We are now in Week 12 of the fantasy baseball season which means we are just about at the halfway point of the year for many leagues.  Injuries are piling up and several key fantasy players have fallen victim this week.  There is no denying the devastating impact of some injuries, and that is what we could be dealing with this week.  Without any further ado, here is the next edition of the walking wounded.

Noah Syndergaard (SP-NYM)

Mets fans and fantasy baseball GMs can breathe a sigh of relief as MRI results did not reveal any damage to Syndergaard's elbow. He is currently scheduled to pitch next week against the Nationals but that start could be in jeopardy assuming the Mets want to be overly cautious with their ace. At this point he may be able to avoid a stint on the DL but that could change depending on how he recovers and fares in his next bullpen session.

Anthony Rizzo (1B-CHC)

Rizzo was taken out of Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals with back stiffness.  This has been something he has dealt with for some time now but is only considered a nagging injury as opposed to something serious.  He may be given a day or two off to rest, but it is not expected to be an extended absence.  Rizzo is an elite fantasy player with 17 home runs and 54 RBI thus far.

Starling Marte (OF-PIT)

Marte has been on the injury report several times of late and is back on it after being removed from Tuesday’s game against the Giants.  He experienced some pain in his foot while running in the outfield and was held out of the lineup on Wednesday.  He is a borderline elite player so these stop and starts with Marte are frustrating for GMs who relied on his five-category production when spending an early draft pick on him.

Yoenis Cespedes (OF-NYM)

Cespedes was removed from Wednesday’s game against Kansas City after injuring his left wrist on a swing.  He was sent to the doctor for further tests so we do not know yet the extent of the injury.  There is not the same kind of panic as there is with Syndergaard, but any extended absence for Cespedes will have a detrimental effect on fantasy GMs who have been riding Cesepdes’ hot bat and power output most of the year.

Jose Bautista (OF-TOR)

Bautista suffered turf toe up against the wall in Philadelphia at the end of last week and has been placed on the disabled list.  He will be in walking boot for a couple weeks and will likely be sidelined for well over a month.  Bautista has had a down year with a poor .230 batting average and only 12 home runs.  Look for Ezequiel Carrera to replace Bautista in the immediate future.

Travis Shaw (3B-BOS)

Shaw fouled a ball off his right foot on Tuesday and then was lifted from Wednesday’s game and diagnosed with a contusion.  He is considered day-to-day but will likely be given a day or two off to allow the injury to heal and pain subside.  Shaw has cooled off considerably but is still a viable fantasy option at a weak third base position as his .272 batting average with seven home runs and 37 RBI are much greater than could have been expected from him coming into the season.

Albert Pujols (1B-LAA)

Former MVP Albert Pujols has missed the past couple games with both hamstring and ankle injuries.  He is a shell of his former self at this point in his career but still provides enough production to be a starting first baseman or corner infielder in most fantasy leagues.  It is expected that he will avoid the disabled list but it is not clear when he will return to the lineup.  Check back in later in the week for further updates on his status.

CC Sabathia (SP-NYY)

Sabathia has rejuvenated his career this season by re-inventing himself.  However, he rolled his ankle twice in his last start against Colorado this week and was removed from the game.  X-rays came back negative and he claims he will make his next start.  Despite his struggles and injuries over the past couple years, he has once again become fantasy relevant as a back of the rotation option.

Mallex Smith (OF-ATL)

Smith has provided value in fantasy leagues with his speed and 14 stolen bases.  However, he was hit in the hand by a pitch against the Mets last weekend and sustained a fractured left thumb.  He will miss approximately two months and is not worth wasting a roster spot on for stashing unless you have great flexibility and can afford to keep him.  Emilio Bonifacio has taken his place and could be a cheap source for stolen bases in the interim.

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).