Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but Week 5 of the fantasy baseball season brings a lot of bad news for GM’s everywhere.  Several impact players have landed on the disabled list or have been sidelined for at least a few games this week.  Either way, you will need to make some adjustments to your roster and start looking for alternatives for some key players. 

Ryan Braun (OF-MIL)

Now that he has supposedly cleansed himself of PED’s, Ryan Braun is falling apart at the seams.  Besides a chronic thumb injury he has been dealing with, Braun is now out with an oblique injury that will cost him a few games.  The good news is that it doesn’t appear he injured himself nailing Jean Segura with a practice swing.  The bad news is that he will probably miss a few more games and could land on the disabled list if he does not show any improvement soon. 

Chris Davis (1B-BAL)

Despite not getting off to another ridonculous start to the season, Chris Davis going to leave a gaping hole in many fantasy GM’s lineups.  Davis was placed on the disabled list this past weekend with an oblique injury.  It is not known yet whether he will be back immediately when eligible because oblique injuries can take a significant amount of time to heal.  It isn’t time to panic yet, but if Davis isn’t back by mid-May than you may want to call May Day (no, not the Russian New Year, Johnny).

Bryce Harper (OF-WAS)

From the Department of Brutal Fantasy Baseball News, Bryce Harper will undergo surgery on his injured thumb and is expected to be out until July.  Harper injured himself sliding into third base and is proving to be his own worst enemy. There is no question Harper has unlimited potential, but his aggressive and somewhat reckless style of play has caused some major injuries over the past couple seasons.  Stash him on your DL because he will be back for the second half of the season.

Anibal Sanchez (OF-DET)

Most people enjoy the song “Blister in the Sun” for good reasons.  One person who probably does not enjoy it right now is Anibal Sanchez who was placed on the disabled list due to a laceration caused by a blister on his right middle finger.  So if you run into Sanchez and ask to see his injury, don’t be offended if he flips you the bird.  Just stash him on your DL and expect him back in two weeks.

Jason Grilli (RP-PIT)

After blowing back to back saves, the Pirates conveniently placed closer Jason Grilli on the disabled list with an oblique injury.  Grilli was dominant in 2013 until a late-season injury derailed him.  Now he has started 2014 blowing three out of seven save opportunities and landed back on the DL.  Go and grab Mark Melancon off the waiver wire if he is available because he will be closing games in Grilli’s absence.

Jean Segura (SS-MIL)

No one told Jean Segura that he was involved in a No Holds Barred match in the Brewers dugout over the weekend.  Segura was struck in the head by a bat that Ryan Braun was swinging and required stitches to patch up the wound.  Right now it looks like Segura will be able to avoid the disabled list, but keep him on your bench in daily leagues for the next couple days because won’t be back in the lineup right away.

Devin Mesoraco (C-CIN)

The timing could not have been worse for Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco who landed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.  Mesoraco was batting an incredible .468 with three home runs and 13 RBI in his first 47 at bats.  It appeared that he was fulfilling the expectations associated with him, but now we will have to wait a couple weeks to see if he can sustain this production.  If you need a temporary backup catcher, then Mesoraco’s replacement Brayan Pena is a serviceable option.

Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service.  You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),