How are we feeling after a week of games? A couple dings and sprains but no major season ending injuries so far so we should all be feeling good. Unless by some freak coincidence you’ve drafted everyone on this list…
If you’ve got league specific injury questions — leave a comment below.
Or hell, if you’ve got Wrestlemania prediction questions — leave a comment below too!
Nelson Cruz, DH, Sprained Ankle
Cruz made like Charlie Chaplin in his March 31st game spraining his ankle on the dugout steps. The early predictions are that he won’t miss more than 10 games. Stash or Trash: Stash — 10 games is nothing and Cruz will be back out there twirling his cane before you know it. Fill In: ANY hitter? I’m going to choose a first basemen since there were no injuries to that position this week. And I’m going to choose someone who y’all are gonna be mad about: Joe Mauer (11.9%.) All of the good sluggers are already taken and all Joe Mauer is going to do is not hurt you for the next 7 days. He already has a hit safely in all 4 of his games and that trend should continue. MVP Joe Mauer is dead. Long live “not going to hurt you” Joe Mauer!
Delino DeShields, OF, Fractured Hamate Bone in Hand
Delino can’t catch a DeBreak. Or in this case I guess he DeDid? Whatever. He’ll be out about 4-6 weeks. That’s an April 30 to May 14 time frame. I’d say give him on the longer end of the spectrum and expect him back in mid-May. Will he return to normal with that hamate injury? You hope so — but don’t count on it right away. Stash or Trash: In this speed starved league — you have to stash him. Fill In: Cameron Maybin (6.9%.) Speed is why you have DeShields on your team and speed is what Maybin offers. He hasn’t stolen a base yet this season, but they’ll come — especially if he keeps up his solid hitting pace. He’s gone 7 for 20 in this early part of the season.
Aaron Hicks, OF, Intercostal Muscle Strain
There goes Hicks going intercost to intercost. Any of these soft muscle injuries like obliques or intercostals make me nervous, but Hicks’s seems to be very minor. He’s expected to miss the minimum of 10 days — that puts him on track to be back at the start of your week 2 match-up. Stash or Trash: Easy stash. Fill In: Lewis Brinson (26.6%.) Based on volume alone Brinson deserves to have a higher ownership than this. He’s leading off for the Marlins — oh there it is. That’s why he’s not highly owned. Well he’ll be getting at bats — is hitting pretty well so far this season and the Marlins are going to give him every chance to live or die at the top of the Marlins line-up.
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Strained Groin
Wink. Kinsler has only played in 1 game so far before being placed on the DL. It was moderately precautionary as the Angels expect him to be back and leading off for the Angels when first eligible on April 10th. Stash or Trash: Stash. In my home league I ended up drafting Kinsler very late after his down 2017. But hitting in front of Trout and the heart of the Angels line-up could mean 90+ runs and solid HR and SB totals. Fill In: Brandon Drury (17.1%.) He was my infatuation pick in 2017, but this could be the year he actually breaks out. He’s been hitting 6th or 7th right behind the Yankees new Murderer’s Row and could put up a whole lotta RBI at a low, low price.
Jake Lamb, 3B, AC Sprain in Left Shoulder
Diamondbacks are saying they are ‘hopeful he’ll only be on the DL for 10 days.’ But I could see this one taking a bit longer because you know what they say: AC sprains ain’t nothing to fluff with. Stash or Trash: Stash ‘em! Fill In: Brian Anderson (5.5%.) Anderson himself is a fill in for Martin Prado, but is looking like the long term 3B option for the Marlins. He’s hit safely in all 6 of the Marlins games and scored in 5 of those games as well. He is available in 94.5% of leagues — which hopefully you can change in your league.
Joe Musgrove, SP, Throwing Shoulder Strain
Musgrove hasn’t been healthy in months. This is just the latest in arm injuries for him that have been lingering seemingly since before spring training even began. Stash or Trash: Do you trust a guy who has shoulder injuries for this long period of time? He’s only owned in 6% of leagues so I’d say trash him and you’ll be fine. Replacement: Jaime Garcia (3.0%.) I know it seems like Garcia is 45 years old, but he’s only 31. Before getting traded (twice) Garcia had a 4.15 FIP with the Braves (with a career 3.67 mark.) I wouldn’t start him against the Yankees or Red Sox — but he is still better than what he showed with the Yankees last year.
Salvador Perez, C, Torn MCL
Perez tore his MCL when he fell while carrying his luggage. The timetable for his return is 4-6 weeks which doesn’t seem right to me. I’d expect him to miss at least 6 weeks — probably more. Think: late May. Stash or Trash: I tried to tell you to draft Zunino, not Perez! Stash him anyway. Fill In: James McCann (11.3%.) Boy catcher is a grim position. McCann has a .400 OBP so far and is tied for the lead among catchers with 4 RBI. You could do worse. Maybe.
Matt Shoemaker, SP, Throwing Forearm Strain
The walking disabled list. It’s too early to prognosticate, but why should you? Stash or Trash: Trash. He can’t stay healthy and an injury to his throwing arm? Find someone who will treat you right. Replacement: I’m going to double down on Reynaldo Lopez (11.7%.) Last week I told you to grab him because he was facing the Royals. All he did was throw 6 innings with 1 ER, 2 hits, 2 BBs and 6 K’s. His next matchup is against the Tigers and you can expect a similar performance.
Mike Zunino, C, Oblique Strain
Don’t read the Salvador Perez blurb before reading this one. Luckily Zunino seems to have avoided too serious of a strain and is expected to be back when first eligible on April 9th. Stash or Trash: I told you to draft Zunino, not Perez — stash them both! Fill In: James McCann (11.3%.) Okay, fine. Ignore what I said before. Go read Salvador Perez’s blurb. Please don’t make me find another low-ownership catcher for you to add. Please?
