Hello, Razzball Friends!
This week is the first week we are really hitting our “out for the season” announcements in stride. Some call being out for the season “la petite mort”. By some, I mean no one calls it “la petite mort” because that’s a French idiom that serves as a euphemism about orgasms.
What the players do once they are out for the season is their business, but I wish them all the best of luck.
Shall we hop in?
Updates From Last Time
Before we get too far into the business, a few follow-ups from the July 24 edition of Ambulance Chasers:
Juan Soto (OF, NYM) – Calf Soreness
Last time we left off, Soto exited a game with calf soreness and was briefly listed as DTD. He’s now moved to the IL and is expected to miss 3+ weeks total (late August). If the Mets revealed anything at the trade deadline, there may not be exactly a need to rush to get Soto back. As we’ve seen with calves, they can be re-aggravated. So when Soto does return, just monitor him.
Per the Mets, Juan Soto has a Grade 2 calf strain, he’ll be out for “a period of time.” Longer than when he strained his right calf, which was about three weeks. The Mets are not specifying a timeline yet. Jorge Polanco will get more DH at-bats with Soto down.
— Abbey Mastracco (@abbeymastracco.bsky.social) 2026-07-25T19:59:32.551Z
Mark Leiter Jr. (RP, ATH) – Hip Impingement Escalated to Hip Surgery
My how quickly the tables turn. But really this is a case of the signs being all there (in retrospect). Two weeks ago, Leiter Jr. was listed as returning in early August with hip impingement. However, he dealt with this issue on and off all season. The ongoing issue has put him on the 60-Day IL post-surgery and expected to be out for the season.
Shea Langeliers (C, ATH) also hit the gurney for a right knee meniscus tear (source).
The Triage Report: Pitchers
Shane McClanahan (SP, TBR) – Mid-Back Tightness
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 08/15 | Status: No timetable
What happened: McClanahan hit the IL with mid-back tightness. Brace yourselves! The back problems are incoming.
Current outlook: Luckily, this particular back issue is not considered too serious, and the Rays are probably taking an appropriately cautious approach to keep the issue from becoming any bigger. That’s good in the long term. In the short term, it may mean a shifty and uncertain timeline. McClanahan is eligible to return August 14, and hopefully, that’s the case! Won’t believe it until I see it though, because that’s what writing this article has done to my psyche.
Fantasy impact: High. McClanahan is 98% rostered in RCL leagues. It’s streamin’ time.
Replacement: For streamin’ time, check out Brayan Bello (SP, BOS) is SP eligible in some places and SP/RP in others. Regardless, he has been filling the reliever role with some success. Take a peek at him depending on what stats you need. He is extremely available at 7% rostered. David Peterson (SP, CHC) offers 1.52 ERA with 17 strikeouts in limited time (22% rostered).
Hunter Greene (SP, CIN) – Elbow Soreness
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 08/17 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Greene had some elbow soreness and went to the IL.
Current outlook: This one is unsettling. Greene had bone chips removed from his elbow back in March and has only been back through five starts. The words “headed to Los Angeles for a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache” are also some of the most dreadful words to hear if you have aspirations for Greene.
Fantasy impact: Moderate to high. Greene is already a bit streaky because of his ongoing issues this season. So, if you’ve had him, this probably sucks but isn’t anything you haven’t already been through.
Replacement: Everyone is talking about Randy Dobnak. Not me though.
The Triage Report: Hitters
James Wood (OF, WSN) – Strained Oblique
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/14 | Status: No timetable
What happened: First, I was dangerously close to writing “James Woods”. Moving on, the singular Wood strained his oblique and headed to the IL.
Current outlook: We never stop talking about obliques. I try to keep it interesting, but we can’t have a ruptured testicle every week. The Nationals shared they don’t think this will be a long stint on the IL for Woods. However, a long stint with obliques can be months. So, budget for 3-5 weeks minimum to be safe.
