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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 27 (2023). His medical background helps analyze MLB injuries for hitters and pitchers.
We have made it to the final week of the baseball season. For teams still vying for a money spot, playing time is the most important stat to look at this week. In re-draft leagues, if you have any FAAB left, pick up any player you think could play or be a backup to an injured player. You can also drop whoever you want if you do not think you will play them at all.
Injuries this week are pretty simple. The injured players are either playing or they are shut down. If there is any question that they may not play, why take that risk? As I did throughout the year, I have covered fantasy relevant players to help you make your decisions a little more easily. I hope you have enjoyed my article this season and I hope I was able to help you manage your fantasy team to a respectable finish this year.
Here's a little about myself for old and new readers. My name is Reuven Guy and I am a practicing orthopedic/pain management Physician Assistant. I have been dealing with sports injuries for the past 16+ years. Therefore, I have knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same time period. This has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball, which I hope to share with you. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest MLB breaking news with our award-winning news desk and our free fantasy baseball mobile app with 24/7 push notification alerts!
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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Shohei Ohtani (DH, LAA)- Oblique: Shohei Ohtani had surgery on his right elbow this past week. Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, confirmed the procedure but did not clarify the nature of the surgery. However, Bazelo noted that Ohtani's procedure "reinforced the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow," which likely indicates that the two-way star opted for an alternative to Tommy John surgery.
Citing comments from Ohtani's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Balelo said that Ohtani is expected to make a full recovery and will be ready to hit without restrictions by Opening Day, though he will not be cleared to pitch again until 2025.
Nolan Gorman (2B, STL)- Hamstring: Nolan Gorman was placed on the IL with a grade 2 right hamstring strain. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmaol said this week that Gorman has a “slim” chance of returning before the end of the season.
Jasson Dominguez (OF, NYY)- Elbow: Jasson Dominguez was placed on the IL with a torn UCL tear in his right elbow. He had Tommy John surgery this past week and is expected to miss eight to ten months.
Riley Greene (OF, DET)- Elbow: Riley Green was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation. He had Tommy John surgery this week and is expected to be out eight to ten months.
Starling Marte (OF, NYM)- Groin: Starling Marte has been on the IL since early August with a right groin strain. He is scheduled for rehab games this weekend and could be activated from the IL next Tuesday.
Byron Buxton (OF, MIN)- Hamstring: Byron Buxton was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. Buxton restarted his rehab assignment, as a DH, this past week. He will look to try to return next week as the Twins prepare for the playoffs and would like to know if he would be an option to play.
Jeimer Candelario (3B, CHC)- Back: Jeimer Candelario was placed on the IL this week with a lower back strain. Manager David Ross said that he is optimistic that Candelario could return next week.
Brandon Belt (1B, TOR)- Back: Brandon Belt is on the IL with lumbar spine muscle spasms. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said this week that Belt may be able to play in a rehab game with Triple-A before the minor-league season ends, but it will depend on how quickly Belt is able to recover.
Willson Contreras (C, STL)- Wrist: Willson Contreras was placed on the IL this week with tendinitis in his left wrist. He is done for the year. Andrew Knizner and Ivan Herrera should split the remaining starts for the Cardinals at catcher.
Ryan Mountcastle (OF, BAL)- Shoulder: Ryan Mountcastle was placed on the IL this week, retroactive to September 17, with left AC joint inflammation. He suffered a shoulder injury about a week ago and has not recovered fast enough to be able to avoid the IL. He is eligible to be activated from the IL on September 27 but that remains to be seen. Heston Kjerstad and Aaron Hicks could benefit from starts for the last week of the season if Mountcastle cannot return before the playoffs.
Carlos Correa (SS, MIN)- Foot: Carlos Correa was placed on the IL with left foot plantar fasciitis. He is expected to return from the IL when first eligible on September 29 to get ready for the playoffs. Until then, Kyle Farmer and Willi Castro could see more playing time for the Twins.
