Happy Saturday, Razzophiles!
As the regular season winds down, it is time to remember the good times.
Obviously, I am looking at injuries and who can cover for the injured all through the season. I have found myself going to Aaron Hicks on and off ever since he moved to Baltimore. While Hicks has, by no means, been elite for the Orioles, he has been an unexpectedly useful piece later in the season, and that applies to fantasy rosters too. I write about it in the article, but in his last 36 AB he is hitting .417 /.500/.556.
At .291 Aaron Hicks is still batting around 20 points higher than the best hitting Yankee (Torres at .272). pic.twitter.com/vj4O12VvrP
— Greg Bird forever (@gbirdforever) September 15, 2023
Every season there are a few interesting and emerging players. However, it is pretty sweet to witness a player who was derided by a fan base (and by that I mean, a fan base I am not a part of [don’t bring up Lance Lynn; I’ll cry]) get their groove back.
Let’s get into the messy business!
Notable Injuries September 9 – September 15
Brandon Belt (1B, TOR)
Belt is back (no pun intended) on the IL because of lower back spasms. He has been dealing with back issues on and off this season. It’s not a great time for the Blue Jays whose time to make the playoffs dwindles. Spencer Horwitz and Vladimir Guerro Jr. have been covering 1B thus far.
If you are in a keeper league, Horwitz is a compelling option for you as he already has a mature plate approach. It is likely he will see more playing time with the Blue Jays next season. In 30 AB, Horwitz is hitting .300/.382/.467 with 3 BB.
Outside of the Blue Jays, you could take a look at 1B Dominic Smith who may be on a little hot streak. So, he’s hitting .409/.435/.773 in his last 22 AB.
Dominic Smith – Washington Nationals (9)
pic.twitter.com/3hMbfxMzXA— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) September 14, 2023
Jeimer Candelario (3B, CHC)
Candelario is out with a strained lower back. Candelario was traded from Washington to Chicago during the trade deadline. Candelario had a notable hot streak earlier this season (I recommended him as a widely available replacement for a few weeks). However, he has struggled with the Cubs recently, and his back was probably not helping things.
Colorado’s Elehuris Montero is hitting .380/.463/.620 in his last 71 AB. In his more recent 24 AB, Montero is hitting .458/.519/.708 and 3 RBIs. Hachi machi. Montero is currently only 18% rostered.
Elehuris Montero – Colorado Rockies (7) https://t.co/pvpxrh3DuF
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) September 13, 2023
Nolan Gorman (2B, STL)
No-lan Gor-man *clap clap clapclapclap*. Gorman is down with a strained hamstring that is supposedly grade 2, but I am having trouble finding a reliable source for this information. If it is in fact a grade 2 strain, those can take 21 days to heal.
The Dodger Chris Taylor could be a suitable replacement and, in fact, an upgrade if you are down Gorman. Taylor is only 45% rostered and hitting .302/.397/.524 and 3 HR in his last 63 AB.
Chris Taylor is batting 3rd tonight for the Dodgers.
Over the last 33 days, CT3 is hitting .338 with a .996 OPS. He has a 174 wRC+ in that span.
Feels like nobody has been talking about this! Love to see Taylor heat up before the playoffs!
pic.twitter.com/c3SzAuLkyQ— sky (@GonsolinRBW) September 13, 2023
Kenley Jansen (RP, BOS)
Kenley Jansen is down with COVID-19 and not eligible to return until September 20.
Jansen will be back soon enough. In the interim, Tampa Bay’s Colin Poche is 0% rostered. Believe it or not, Poche has a 1.63 ERA with a 1.67 FIP in his last 11 IP. His FIP has improved recently, but for the entire season, he has a 2.15 ERA with .222 BABIP.
The MLB leader in RP wins is Colin Poche with 12. He’s tied for 14th among all pitchers with aces like Kershaw, Freddy Peralta and Aaron Nola (former ace Aaron Nola). Definitely feel like he’s gone under the radar this year with him not getting many save chances for the Rays
— Ben Tidd (@BreakingBen_T) September 15, 2023
Jonathan Loáisiga (RP, NYY)
Earlier in the season, Loáisiga experienced elbow inflammation that resulted in surgery for a bone spur. Despite having surgery, Loáisiga’s inflammation has returned and marks the end of Loáisiga’s season.
You could take a look at Cleveland’s Sam Hentges. In his last 13.7 IP, Hentges has a 0.00 ERA, 1.17 FIP, and K:BB 19:4. Hentges is on and off with control issues. So, he may still be figuring that out there.
Last 30 Days PA xwOBA Relief Pitcher Leaders
—
1. Matt Strahm
2. JoJo Romero
3. Chris Stratton
4. Jeff Hoffman
5. Ian Hamilton
6. Trevor Megill
7. Emmanuel Clase
8. Andres Muñoz
9. Hoby Milner
10. Sam Hentges
11. Tyler Holton
12. Bowden Francis
13. Tristan Beck
14 Raisel Iglesias— Jay Willy (@jaywillyff) September 1, 2023
José Miranda (3B, MIN)
Miranda had season-ending shoulder surgery. That’s it. That’s all. I don’t think you had him, but if you did, he’s done. Sorry.
Arizona’s Josh Rojas is 42% rostered and on a tear this month. In his last 69 (don’t laugh) AB, he has hit .319/.382 /.478 with 3 HR and 10 RBI. He also has 11 SB.
MLB Players with 10+ Stolen Bases and 0 Caught Stealings this season
Trea Turner (26)
Ozzie Albies (12)
Josh Rojas (11)
Javier Báez (11)
— BrooksGate (@Brooks_Gate) September 13, 2023
Jose Siri (OF, TBR)
Siri’s season suddenly became questionable after he sustained a hand fracture after being HBP. The Rays expect Siri to return in 3 weeks. Sooooo, yeah. That’s pretty questionable.
So you find yourself in need of an outfielder? Aaron Hicks has been picking up more AB and looking quite appealing. Hicks has hit .441/.513/.588 with 5 BB in his last 34 AB. A large chunk of that performance comes from the last week where Hicks destroyed lefties.. Is this The Aaron Hicks Renaissance of The Aaron Hicks Renaissance (Hicksception)? If you’re missing Jose Siri, you can find out.
If you put a lefty on the mound against Aaron Hicks, your team is going to lose. pic.twitter.com/RK3L5QOxpM
— ?am Brice (@kambrice1tv) September 13, 2023
Max Scherzer (SP, TEX)
Scherzer’s season comes to a stop due to a strained teres major (back/shoulder). As a result, Scherzer’s regular season is over, and any playoff appearances are questionable (and doubtful). Scherzer won’t need surgery though. Hooray?
Have Scherzer? Well, you’re screwed. Sorry.
Other Injuries
- Riley Adams (C, WSN), hand surgery (fractured hamate; out for the season)
- Adbert Alzolay (RP, CHC), strained forearm
- Jasson Domínguez (OF, NYY)
- Stuart Fairchild (OF, CIN), COVID-19
- Tim Hill (RP, SDP), sprained left ring finger
- Dylan Lee (RP, ATL), shoulder inflammation
- Sean Reid-Foley (RP, NYM), strained lat
- Wander Suero (RP, LAD), lower back tightness
- Gus Varland (RP, LAD), knee inflammation
- Cole Waites (RP, SFG), Tommy John surgery (out for the season)
Hit me up in the comments for specific injury updates, and I will give you a run down!
Thanks for reading! Next week will be the last Ambulance Chasers for the season. I am really interested to know what injuries threatened your team and how you handled them. Additionally, share with me anything you’d like to see out of Ambulance Chasers next season. Hit me up here or on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.