X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

The Fantasy Injury Exam Room - Javier Baez, Yasiel Puig and More

Scott Engel and Inside Injuries look into recent MLB player injuries and analyze their fantasy baseball implications including Javier Baez, Yasiel Puig, Michael Conforto and more for Week 8 of the 2019 season.

In our weekly feature in collaboration with Inside Injuries, we take a comprehensive look into major injuries and their Fantasy implications.

The medical team at Inside Injuries breaks down each player’s outlook from physical perspectives. RotoBaller then provides in-depth fantasy recommendations based on the impact of every injury breakdown. It’s an unrivaled combination of medical and fantasy expertise, designed to help you gain a true advantage in your roster management.

Inside Injuries predicts the impact of injuries on player performance by using data analytics, medical expertise and statistical modeling.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Javier Baez (2B/3B/SS, CHC)

Baez left Sunday’s game early after he appeared to sprain his ankle while making a bare-handed play in the field. He tried to play through it but left an inning later. The Cubs are considering him day-to-day with a heel contusion, not an ankle injury. They aren’t planning to place him on the I.L. for now. Inside Injuries has determined that this is a soft tissue injury, so it comes with a short one week Optimal Recovery Time.

Right now his Injury Risk is High (26%), but that will improve quickly by the end of the week. His HPF (Health Performance Factor) is also 48%, which is Below Average. This is a painful injury to play through before it heals, but he should be fully recovered by next week.

Engel’s Fantasy Spin

Depending on when your lineup deadline was on Monday in weekly leagues, you had to make a tough call on whether to activate Baez or not. The report on this one seems pretty straightforward. Baez delivered a pinch-hit game-winning single on Tuesday and is uncertain for Wednesday. He is performing as one of the top shortstops in fantasy baseball, and while some advanced indicators point to some regression, he could ultimately be a key cog as you contend for a Fantasy championship in 2019.

 

Michael Conforto (OF, NYM)

Conforto suffered a concussion when he collided with Robinson Cano on Thursday. The Mets placed him on the 7-day concussion I.L., so he can’t return until the end of the week. The severity of a concussion is one of the hardest things to predict, but this one sounds relatively minor. Inside Injuries is showing a two-week Optimal Recovery Time. Conforto has reportedly been concussion-free for three days, so he is already making progress. The next step will be slowly starting baseball activities again, and if he can continue to progress without the symptoms while coming back, he could return to the lineup by the weekend.

Once a player suffers one concussion, they become more susceptible to another head injury. Because of that, his Injury Risk is High (55%). He should see that number drop quite a bit once he hits that two-week mark, but Conforto will likely still fall into the High Risk category.

Engel’s Fantasy Spin

As indicated by Inside Injuries, diagnosing the effects of a concussion could be very tricky, and it’s hard to predict how Conforto responds once he is back in action. In the short term, you should maintain with any replacement option you are using until you see Conforto showing signs of getting back into form when he returns. It is not a bad move to keep him benched until you see actual results or signs of potential results if you can afford to keep him reserved for a bit upon his initial return.

 

Yasiel Puig (OF, CIN)

Puig made a great play reaching into the stands on Sunday, but he suffered a right shoulder sprain in the process. The Reds don’t plan to place him on the I.L., but our algorithm indicates he needs at least two weeks for his shoulder to heal. Puig was already High Risk due to the many injuries he has had throughout his career, and now his IRC has bumped to 41%, which is very concerning. While our algorithm is considering this a Grade 1 injury because it’s a mild sprain, it’s his overall risk that is a serious concern going forward.

This specific injury will affect his power and ability to make accurate and strong throws, but if he can make it through the next few weeks without a setback it shouldn't turn into a long-term concern. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be surprising to see him pick up another injury sometime soon. Over the last few seasons, he has missed significant time with everything from an oblique strain to hamstring and other lower body muscular strains.

Engel’s Fantasy Spin

Published reports indicate Puig is expected to return to the Reds lineup on Wednesday. Playing through this issue seemingly can affect his power and potential production. Be prepared to have a contingency plan in place should you lose Puig at any time soon. While he remains active, you could see him go cold while he is in the lineup.

Justin Turner (3B, LAD)

Turner fouled a ball off of his shin on Friday and wasn’t in the starting lineup Saturday (although he did pinch hit). He returned to the Dodgers’ lineup on Sunday but is 0-5 since the injury. Inside Injuries is showing that this is a soft tissue injury, which is the least severe injury designation. The Optimal Recovery Time is just one week. Despite the short recovery time, this is something that can limit a player’s mobility and is painful when running or swinging the bat. His Health Performance Factor (HPF) is Below Average (48%), indicating it could be a few more days before he is feeling better and performing at his normal level again.

Engel’s Fantasy Spin

This is some reassurance that Turner should make it through this injury problem pretty quickly even if he slumps for a bit. If you have a player of quality value you can replace him with for a few days, go ahead and sit him if you can. Otherwise, ride it out and hope for no setbacks in the meantime.

 

Ryon Healy (1B/3B, SEA)

Healy is on the I.L. after suffering a back strain on Monday night. Healy left the game after his third at-bat when he felt his back tighten up. Any sort of back/core injury can be debilitating for a baseball player, especially at the plate. Anything more than some soreness or tightness should land a player on the I.L. Right now we are showing a two-week ORT for a mild back strain, but this could turn into an even longer absence if an MRI shows a more serious strain. It doesn’t take much to aggravate a back injury, so his Injury Risk is now High at 48%.

Engel’s Fantasy Spin

Healy was not widely owned. While his batting average was down, there was no question the power production was respectable. If you do need to replace him, there is not much out there in terms of corner infielders on free agency. Ryan McMahon is starting to shown signs of performing better and Brandon Belt offers a similar fantasy profile to Healy right now.

More 2019 Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Anthony Santander

Hoping to Hit Soon
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning in Short Order
Alex Bregman

Could Return Later This Week
Ketel Marte

Day-to-Day with Groin Tightness
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Hunter Greene

Suffers Setback on Monday
Philadelphia 76ers

Kyle Lowry Staying With 76ers
Kyle Anderson

Lands in Utah
Kevin Love

Traded to Jazz in 3-Team Swap
Norman Powell

Traded to Miami
John Collins

Dealt to Clippers
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied For 14 at Travelers Championship
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For 61 at Travelers Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Tied For 17 at Travelers Championship
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied For 11 at John Deere Classic
Viktor Hovland

Withdraws From Travelers Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Finishes Tied For Second at Travelers Championship
Brian Campbell

Wins John Deere Classic
Bronny James Jr.

Scores 10 Points
Harrison Ingram

Limited on Sunday
Golden State Warriors

Isaiah Mobley Drops 16 Points
Ryan Rollins

Staying with Bucks
T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Still Not Close on New Contract
Terry McLaurin

Still Not Pleased with Contract Situation
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Yu Darvish

to Make Season Debut on Monday
MLB

Nationals Fire Dave Martinez, Mike Rizzo
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Jock Landale

Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Moritz Wagner

Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Jaxson Hayes

Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF