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Ambulance Chasers: Hicksception

September 16, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Injury Report | 1 Comment

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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