Opening Day is less than a week away and fantasy baseball draft season is starting to wind down.  Pitchers are being lined up to get ready for their spots in the rotation and hitters are fine-tuning their mechanics in anticipation of the start of the season.  However, there are still some players whose status may be up in the air come Sunday and Monday, but that should not affect their draft value or decisions on whether to select them to your rosters for season-long leagues.  Without any further adieu, here is the next edition of the walking wounded.

Matt Harvey (SP-NYM)

The mystery, drama and puns surrounding Matt Harvey’s bladder issue caused quite the uproar this past week. He was diagnosed with a mysterious ailment which had fantasy owners speculating over whether he would be available for Opening Day. Now we know that he was dealing with blood clots in his bladder which have been taken care of, and he is all set for Sunday night in Kansas City.  Harvey is a fantasy stud and should be even better in 2016, now another year removed from Tommy John surgery.

Starling Marte (OF-PIT)

Marte has become a fantasy darling with his five-category production before even reaching the prime of his career.  The Pirates outfielder suffered a quad injury last weekend which kept him on the bench for several days, but he returned to the lineup on Wednesday.  Marte can provide elite production in all categories and is primed to overtake Andrew McCutchen as the best Pittsburgh outfielder in terms of fantasy value.  The only concern will be potentially re-aggravating the injury due to how aggressive he runs the bases.

Edwin Encarnacion (1B-TOR)

Good news for fantasy owners who were able to get Encarnacion at a discount in drafts because he appears all set to play on Opening Day.  The Blue Jays first baseman has been a home run machine for the past several years but was dealing with an oblique injury which kept him out most of the spring.  He returned this week and appears ready to go for Opening Day assuming the injury does not flare up again.

A.J. Pollock (OF-ARZ)

Pollock has been playing in minor league and intra-squad games this week as he recovers from an elbow injury.  Cleverly, the Diamondbacks have been keeping him from playing in official spring training games just in case they have to put him on the DL and backdate the injury.  They are hopeful he will be ready by Opening Day, but there is still a possibility he starts the year on the DL.  Even if he does, he shouldn’t be out too long assuming he does not suffer any setbacks.

Andrew Miller (RP-NYY)

Miller was hit in the right wrist by a line drive during Wednesday’s spring training game.  X-rays came back negative but he will still undergo some additional tests.  He should still be good to go for closing duties come Opening Day assuming the rest of the tests come back negative as well.

Ian Kennedy (SP-KC)

Kennedy was taken out of his last start with tightness in his hamstring, but he downplayed the severity claiming it was just a cramp.  He is still on track to make his first start of the season next week against the Mets.  Kennedy was lit up like a Christmas tree this spring and is coming off a poor season which still landed him a huge free agent contract.    

Will Smith (RP-MIL)

Smith suffered a torn LCL in his right knee which will shut him down for several weeks as he attempts to rehab the injury.  He is hoping that rest will resolve the issue and he can resume throwing by the end of April.  Surgery will be held off as long as possible to allow him the chance to come back, but chances are it will be inevitable.  Smith was slated to be the Brewers’ closer but now that job seems secure with Jeremy Jeffress.

If you are wondering the best way to evaluate players such as Matt Harvey so that you can be prepared for your draft, then be sure to check out the 2016 Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide

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