago. He is just now reporting to Florida to resume baseball activities at the Nationals spring training facility. Rendon is still a few weeks away from returning assuming that he does not have any setbacks. You have waited this long, so just continue to be patient.
Wil Myers (OF-SD)
Earlier this week it looked like Myers was heading for the disabled list, but instead he should only miss a few days with tendinitis in his left wrist. Myers has played well for the Padres as part of their offensive renovation. He was likely drafted as your fourth or fifth outfielder which has netted solid value, but losing him for a few days should not be anything catastrophic for you to deal with.
Sean Doolittle (RP-OAK)
There is another closer besides Kenley Jansen who could be making his season debut shortly. A’s closer Sean Doolittle began a rehab assignment this week and is on his way back to Oakland. Much like Jansen, he will likely be eased back into the closer’s role over a period of time. Doolittle was very effective in 2014, but you should temper your expectations because it is hard to imagine him picking right up where he left off.
Brandon Phillips (2B-CIN)
Phillips is well beyond his fantasy relevant years, but he is still a viable middle infield option in deep leagues. He is dealing with turf toe which is a painful injury and can cost players significant amount of time. The Reds are reportedly working on getting Phillips an orthotic to put in his shoe, so he’ll likely be out until that happens.
Jean Segura (SS-MIL)
The Brewers have placed shortstop Jean Segura on the disabled list with a fracture in his right pinkie finger. Expect him to miss several weeks with this injury since it is to his throwing hand. Segura has not come close to replicating his statistics from a couple years ago, but he is still a productive middle infielder due to his speed so he will be missed.
Chase Whitley (SP-NYY)
Whitley has pitched well for the Yankees filling in for Masahiro Tanaka, but he had to be removed in the second inning of his start on Thursday against Tampa Bay due to an elbow injury. We will know more after he undergoes an MRI, but it should not come as a surprise to anyone if the prognosis is dire. Chris Capuano is about ready to return from his calf injury, so look for him to re-enter the Yankees rotation.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),