This edition of the injury report is very pitching-heavy. There is no doubt that all fantasy GMs are struggling with pitching this year thanks in large part to dominating offensive production and consistent injury issues. There are a limited number of pitchers who can be relied upon to both stay healthy and be productive. All GMs are facing this problem so there is no prejudice to anyone. Runs are being scored and home runs are flying over the wall at an epic pace which is helping destroy pitchers’ peripheral numbers. So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy baseball emergency room.
George Springer (OF-HOU)
Great news for fantasy GMs as George Springer appears ready to return to the Astros on Tuesday. He has been on a rehab assignment at Double-A and was successfully able to play in back-to-back days over the weekend. This test of his hamstring was the last hurdle to clear before Houston reactivates him in time for Tuesday’s game against the Pirates. Springer was an MVP candidate before the injury batting .308 with 17 home runs, 43 RBI, 41 runs scored and four stolen bases. He should be back in everyone’s lineup and hopefully be able to pick up where he left off. Springer will be a huge boost fantasy lineups as he has been sorely missed since suffering the injury back at the end of May.
José Berríos (SP-MIN)
The Twins have been a juggernaut all season thanks to a great offense and solid pitching. The staff is led by José Berríos who has pitched like an ace going 8-3 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 104.2 innings over 16 starts. He was firing on all cylinders against the Royals in his last start before he had to be removed in the eighth inning due to a blister on his ring finger. He dominated Kansas City but lost his chance for a win after the Twins bullpen surrendered the lead. Berrios is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday and then would be in line to make his next start later in the week assuming there are no lingering issues with the blister. Check back in during the week for further updates on his status because he is a must-start if he will be on the mound.
Noah Syndergaard (SP-NYM)
The Mets season is spiraling out of control but one positive development is that Noah Syndergaard appears headed on his way back by the end of the week. Thor is scheduled to make a rehab start with the Mets minor league team in Brooklyn on Tuesday. He would then rejoin the Mets and make a start against the Braves on Sunday assuming he does not have any setbacks. Syndergaard has been very disappointing thus far going 5-4 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 95 innings pitched over 15 starts. He is still a must-start for fantasy GMs but his value has taken a significant hit this year.
Blake Treinen (RP-OAK)
The A’s have placed closer Blake Treinen on the 10-day injured list with a strained right shoulder. He was lit up in his last appearance on Thursday against Tampa Bay and then Oakland turned to Liam Hendriks for a save opportunity over the weekend. Treinen underwent an MRI that revealed a strained right rotator cuff that has apparently been an issue for him for several weeks. This could be a lengthy absence for Treinen so Hendriks is definitely worth targeting on the waiver wire if you are in need of saves. Treinen was expected to regress from his incredible 2018 season, but he has really been pedestrian going 2-2 with a 4.08 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 36 strikeouts and 16 saves in 30 games. GMs could stash him if there is an open bench or IL slot, but he is unquestionably a candidate to be dropped in standard 12-team leagues.
Mike Clevinger (SP-CLE)
The Indians pitching staff has been cursed all season with a myriad of injuries and maladies to its starters. Mike Clevinger has been out for over two months due to a back injury and finally made his return earlier last week. Sure enough, he slipped on the mound during that start in Texas and rolled his ankle. Cleveland was optimistic he would be able to make his next start but he felt some soreness during his next bullpen session so they shut him down again and put him back on the injured list retroactive to June 18. He is expected to return immediately once eligible so this will not be a lengthy absence this time. Clevinger can be a top-line fantasy starter and has showed that in a small sample size thus far going 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 16.2 innings over three starts.
Mike Soroka (SP-ATL)
Braves rookie pitcher Mike Soroka was hit by a pitch on his right forearm on Sunday against Washington and then was taken out of the game. It was a precautionary decision by Atlanta who understandably want to protect their Rookie of the Year candidate. X-rays came back negative after the game so he fortunately avoided any type of fracture. He is on track to make his next start later this week so fantasy GMs need not worry about the young Braves pitcher who is currently 8-1 with a 2.07 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 78.1 innings over 13 starts.
Gregory Polanco (OF-PIT)
The Pirates placed Gregory Polanco on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder. It seems apparent that he came back too quickly from the offseason operation as he has not looked good at the plate or seemed comfortable in the field. He was out for the first month of the season and is only batting .242 with six home runs, 17 RBI, 23 runs scored and three stolen bases thus far. Polanco has been in and out of the lineup, and this inconsistency now makes sense given that his shoulder is still a problem. He can be dropped in most standard 12-team leagues.
Jonathan Schoop (2B-MIN)
Twins second baseman Jonathan Schoop has missed the past couple games due to a sore right ankle. He has not played since Friday and with Minnesota being off on Monday he has gotten three straight days of rest. All indications are that Schoop will be back in the lineup on Tuesday. He has contributed to one of the best offenses in the league thus far batting .259 with 12 home runs, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored and one stolen base.
Cameron Maybin (OF-NYY)
One day we will look back at the career of Cameron Maybin and ask “what if?” He is a former top prospect who was projected to be a superstar with five-tool talent. However, injuries and inconsistency derailed his career as he never was able to firmly establish himself as an everyday player in any organization he played for. The Yankees acquired Maybin earlier this year after Giancarlo Stanton , Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks were all out with injuries. Maybin filled in admirably batting .314 with five home runs, 14 RBI, 27 runs scored and six stolen bases. However, his opportunities were now going to be few and far between after Stanton, Judge and Hicks all returned and the team acquired Edwin Encarnación . Now Maybin has landed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 calf strain which means he will be out for an extended period of time. He barely had any fantasy value before the injury, but now he certainly must be dropped in all formats and should remain on the waiver wire.