Fantasy Sports News
Update: According to ESPNNewyork.com writer Adam Rubin, Jason Bay was placed on the DL Thursday and will miss opening day. Bay strained a rib cage muscle when swinging in the cage before Tuesday's spring game. Fantasy Impact: This shouldn't be too big of an issue seeing as it is just a strain and he is eligible to come off the DL on April 9th. However, Bay has had a couple different injuries the last few years so you may want to keep a close eye on this situation.
Update: According to MASN's Jen Royle, the Nationals and Adam LaRoche are discussing a multi-year deal worth $8-9 million per season.
Fantasy Impact: Royle has reported other things on LaRoche which failed to materialize, so take this report with a grain of salt. A deal in the range of $8-9 million seems very steep for LaRoche, so stay tuned.
Update:
Texas Rangers OF Josh Hamilton will be back for postseason, reports Mark Miller of Yahoo Sports.
Fantasy Impact:
Hamilton was having an MVP caliber season before his injury and looks to get back in the groove when heading into postseason. This has almost no fantasy value as the season ends but as the Rangers were struggling, Hamilton could help them make a push for the World Series.
Update:
The Mets announced on Friday that Santana will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a tear of the anterior capsule of his left shoulder. His status for Opening Day 2011 is in doubt.
Fantasy Impact:
Johan was having a decent season totaling a 2.98 and 11-9 record, but it will come to an end with his shoulder surgery. Johan is still considered one of the best pitchers in the NL but with three surgeries to go along with three seasons with the Mets, one has to think how much more can he put the arm through.
Update:
Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who hyperextended his right elbow Saturday during a save against the Milwaukee Brewers, is expected to be ready to pitch again Friday, MLB.com reports.
Fantasy Impact:
The Philadelphia Phillies need their closer to be healthy and in good form for the playoffs and to finish the regular season. Lidge has looked good recently but has still blown four saves this year but at least doesn’t scare you every time he steps on the field like last year.
Update:
Placido Polanco has a "small break in his left elbow," the Associated Press reports, and he's holding off on having surgery till the season ends.
Fantasy Impact:
The Philadelphia Phillies have finally reached first place in the Eastern Division as well as the National League. Polanco’s injury seemed evident with his drop in batting average from .322 to .308, but his solid production is hard to forget. Polanco has been stellar all season and should continue as the season ends and the post-season begins.
Update: Benches cleared in Wednesday's game between the Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins when Nats' OF Nyjer Morgan charged the mound at Florida's SP Chris Volstad. Volstad pegged Morgan earlier in the game and in Morgan's next at-bat Volstad threw behind him. Morgan then charged the mound and connected with a left hand to the face of Volstad before getting clotheslined by Marlins' 1B Gaby Sanchez. There were a grand total of six ejections including both managers. No suspensions have been issued yet by the MLB but surely they will be coming soon.
Fantasy Update: This is particularly frustrating for fantasy owners, as the regular season of fantasy baseball is nearing a close. Morgan has been a base-stealing machine and will leave fantasy owners hurting. The next series between the Nats and the Marlins is September 10-12 at Nationals Park.
Update: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Brandon Morrow will be shut down in the near future in an attempt to limit the amount of work he puts in for the remainder of the year.
Fantasy Impact: Morrow has been an innings eater this season, and he had pitched 143 1/3 innings this year which is double his career high. Morrow will have one last outing and then be shutdown.
Update: Mets Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will be arbitration eligible for the first time in his career this coming winter despite having nearly five years of service time, but wishes to return to the New York Mets in 2011.
Fantasy Impact: Dickey is making less than a million dollars this season in New York, and it is certain that he will get a raise. Look for Dickey to be back in New York next year.
Update: The Boston Red Sox have claimed Mike Napoli off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, reports Joe McDonald of the ESPNBoston.com, but it appears a trade between the two clubs is unlikely, according to McDonald's source.
Fantasy Impact: The Red Sox apparently have put the claim in so that teams like the Twins, Yankees and Rays couldn't add Napoli. There is a possibility that Napoli does end up in Boston, but the chances are slim right now.
Update: The Texas Rangers plan to activate Nelson Cruz (hamstring) off the DL on Monday, according to ESPN.com.
Fantasy Impact: Cruz had been doing a rehab assignment in Double A and was very productive. He should be back in the lineup right away.
