RADIO
September is coming to an end and so is the baseball season. At this point, fantasy players are either watching their teams win their leagues, finish in the money or just trying to end the season out of their league's cellar. Because pitchers have a 15-day IL and hitters have a 10-day IL, a lot of players could now be ruled out from coming back this year. In most cases, injured players could be dropped in redraft leagues as there is little time to not only come back but to also make an impact on your fantasy team.
Starting pitchers are also running out of time to ramp up their innings and may be used out of the bullpen instead of as starters, as mentioned for some of the players below. Knowing when injured players are coming back or how long they will be out is key to your success to help finish your fantasy season on a strong and good note.
For 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 and have a knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same period, which has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball, which I hope to share with you. If you enjoyed this weekly article, please follow me on Twitter @mlbinjuryguru for offseason news. 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
Kris Bryant (OF, COL)- Foot: Bryant is on the IL with plantar fasciitis of the left foot. He is still receiving treatment for his foot with still no timetable for his return.
Starling Marte (OF, NYM)- Finger: Marte was hit by a pitch and suffered a partial non-displaced fracture of his right middle finger. He is optimistic that he could return by the end of next week for the Mets big series with the Braves.
Jorge Polanco (2B, MIN)- Knee: Polanco is on the IL with left knee inflammation. Polanco was pulled from his first rehab game with knee discomfort. Severity is not yet known with no timetable in place for his return.
Brandon Lowe (2B, TB)- Back: Lowe was again placed on the IL with lower back discomfort. His MRI showed some inflammation in his back. He had a cortisone injection and was then shut down for a few days. The Rays continue to hold out hope that he could return to play again this year.
Tim Anderson (SS, CHW)- Hand: Anderson has been on the IL following surgery for a sagittal band tear on the middle finger of his left hand and was expected to miss six weeks. He hopes to be able to return to the majors, with no rehab assignment as soon as this weekend.
DJ LeMahieu (2B, NYY)- Toe: LeMahieu was placed on the IL with a toe injury. He has been improving and may return to the Yankees lineup this weekend.
Jose Iglesias (SS, COL)- Hand: Iglesias was placed on the IL this week with a right-hand contusion. He is feeling better and could return very soon, as per the Rockies.
Santiago Espinal (3B, TOR)- Oblique: Espinal was placed on the IL with a left oblique strain. Severity is not yet known. Cavan Biggio and Whit Merrifield should see increased playing time at second base with Espinal out. It remains to be seen if he could return by the end of the year.
Yandy Diaz (1B, TB)- Shoulder: Diaz received a cortisone injection for his left shoulder soreness. He has missed the past few games for the Rays but manager Kevin Cash said that he is trending in the right direction.
Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL)- Hamstring: Rodgers was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain, retroactive to Sept. 19. He had missed the prior three games before being placed on the IL. He already underwent an MRI that revealed encouraging results, and the Rockies hope that he will be able to return when he is first eligible September 29th. The Rockies called up Ezequiel Tovar.
Ramon Laureano (OF, OAK)- Hamstring: Laureano was placed on the IL with a hamstring injury. Severity is not known but Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said he does not expect him back this year. "I'm kind of sure it's going to be a season-ending."
Trevor Story (2B, BOS)- Heel: Story was placed on the IL with a left heel contusion, retroactive to September 19th. He had already missed a week with this injury. It is possible, with the Red Sox out of contention, to shut him down for the rest of the year. Bobby Dalbec was called up and Christian Arroyo should see increased playing time at second base with Story out.
Andrew Benintendi (OF, NYY)- Wrist: Benintendi is on the IL recovering from wrist surgery from a broken hamate bone. He is not expected to return to the Yankees during the regular season.
Nick Senzel (OF, CIN)- Foot: Senzel was placed on the IL this week with a fractured toe on his left foot. His season is over. Mike Siani could see more playing time with Senzel out.
Nick Castellanos (OF, PHI)- Oblique: Castellanos has been on the IL with a right oblique strain. He ran the bases this week and interim manager Rob Thomson said that the "best-case scenario" for Castellanos is to start a rehab assignment this weekend. If all goes well, there remains a possibility he can return before the end of the season.
Eugenio Suarez (3B, SEA)- Finger: Suarez is on the IL following a small fracture in the tip of his right index finger. He has already begun taking light swings with a softer ball and regular baseballs. Manager Scott Servais said this week, "Geno feels much better." He is also scheduled to begin to take batting practice this weekend. Without any setbacks, it seems possible Suarez will have the chance to return before the season ends.
