It is time to start picking up the pieces now that you are done licking your wounds from the brutal week it was regarding injuries.  Fortunately, these past couple days have not produced any disastrous injuries like we saw in the last edition of the injury report.  Enjoy the respite because chances are the pendulum will swing back the other way very soon.  So, without further ado, let’s delve into the next edition of the fantasy baseball emergency room.

Day to Day

Miguel Sano (3B-MIN) – The Twins slugger was hit by a pitch on his hand on Monday and was limited to pinch-hitting duties on Tuesday.  He was held out again on Wednesday but x-rays were negative so there is no concern about a long-term injury here.  Sano has epitomized all or nothing results this season with an impressive 23 home runs and 68 RBI.  However, despite a solid .271 batting average, he has struck out an alarming 135 times in 340 at bats.  He is a great fantasy asset now, but imagine how valuable he will be once he learns more plate discipline.

David Peralta (OF-ARZ) – Peralta was held out of the Diamondbacks lineup on Wednesday after fouling a ball off of his left knee on Tuesday.  This appears to be precautionary as Peralta is expected back on the field for the weekend.  He has provided solid numbers this season with a .315 batting average along with ten home runs, 34 RBI, 55 runs scored and six stolen bases.  He provides GMs with roster depth and a boost in batting average which is very hard to come by at this point of the season.

Alex Bregman (3B-HOU) – The Astros have been the best team in the league for most of the season but the injuries are starting to mount.  Bregman has provided a lackluster .267 batting average with ten home runs and 30 RBI, but his pedestrian numbers were hidden behind several other teammates’ crooked statistics.  Houston is already missing Carlos Correa and Colin Moran, but they have other infield options with Yulieski Gurriel and Marwin Gonzalez who both can also play third base.  Bregman belongs on the waiver wire but is someone to target in 2018.

Zack Cozart (SS-CIN) – It is possible that Cozart gets dealt by the Reds before the trade deadline, but missing several games in a row with a quadriceps injury is not going to help his trade value.  He had dealt with this injury earlier in the season and re-aggravated it running on the bases on Tuesday.  Another stint on the disabled list is possible but Cincinnati likely wants to see if he can return sooner so as to maximize his trade value.  His .317 batting average with 12 home runs and 39 RBI make him a viable middle infield option in standard leagues.

On the DL

Stephen Strasburg (SP-WAS) – The bad news is that another ace pitcher is on the disabled list.  The good news is that Strasburg is only expected to miss one start due to a nerve impingement in his right elbow.  He does have a history of arm trouble so any injury to his right elbow is going raise major red flags.  However, the Nationals are optimistic that he will only miss that one turn in the rotation so this shouldn’t affect fantasy GMs too much.  Washington will turn to Erick Fedde, a top prospect in the organization, to take Strasburg’s turn this weekend.

Avisail Garcia (OF-CHW) – The White Sox have dismantled their roster and continue accumulating prospects.  One player who survived the purge is Avisail Garcia who has arguably been Chicago’s best player this year.  However, he has landed on the disabled list with a strained ligament in his right thumb.  An MRI will be performed to give a better sense of how much time Garcia may be out.  He is hitting a solid .303 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI.  Look for Alen Hanson to see playing time in Garcia’s absence.

Jake Odorizzi (SP-TB) - The Rays are fighting for a playoff berth despite continuously suffering injuries in their starting rotation.  Odorizzi was supposed to be a stabilizing force but he has been dealing with lower back pain for most of the season.  His numbers are pedestrian with a 6-4 record along with a 4.47 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 94.2 innings.  These numbers belong on the waiver wire as this could be an extended absence. 

Adam Wainwright (SP-STL) – It has been a very up and down season for the veteran right-hander who is currently 11-5 with a 4.89 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 95 strikeouts in 110.1 innings.  He has had to rediscover himself at this stage of his career and all things considered he has done a wonderful job adjusting.  Wainwright has won four in a row but now finds himself on the disabled list with back stiffness.  Luke Weaver took his place in the rotation and should have an opportunity to stay even when Wainwright returns in early August.

Dexter Fowler (OF-STL) – Fowler signed a big contract during the off-season and has been a major disappointment for the Cardinals.  His power numbers are up, much like the rest of the league, with his 14 home runs.  However, fantasy GMs didn’t draft Fowler for his power.  Rather, they expected a little more than a .241 batting average and only four stolen bases through the end of July.  Fowler is back on the disabled list with a strain in his left forearm and this could be an extended absence beyond the ten days.  Harrison Bader was called up to take Fowler’s place and has been productive in his first few big league games.  However, his playing time could be limited depending on when Fowler and Stephen Piscotty return from injury.

Matt Garza (SP-MIL) – It feels like it has been years since Matt Garza was relevant in fantasy leagues.  That is probably because it has been that long.  Garza actually has respectable numbers this season with a 4-5 record along with a 3.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.  However, he only has 56 strikeouts in 82.1 innings.  He has been placed on the disabled list with a strain in his lower right leg and we have no indication on how long he is expected to be out.  The Brewers have seen their grasp on first place dissipate and losing a veteran cog in the rotation like Garza will have far deeper implications in real baseball than in fantasy.  Leave him on the waiver wire and cherish your fond memories of him from 2010.

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).