Good Morning! Today’s fantasy baseball injury report covers 11 players, spanning both batters and pitchers. I touch on who may be the top replacement for each injured party and give you a vibe on their fantasy potential.
Hitters: Shohei Ohtani, Marcell Ozuna, Max Muncy, Jeff McNeil, Seiya Suzuki, Yoan Moncada, Aaron Hicks, Frammil Reyes, Yoshi Tsutsugo
Pitchers: Shohei Ohtani, Jordan Hicks, Amir Garrett
Batters
Atlanta Braves: Marcell Ozuna (LF/DH) - A surprise scratch yesterday, Ozuna was pulled from the lineup last minute yesterday against the Marlins due to an abdomen issue. The squad does believe he will return to the lineup today. Guillermo Heredia and Orlando Arcia are playing in the outfield at the moment with Ozuna and Ronald Acuna out of the lineup. I went over Arcia yesterday, but Heredia has struggled this season. Through 40 at bats, Heredia has gone .111 with two home runs. His career average is .231 and he hasn’t hit that well since 2018.
Chicago Cubs: Seiya Suzuki (RF) - During the tilt against the Reds, the Japanese star injured his finger whilst trying to slide into second base. He would leave the game but avoid the worst possible injury. This should push Rafael Ortega over to RF and allow Christopher Morel to start in CF. Morel has been solid through 32 at bats at the MLB level this season, going .313 on the season. The 23-year-old did start the season plus .300 in AAA.
Chicago White Sox: Yoan Moncada (3B) - Struggling mightily over the last stretch of games, Yoan was not in the lineup last night against the Red Sox due to a leg issue. Jake Burger has been better at the plate than both Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick, earning him the start at 3B. Burger has hit .228 through 79 at bats, not quite hitting at the rate he did last season as a rookie.
Cleveland Guardians: Frammil Reyes (DH/RF) - One of the few true DHs in the league, Reyes has not been in the lineup for the Guardians as of late due to a hamstring injury. Oscar Gonzalez made his MLB debut in the place of Reyes yesterday against the Tigers, going 2/4 at the plate. The 24-year-old had hit .282 in AAA this season with nine home runs through 41 games thus far.
Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Otani (DH/SP) - The most interesting player in baseball this century, Ohtani tossed six innings yesterday against the Blue Jays and struggled. He would be pulled from the mound after giving up five runs with a back issue. Luis Rengifo may continue to see time in the lineup if Ohtani is out, hitting .295 through 44 at bats.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Max Muncy (2B/1B/3B) - After struggling at the plate for quite a few days, Muncy was placed on the IL with an arm issue yesterday. He had gone 1/19 over the last five games. Edwin Rios is the top player to see get a look with Muncy out of the lineup, going .254 at the plate with five home runs through 59 at bats. He’s gone .219 over his career across 104 games.
New York Mets: Jeff McNeil (2B/LF) - Early on in the game against the Giants yesterday, McNeil was injured on defense as he tried to make a sliding catch and went into the wall. Luis Guillorme deserves more at bats in my opinion, going .324 at the plate in 68 at bats this season. Luis has also drawn ten walks to his credit. Sure, he may not offer power/speed, but he gets on base.
New York Yankees: Aaron Hicks (CF) - A surprise scratch yesterday, Hicks was pulled from the starting lineup with a hamstring injury. Matt Carpenter, a veteran in this league, made his 2022 debut with the Yankees in the lineup at DH. The 36-year-old went 0/2 with a walk at the plate and hasn’t hit plus .250 since 2018.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Yoshi Tsutsugo (1B/LF/RF) - Yesterday’s placement on the IL came as a bit of a surprise for many as Yoshi hadn’t been tagged with an injury designation. Technically, he still hasn’t as his situation been “undisclosed”. Nevertheless, Michael Chavis is the top option at 1B for the club. He’s been playing at DH and doing well as of late, hitting .291. I could see Diego Castillo getting back into the lineup at DH or elsewhere. Diego has hit .238 through 101 at bats this season, hitting two home runs.
Pitchers
Kansas City Royals: Amir Garrett (RP) - The reliever was placed on the IL yesterday without an injury designation, indicating a possible COVID situation. Joel Payamps continues to be solid out of the bullpen for the Royals, although he isn’t a strikeout artist. Joel’s ERA and WHIP are great, and maybe he’ll see some high leverage situations soon.
Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani (DH/SP) - Following six innings against the Blue Jays, Ohtani was pulled from the mound with a back issue. He had given up five runs prior to his exit. If Shohei cannot make his next round in the rotation, the team will be fine. The Angels run a six-man rotation anyways, Chase Silseth is rounding out the rotation with his third start of the season today. He’s pitched well thus far, with great rates.
St. Louis Cardinals: Jordan Hicks (SP/RP) - The flame thrower was placed on the IL with a forearm issue yesterday, coming after a three inning start earlier in the week against Toronto. He has struggled most of this season, posting an ERA over five. Matthew Liberatore, one of the top pitching prospects on the team, is expected to join the rotation now with Hicks out of the picture. He had been recently recalled in the first place and now can slot right in. He struggled in his one start earlier this month, but the 22-year-old has gone 3-3 in AAA this season with a K/9 over 10.