Ambulance Chasers: Tyler Glasnost Opens Door To Injury

Welcome back to another riveting edition of Razzball Ambulance Chasers, your fantasy baseball injury analysis with a dash of buffoonery and goofery.

We have some pitcher injuries in this edition, but the injuries don’t sound as devastating as usual. There are many options available to cover for those infirmed: Bowden Francis, Edwin Uceta, Joel Payamps, and some others that we will talk more about below.

*flamboyantly unrolls a long sheet of paper* Let’s check out the wounds.

Notable Injuries

AL Central

Alex Cobb (SP, CLE), fingernail: Cobb recovered from his hip ailment, but now he has a little nagging problem: a torn fingernail. Although it seems small, the fingernail and blister issues can be tricky. Need someone to fill your Alex Cobb shaped hole? Toronto’s Bowden Francis is only 52% rostered in RCL. In his last 25 IP, Bowden has thrown 8.6 K/9 and  0.7 BB/9.

Bowden Francis: 14 IP, 15 K, 0.64 ERA
Trea Turner: 10-for-21, 4 XBH, 1.262 OPS

Your @Chevrolet AL and NL Players of the Week! pic.twitter.com/aXLxPQi8Mp

— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2024

AL East

Pete Fairbanks (RP, TBR), lat: Fairbanks joins the growing list of players that have caught the latitis, or, in actual medical speak, a strained lat. Kevin Cash shared that Fairbanks would not throw at all for 2-4 weeks. Fairbanks’ teammate Edwin Uceta is a good option here. In his last 16.3 IP, Uceta has thrown 12.7 K/9 and 1.1 BB/9. Another option here is Detroit’s Tyler Holton. Holton threw 7.0 K/9 and 0.9 BB/9 in his last 19.3 IP.

The Edwin Uceta development is amazing. He was DFA’d/released 6 different times in a 2 year stretch.

Rays now have a controllable 26 yo throwing from his lowest slot ever and with a very good new cutter. His 0.90 ERA, 1.53 xERA & 1.59 FIP are all top-2 ranks in MLB (min. 30 IP). pic.twitter.com/MNDnKDWA6q

— Rays Metrics (@RaysMetrics) August 21, 2024

Luis Gil (SP, NYY), back: Gil is sent to the IL with a minor strained lower back. He is expected to come off the IL around September 5. The Yankees recalled Will Warren.

Aaron Boone said Luis Gil’s back injury is “minor.” The hope is he can be ready to pitch after he’s off the IL.

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) August 21, 2024

This is another spot where Bowden Francis could work. The A’s Osvaldo Bido and JP Sears might be available in your league. Bido has been on a nice streak recently.

Six shutout in The Six for Osvaldo Bido ? pic.twitter.com/ulWKN3ElCe

— Oakland A's (@Athletics) August 10, 2024

NL Central

Jeimer Candelario (1B/3B, CIN), toe: Candelario visits the IL with a broken toe after being HBP. Ouch! There is no defined timeline for return, but Candelario said he is mentally preparing to return this season. Amed Rosario has taken Candelario’s spot and has gone 1-for-3 (at the time of publication). Maybe that “change of scenery” magic will work for Rosario?

NL East

Austin Riley (3B, ATL), hand: Riley goes on the Braves troublesome with a fractured hand. He will be shelved for 6-8 weeks. Kelder did a great write-up about some replacement options, including Christopher Morel and Amed Rosario, in Corners Report: Austin Riley Emergency Edition.

NL West

Tyler Glasnow (SP, LAD), elbow: Glasnow goes to the IL with elbow tendinitis. He’s expected to stay on the IL beyond the minimum 15 days. This has been Glasnow’s most productive MLB season in terms of IP (134 IP with a previous high of 120 in 2023). Look at that Dodgers magic work! Too bad time is up, Tyler. Dave Roberts shared that Glasnow’s might be looking at a three week timeline with no rehab.

If you aren’t divisionally monogamous, you could go for one of the many aforementioned pitchers. Milwaukee’s Colin Rea is an NL option. In his last 30.3 IP, Rea is cooking with 8.6 K/9 and 0.7 BB/9.

Colin Rea was dialed against the Guardians today pic.twitter.com/lCQJrFaLqn

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 18, 2024

Ketel Marte (2B, ARI), ankle: Marte goes on the IL after aggravating a low grade sprained left ankle. Marte was playing through the injury for over a week, which is not great. He may be on the IL past the minimum 10-day stay (past August 29). Teammate Geraldo Perdomo is 2B/SS eligible. He is lacking in power but still hitting .309/.374/.454 in his last 97 AB. He also has 4 SB in that same time frame.

Victor Vodnik (RP, COL), bicep: Vodnik hit the IL with right bicep inflammation. This should not be a serious or long term issue. Jeff Criswell takes Vodnik’s spot on the roster. Milwaukee Brewer Joel Payamps is having a pretty swell second half of the season and is only 8% rostered in RCL.

Joel Payamps has not allowed a run in 8 straight outings.

Only 1 run allowed since July 12th.

— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) August 18, 2024

Injury Updates