Good morning! Today’s fantasy baseball injury report has a mix of big names and lesser-known players. I go over who the replacements are in the depth chart for these injured parties and give a vibe on their fantasy potential.
Batters: Anthony Rendon, Daulton Varsho, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Jesse Winker, Avisail Garcia, Michael Chavis, Travis Jankowski, Gilberto Celestino
Pitchers: Brandon Woodruff, Hyun-Jin Ryu
Batters
Arizona Diamondbacks: Daulton Varsho (C/LF/CF/RF) - One of the few fantasy relevant catchers in the game, Varsho was riding a 9-game hit streak going into yesterday’s game against the Dodgers. Unfortunately, the hit streak would end after going 0/1 and exiting with a shoulder issue. Jose Herrera returned from injury last night, doubling his season total in hits by going 3 for 4 at the plate. He’s sitting on a .182 average and Grayson Greiner behind him isn’t much better (.167). Seth Beer can take over DH, where Varsho was playing last night, normally in that position with a .210 average.
Los Angeles Angels: Anthony Rendon (3B) - The veteran third baseman was pulled from the lineup yesterday and placed on the IL with a wrist issue. Yesterday I referenced Luis Rengifo and here I will continue to do so. Rengifo can play 3B and is cruising at a .292 rate through 48 at bats. He has surpassed Jack Mayfield and Matt Duffy as the top utility option on the team in the infield.
Miami Marlins: Avisail Garcia (RF) - Another day, another player placed into COVID protocol. Garcia was tagged with an undisclosed injury designation, usually an indicator for something COVID related. Bryan de la Cruz has been very solid at the plate this season and should be getting the start in RF. He’s going at a .283 rate through 53 at bats. The 25-year-old has a .294 average over his career in 88 games and should be an everyday player.
Minnesota Twins: Gilberto Celestino (CF/LF) - The utility outfielder was placed on COVID protocol yesterday and will be unavailable against the Royals. Although Kyle Garlick didn’t play yesterday, I like him as a utility option to play if necessary. Garlick has cruised at a .278 rate through 36 at bats, hitting four home runs. His career numbers aren’t nearly as hot, but he’s been a decent contact hitter throughout his AAA development.
New York Mets: Travis Jankowski (CF/LF) - The struggling utility outfielder was placed on the IL yesterday with a broken finger and will be out nearly two months. If necessary, the squad can also bump Jeff McNeill or JD Davis to the outfield. They do not have much for OF depth on the main roster. Luis Guillorme is mainly listed as an infield option and dominated the plate thus far (.324 average). So, if necessary, they can just make some movement on the defense.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)/Michael Chavis (2B/1B) - Prior to first pitch against the Padres, Hayes was ruled out with a lower back injury. This is a massive blow to an already struggling franchise. Rodolfo Castro is the top option at the hot corner, hitting only .200 this season with 45 at bats. During the game, Chavis would exit with a forearm issue. Management believes this is connected to when he was hit by a pitch earlier in the week. Josh VanMeter is the only healthy player listed at 1B on the depth chart who is also on the main roster. VanMeter is cruising at a poor .210 clip as he plays across the infield. Tucupita Marcano was recalled playing in the middle infield and was in the game when VanMeter had to move to 1B. Marcano is only 22 years old and has a .196 average through 22 games but has hit .312 this season in AA.
Seattle Mariners: Jesse Winker (LF) - The WNY native was not in the lineup last night against the Astros due to a shoulder issue. Winker has struggled this season, hitting only .210. Kyle Lewis slotted into the lineup in the place of Winker and did well. Lewis hit a home run and is 3/12 thus far this season. The much-maligned player has played in 114 games, going .258 at the plate.
Pitchers
Milwaukee Brewers: Brandon Woodruff (SP) - The top tier pitcher has seen some struggles this season, but yesterday was not one of those starts. He would pitch 4 innings and give up only two hits prior to his exit due to an ankle injury against the Cardinals. The squad are fresh out of traditional starting options at the MLB level if Woodruff misses a turn in the rotation. Both Ethan Small and Josh Lindblom are in the minors. Small has been great in AAA this season, the 25-year-old posting a 1.88 ERA through eight starts.
Toronto Blue Jays: Hyun-Jin Ryu (SP) - Cruising through his third solid outing a row against the Angels, Ryu was pulled after five innings due to an elbow injury. Anything arm related is always a scary situation with a pitcher and we will see if he misses time. Ross Stripling is a former starter sitting in the bullpen for the club and can play as the fifth starter. Stripling’s ERA is close to five this season, struggling in middle relief. He’s started 85 games throughout his career, posting an ERA of four and K/9 of 8.52.