It is fantasy baseball pennant race time as we head into the middle of August.  Injuries have played a major fact all season and this week is no different.  Many leagues have had their trade deadlines pass so you will have to utilize the waiver wire in order to compensate for those injuries.  However, if you are still able to swing a deal you should plant those seeds now to set yourself up in the best position to make a run at your league’s playoffs.  So without further adieu, here is the next installment of the walking wounded.

Jose Fernandez (SP-MIA)

Fantasy owners received some devastating news with Jose Fernandez landing on the disabled list with a bicep injury.  After his last start he complained of some soreness in his shoulder but it appears that the injury is actually to his bicep.  The former rookie of the year has been terrific since returning from Tommy John surgery and was going to be a difference-maker for owners down the stretch.  The Marlins will understandably be extra cautious with Fernandez since they have nothing to play for the rest of the way.  His season could very well be over.

Hanley Ramirez (SS/OF-BOS)

Ramirez fouled a ball off of his foot on Friday and missed both games over the weekend.  The Red Sox are off on Monday so it is expected that Ramirez will be back by Tuesday.  He still provides value qualifying at shortstop, but there has been a major power outage from him of late.  It couldn’t help exploring for an upgrade.

Freddie Freeman (1B-ATL)

Freeman has missed significant time this season with a wrist injury and recently returned after that extended absence.  Unfortunately, Freeman has now sustained an oblique injury and landed right back on the disabled list.  Oblique injuries often cost players more than just a couple weeks so fantasy owners will once again have to make up for his loss.  Stash him on your bench or disabled list because he can still contribute if he gets back by the end of August.

Mike Leake (SP-SF)

The Giants just acquired Leake at the trade deadline but have now placed him on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.  It doesn’t appear to be a serious strain as of now because he is expected back once he is eligible to return.  Leake pitched well in his Giants’ debut giving up only two runs despite taking a loss.  He certainly received a boost in his fantasy value with the trade so stash him for the two weeks he will be out.

Koji Uehara (RP-BOS)

It has been a disastrous season for the Red Sox but Uehara has been a bright spot.  He missed the beginning of the year but has accumulated 25 saves with a sparkling 2.23 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.  Uehara was struck by a line drive on his wrist last week and has been sent back to Boston for some additional tests.  It is likely that he will some time and inevitably be placed on the disabled list depending on the results.  Look for Junichi Tazawa to be first in line for saves while Uehara is out.

Howie Kendrick (2B-LAD)

Kendrick left Sunday night’s game against the Pirates after injuring his hamstring running to first base.  He immediately grabbed the back of his leg after crossing first base and had to be taken out.  The extent of his injury is unknown right now, but it is safe to assume he will miss a game or two at least and quite possibly end up on the disabled list.  Kendrick has been one of the most consistent second basemen in fantasy baseball for many years in terms of batting average, power and run production.

Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),