Just as a couple Yankees return, another one joins the injured list.  This is becoming a running joke in terms of the Yankees injury issues, but fantasy GMs are not laughing.  This edition of the injury report is dominated by pitchers, so GMs will continue to have to pick up pieces off the scrap heap to try and navigate the tumultuous pitching categories in Roto leagues.  So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy baseball emergency room.

 

James Paxton (SP-NYY)

The Yankees can add another key player to their impressive injured list as James Paxton was placed on the 10-day IL with a knee injury.  He was removed from his last start after the recurring soreness acted up and he is now on the shelf for at least three weeks. Paxton got off to a rough start to the season but had been pitching like an ace of late.  He is currently 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in 37.2 innings. Jonathan Loaisiga will replace Paxton in the Yankees rotation and try and build on his three impressive appearances thus far. Loaisiga is a solid waiver wire target to stream over the next few weeks.

 

Juan Soto (OF-WAS)

The Nationals finally placed Soto on the 10-day injured list after trying wait several days to see if he would be able to return from his back spasms.  Ultimately he has been shut down and will now receive treatment for several days before resuming baseball activities. The roster move is retroactive to May 1 so he is eligible to return on May 11.  It is unclear at this point whether he will return once eligible but he will look to build on his .248 batting average with six home runs, 22 RBI, 16 runs scored and three stolen bases.

 

Khris Davis (DH-OAK)

Davis was removed from Sunday’s game against the Pirates after he crashed into the outfield wall while making a catch.  He had to play the field over the weekend because of the A’s interleague series in Pittsburgh. Fortunately it appears that he avoided anything more than a contusion on his left hip and he is expected back in the lineup on Tuesday.  Davis has cooled down quite a bit after an explosive start to the season as he is batting .229 with ten home runs, 26 RBI and 20 runs scored.

 

Luis Severino (SP-NYY)

Severino has been out all season with a shoulder injury and will not be back until after the All Star break.  This news is no surprise but was confirmed by Brian Cashman recently which gives fantasy GMs a better idea on what to do with the Yankees ace.  Severino is available on the waiver wire in many standard leagues so GMs have a decision to make whether they want to use a valuable bench or IL slot for him over the next couple months.  It is a risky proposition because Severino will have to go through several rehab starts and avoid any setbacks before we can trust him as a viable fantasy option in the second half.

 

Blake Treinen (RP-OAK)

The A’s closer is suffering from tendonitis in his right elbow and has not been available out of the bullpen over the past couple days.  He has been receiving anti-inflammatory treatment and reported feeling some improvement. He was evaluated earlier this week which came back relatively clean, so he should be able to avoid the injured list.  He is coming off an almost perfect 2018 season and is 1-2 thus far with a 3.00 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and six saves in 12 games thus far. Lou Trivino would most likely see save opportunities in Treinen’s absence so keep him on your radar.

 

Jameson Taillon (SP-PIT)

Fantasy GMs will be without Jameson Taillon for at least well over a month after he was shut down with flexor strain in his right elbow.  Taillon has already had Tommy John surgery and the Pirates are sending him back to the surgeon who performed the procedure for another opinion.  Taillon recently underwent an MRI which did not reveal any UCL damage which is good news, but Pittsburgh will shut him down for at least a month before re-evaluating him.  Taillon was 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA thus far and is a good candidate to stash for the time being assuming you have an available bench or IL slot. GMs should be prepared to be without him until close to the All Star break in a best case scenario.

 

Shohei Ohtani (DH-LAA)

It looks as though Shohei Ohtani could make his 2019 debut on Tuesday against the Tigers as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.  He has been playing on a rehab assignment and barring any unforeseen issues should return to the lineup in Detroit. Ohtani will primarily be the Angels designated hitter as they avoid any throwing for him until next season.  He did hit .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBI in his rookie season so he is worth grabbing off the waiver wire if he is still available.

 

Lorenzo Cain (OF-MIL)

Cain was removed from Sunday’s game after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand and then he was held out of the lineup again on Monday.  X-rays did not reveal any fractures so Cain should be back on the field within a matter of days until any lingering pain or swelling subsides.  He is a viable OF3 in any league formnat batting .259 with four home runs, 14 RBI, 25 runs scored and three stolen bases.

 

David Price (SP-BOS)

The Red Sox placed Price on the 10-day injured list with tendinitis in his left elbow.  He claims that this injury is not as serious as his previous elbow injury which cost him significant time a couple years ago.  The expectation is that he will miss a couple starts and hopefully be back by the end of May. Price is 1-2 thus far with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in six start.  GMs should obviously stash him on the bench or an IL slot as this does not appear to be an injury which will require him to miss too much time.

 

Steven Matz (SP-NYM)

In a shock to no one, Steven Matz is dealing with an injury.  What is shocking is that Matz has actually pitched well thus far going 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in seven starts.  These numbers are even more impressive considering he had one start where he allowed eight runs without retiring a batter. Matz is dealing with a nerve issue in his left forearm and received a cortisone injection earlier this week.  The Mets have indicated that he will miss his next start but they are hopeful he can avoid a trip to the injured list. Given the Mets history with injuries, this could mean that Matz will have his left leg amputated next week.

 

Jason Vargas (SP-NYM)

Speaking of injuries to Mets starting pitchers, here is one that Mets fans and fantasy GMs are probably happy about.  Jason Vargas has been placed on the 10-day injured list with tightness in his left hamstring. To his credit, he has pitched better of late but he is still 1-2 with a 5.92 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in six starts.  Vargas has absolutely no fantasy value in any league format so he should remain on the waiver wire where he belongs even when fully healthy. None of the options to replace Vargas in the Mets rotation are worth streaming, so pass over any Mets starters you see that are available.