Don't freak out! Just an old photo being used. Prince Albert is fine.
OK, so it’s been a couple of weeks since we last did an MLB injury update and discussed the fantasy baseball implications, so let’s get back to it. We’re more than a third of the way through the season and less than a month away from the All Star Break. Plenty of teams are dealing with their fair share of injuries and rosters are being adjusted all over the place. It’s up to you to stay on top of things and make sure that you’re making the appropriate moves if your fantasy baseball team is suffering as well. So here’s the latest…
Arizona Diamondbacks
No new injuries to report, but word is out that we may just have a Brandon Webb sighting in August. I’m not holding my breath for him to do anything dazzling for your fantasy team, so don’t go running out to grab him off your free agent waiver wire.
Atlanta Braves
Both starter Jair Jurrjens and reliever Takashi Saito have been dealing with hamstring injuries and right now it looks like June 19th is a big target date for both. Saito is eligible to come off the DL then and Jurrjens will begin his Triple-A rehab assignment on that date. If you’re in a fantasy baseball league that counts holds, then Saito could be a solid addition. As for Jurrjens, He is definitely worth taking a shot on, but I’d hedge my expectations from what type of numbers he used to put up. This is his first majory injury, so I’d give him a start or two before activating.
Nate McLouth, OF — Not that he’s been tearing it up at all, but McLouth landed on the DL when he suffered a concussion after colliding with teammate Jason Heyward. He’s eligible to return in early July, but manager Bobby Cox stated, “He’s not going to get well anytime soon.” It looks like Melky Cabrera just got a bump in value and is worthy of a pick up in NL only leagues. Probably in deep mixed leagues as well.
Baltimore Orioles
Looks like we’re still waiting on the same characters here. Mike Gonzalez is still on his rehab assignment but could be back by the end of the month; same with Kojii Uehara. Alfredo Simon will be closing in the meantime, but I really don’t see Gonzalez taking over full time or even staying healthy the rest of the way. The right pick, for me, is to stick with Simon.
We’re also still waiting on Brian Roberts who received another epidural and is still suffering from sever back issues. He could be a second half sleeper if he ever makes it back, but right now he’s just looking like one of 2010′s bigger fantasy busts.
Boston Red Sox
More of the same for the BoSox as both Josh Beckett (back) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (forearm) remain out of the rotation and on the DL. Beckett won’t be available until early July, but you might see Dice-K back for his June 24th starts against the Rockies.
The outfield remains somewhat depleted as Jeremy Hermida (ribs/forearm) and Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs/chest/back) remain on the DL. Hermida could possibly return for the June 25th-27th series against San Francisco, but Ellsbury doesn’t look like he’s coming back until atleast early to mid-July. Is now an appropriate time to say I told you so? Such a waste of a high draft pick.
Chicago Cubs
Aramis Ramirez, 3B — Once again, Ramirez is doing his fantasy owners a disservice with this latest stint on the DL with a thumb issue. Apparently the thumb has been bothering him for quite some time (it hurts when you play with it stuck up your ass doing nothing), but he took some swings the other day and manager Lou Pinella seems to think he will be back towards the end of the month when he is eligible. Not that he’s going to be much help, but you never know. He could be in line for a second half surge if he gets healthy. That’s always a big “if” with him though.
Chicago White Sox
Jake Peavy, SP — When a pitcher is talking about fluid in his shoulder and that it’s been progressively getting worse, it’s not a good sign. He’s listed as questionable for his next start and you’re going to want to monitor this situation very closely, especially if you’re relying on Peavy in your rotation. I’ll keep you posted when I learn more.
Mark Teahen, 3B — Still out with the fractured/broken finger and probably won’t be back until late July. He will be handed back the third baseman’s job though, so he’ll be getting good second half playing time.
Cincinnati Reds
The usual suspects are still on the DL and not expected back until early July — SP Homer Baily, C Ryan Hannigan, OF Chris Dickerson and reliever Mike Lincoln. But we could see Edinson Volquez sooner than we thought as he will begin a rehab assignment at Class A either today or tomorrow. Volquez could be a great second half sleeper with solid strikeout totals if he comes back strong.
Cleveland Indians
So much for Grady Sizemore’s second half as micro-fracture knee surgery has wiped out his entire season. He’ll be back in 2011 though so he could be a great sleeper for next year’s draft as people will likely let him fall to the wayside. Still no exact date for Asdrubal Cabrera’s return; they’re saying late July. Keep an eye on Luis Valbuena who has been performing well as of late and could be in line for additional playing time.
Colorado Rockies
Still playing the waiting game here — SP Jorge De La Rosa (finger) is still trying to make his way back by the end of July, Huston Street (shoulder/groin) could actually be back by the middle of next week, and Eric Young (leg) won’t be returning until late July. When healthy, both De La Rosa and Street could have great second half fantasy value.
Detroit Tigers
Austin Jackson, OF — The rookie is being listed as day to day with back spasms, but it doesn’t look like anything serious. I doubt there will be a DL stint, and actually, the rest and time off should do him good. He was really starting to press there and that batting average was really plummetting. Hopefully a few days off will clear his head and he can go right back to what he has been doing all year.
Florida Marlins
John Baker, C — The forearm has been an issue for a little while and finally the DL was necessary. Word is that he will not require any surgery, but he has been shut down from all baseball activites for a month. We’re looking at an August return if all goes well. Ronny Paulino has been solid as a replacement and should be owned in NL only leagues at this point.
