While there were only a few injuries in the past couple of weeks, they came in bunches this week. Toronto Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay is probably the most prominent player that got sent to the disabled list. The starting pitcher suffered a mild groin strain and is expected to return when he’s eligible to come off the DL on June 28.
Roy Halladay is having a Cy-Young season with 10 wins in 14 starts, a 2.53 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 88 Ks.
Fantasy Impact: You only have to cover two starts, so a long-term replacement is not necessary. You may find these two starts in the daily issue of “Pitch Or Ditch“.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin. An exact timetable for his return has not been given but manager Charlie Manuel hinted that they are going to be cautious with Ibanez.
Raul Ibanez is having an MVP-like season, batting .312 with 51 runs, 22 home runs, 59 RBI and 4 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: Raul Ibanez needs to be stashed in all leagues and formats. Short-term pick ups include Cody Ross (FLA), Chris Young (ARI), provided he gets back in the lineup soon, and Scott Podsednik (CWS).
Have you ever considered trading Ibanez? Bear in mind that he is 37 years of age and will get the occassional day off once he returns to action.
The injury worries for the New York Mets just got worse. Their outfielder Carlos Beltran is the latest player who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a bone bruise in his knee. It’s possible this injury will sideline Beltran a little longer than 2 weeks.
Beltran appeared in 62 games this season, batting .336 and accounting for 40 runs, 8 homers, 40 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: You certainly want to hang on Beltran in all leagues and formats. Michael Bourn (HOU) and Scott Podsednik (CWS) are the best possible replacements with similar qualities.
Struggling starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, a. k. a. Dice-K, ended up on the 15-day disabled list with a mild shoulder strain. Manager Terry Francona said that Dice-K could be sidelined much longer.
The Red Sox pitcher is 1-5 in 8 starts, has an 8.23 ERA and a shambolic 2.20 WHIP.
Fantasy Impact: For now you may want to hang on to Dice-K in all leagues and formats even though he no longer is an automatic start in fantasy baseball. If you’re lucky you’ll find Kevin Slowey (MIN), Randy Wolf (LAD) or Nick Blackburn (MIN) on waiver wire.
A shoulder inflammation landed Seattle’s starting pitcher Eric Bedard a spot on the 15-day disabled list. The Mariner is eligible to come off the DL today but will likely not pitch until June 30.
Bedard enjoys an extremely solid season. In 11 starts he got the win 5 times, while recording a 2.47 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 65 Ks in 65.2 innings of work.
Fantasy Impact: Erik Bedard needs to be stashed in all leagues and formats. Kevin Slowey (MIN), Randy Wolf (LAD) or Nick Blackburn (MIN), if available, are short-term replacements. Pitch Or Ditch may offer further recommendations.
As if it isn’t bad enough that I have the injured Grady Sizemore (CLE), Carlos Beltran (NYM), Carlos Quentin (CWS), Jake Peavy (SEA) and Erik Bedard (SEA) on one of my teams, I also own Denard Span of the Minnesota Twins. The outfielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an ear infection and is most likely back in the lineup on June 25.
Denard Span appeared in 57 games this season, scoring 35 runs, 24 RBI, hitting 4 longballs and stealing 12 bags. His batting average is .291
Fantasy Impact: Despite a shortage of available DL spots I opted to keep Span. There aren’t many outfielders on waiver wire that can hit and steal. Michael Bourn (HOU) and Scott Podsednik (CWS) come to mind, though.
Last but not least in this week’s edition of the injury report is Blue Jays closer Scott Downs. Downs sprained the big toe on his left foot last week. The rehab looks encouraging but an exact date for his return has not been given yet.
Scott Downs converted 8 of his 9 save opportunities and records a 1.98 ERA and an even more impressing WHIP of 0.88. The closer has struck out 28 batters in 27.1 inning.
Fantasy Impact: Downs needs to be kept in all leagues and formats. Jason Frasor, whom you’ve probable picked up as replacement, has given up 1 run in 3 appearances as closer, blew one save and got the loss once.
Here are a few players who are expected to come off the DL soon:
John Smoltz (BOS), Starting Pitcher, expected to return for June 25 start.
Joey Votto (CIN), First Base, expected to return June 23.
Grady Sizemore (CLE), Outfielder, might return June 23.
Ervin Santana (LAA), Starting Pitcher, might return for June 26 start.
Brad Lidge (PHI), Relief Pitcher, might return June 24.
Scott Hairston (SD), Outfielder, might return June 23.
Scott Kazmir (TB), Starting Pitcher, might return for June 27 start.
this article is courtesy of novafantasysports.com
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