Update: Kyle Lohse's spot in St. Louis' rotation is in danger, according to MLB.com.
Fantasy Impact: Jeff Suppan would be in position to take Lohse's spot in the rotation. Lohse has an ERA over 7.00 this year.
Update: According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Dodgers will trade Manny Ramirez to the White Sox Monday.
Fantasy Impact: The Dodgers appear ready to move Ramirez and him heading to the South Side will be a big lift in the White Sox lineup.
Update: The Padres have placed Jerry Hairston Jr. (elbow) on the 15-day DL, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune's Twitter page.
Fantasy Impact: Hairston's elbow is banged up and it is reported that he may need somewhere close to 3 weeks before he can get back on the field.
Update: Reds starter Aaron Harang (back) may be activated in time to start on Tuesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Fantasy Impact: The Reds are looking to get Harang back to ensure he would be eligible for the playoffs should they hold on and clinch a berth.
Update: Yankees Manager Joe Girardi has hinted that A.J. Burnett's spot in the Yankees' rotation could be in danger, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Burnett has not won in his last five starts, and his ERA has sky rocketed to 5.17.
Fantasy Impact: Burnett has stunk lately, but is a big game pitcher, and the Yanks certainly need his arm for another World Series run.
Update: New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes could be out for a prolonged period of time as he deals with an aggravated oblique injury, according to the New York Post.
Fantasy Impact: The rosters will expand once September hits so it will be interesting to see if the Mets end up placing Reyes on the DL. Reyes once again continues to be injury prone. and has shown he is not reliable.
Update: The Chicago Cubs began their search for a new manager on Thursday with an interview of former Indians skipper Eric Wedge. Triple A manager and fan favorite Ryne Sandberg appears to be the favorite for the gig.
Fantasy Impact: Wedge is a proven winner as he has compiled over 500 wins, and is a guy that will surely be in this thing till the end.
Update: According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, second baseman Dustin Pedroia (foot) is likely to be shut down for the rest of the season.
Fantasy Impact: Pedroia needed to be shutdown as he was unable to play through the pain that he was experiencing. The Sox still think they are in the hunt for the Wild Card, but without Pedroia, their chances take a big hit.
Update: Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports suggests that the Dodgers might wait until Tuesday which is the last possible day to deal Manny Ramirez.
Fantasy Impact: The Dodgers have won three in a row and are closing in on the wildcard chase. Manny is certainly capable of helping a team down the stretch, and the White Sox are clearly the favorite for his services.
Update: Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell is still likely to retire after the 2010 season. "I'm pretty much set in knowing what I'm going to do after this year," said Lowell. "It will be fun. It will be fun enjoying my kids."
Fantasy Impact: Lowell is seeing time because the Red Sox are without Kevin Youkilis who is lost for the season. Lowell is an aging veteran who will hang it up after this season.
Update: Lance Berkman (DH) for the Yankees is on the disabled list with a sprained right ankle.
Fantasy Impact: Not huge news, Eduardo Nunez will take the spot until Berkman feels better.
Update: Alex Rodriguez, third baseman and slugger, of the New York Yankees was pulled from a game after just one at bat. A-Rod's calf strain is still keeping him out of play. However, he is playing smart, only going for DH and trying to ease back into the game.
Fantasy Impact: This should not be a big problem for the Yankees, as A-Rod's status is day to day. They should rest him as much as possible to get this key player back to full health.
Update: Ryan Howard (1B) of the Philadelphia Phillies is feeling better and will start his rehab assignment. If all goes well he could return for the Phillies by the Monday.
Fantasy Impact: Howard is a great slugger and it would mean a lot for the Phillies if he was of the DL and back to playing like his normal self.
Update: The Minnesota Twins have placed Nick Punto (3B) on the 15 day disabled list.
Fantasy Impact: Punto is hitting .253 in 233 at bats, however his injuries have kept him playing on and off. His seasons have ridden with injuries, and we can truly see his caliber when he has a streak injury free.
Update: ESPN is reporting that the Chicago Cubs have traded 1B Derrek Lee to the Atlanta Braves for three pitching prospects. The Cubs will recieve righty Robinson Lopez, righty Tyrelle Harris, and lefty Jeffrey Lorick. Lee was in the final year of his five-year, $65 million contract.
