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Ambulance Chasers: Trout Is Out And Waino In Paino

July 8, 2023 | 2023 Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Baseball Injury Report | 2 Comments

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Good day to you, Razzfam!

Happy almost All-Star Week! Also, welcome to Strained Oblique Season! *toots weak, off-key party horn*

That’s right. We have 3 folks that joined the IL because of that nasty oblique injury (Altuve, Jazz, Royce Lewis). Fear not (or fear…not too much)! The All-Star break is upon us.

Some guys get to go play baseball, and some guys get some badly needed rest. While some guys (me), get to sit in a bar and watch some dudes ROCK SOME BALLS in the Home Run Derby. It all depends on what you are into it!

Unsurprisingly, a bunch of folks hit the IL over the last week, and writing about it all felt a little like when E.T. was all gray and sick in his self-titled film. Luckily, a lot of these injuries should be cleared up once the break is over. However, there are some recurring injuries that continue to rear their ugly head (Corbin Carroll among others) that you may want to keep your eye on and be ready to make a Plan B.

Why E.T. Died, and How It's the Secret to Spielberg's Masterpiece

Let’s get into the long, long list.

Notable Injuries: Week of July 1-7

Jose Altuve (2B, HOU)

Altuve takes another trip to the IL with a strained oblique. The strain is reportedly minor, which means Altuve should be back after the All-Star break.

Corbin Carroll (OF, ARI)

I imagine most of you have seen this clip of Corbin Carroll’s shoulder injury by now. Maybe you grimaced. Maybe you cussed. I have no stock in him, and it hurt to watch.

However, I guess…he’s okay (at the time of publication)? I am adding the question mark because the shoulder issues are recurring. So, while it is great that he is okay for now, I would keep an eye out.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (OF, MIA)

Joining Altuve on the oblique IL is Jazz Chisholm Jr. Jazz is out with a left oblique strain. Currently, the Marlins have Jesús Sánchez, Bryan De La Cruz, and Dane Myers in the outfield.

Even if we look at players outside of the Marlins, Jesús Sánchez looks pretty good recently. In his last 19 PA, Sánchez slashed .389/.421/.778, and he should be available to roster in some leagues.

Thairo Estrada (INF, SFG)

Estrada was hit by a pitch which resulted in a fractured hand. Estrada will be out 4-6 weeks.

Internally, the Giants have Brandon Crawford who has been slashing .253/.321/.333 in his last 75 AB. He has no homers, but he has 19 hits.

Externally, 3B Jeimer Candelario may be a decent solution if you need a general infield replacement. It feels wild writing that, but he has 5 HR in his last 99 AB and the highest fWAR out of all 3B in the NL. He is DTD with a sore knee from a HBP, but he should be back after the All-Star break if not sooner.

Tyler Glasnow (SP, TBR)

Glasnow left a game last night due to cramps in his hand. Presumably, this means he will be fine (at least at the time of publication that is what I am presuming). Hold onto him. He should be back post-All-Star break.

Zack Greinke (SP, KCR)

Greinke is down with shoulder tendinitis, but the injury is not considered serious. So, he too should be back after the All-Star Break, but do you want him? Greinke has hit a rough patch and currently has a 5.44 ERA. Additionally, he is having his worst season since 2006, but hey, what a career.

I wouldn’t think you have Greinke, but just in case you do and need a replacement, Kyle Hendricks, who I evangelized last week in Razzball Ambulance Chasers, is still available in some leagues.

Daniel Hudson (RP, LAD)

Damn. Daniel Hudson cannot catch a break and instead has caught a sprain. A sprained right MCL, more specifically. Hudson had just returned, on June 30, from healing a torn ACL in his left leg. He only pitched in 3 innings before going back on the IL.

So, you had Hudson? I hope you did not lose much because of him, but if you did, may I recommend Taylor Rogers. He only pitched 10 IP in the past 30 days, but he has been very good in that 10 IP (.90 ERA, 2.23 FIP, 0.70 WHIP).

 

Royce Lewis (INF, MIN)

Well, well, another familiar face returns. Royce Lewis is another victim of the strained oblique bug. Lewis has a grade 2 strain which can take about 6 weeks to recover from. It is unfortunate as Lewis has been slashing .326/.354/.474. José Miranda was recalled, but he is not having his best season.

