As we head into the last week of the fantasy baseball season setting season long lineups can be tricky. You don’t want to get too cute and change things up just for the sake of doing so, but at the same time with several new injuries to fantasy relevant players surfacing this past week you need to be proactive. After all, you want to submit a fantasy lineup that gives you the best chance for a strong finish to your season.
If you’re still in the running for your league’s championship, congrats! It’s been a trying season with many injuries, COVID related and traditional, to deal with.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the injuries that we fantasy players will have to work around as we head into the final week of the 2020 fantasy baseball season.
Starting Pitcher
Jacob deGrom , New York Mets
It looks as if you’re going to be able to squeeze at least one more start out of Jacob deGrom before the fantasy baseball season concludes. After being removed from his last start after just two innings due to a hamstring spasm, Mets manager Luis Rojas told reporters on Saturday that DeGrom was "good to go, and he's lined up for Monday." At the time this article was being written, the Mets hadn’t announced their rotation plans for the rest of the week, but there’s a chance that DeGrom may get a second start before the season is over.
Sonny Gray , Cincinnati Reds
Gray, who has been on the IL due to a mid-back strain is expected to rejoin the Reds rotation on Tuesday. He is a potential two-start pitcher for the final week of the season.
Dakota Hudson , St. Louis Cardinals
Hudson was placed on the IL this week due to what is being described as a flexor tendon issue. The Cardinals are awaiting the results of an MRI, however it’s highly likely that Hudson has thrown his last pitch of the 2020 season. Hudson has posted a 2.77 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in eight starts this season.
James Paxton , New York Yankees
Any hopes you had of Paxton getting one last regular season start in before the end of the season were crushed this week. The Yanks announced that Paxton was transferred to the 45 day IL which means that the earliest he’d be able to return is October 8th. At that point, the Yankees would potentially be playing game four of a best of five division series. Paxton has been on the IL due to a flexor strain since August 24th.
Jake Arrieta , Philadelphia Phillies
Arrieta was placed on the 10 day IL due to a hamstring strain and will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season. Adonis Medina took his spot in the rotation this past Sunday and gave up two runs in four IP.
Justin Verlander , Houston Astros
Verlander announced that he would be undergoing Tommy John surgery via his Instagram page. He will likely be sidelined for all of the 2021 season. Verlander is under contract with the Astros through the 2021 season and will be 39 years-old on Opening Day 2022.
Relief Pitcher
Giovanny Gallegos , St. Louis Cardinals
It’s looking as if Gallegos may be activated from the IL this week. He is eligible to be reinstated on Monday (today). Gallegos, who had been the Cardinals’ closer, would likely resume his role.
Catcher
J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
Realmuto, who was removed from the Phillies’ game against the Marlins on September 12th due to “hip discomfort” has avoided the IL and is considered day to day. Manager Joe Girardi was hopeful that Realmuto would be back in the lineup on Monday (today). If he is active, he will start the week as the team’s designated hitter. Keep tabs on his progress before starting him in season long leagues.
Shortstop
Tim Anderson , Chicago White Sox
Anderson is listed as day to day after being removed from Sunday’s game against the Reds due to a cramp in his right hamstring. He’ll probably be able to sneak in a few starts before the end of the season but you should follow his progress before putting him in your weekly season long lineups.
Third Base
Nolan Arenado , Colorado Rockies
Check Arenado’s status before putting him in your weekly season long lineups. He’s been bothered by a nagging injury to the AC joint of his left shoulder and recently underwent tests to determine the severity of the injury. Depending on the results it’s possible his 2020 season may be over.
Outfield
Bryce Harper , Washington Nationals
Harper removed himself from Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays after an at-bat in the seventh inning due to lower back stiffness. Phillies manager Joe Girardi indicated that Harper would receive treatment for his condition. With the Phillies fighting for a playoff berth the Phillies are hoping that Harper could make at least a few starts this week but you should follow his progress before putting him in your own weekly lineup.
Austin Meadows , Tampa Bay Rays
Meadows was placed on the 10 day IL this past week due to an oblique strain that will keep him sidelined into the postseason and more than likely end his 2020 season. Randy Arozarena has been starting in leftfield in place of Meadows over the past two days. The Rays have plenty of moving parts in their outfield and when it comes down to managing their lineup Rays manager Dave Cash suggested “we’ll find a way to get creative.”
Adam Eaton , Washington Nationals
The Nationals placed Eaton on the 10 day IL due to a fractured left index finger, ending his 2020 season. Eaton slumped all season long. His .285 OBP is particularly troubling for a player who batted second for the majority of the season.
Alex Verdugo , Boston Red Sox
Verdugo is nursing a tight hamstring that has kept him out of Saturday and Sunday’s games, but there’s a chance he may be back in the Red Sox lineup on Tuesday. Check for updates to his status before setting your season long lineups.
Mike Yastrzemski , San Francisco Giants
Yastrzemski has been sidelined due to what an MRI confirmed is a mild calf strain since last Thursday. He’s avoided the IL and is considered day to day. With the Giants fighting for a playoff spot they hope to get him in the lineup sometime this week.
Yairo Muñoz , Boston Red Sox
Munoz, who’s been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox, has been placed on the IL due to back spasms. His 2020 season is over. He posted a .333/.333/.511 triple-slash in 12 games for the Sox this season.