Howdy, Razzfolks!
Well, *insert “San Andreas Here We Go Again” meme*
So, we know Thursday’s NYY/BOS game was postponed due to a few positive COVID-19 cases with Yankees players. There were actually more before the All-Star Game. Six in total, and three are fantasy relevant names: Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela, and Jonathan Loaisiga. Now we’ve got an issue with the Rockies, but so far no one terribly fantasy relevant is affected. But the point is this: COVID is absolutely a thing again. And it will continue to be. This delta variant ain’t no joke; be careful out there, y’all.
This week is a quality-over-quantity type injury report. Not as many names as in past editions, but this week’s names are big ones. Arguably the biggest of ones.
Infielders
Adalberto Mondesi: IL (oblique) – Tiny little update for yinz on Mondesi. He’s progressed enough to begin swinging a bat. No timetable yet, but we’re getting closer. You’re probably at a point where you’re having to prioritize who’s on your IL. This guy should be one of ’em.
Buster Posey: IL (thumb) – Posey still isn’t ready to be activated even though he’s now eligible. Giants are considering him DTD right now.
Francisco Lindor: DTD (side) – Lindor left last night’s game with a side injury of some sort. If that’s an oblique, then…oof. Wait and see.
Luke Voit: IL (knee) – Geez. Voit’s knees are about as useful as Mondesi’s obliques. Which is to say, they’re s***. Some kind of bone bruise this time, apparently. They don’t even know how it happened lol. That’s the Yankees medical staff for ya! No timeframe for a return, cuz of course there isn’t.
Outfielders
Eloy Jimenez: IL (pectoral) – Eloy has been rehabbing all week, homering a week ago in the first game. You absolutely have to need to must add and stash if you can. Do it this very instant.
Nick Castellanos: DTD (wrist/hand) – Casty left last night’s game after getting hit by a pitch. Look liked his right wrist or maybe his hand. Stay tuned for any updates on severity.
Ronald Acuna Jr.: IL (knee) – Well, there you have it. 2021 went 3021 on our asses. You’ve heard of blockbuster trades? I call these blockbuster rosterbusters. Acuna had to be carted off the field last Saturday. Torn ACL. He’s done for the year and will probably miss a good chunk of the first half of 2022. He’s the consensus #1 overall pick in my book, and now you’re without him for the crucial part of the season. Two of my teams are. Loveeee itttttttt.
Starters
Aaron Nola: IL (COVID) – Nola was scheduled to start Sunday but then wound up on the COVID-IL that same day. He’s scheduled to start Tuesday, though.
Chris Sale: IL (TJS recovery) – Sale looked masterful in his first rehab start Thursday, striking out 5 in just three scoreless innings. Not high-level competition, but still gotta be amped if you’ve got him stashed away for a second-half run. Also, cuz this:
Chris Sale is "a lot stronger" than he was a few seasons ago
?https://t.co/96uf1kkxq1— NESN (@NESN) July 16, 2021
Clayton Kershaw: IL (forearm) – MRI was encouraging so hopefully he’s not out too long, but Kershaw has no timetable right now for getting back into the Dodgers rotation.
Ian Anderson: IL (shoulder) – More like IL Landerson, amirite? Lol good one. But yeah, Anderson is now on the IL with shoulder inflammation.
John Means: IL (shoulder) – One of 2021’s best feel-good stories is getting mighty close to returning to the Orioles. Means went 3 innings (needed 74 pitches…but he’s rusty!) Thursday and there were no issues after. So the good news here is he ramped up his pitch count and is feeling fine. He should rejoin the O’s early this coming week most likely.
Sonny Gray: IL (rib) – Gray should be activated tomorrow! More like Sonny Yay, amirite?!
Yu Darvish: IL(hip) – Darvish has been dealing with a hip injury but is expected to be activated Monday.
Yusei Kikuchi: IL (COVID) – Add another one to the COVID-IL. Kikuchi landed there back on Sunday. Poor feller had to miss the All-Star Game, but he should be back with the Mariners this weekend sometime.
Relievers
Lucas Sims: IL (elbow) – Apparently it’s already clear that Sims won’t be back until August now at the earliest. It was sounding like late July until news broke yesterday that that will not be the case. Keep them Heath Hembree shares.
Michael Lorenzen: Lorenzen was activated yesterday. He was on my radar entering the year but then got hurt. The Reds pen is still without Tejay Antone and now Sims for longer than expected, so Lorenzen should get late-inning work. Hembree is killing it as closer, finishing out the first half in very strong fashion as one of fantasy’s best RP over the last two weeks (raw stats-wise and metrics-wise). Wouldn’t expect Lorenzen in the save mix because of that, but if you need holds, he could be a good add.
Nick Anderson: IL (elbow) – Anderson threw live BP yesterday. That’s all I got, but it’s not bad news!
Find me on Twitter: @jkj0787. DMs are always open for questions, comments, concerns, complaints, etc. Odds are good I’m drinking black coffee, dark beer, or some form of bourbon at any given time.
