Hellllooooo, Razzball!
Welcome back to another exciting week of Razzball Ambulance Chasers, where you can’t live with them, and thanks to a Grade 2 oblique strain, neither will your roster.
Coming into this edition of Ambulance Chasers, stocks are up (for me). In case you haven’t noticed, injuries have increased two-fold in July and August compared to the prior months of the season. In August, there has been an increase in soft tissues to various parts of the body. Luckily, the soft tissue issues aren’t keeping anyone down too long. However, elbow inflammation has been a big issue across both July and August (so far!).
Before I go too negative, here are some silver linings as we hit this critical August timeline where you might need replacements: Daniel Palencia (RP, CHC) returned from elbow inflammation to bolster that bullpen. Chase DeLauter (OF, CLE) is back in the outfield after dealing with a hamstring issue. Finally, Ben Joyce (RP, LAA) has looked pretty good (though with a small sample size), providing SO and SV for you.
Despite the heavy month, this week’s Must-Cover count is light. What the news lacks in quantity, it makes up for in devastation. We’ve got new hamstring casualties, a shoulder issue that’s likely season-ending, and the usual parade of elbows. Come have a seat as I share an anthology of great sufferings with you.
Updates From Last Time
Let’s do a quick check-in on some injury situations from the August 6 edition of Ambulance Chasers:
Hunter Greene (SP, CIN): A worst-case scenario materialized. Last time we left off, Greene was to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Well, he did. Greene had a second Tommy John surgery on August 13. He will definitely be out the rest of the season and may be out all of 2027 as well.
Shane McClanahan (SP, TBR): McClanahan is back in action after back tightness. Back back.
Juan Soto (OF, NYM): Soto has made some strides (ba-dum-tss) in his calf strain recovery and was recently spotted doing running drills. He remains without a definitive timeline to return.
James Wood (OF, WSN): His mild oblique strain recovery has been slightly slower than anticipated per reports, keeping him sidelined past his initial eligibility window.
The Triage Report: Pitchers
Nathan Eovaldi (SP, TEX) – Elbow Inflammation
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 08/25 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Eovaldi landed on the IL with posterior elbow inflammation. At 36 years old and 132.7 IP so far this season, he made it pretty far.
Current outlook: Because of the aforementioned workload, this may not be a quick fix. The Rangers will likely be cautious, and rightly so. Last time he experienced an injury like this, he was out for a month.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. While he hasn’t had the greatest season, he is a workhorse.
Replacement: You don’t have to go far to find Cal Quantrill (TEX, SP).
- Last 7 Days: 2 starts, 7.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB, 6.4 K/9, 0.0 BB/9
- Last 30 Days: 4 starts (6 games), 27.3 IP, 1.65 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 16 H, 5 ER, 23 K, 8 BB, 7.6 K/9, 2.6 BB/9
Final: Rangers 5, Nats 0. Jackson Kent labored again in his second MLB start. The lineup was shut out by Cal Quantrill and the Texas pen. Nationals now 5-14 over the last 3 weeks.
— Mark Zuckerman (@markzuckerman.bsky.social) 2026-08-19T02:42:35.717Z
Max Fried (SP, NYY) – Elbow Bone Bruise
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 08/29 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Bone bruise on the elbow.
Current outlook: A bone bruise should not be a big deal, but it depends on how someone heals. This is Fried’s second bone bruise of the season. I’m sure it’ll be just fine! By all reports, he should be back relatively soon. That sounds positive, right?
Fantasy impact: High. While Fried has dealt with injuries, he has still been pretty solid.
Replacement: Griffin Jax might be back soon. For now, Brayan Bello.
Edwin Díaz (RP, LAD) – Neck Inflammation (After Elbow Surgery)
IL: 15-Day | Status: Already throwing, expects return in final month
What happened: Díaz’s 2026 season is an injury apocalypse.
Current outlook: Díaz is already throwing catch. The Dodgers have said they expect him back in the final month of the season.
Best case scenario for Edwin Diaz. #FunnellVision💬 @ByJackHarris: Dave Roberts said Edwin Díaz got a “best-case” prognosis from his doctor’s visit todayMRI came back clean. No other “findings” in his neckHe’ll be shut down from throw…🐦 https://x.com/sportz_nutt51/status/2090251143800569938
— Dave Funnell (bot) (@sportz-nutt51-bot.bsky.social) 2026-08-20T01:36:42.970236+00:00
Fantasy impact: Critical, but not the way it was supposed to be. Díaz came to Los Angeles and kind of stinks. If you still have him, maybe it’s time to let go.
Replacement: See below.
Garrett Whitlock (RP, BOS) – Elbow Inflammation
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 08/25 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Whitlock goes down the yellow brick road to the elbow inflammation club.
Current outlook: Whitlock has thrown 44 IP this year, but he had some appearances in quick succession in June. So, it could be wear and tear.
Fantasy impact: Moderate to high depending on your league.
Replacement: Chad Patrick (MIL).
chad patrick struck out 4 of 7 outs.aaron ashby struck out 4 of 6 outs.bullpen mastery continues.another 4 1/3 scoreless.they have not allowed a run over 15 1/3 innings in the series.
— creamcityjw (@creamcityjw.bsky.social) 2026-08-20T20:53:41.068Z
Also, Mason Montgomery.
this will probably sound like hyperbole but i'm not sure i remember a pirate reliever ever being as dominant as mason montgomery has been since late june.