Fantasy Impact: Lee was on a hot streak hitting two home runs in his last game before injuring his back on Sunday. He has been diagnosed with a bulging disc in his lower back, and won't be ready to play again until Friday. Ironically, his first game as a Brave will be against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Update: The Red Sox have had no shortage of injuries this season, and to add to it, Ellsbury now has a broken rib and may be out for the rest of the season.
Fantasy Impact: The Red Sox have a tough season ahead of them, with all the injuries affecting the team. Chances are he won't come back until late this season or next season.
Update: Mike Cameron, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox is injured and will be out for the season. Cameron has had an abdominal tear all season, on top of which he adds a kidney stone, hip flexor strain, and groin injury.
Fantasy Impact: Cameron isn't young anymore, and at this stage in season, players that are suffering this much injury cannot be expected to go on. Hopefully, he will be able to return in good health next season.
Update: Carlos Guillen (2B) for the Detroit Tigers is on the DL because of a bruised knee. Guillen sustained this injury during a hard slide.
Fantasy Impact: Guillen has hart. He saw Gardener coming at him but took the hit and made the play at first to get Jeter out. Guillen is a great player and has showed great perseverance, he will be back soon to the joy of the Tigers.
Update: Texas Rangers have put Nelson Cruz (RF) on the 15 day DL with a strained hamstring. He sustained the injury while running bases, but the MRI shows no tears or potential threats.
Fantasy Impact: Cruz is a good defender and a solid hitter going .320 and with 16 HRs and 64 RBIs. He will be missed as an offensive force for the Rangers.
Update: Fransisco Rodriguez (CP) of the New York Mets is now out for the rest of the season. He apparently tore a ligament in his right hand while striking the grandfather of his children. It is still not clear exactly the circumstances of the injury but K-Rod will be charged with third degree asault and second degree harassment.
Fantasy Impact: This is just bad news. It always hurts when a team loses a player, especially someone as important as a closer like K-Rod. Even worse is the circumstance that he was injured in. We can only hope that when he returns from this he can continue the level of play that we expect from him.
Update: New York Yankees firstbaseman Lance Berkman had to exit Sunday's game with an apparent foot injury. Berkman landed on the Royals' Bryan Bullington's heel while lunging to first base and fell to the ground.
Fantasy Impact: Marcus Thames came in for Berkman as a pinch hitter later in the game. There is no word on how serious of an injury this is.
Update: The St. Louis Cardinals have moved thirdbaseman David Freese to the 60-day disabled list.
Fantasy Impact: The Cards needed the roster spot for Kyle Lohse who is returning. Freese is a question mark for spring training next season.
Update: ESPN is reporting that the Texas Rangers have placed RHP Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 8, with right shoulder tendinitis. Harden was originally supposed to start Saturday.
Fantasy Impact: Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Scott Feldman are options to take Harden's spot in the rotation for the time being.
Update: The Texas Rangers have signed outfielder Willy Taveras to a minor league contract, according to MLB.com. He will most likely see time in Triple A until the rosters expand in September.
Fantasy Impact: This is Tavaras' fourth team this year. He hasn't been able to stick anywhere after bouncing around the NL East, so there is no reason to believe he can make an impact for the Rangers.
Update: Jason LaRue (C) for the Cardinals was sidelined due to an injury sustained during a bench clearing brawl. It is unclear when LaRue will be back as he suffered a concussion and bruised ribs. The fight took place between the Cardinals and the Reds, and disciplinary action may be on its way.
Fantasy Impact: It is difficult to see how the brawl started, but MLB commissioners will be viewing tapes in order to see who is at fault. In the meanwhile, players have been lost to injury and some may be lost soon to disciplinary action.
Update: As long as everything goes well Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia (2B) is slated to return this Tuesday. Pedroia has been out since mid-June with a broken bone in his foot.
Fantasy Impact: Reports say that Pedroia is hitting and fielding well, and is having an overall good recovery. This is good news for Boston because Pedroia is a key man for the team. His return, and of course, recovery are a huge bonus for the Red Sox at this point in the season.
Update: Curtis Granderson (CF) of the New York Yankees has been benched for the last two games. Granderson has not been hitting as well, and has talked to Girardi and hitting guru Kevin Long about ways to improve. The basic plan is to cut out Granderon's movements that don't help, and quicken his swing.