Houston Astros
No new injuries to report
Kansas City Royals
While we’re still waiting for Rick Ankiel (quadriceps) and Gil Meche (shoulder) to return from the DL, we’re also looking at starter Luke Hochevar going down with an elbow issue. Meche won’t be back until July, but there’s a chance, if all goes well on this Triple-A rehab assignement, that Ankiel could return this weekend. He’s worth taking a flier on in AL only leagues and if his power comes back, mixed leagues as well. Hochevar’s elbow strain may only keep him out for a start or two, but he’s not one to trust much anyway.
Los Angeles Angels
Obviously, the big injury is Kendry Morales who is, more than likely, lost for the season (maybe you get him for half of Septemeber, but that’s pretty suspect), but the Angels are also dealing with the loss of utility man Maicer Izturis who won’t be back until July, and now Erick Aybar who is listed as day to day with a knee problem. Looks like Brandon Wood is getting another shot to fill in for a few games, but I’m sure Aybar will take over again soon. On a good note, it looks like catcher Jeff Mathis could be back this weekend.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Rafael Furcal, SS — He’s on the bereavement list, so he’ll likely miss a few games. Act accordingly with your lineup.
Chad Billingsley, SP — He just went on the DL with a groin injury and probably won’t be back until right around the All Star Break. He’s had his ups and downs all year, but he should still be a decent play in the second half in all leagues.
Not sure just how good a note it is, but it looks like the Dodgers will be getting back starter Vicente Padilla this weekend. I’d give him a start or two before thinking about picking him up and he’s really only one of those guys you’d trust of the matchup is looking real tasty.
Milwaukee Brewers
No new injuries to report
Minnesota Twins
More of the same as J.J. Hardy (wrist), Orlando Hudson (wrist) and Alexei Casilla (elbow) all sit on the DL but coul dmake it back by the end of this month/early July. But the news out fo the Twin Cities is that Joe Mauer could miss a game or two this weekend as he’s just suffering from the usual wear and tear catchers deal with on a regular basis. Check the lineups each day in leagues with daily roster moves.
New York Mets
Nothing new or major going on — Jason Bay (thigh) is being considered day to day, Luis Castillo (foot) could come off the DL by the end of the month, and John Maine is beginning a Triple-A rehab assignment and could be back by the end of next week. Like I said, nothing major.
New York Yankees
Marcus Thames, OF — A hamstring issue derailed hi splaying time and now he’s not eligible to come back from the DL until early July. By the time he comes back, he could be simply looking at spot starts and a lot of bench duty.
Oakland A’s
It’s the same ol’ same withthe A’s, so you can just go back and check the last few Bumps and Bruises for the full update. It is worth noting that Coco Crisp is on Triple-A rehab, bu thow much value he’ll have when he returns is anyone’s guess.
Philadelphia Phillies
We’ve got J.A. Happ making a rehab start this weekend and Jimmy Rollins, on rehab right now, could be back for this weekend. Obviously you’ll want J-Roll back in your lineup if you can get him in there. You also have Carlos Ruiz banged up , but he’s just a day to day thing. Could miss today’s game against the Yankees, but shoul dbe good for the weekend series against the Twins.
Pittsburgh Pirates
No new injuries to report
San Diego Padres
Doesn’t look like anything new, but plenty of rehab assignments starting this weekend for Tim Stauffer, Kyle Blanks and Everth Cabrera. While I’m not immensely confident in Stauffer,long term, I do like both Blanks and Cabrera for the second half. Blanks could put up some decent power totals, while Cabrera, who missed the first half of 2009 as well, could be a great second half stolen base sleeper again.
San Francisco Giants
No new injuries to report, although Tim Lincecum took a liner off the shoulder in yesterday’s game. It doesn’t appear to be serious and he’s listed as probable for his next start. Still, the fact that little Timmy hasn’t been as lights-out as usual, makes it worth noting.
Seattle Mariners
You’ve got Jose Lopez day to day with a knee issue, but the main news is all the rehab assignemnts and players coming back. Erik Bedard and Doug Fister could both start their rehab assignments early next week and Jack Wilson could be back by the end of the weekend. Fister and Bedard are the ones to watch as both could be helpful in the second half if they come back strong.
St. Louis Cardinals
No new injuries to report
Tampa Bay Rays
While Gabe Kapler on the DL is minor news, it’s definitely worth noting the return of Jason Bartlett. Not that I’m a fan of Bartlett’s by any means, but it could affect the current Rays situation. Reid Brignac could be the odd man out as both Ben Zobrist and Sean Rodriguez have been hot in his absence. Expect Zobrist to see more outfield time with Rodriguez getting the bulk of work at second. This would not only be great for fantasy owners who invested in the rookie, but for me as well who staked some of his repuation on the kid back in Spring Training.
Texas Rangers
More of the same as Rich Harden and Derrek Holland still sit on the DL with late June/early July possible return dates. We’re also finally going to get Nelson Cruz on a rehab assignment this weekend and could have him back as early as next week. Obviously you’ll want Cruz in your lineup, but beware the future injuries. This hamstring problem could linger all season long.
Toronto Blue Jays
No new injuries to report
Washington Nationals
No new injuries to report
For the best in free fantasy baseball advice, tips, strategies, free agent waiver wire suggestions, and analysis, stick with The Fantasy Baseball Buzz and I’ll have you at the top of your standings in no time. And, as always, for all questions, thoughts and/or comments related to the baseball fantasy world or not, you can reach me through the comments section below or at rotobuzzguy@gmail.com.
Good luck and I’ll see you all in the money this year!
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