If there was one name fantasy GMs would be horrified about seeing in this report, then prepare yourself for some therapy.  Injuries are a constant part of fantasy baseball and everyone must deal with them.  But there are some injuries that just cannot be compensated for and this adversity is what separates the men and women from the boys and girls.  Without any further ado, here is the next edition of the walking wounded.

Clayton Kershaw (SP-LAD)

There are a handful of players that GMs cannot afford to lose for any amount of time, and Kershaw may be at the top of the list.  The multi-time Cy Young Award winner is on the disabled list with a back injury but suffered a setback during a simulated game.  He is dealing with a disk herniation in his lower back and surgery may be a realistic option after still experiencing pain and discomfort.  There is no sugarcoating how devastating this is for GMs because you cannot replace the type of production he provides such as his microscopic 1.79 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. 

Corey Kluber (SP-CLE)

Kluber was taken out of his last start with cramps in his right calf but the injury does not appear serious.  He has been a fantasy stud outside of a couple rough starts and can be counted on continue that way as the Indians head down the stretch.  All indications are that he will make his next start this weekend so plan on him being in your lineup without hesitation.

Adam Jones (OF-BAL)

Jones was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Yankees with back spasms which also cost him Thursday.  He is day to day and should be back by the weekend.  Jones has been one of the most consistent fantasy performers for the past several years putting up virtually the same statistics every season.  He got off to a miserable start this year but is on track for his normal production despite being banged up on a couple occasions thus far this season.

Matt Wieters (C-BAL)

Wieters has missed the past several games after being hit on the foot by a pitch.  X-rays came back negative so it is just a matter of managing the pain before he is back in the lineup. It’s been a struggle for Wieters who was once one of the best offensive catchers in the league but has not been the same since undergoing Tommy John surgery a couple years ago.  Despite the pedestrian numbers, he is still a viable fantasy option because of how shallow the catching position is across the league.

Koji Uehara (RP-BOS)

The Red Sox placed Koji Uehara on the disabled list with a pectoral strain and there is currently no timetable for his return.  Uehara is 41-years old so any type of injury for a pitcher his age is a major concern.  He was a solid temporary fantasy option while he filled in for Craig Kimbrel.  Now look for Brad Ziegler to see plenty of save opportunities until Kimbrel is able to return from his knee injury.

Yasiel Puig (OF-LAD)

Puig was taken out of Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury.  He has been a major fantasy disappointment with only seven home runs and 32 RBI so any time he misses won’t be noticed much by GMs.  The extent of his injury is not known yet but Puig has a history of hamstring injuries so it would not be surprising if he lands back on the disabled list.

Prince Fielder (DH-TEX)

Fielder has landed on the disabled list after feeling similar symptoms as he did before undergoing surgery on his neck a couple years ago.  He will visit with the surgeon who performed the previous surgery later this week so we should know more after that.  Fielder has had an abysmal season and a recurrence of a herniated disk would certainly explain such a poor performance.  Be prepared to lose Fielder for the rest of the year if he needs another operation.

Evan Gattis (DH-HOU)

Gattis suffered a right hand contusion on Wednesday and was taken out of the game as a result.  It doesn’t appear to be a serious injury so there is a good chance he is back in the lineup when the Astros take the field on Friday.  Gattis got a late start to the season but has produced typical stats with an atrocious .218 batting average to go along with 13 home runs in just 69 games.

Rich Hill (SP-OAK)

The A’s would like to trade Hill before the deadline but a blister on his finger could put a wrinkle in their plans.  The blister still has not healed and his next start this weekend is in serious jeopardy.  Hill is a late bloomer who seems to have figured things out at this late stage of his career, but there is no denying his great fantasy value after compiling a 9-3 record with a stellar 2.25 ERA and 1.09 WHIP to go along with over a strikeout per inning.  As good as he has been, he is a sell-high option assuming he doesn’t miss much more time because of the injury.

Jameson Taillon (SP-PIT)

Pirates rookie Jameson Taillon returned from the disabled list this week and was struck in the head by a line drive.  He remained in the game to throw six solid innings but was subsequently placed on the concussion protocol disabled list.  He seemed to be fine the next day which is a good sign, but his next start is still in question.  Taillon has been injured quite frequently since being drafted so the Pirates are likely going to continue being cautious with their fragile prospect.

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).