This is another spot where Jeimer Candelario is a good option if he is available in your league.

Dustin May (SP, LAD)

Dustin May was seemingly on the path to recovery when the Dodgers announced earlier this week that May will have season-ending flexor tendon surgery. I don’t imagine you have May, but if you do, he’s not coming back anytime soon. I will go ahead and send you on to the lovely Steamer Projections for the rest of the season.

Shane McClanahan (SP, TBR)

Shane McClanahan hit the 15-day IL with back tightness. McClanahan had some command issues during some of his last performances before hitting the IL, but before that his velocity was down.

The Rays have stated they believe McClanahan will return after the All-Star break. So hold him for now. Hopefully the time off will help any and all issues he has been experiencing in an otherwise impressive season.

Cal Quantrill (SP, CLE)

Quantrill is out with right shoulder inflammation, an issue that has been nagging him for over a month now. All of this has contributed to his worst season, thus far, in the MLB.

Perhaps it is time to look at someone like Miles Mikolas or, if you want to get really wild, try Alek Manoah again. I am not saying they are fully reliable, but if you are looking for a Quantrill replacement, you’ll accept these suggestions and like it.

Rowdy Tellez (1B, MIL)

Every time Rowdy Tellez comes up to bat, I say “It’s Rowdy Time!”, and I will not be able to say that any time soon because Tellez is out with right forearm inflammation. Injury aside, Rowdy has been in a slump. He is slashing .136/.186/.173 with no home runs in the last 30 days. I feel like I have written this a lot in this particular edition of Razzball Ambulance Chasers, but Rowdy is also currently in the worst season of his career (for now).

Owen Miller has been playing at 1B in Rowdy’s absence, and it could be going better! However, he is fast as hell.

Owen Miller stats (not good) as of 7.7.23

There are like at least 50 dudes you can find that are doing better than Rowdy or Owen at the moment. Could I interest you in Ryan O’Hearn?

Mike Trout (DH/OF, LAA)

Another familiar face sadly makes their return to the IL. Trout is out with a fractured hamate that required surgical intervention. Trout could be out for around 6 weeks.

The Angels have Ohtani who can DH. In the outfield they have Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak, and Jo Adell. Mickey Moniak currently has the 4th highest WAR (1.5)  on the Angels roster but is only 50% rostered.

 

Michael Wacha (SP, SDP)

Wacha went on the IL for shoulder inflammation, but it is not a serious event. He should be back after the All-Star break.

Adam Wainwright (SP, STL)

Wainwright went back on the IL with a strained shoulder, and while it is a bummer, he is in the twilight of his career.

The Cards have Miles Mikolas (aforementioned), Jordan Montgomery, and Jack Flaherty taking the most starts. Mikolas is available in some leagues.

Griffin Canning and JP Sears might be available in your league to pick up in place of Wainwright.

Garrett Whitlock (SP, BOS)

Garrett Whitlock went on the 15-day IL with a bone bruise. The issue is not expected to be serious, but it puts the already SP-thin Red Sox in a tough spot.

If you are looking for some other options, I have listed quite a few above. However, I would love to hear your SP surprises (the good kind) or other interesting pick-up notes in the comments.

Other Injuries

There were a few other players who have found themselves on the IL.

  • Tyler Alexander (RP, DET), strained shoulder
  • Ji-Hwan Bae (2B/CF, PIT), sprained ankle
  • Jonathan Davis (OF, MIA), right knee
  • Anthony DeSclafani (SP, SFG), shoulder fatigue
  • Joe Kelly (RP, CWS), elbow inflammation
  • Andrew Knizner (C, STL), groin discomfort
  • Nick Madrigal (INF, CHC), strained hamstring
  • Wyatt Mills (RP, BOS), Tommy John surgery
  • Andrew Nardi (RP, MIA), triceps inflammation
  • Carlos Pérez (C, OAK), fractured thumb
  • Cionel Pérez (RP, BAL), forearm discomfort
  • Drew VerHagen (RP, STL), hip impingement
  • Thaddeus Ward ( RP/SP, WSN), shoulder inflammation

That’s it for this week! Hit me up in the comments for any specific updates.

Whew, what a list! Share in the comments how you are feeling as we head into the All-Star Break. You can also always hit me up on Twitter: @keelin_12ft.

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