Good morning! The fantasy baseball injury report covers 11 players today. Some of them are fantasy relevant, but the majority are definitely on waivers. However, you must recognize that despite a player being on waivers, their replacement could still have value.
Batters: Manny Machado, Miguel Cabrera, Brandon Nimmo, Max Kepler, Gary Sanchez, Brian Anderson, Mitch Garver, Kurt Suzuki, Jordan Luplow
Pitchers: Wade Miley, Danny Coulombe
Batters
Arizona Diamondbacks: Jordan Luplow (CF/RF) - It was revealed yesterday that Luplow suffered a foot injury Friday night against the Dodgers. He was injured during his one at bat. With Luplow out of the picture, the starting trio in the outfield becomes Peralta (LF)/Thomas (CF)/Smith (RF) in my opinion, well the optimal three. This would free up Cooper Hummel or Jake McCarthy to play in the outfield as a utility option. The two are combined for .206 (28/136) this season, sitting on three home runs and three stolen bases.
Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera (1B/DH) - The future Hall of Famer was pulled from the game last night against the Guardians with a lower back issue in the latter stages of the contest. I would like to imagine that this could keep Harold Castro in the lineup, as he’s slashing at .325 this season. He is a utility option but has done well and deserves more opportunities.
Los Angeles Angels: Kurt Suzuki (C) - The backstop has struggled this season and that would continue last night, exiting the contest against the Blue Jays with a head injury. Max Stassi splits time with Suzuki and will be the starter going forward. Stassi has hit .215 over 79 at bats this season.
Miami Marlins: Brian Anderson (3B/OF) - A surprise scratch yesterday against the Braves, Anderson is dealing with back spasms at this time. Bryan de la Cruz remains the top utility option in the outfield, as I touched on yesterday. Bryan has hit .259 this season through 58 at bats with one home run and 6 walks. They are running low on outfielders at the MLB level with Anderson joining Avisail Garcia out of the lineup.
Minnesota Twins: Max Kepler (RF/CF)/Gary Sanchez (C/DH) - Both players were unable to make it through the tilt against the Royals yesterday with very different situations. Kepler suffered a leg injury that will require further testing whereas Sanchez has an illness due to the weather. As I touched on yesterday, Kyle Garlick is the top option at RF listed on the depth chart. Garlick has gone .282 at the plate with four home runs in just 39 at bats, racking up 10 RBIs. An injury to Sanchez may free up Jose Miranda for more at bats. Miranda is a rookie who has struggled, hitting .164 in 67 at bats.
New York Mets: Brandon Nimmo (CF/LF) - The dependable outfielder continues to hit around .300 this season despite dealing with a wrist issue. That wrist injury would flare up yesterday and result in his absence against the Phillies. Nick Plummer was recalled offsetting this injury, getting into the action a bit after Jeff McNeil was bumped to the outfield. Moving McNeill makes sense given Luis Guillorme dominating at the plate this season. I touched on his prowess yesterday and that continued last night, boosting his average to .352 in addition to walking 11 times.
San Diego Padres: Manny Machado (3B) - The star third baseman was out of the lineup yesterday against the Pirates due to an elbow injury. The condition he is dealing with sounds more concerning than the team is letting on, as this is an issue related to wear and tear. Nevertheless, the squad do not have a utility option doing well at the plate this season. The top infielder is Sergio Alcantara at this point, and he is hitting at a .175 rate.
Texas Rangers: Mitch Garver (C/DH) - The starting backstop was not in the lineup for the second day in a row yesterday, dealing with a knee issue. Both Jonah Heim and Sam Huff have been dominant at the plate this season for the Rangers, making it a tough call for who to play. They are combined .316 at the plate, hitting 5 home runs and two stolen bases through 133 at bats.
Pitchers
Chicago Cubs: Wade Miley (SP) - Although it was his off day, Miley was unavailable to pitch yesterday due to a shoulder injury. The team is giving him a “day to day” designation at this time but it’s unclear if he misses time. The squad is rolling with a six-man rotation, so Miley missing a turn won’t be a huge deal. Caleb Kilan is knocking on the door from AAA, and I wouldn’t rule out his appearance on Monday in the double header if necessary.
Minnesota Twins: Danny Coulombe (RP) - A classic case of a player returning too early from the IL. Coulombe returned from the IL on Friday and is now back on it, reaggravating his hip that kept him out in the first place. He would only get one batter out and give up 2 runs in his appearance against the Royals. Jhoan Duran deserves more love as a reliever from fantasy owners, throwing hard and posting a 2.42 ERA.