As the season winds down the Kansas City Royals seem to be shutting down two of their starting pitchers. Opening day starter Gil Meche is likely done for the season with a shoulder injury. He has not pitched since his last start on August 29. In 23 starts this season Gil Meche has a 6-10 record with a 5.09 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. In July and August his ERA was 7.18 and his WHIP was 1.92.
Fantasy Impact: It is fairly safe to say that Gil Meche can be dropped in all leagues and formats. Freddy Garcia (CWS) and Robinson Tejeda are worth having a closer look at. Please check “Pitch Or Ditch” for further recommendations.
Brian Bannister has been diagnosed with a season-ending shoulder injury which will fortunately not require surgery. He has not pitched since his last start on September 2. Brian Bannister has a 4.73 ERA and a win-loss record of 7-12 in 26 starts. In his final six starts of the season he recorded 5 losses and a 9.29 ERA.
Fantasy Impact: The starting pitcher should be released in all leagues and formats if you haven’t done so already. Check “Pitch Or Ditch” for pitchers with favourable matchups as the waiver wire is unlikely to offer a permanent replacement.
The playoff hopes of the Minnesota Twins are hanging on a thread with 18 games to go and 5.5 games behind, but Justin Morneau's injury might have put an end to their post-season hopes altogether. The first baseman suffers from a stress fracture in his lower back and will miss the rest of the season. Justin Morneau enjoyed another very productive season, batting .274 with 85 runs, 30 home runs and 100 RBI.
Fantasy Impact: This injury is obviously as huge a blow to fantasy owners as it is to the Minnesota Twins. I replaced the slugger with Nick Swisher (NYY) but was surprised at the options available on waiver wire. I could have also picked Jorge Cantu (FLA), Paul Konerko (CWS), James Loney (LAD) or Billy Butler (KC).
Alfonso Soriano of the Chicago Cubs has been placed on the 15-day disabled list and will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee. The outfielder was not as productive as in previous seasons, batting just .241 and accounting for 64 runs, 20 long balls, 55 RBI and 9 stolen bases in 117 games.
Fantasy Impact: Alfonso Soriano can be released in all leagues and formats. Michael Cuddyer (MIN) or Andrew McCutchen are probably the best options available on waiver wire.
Here are a few players who are expected to come off the DL soon:
Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS), Starting Pitcher, expected to return September 15. Jake Peavy (CWS), Starting Pitcher, might return September 19. Randy Johnson (SF), Starting Pitcher, might return September 18.