Joey Wendle (2B, MIA)- Wendle was placed on the IL with left hamstring tendinitis on Thursday, retroactive to September 19th. Manager Don Mattingly described his absence for the prior three games as due to "bumps and bruises." Severity is not known to the hamstring injury. Jordan Groshans and Charles Leblanc should see increased playing time with Wendle out.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Tony Gonsolin (SP, LAD)- Forearm: Gonsolin is on the IL with a right forearm strain. Gonsolin has thrown a few bullpen sessions and faced live hitters this week. There is still a chance he could return before the season ends. Because the season is ending soon, he will not be able to be stretched out to start and may come out of the bullpen.
Tyler Glasnow (SP, TB)- Elbow: Glasnow continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery. He has one more rehab start this weekend and could be activated from the IL next week.
Mike Soroka (SP, ATL)- Elbow: Soroka was placed on the IL with an elbow injury that is said to end his season. This injury occurred at Triple- A.
Spencer Strider (SP, ATL)- Oblique: Strider is dealing with a sore right oblique and will be pushed back a few days in Atlanta's pitching schedule. Severity is not known to the injury but the Braves do hope he is able to make his start next week. Bryce Elder started instead of him this past week for the Braves.
Trevor Rogers (SP, MIA)- Lat: Rogers was placed on the IL with a left lat strain, retroactive to September 19th. He has already been ruled out for the rest of the season. It is a Grade 1 lat strain. Braxton Garrett was called up and should take his spot in their starting rotation.
Freddy Peralta (SP, MIL)- Shoulder: Peralta was placed on the IL earlier this September with shoulder fatigue. Manager Craig Counsell has said that Peralta could pitch this weekend. The Brewers currently have no starter listed for Sunday's game.
Tyler Mahle (SP, MIN)- Shoulder: Mahle is on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. He landed on the IL earlier this year due to shoulder fatigue. He has not yet begun a throwing program and is done for the year.
Sonny Gray (SP, MIN)- Hamstring: Gray was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. Gray spent time on the IL earlier this season with a strain of the same hamstring. He is eligible to return October 5th, the Twins’ last game of the season.
Frankie Montas (SP, NYY)- Shoulder: Montas was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. This is the second time this year Montas is on the IL with this injury. He received a cortisone injection for the shoulder and hopes to make one more start this year. Domingo German should take his rotation spot for the Yankees.
Nathan Eovaldi (SP, BOS)- Shoulder: Eovaldi continues to rehab his shoulder injury while on the IL. He will make a rehab start this weekend, and if there are no setbacks, he should be able to rejoin Boston's rotation next week.
MacKenzie Gore (SP, WAS)- Elbow: Gore remains on the IL, rehabbing his elbow injury. He has made two rehab starts already and may be able to make two more starts, his first two starts, for the Nationals this year.
JT Brubaker (SP, PIT)- Arm: Brubaker was placed on the IL this week with right arm inflammation. With him being eligible to return October 1st, it is possible that he is done for the year. Luis Ortiz was called up.
Zach Plesac (SP, CLE)- Hand: Plesac is on the IL with a fractured right hand which occurred the first week in September. He threw a simulated game this week but it is not known whether he will be able to be stretched out to start again this year. The Indians may instead utilize him out of the bullpen.
Alex Wood (SP, SF)- Shoulder: Wood has been on the IL with a left shoulder impingement. He was not cleared to resume throwing and has been shut down for the rest of the season.
Tyler Wells (SP, BAL)- Shoulder: Wells was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to September 20th. He is eligible to return the last day of the season but he is most likely done for the year. Spenser Watkins was called up to take his roster spot and rotation spot.
Mike Minor (SP, CIN)- Shoulder- Minor was placed on the IL with left shoulder soreness, retroactive to September 20th. He is basically done for the year. No word on who will replace him in the Reds rotation.
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Blake Treinen (RP, LAD)- Shoulder: Treinen is on the IL with right shoulder tightness. He threw a bullpen session last week but was again shut down this week. His return this year is now in question.
Joe Barlow (RP, TEX)- Finger: Barlow was placed on the IL with a right index finger blister. He has made a few rehab appearances and, barring any setbacks, could be activated next week.
Garrett Whitlock (SP/RP, BOS)- Hip: Whitlock was placed on the IL with right hip impingement. He will have surgery and is done for the year. Connor Seabold was called up to take his roster spot.
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