Luke Raley (OF, TB)- Neck: Luke Raley has been dealing with a neck issue and had been set to receive an MRI after his left arm felt numb during a pinch-hit appearance this week. It is an injury from a collision Raley was involved in during batting practice last Saturday. He has not been put on the IL as of the writing of this article.
Salvador Perez (C, KC)- Head: Salvador Perez was placed on the 7-day concussion IL this week. Perez will be eligible for activation on Sunday, but as is the case with all players recovering from concussions, it is difficult to project when he might be ready. With Freddy Fermin out for the season with a finger injury, the Royals are left with Logan Porter and Tyler Cropley as their available catchers.
Matt McLain (SS, CIN)- Oblique: Matt McLain is on the IL with an oblique strain. Reds manager David Bell said that McLain could be activated from the IL as soon as next Tuesday. Noelvi Marte has benefited from more playing time with McLain out.
Triston Casas (1B, BOS)- Shoulder: Triston Casas is on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. He is still undergoing tests and the severity is not yet known. Casas is unlikely to be activated from the IL before the end of the season. Justin Turner and Bobby Dalbec could fill in to end the season for the Red Sox.
Harrison Bader (OF, CIN)- Groin: Harrison Bader was placed on the IL this week with a right groin strain. He will be eligible to return the last weekend of the season if he feels improvement by then.
Tyler O'Neill (OF, STL)- Foot: Tyler O’Neill was placed on the IL with a sprained right foot. With the Cardinals out of the playoff race, he may be done for the year. Juan Yepez was called up and Richie Palacios could see more playing time down the stretch.
Brandon Crawford (SS, SF)- Hamstring: Brandon Crawford was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. He is eligible to return from the IL on the last day of the season, which he says he will. Marco Luciano was called up to take his place at shortstop for the Giants.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Sandy Alcantara (SP, MIA)- Forearm: Sandy Alcantara is on the IL with a right UCL sprain. He made a rehab start this week and will try to return next week to help the Marlins in the playoff race.
MacKenzie Gore (SP, WAS)- Finger: MacKenzie Gore was placed on the IL with a blister on his pitching hand. He is done for the year.
Joe Musgrove (SP, SD)- Shoulder: Joe Musgrove is on the IL with a shoulder strain. He continues to play catch but has yet to throw off a mound. He has been shut down for the year.
Brady Singer (SP, KC)- Back: Brady Singer was placed on the IL with a left lumbar strain. He looks to be done for the year.
Max Fried (SP, ATL)- Finger: Max Fried was placed on the IL, following his last start, with a blister on his left index finger. It had to be drained. Fried is done for the year as he will try to rest up and heal for the playoffs.
Alex Cobb (SP, SF)- Hip: Alex Cobb was placed on the IL with left hip impingement. Cobb had been dealing with a nagging hip issue throughout the second half and it flared up on him during his last start. He is done for the remainder of the regular season. Kyle Harrison will take Cobb's rotation spot.
Graham Ashcraft (SP, CIN)- Foot: Graham Ashcraft is on the IL with a stress reaction in his right big toe. Ashcraft had successful surgery this week and he is expected to be fully recovered by spring training.
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Felix Bautista (RP, BAL)- Elbow: Felix Bautista was placed on the IL with a UCL injury. He threw a bullpen session last weekend and is trying to come back for the Orioles, most probably for the playoffs.
Edwin Diaz (RP, NYM)- Knee: Edwin Diaz continues to rehab from spring knee surgery. Even though he was trending for a return this year, the Mets decided to shut Diaz down for the year.
Kenley Jansen (RP, BOS)- COVID: Kenley Jansen was placed on the COVID IL this week after testing positive. He has not yet been cleared to return but still may return next week.
Adbert Alzolay (RP, CHC)- Forearm: Adbert Alzolay was placed on the IL with a right forearm strain. He threw a long toss session this week. There is still an outside chance he could return next week.
Giovanny Gallegos (RP, STL)- Shoulder: Giovanny Gallegos was shut down for the rest of the season with right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. The severity is not yet known.
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