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Click here for fantasy baseball advice and strategy about injured players. RotoBaller breaks down the potential injury sleepers and waiver-wire pickups
RotoBaller.com DL Watch – Eastern Edition
Does your league have DL spots? Perhaps two or even three? Do you have some bench spots that are underutilized? Make the most of your roster by taking advantage of EVERY roster spot. The DL Watch can help you maximize your roster use. If you are not sure of the status of a players stint on the DL, use the RotoBaller.com Ask Us section and get the advice you need!
Johan Santana, SP, New York Mets – Santana pitched a no-hitter in early June of 2012, and he hasn’t been right since. As of this morning, it this season is a lost one for Johan, and his current injury might spell the end of a storied professional career. You should not roster Santana in any format.
Shawn Marcum, SP, New York Mets – In 2011 Marcum was coming into his own, as the 30-year-old ace of the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff. Fast forward one year, and he is beginning the 2013 season on the DL, with uncertainty about what the future holds regarding his health. Marcum is currently going somewhere in the vicinity of the 18th round.
The injury – “Tweaked neck”, 15-Day DL
ETA – Marcum will likely miss the first week of the season and should be back the second or third week in April.
The Low – Marcum pitched relatively well in 2012 in his 21 starts. He is injury-prone based on history, so another DL stint is not out of the question. The disadvantage here is fairly low, amounting to time missed, as we don’t necessarily anticipate injuries causing him to perform poorly.
The High – Marcum does hold some upside potential. Projections: 8-9, 3.66 ERA, 166 IP, 123 K
Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Yankees – Granderson has been a warrior for the Yankees in his last two seasons, including 238 R, 84 HR and 225 RBI, but continuing those numbers on a per-season pace is unlikely for the All-Star outfielder in 2013. Besides his broken forearm, he also has been linked to the Miami PED dealer and faces a possible suspension.
The injury – Broken Forearm, 15-day DL
ETA – Granderson should arrive in late June.
The Low – Granderson has a low batting average and the broken arm will without question take a toll on just about all of his offensive numbers. We anticipate 90 GS, 15 HR and 60 RBIs.
The High – Granderson could come back sooner and play in about 105 games and could still hit 20+ HR with over 70 RBI. Projections: 55 R, 20 HR, 74 RBI.
Brandon Beachy, SP, Atlanta Braves – Beachy, when healthy, has the potential to be a top-tier starting pitcher. His career marks include 237 IP with 252 K and a 3.07 ERA. He was hurt in June of last year and will be out through the All-Star break; when he returns, our hope is that he fits in the rotation immediately.
The injury – Elbow Surgery, 15-Day DL
ETA – All-Star Break, July 16
The Low – A lot hinges on the success of the Braves, and the possibility that they rush him or push him back, either of which would diminish his fantasy value. The floor is probably something like 4 W, 3.87 ERA, 70 IP, 60 K
The High – A pre-All-Star break appearance is possible and he could start as many as 15-18 games. Projections: 8-5, 3.25 ERA, 120 IP, 110 K
Carlos Ruiz, C, Philadelphia Phillies – (SUSPENSION FOR PED’S, NO INJURY) If you are someone who waits, waits and waits some more to draft a catcher AND you have an extra roster spot, Ruiz could be worth a roster spot on your team.
The injury – Suspension for performance enhancing drugs
ETA – His suspension concludes on April 28, in the middle of a three-game set against the Mets. The Phillies have a day off on April 29, and we anticipate Ruiz making his 2013 debut on April 30 in an interleague battle in Cleveland against the Indians.
The Low – Success with backup catcher Erik Kratz as well as the team as a whole could cost Ruiz playing time.
The High – Ruiz was a fantasy game-changing pick-up in 2013, making immediate impact during the beginning of the season through his first 94 games, during which time he racked up 14 HR and 58 RBI while hitting .325 for the season. He missed most of August due to injury, but that injury is no longer a concern. Projections: 54 R, 12 HR, 60 RBI
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