— working towards a 2034 window of contention (@whygavs.com) 2026-08-19T21:08:39.172Z
Abner Uribe (RP, MIL) – Strained Forearm Flexor
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 08/26 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Uribe goes down with a flexor strain in the throwing arm.
Current outlook: He’s expected to be out the minimum stay.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. He’s not a closer, and he should be back soon if all goes well.
Replacement: Daniel Duarte (NYM).
- Last 7 Days: 4 G, 4.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 6 K, 0 BB, 13.5 K/9
- Last 30 Days: 13 G, 16.3 IP, 1.10 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 16 K, 4 BB, 8.8 K/9, 2 SV, 4 HLD
Oh look, a JKJ post about Daniel Duarte.
All P with at least 3 SVHD, 0.99 WHIP or lower, and 33% or less Ros% on Fantrax over the last 14 days:Tyler HoltonAndrew KittredgeBradgley RodriguezDaniel DuarteBrock BurkeNate LavenderJustin BruihlSteven CruzNames to watch down the fantasy [email protected]
I also liked Laura’s write-up about Gerardo Carrillo (ARI) in Rolling In The Deep: Post Deadline Lowe-Down.
The Triage Report: Hitters
Hunter Goodman (C, COL) – Strained Shoulder
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/25 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Goodman heads to the IL with left shoulder strain.
Current outlook: It’s difficult to be a catcher if you can’t throw well. This one could be at least 2-3 weeks, but he could be back when eligible (source).
Fantasy impact: High mainly because catchers are running thin enough that his absence tightens that belt.
Replacement: Eduardo Valencia (DET) is only 28% rostered. His last few ABs haven’t been great, but to be fair, he only debuted less than a month and a half ago. In his last 47 AB, he hit 16 H with 4 HR and 14 RBIs.
Eduardo Valencia has 3 home runs in his first 13 MLB at-bats.
— Jason Beck (@jasonbeck.bsky.social) 2026-07-28T23:20:51.169Z
Dansby Swanson (SS, CHC) – Strained Oblique
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/27 | Status: Expected to miss 4-6 weeks
What happened: Swanson strained his oblique.
Current outlook: The Cubs kindly provided a timeline: 4-6 weeks. A September return is the best case scenario.
Fantasy impact: Critical. Swanson is widely rostered and anchors middle-infield strategies. His absence creates cascading problems.
Replacement: Take a short drive over to a potentially available Chase Meidroth (CHW).
Ketel Marte (2B, ARI) – Personal Issues and Knee/Hamstring Inflammation
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/30 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Marte hit the IL with knee and hamstring inflammation after some drama with the Diamondbacks org and a “no-show” ahead of a series against Boston.
Current outlook: Hoo boy.
Fantasy impact: High.
Replacement: Another week that Luis Rengifo (SDP) woke up from whatever bad dream he was having in Milwaukee.
🔁 @TooMuchMortons_ retweeted@JustBB_Media Luis Rengifo has undergone an offensive transformation since joining the San Diego Padres, becoming a key piece of their lineup.Our @ethanpenrod_21 has more on the 29-year-old's recent success:https://t.co/IGzkjamoU6
— Padres Twitter Bot (@padres-bot.bsky.social) 2026-08-21T18:49:28.140893+00:00
Riley Greene (OF, DET) – Strained Hamstring
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/22 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Greene exited with a hamstring strain, which makes running hard.
Current outlook: Greene is expected to return late August or early September. It’s possible his running could be limited. So, keep an eye on that.
Fantasy impact: High. Never super great with a player who contributes across multiple categories goes down.
Replacement: Am I going to suggest Andrew Benintendi (CHW)? At only 15% rostered, Benintendi has posted solid numbers: .248 AVG, .311 OBP, .737 OPS in 377 PA this season;.286 AVG, .325 OBP, .736 OPS in 24 PA over the last 7 days). I know. I know.
Also take a look at Jacob Young (WSH), who offers similar production in a more available form.
Secondary Impact / Quick Hits
Masataka Yoshida (DH/OF, BOS) – Left Hamstring Strain
A hamstring strain on a DH is not the end of the world. It’s just that late August is not ideal timing. Expect our normal 2-3 weeks until we hear otherwise.
Maikel Garcia (3B, KC) – Hamstring Strain
Right back on the IL he goes. We can guess 2-3 weeks for now.
CJ Abrams (SS, WSH) – Ankle Soreness
DTD, but we could possibly see him move to the IL.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B, TOR) – Concussion:
Should be back today.
Devin Williams (RP, NYM) – Strained Shoulder
Expected to be a brief absence.
Tyler Soderstrom (C, ATH) – Hip Surgery
Season-ending hip surgery.
Trey Yesavage (SP, TOR) – Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Had meniscus repair. Resumed throwing.
Jacob Wilson (SS, ATH) – Left Shoulder Injury:
Heading back for medical evaluation with season likely over.
The Takeaways
August baseball is a war of attrition as the reality of workload starts catching up.
You may have noticed many hamstring injuries this time around. Budget 2-3 weeks for those.
And as always, don’t assume the eligible dates are the actual return dates as some teams may decide to be conservative as the season dwindles.
That’s it for this week. It’s a cruel summer, especially in August. See you next time!
I’m Keelin, your bi-weekly reminder that no timeline means no timeline. You can find me on Bluesky at keelin12ft.bsky.social.
This column focuses on injury situations that meaningfully affect fantasy baseball decisions. It is not a complete injury ledger or a prediction of exact timelines. Teams are often vague, information changes quickly, and this is best viewed as a snapshot of where things stand.