Fantasy Impact: Ideally, this change would occur in the off-season, but Granderson is really eager to get better at hitting. Kevin Long says that there could be a chance Granderson takes to the new swing well and goes on a hot streak.
Update: Seattle Mariners shortstop Jack Wilson will undergo season-ending hand surgery Wednesday. Wilson fractured the fifth metacarpal in his right hand when he slipped in the bathroom over the weekend.
Fantasy Impact: The initial prognosis was he would miss six weeks but now the timetable has jumped to eight weeks. Wilson had just 14 RBIs this year and was unproductive at the plate for the Mariners.
Update: Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan underwent successful surgery on his left knee Wednesday. Coghlan will miss the remainder of the 2010 season.
Fantasy Impact: Coghlan hit 5 HRs this season and was a reliable player for the Fish. He is hoping to be back at full health when spring training opens.
Update: MASNSports.com reports that the Washington Nationals have strong interest in free-agent-to-be Carl Crawford.
Fantasy Impact: Crawford is a stolen base machine, and is going to be arguably the hottest free agent position player on the market come this offseason. It will be interesting to see if the Nats can outbid teams like the Red Sox and Yankees who are clearly going to show some interest.
Update: Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones was diagnosed with a sprained left knee and is scheduled to have an MRI on Thursday. Brooks Conrad replaced Jones at third base on Tuesday night.
Fantasy Impact: Look for the Braves to push Martin Prado back quicker now with Jones out. For now Omar Infante will move to third base.
Update: The Los Angeles Dodgers placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 3, with a lower back strain. Furcal experienced discomfort during his pregame workout Tuesday.
Fantasy Impact: The Dodgers will most likely look to call up Juan Castro from Triple A.
Update: Chris Coghlan (LF) of the Florida Marlins will undergo knee surgery and may miss the rest of the season. The funny thing is that the injury was sustained during a victory celebration, as he was trying to pie a teammate.
Fantasy Impact: Coghlan was the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year, and he will be sorely missed. Regardless of the circumstances around his injury, he still got hurt, and will still have to watch his team play from the bench. The Marlins have lost a great fielder and a good bat.
Update: Jason Marquis (SP) will rejoin the rotation for the Washington Nationals. Having bone chips in his elbow, Marquis has had only three starts this season.
Fantasy Impact: The Nats have to be loving the good news. Marquis, former All-Star is returning along with rookie star Strasburg. The addition of the two to the rotation has to mean good things for Washington.
Update: Russell Martin (C) of the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a hip injury while trying to score from third. It is likely that he will be out for the year.
Fantasy Impact: To lose a player for such a period of time always has an impact on the team. The Dodgers will need to find a replacement catcher, and Martin will have to work hard to return in good form.
Update: Rookie Stephen Strasburg (SP) is feeling better and will rejoin the rotation for the Washington Nationals. So far so good, and as long as there are no more setbacks Strasburg will start on Tuesday.
Fantasy Impact: This is very good news for the Nationals. They are starting to get the punch back into their rotation. Also Strasburg is a great rookie and a player to watch.
Update: Brandon Inge (3B) of the Detroit Tigers is activated to play. Originally, after breaking his left hand, Inge was slated to miss six weeks of play. However, making a speedy recovery, Inge is ready for action, hitting two doubles in his rehab assignment.
Fantasy Impact: The Tigers are lucky to get Inge back so quickly. He is a good fielder and a good bat and really get the Tigers' offense rolling. We just hope that the early comeback by Inge won't lead to further injury.
Update: Jacoby Ellsbury (CF) will be coming of the DL to play for the Red Sox. Though he may not 100% feeling better, the coach believes he is ready to come back. Since he has only played 9 games this season due to rib injuries the manager has said they will take his playing slow and steady in order to not further hurt him.
Fantasy Impact: Good news for the Red Sox. It is great to have Ellsbury back and hopefully he will return to top form. Also the Red Sox have lost a lot of players this season to injuries and it is a good turnaround when players start to return.
Update: After a dry spell of 12 games, Alex Rodriguez (3B), of the New York Yankees, hit his 600th homerun. A-Rod is the youngest player to reach this milestone and only the seventh in MLB history. Congratulations!!
Fantasy Impact: A-Rod is a great player and a brilliant star for the Yankees. He deserves this milestone and we hope to see him excel further.
