Ambulance Chasers: All Is Not Schwell

I made a huge mistake this season. Spencer Schwellenbach was one of my favorite SP targets throughout the year and I was scooping him up around his ADP where I could. The Braves magically formed another ace named Spencer out of thin air and I was not missing the boat this time.

Sadly–in one of my best leagues to date–I had the option of taking Schwellenbach once more but opted for another SP in his range who I had not drafted as much because he had a better schedule to start the season…that pitcher was Bailer Ober. The good news now is that none of it matters, so, yeah.

Anyway, if there were any injuries missed, feel free to yell at me in the comments or on Twitter/X @RotoSurgeon.

Injuries to Monitor

Spencer Schwellenbach (SP, ATL) Elbow

I love to check my phone randomly mid-day and see one of the MLB’s best pitchers ruled out for half the season. Spencer Schwellenbach’s fractured elbow hit the timeline like Oppenheimer. I still haven’t recovered…he was not even pitching that day!

Pitchers and elbow injuries go together like salt on snails. There is no point in even holding him on your IL at this point for the *hope* of a September return. All we can pray for is that this injury had no ligaments involved and was merely just a bone. I am probably out on Schwellenbach next season unless he’s going just outside of the top-100 picks again.

Corbin Carroll (OF, ARI) Wrist

If he can hit through a dislocated shoulder, he can hit through a broken wrist! Corbin Carroll returned to the field this week to play in a rehab assignment and will be activated from the Injured List shortly. Manager Terry Luvollo indicated Carroll’s return as “imminent” which is a shock considering that he has only missed three weeks with his fractured wrist.

Max Muncy (3B, LAD) Knee

The Dodgers announced that Max Muncy will miss at least the next six weeks with a bone bruise he suffered against the White Sox during Clayton Kershaw’s quest for 3000 strikeouts. The play took the air out of the crowd as Kershaw was pitching in his final inning of the game with one strikeout to go.

Luckily, there have been no reports of ligament damage. Muncy is unlikely to help much during the rest of this fantasy season. At least “six weeks” translates to two months, if not more. With the Dodgers cruising to another playoff berth, they will not push Muncy until he is close to 100%.

Tyler Glasnow (SP, LAD) Shoulder

Some positive injury news for the Dodgers comes within their rotation. Tyler Glasnow is reportedly preparing to return and could be back as soon as next week. The staff ace missed all of May and June but was always a priority for the home stretch. The Dodgers are likely to cap Glasnow’s innings and pitches per game to keep him healthy. Fantasy managers should just be grateful to have him back.

Clarke Schmidt (SP, NYY) Forearm

The Yankees announced that Clarke Schmidt is dealing with forearm tightness after leaving his most recent start early. Schmidt’s adjusted his pitches to induce more soft contact with flyballs this season and it has resulted in success. Unfortunately, forearm injuries are often just elbow injuries in disguise. This could derail him upon return. Throw Schmidt on the IL but do not be shocked if he is shelled upon return.

Yordan Alvarez (OF, HOU) Hand

I still have no clue what is going on with Yordan Alvarez. The Astros called him “day-to-day” two weeks ago. Recently, he was spotted with a cast on his hand during a flight (the post was deleted shortly after). Whatever is going on, it is odd and reminiscent of how the Astros treated Kyle Tucker’s shin” contusion” that kept him out for most of the season.

If you have Alvarez, the best course of action is to grit your teeth and keep holding on IL until we have a firm timetable. If we still have no information come later this month…move on.

Brandon Woodruff (SP, MIL) Shoulder

Brandon Woodruff is returning to an MLB mound for the first time in two years. The long-awaited start for Woodruff is incredible for him, but fantasy managers should heed caution. Woodruff has had a solid run in Triple-A with a 3.55 ERA through seven starts. However, his K-BB is a pedestrian 14.2% and he is giving up many flyballs (30.6%).

Woodruff is fine as a speculative add in 12-team leagues and deeper. The best bet is to keep him on your bench for a start or two unless the format is a points league. We love starting names in fantasy but sometimes the big names hurt us the most.

Kerry Carpenter (OF, DET) Hamstring

Detroit placed Kerry Carpenter on the 10-day IL due to a hamstring strain he suffered last Sunday. This injury is deemed minor, but with the nature of hamstring injuries, Carpenter could require more than the minimum stay. The Tigers are on fire this season and Carpenter’s power is a big reason for it. He should slot right back into a near-everyday role upon return unless he suffers a setback (God forbid).