It is now Week 7 of the fantasy baseball season and Memorial Day is just around the corner. By this time of the year, you should be able to make sufficient evaluations of your players in order to address whatever specific needs you have. The problem is that everyone else sees what you see so it is quite difficult to convince others that one of your own player’s slow starts is a fluke. Injuries are also starting to take their toll, but the good news is that other players look to be coming back in short order as well to replenish rosters. Without any further ado, here is the next edition of the walking wounded.
Michael Brantley (OF-CLE)
Brantley is back on the disabled list shortly after he returned as he is suffering from fatigue in the shoulder he had surgically repaired this past offseason. Brantley has struggled since he came back and it seems evident that he may have done too much too fast. His .231 batting average and lack of a home run are clear indicators that something wasn’t right, so hopefully a couple weeks of rest will be sufficient for him to pick up where he left off in 2015. Look for Marlon Byrd to get some extra at-bats in Brantley’s absence which could be a cheap source for power.
Carlos Gomez (OF-HOU)
Gomez suffered a rib injury a few weeks ago when he dove for a ball, but he has been trying to play through it with some horrendous results. The injury flared up again and Houston placed him on the disabled list. Gomez has been a major disappointment thus far batting just .182 without a home run, only five stolen bases, and an alarming strikeout rate. He is valuable enough to stash on the DL or your bench, but he will need to show immediate improvement and production when he returns because he is going to play himself right onto the bench if he doesn’t turn things around soon.
Yu Darvish (SP-TEX)
Darvish made his fourth rehab start earlier this week and continues to look good as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in 2015. He has a 1.93 ERA with 15 strikeouts through these four starts and could be back with the Rangers after one more outing. Those who drafted and stashed him should be reaping the benefits very soon as Darvish could be a difference-maker when he joins fantasy rosters in late May.
Steven Matz (SP-NYM)
The Mets got good news with Matz as he has no structural damage to his ligament in his elbow. Matz missed his last start in Colorado after experiencing some discomfort in his left forearm which is always alarming. That is the precursor to Tommy John surgery in many circumstances, so there were major red flags surrounding this injury. He is expected to make his next start on Friday against Milwaukee, so for now plan on having him in your lineup since he has been as good as anyone in the league after his first start of the season.
Adrian Gonzalez (1B-LAD)
Gonzalez left Monday’s game early with back stiffness and was held out of the lineup on Tuesday as well. He has been one of the most durable players in the league over the last 10 years so this is completely out of the ordinary for him. The Dodgers don’t think the injury is serious or will require an extended absence, so expect him back in the lineup very shortly. He is still a solid source for power and run production despite only hitting four home runs thus far.
Lucas Duda (1B-NYM)
Duda was held out of Tuesday’s game against Washington with some back discomfort and will likely miss Wednesday’s game against a tough lefty in Gio Gonzalez. The injury does not appear serious and he is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday. Duda is one of the streakiest hitters in the league but has remained durable throughout his career thus far.
David Wright (3B-NYM)
Wright was scratched from the Mets lineup on Tuesday after his back flared up before the game. Terry Collins indicated that Wright was insisting on playing because Lucas Duda was going to be out of the lineup, but Collins overruled that and took the cautious route with the team’s captain. Wright has struggled mightily as he plays through his chronic spinal stenosis and should not be a starting option on fantasy teams unless you are in a deep league and need a corner infield spot filled. He will need constant rest and a stint on the DL is always a possibility.
Luis Severino (SP-NYY)
The Yankees placed Luis Severino on the disabled list after his last start with a strain of his right triceps. The injury doesn’t appear to be serious but he is expected to miss several starts as the Yankees are expected to be cautious with their young starter who has been atrocious all season. The injury might help explain how awful Severino has been going 0-6 with a 7.46 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through his first seven starts. He can be dropped now if you are short on bench or DL slots because he will miss a few weeks at least and has not pitched well enough to warrant the patience at this point.
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).