RADIO
It seems like every few seasons a player goes down with a freak injury that occurs away from the game of baseball. To franchise General Managers and fantasy owners alike, these can be heart breaking losses.
In 2010, we had Kendrys Morales breaking his leg jumping on home plate after a walk-off homer. In 2004, fantasy legend Sammy Sosa sprained a ligament in his back... from sneezing. Bless you. And most recently on February 26th, according to the Associated Press, projected Blue Jays starting outfielder Michael Saunders was diagnosed with a torn meniscus after stepping on a sprinkler head while at the Jays training facility.
While Saunders isn't considered a top tier fantasy option coming into this season, he had a decent season last year with the Mariners, batting .273 with 22 extra base hits in only 73 games played. He also possesses some speed, averaging a stolen base per every 10 games over the course of his career. With that being said, you would think an athlete of his caliber would have the awareness to walk around a sprinkler head rather than step on top of it.
The fantasy implications are not drastic, but there will be some at bats to go around in the Jays outfield while Saunders is out. Toronto Star Blue Jays reporter Brendan Kennedy believes that the seldom used Kevin Pillar is the favorite to get the starting nod until Saunders is healthy.
Pillar has an on base percentage of only .274 in his 218 career MLB at bats, with barely any power. However, in the final 100 games of his minor league career, Pillar had 52 extra base hits and 27 stolen bases while batting .323. Pillar is sure to go undrafted in your season long leagues, except the deepest of formats, but keep an eye on him just in case he eases in to an every day role.
