Fantasy Baseball

Injury Report: Week 8
May 27

By WunderChad

The following is an update on injuries, both minor and significant, to fantasy-relevant players.

In Triage:

Emilio Bonifacio – Marlins – 3B/SS/OF
Injury: Torn ligament in left thumb.
Return: Early July.
Beneficiary/Notes: Former rookie of the year Chris Coghlan will now get another shot to show that 2009 wasn’t a fluke, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Lance Berkman – Cardinals – 1B/OF
Injury: Torn meniscus in right knee.
Return: Early August
Beneficiary/Notes: At least it wasn’t his ACL, like Berkman feared. A torn meniscus means we’ll see him again later this season. Top prospect Matt Adams will play everyday at first for now with Carpenter and Craig also shelved. Adams should be added in all formats while he’s in the big leagues.

Matt Carpenter – Cardinals – 1B/3B
Injury: Right oblique strain.
Return: Mid June.
Beneficiary/Notes: Carpenter played well as an injury fill in for Berkman and Craig, but has now also been added to the growing list of injured St. Louis first basemen. Top prospect Matt Adams will play everyday at first for now with Berkman and Craig also shelved. Adams should be added in all formats while he’s in the big leagues.

Allen Craig – Cardinals – 1B/2B/OF
Injury: Left Hamstring strain.
Return: Early June.
Beneficiary/Notes: That didn’t take long. The good news is Craig’s injury this time is much less serious and he should be back soon after he’s eligible. Top prospect Matt Adams will play everyday at first for now with Berkman and Carpenter also shelved. Adams should be added in all formats while he’s in the big leagues.

John Danks – White Sox – SP
Injury: Left shoulder soreness.
Return: Mid June.
Beneficiary/Notes: Jose Quintana was called up to take Danks’ spot in the rotation. Not too exciting.

Neftali Feliz – Rangers – SP/RP
Injury: Strained ligament in right elbow.
Return: Mid July.
Beneficiary/Notes: Scott Feldman has been inserted into the rotation for now, but I expect Alexi Ogando to take the job at some point. Ogando might be worth a speculative pickup if you have a roster spot available, as the Rangers have indicated that Feliz might go back to the bullpen when he returns.

Ramon Hernandez – Rockies – C
Injury: Left hand strain.
Return: Mid June.
Beneficiary/Notes: Let theWilin Rosario era begin. If he hits while Hernandez is out, don’t be surprised if he holds onto the job. He is, after all, the Rockies’ catcher of the future. Go get him.

Austin Jackson – Tigers – OF
Injury: Abdominal strain.
Return: Early June.
Beneficiary/Notes: Quintin Berry is the temporary center fielder in the Motor City. Meh.

Chipper Jones – Braves – 3B
Injury: Left calf contusion.
Return: Mid June.
Beneficiary/Notes: Juan Francisco is the starting third baseman for now, as the Braves seem reluctant to move Prado back to the infield. Francisco has some pop, and can be useful in the short term.

Brandon McCarthy – Athletics – SP
Injury: Right shoulder strain.
Return: Early June.
Beneficiary/Notes: McCarthy, my preseason pick for AL Cy Young, probably won’t require much more than the minimum 15 days. Graham Godfrey will take his place in the rotation until the A’s ace returns. Steer Clear.

Carlos Santana – Indians – C/1B
Injury: Concussion.
Return: Early June.
Beneficiary/Notes: Lou Marson will get the starts at catcher in the short term, but isn’t worth owning. Concussions are really scary and can sometimes dis-rail a player’s career, just ask Brian Roberts and Justin Morneau. Hopefully, this isn’t one of those cases.

Vernon Wells – Angels – OF
Injury: Torn UCL in right thumb.
Return: Mid August.
Beneficiary/Notes: Peter Bourjos will get his starting job back. He’s only mixed-league viable if you’re desperate for steals.

Vance Worley – Phillies – SP
Injury: Bone chip in right elbow.
Return: TBD.
Beneficiary/Notes: Kyle Kendrick rejoins the rotation until Worley can return. Kendrick is far too unreliable for mixed leaguers, but should be given a shot in NL-only leagues for his occasional flashes of brilliance.

On the Mend:

Yoenis Cespedes – Athletics – OF
Injury: Left Hand strain.
Status: Took pain-free batting practice on May 26, expected back within a week.
Casualty/Notes: Seth Smith will probably lose the most playing time. Cespedes is a reliable power source if you can handle the low batting average.

Daniel Hudson – Diamondbacks – SP
Injury: Right shoulder impingement.
Status: Will be activated and start on 5/27.
Casualty/Notes: Patrick Corbin was sent back to the minors to make room in the rotation. Hopefully the time off was what Hudson needed to get back on track after a poor start to the season.

Matt Kemp- Dodgers – OF
Injury: Left hamstring irritation.
Status: Expected to be activated 5/29.
Casualty/Notes: The beast is back! Tony Gwynn Jr.’s playing time will evaporate upon his return.