James Wood is going on the IL for the first time in his MLB career, but the Nationals are relieved his left oblique strain is mild.natsjournal.com/p/wood-going…
— Mark Zuckerman (@markzuckerman.bsky.social) 2026-08-04T21:30:35.827Z
Fantasy impact: It feels silly to say “critical”, but yeah. Hard to replace.
Replacement: Let’s talk about some guys. Tyrone Taylor (CHC) is 4% rostered and has struggled recently since joining the Cubs. However, over the last 30 days and 47 PA, he hit .325 AVG, 1.226 OPS, 5 HR, and 12 RBIs. Tyler Tolbert (KCR) is 7% rostered and offers a higher AVG at .395 with 4 SB in the same time period.
Curtis Mead (INF, BOS) – Fractured Left Wrist
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/14 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Mead fractured his left wrist and landed on the IL.
Current outlook: The good news is that fractures can heal pretty quickly. Wrist fractures affect grip strength and bat control.
Fantasy impact: High. Mead is widely started depending on the league. His versatility is valuable, being 1B/3B eligible and even 2B eligible in some leagues.
Replacement: Whatever is in the water in Boston is working because I have to bring up Andruw Monasterio (BOS), who is 4% rostered with 4 HR, 16 RBIs, and 2 SB in his last 85 PA. Colt Keith (DET) is another option.
* Andruw Monasterio since the break: .380/.441/.580 in 16 games and 59 plate appearances. 10 RBIs.* Abreu, Rafeala, and Duran have hit 50 HRs. They had 54 last season.* Red Sox outfielders have 54 DRS. Cubs are next with 32.
— Peter Abraham (@peteabeglobe.bsky.social) 2026-08-06T18:05:36.601Z
Secondary Mentions
Juan Soto (OF, NYM) – Strained Calf
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/16 | Status: Expected to miss 3+ weeks
What happened: As listed at the beginning of this article, he is now officially on the IL with a timeline.
Current outlook: Covered above.
Fantasy impact: High.
Replacement: Same options as Wood.
Casey Schmitt (INF/OF, SFG) – Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/07 | Status: 6-8 weeks expected
What happened: Schmitt had knee surgery and is expected to miss a lot of time.
Current outlook: He likely won’t be back until September if he’s back at all.
Fantasy impact: Moderate to high. Schmitt had a decent amount of hitting time.
Replacement: Luis Rengifo (SDP) doesn’t cover the OF needs, but for the INF needs, he is only 24% rostered with 2 HR, 8 RBIs, and 3 SB in his last 76 PA.
Also, this post from a disgruntled Brewers fan made me laugh:
in 15 games, luis rengifo is slashing .370/.482/.543 for the padres.and he's now hitting leadoff.man fuck that guy.
— creamcityjw (@creamcityjw.bsky.social) 2026-08-02T21:46:42.366Z
Cody Bellinger (OF, NYY) – Strained Hamstring
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/20 | Status: 4-6 weeks expected
What happened: Hamstring strain sends Bellinger to the IL.
Current outlook: Perhaps an aspirational eligible date.
Fantasy impact: Moderate.
Dalton Rushing (C, LAD) – Torn Elbow Ligament
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/12 | Status: Questionable for 2026
What happened: Rushing suffered a torn elbow ligament.
Current outlook: This is a bad combination, and I would treat it like we aren’t going to see him again.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. Catchers have taken a hit injury wise lately. So the field is a bit thin. Also, an elbow issue can linger.
Replacement: Eduardo Valencia (DET) is 16% rostered and has some solid numbers: .412 AVG/.429 OBP/1.282 OPS with 4 HR and 11 RBIs in 35 PA.
Eduardo Valencia has 3 home runs in his first 13 MLB at-bats.
— Jason Beck (@jasonbeck.bsky.social) 2026-07-28T23:20:51.169Z
Shea Langeliers (C, ATH) – Torn Meniscus (Knee)
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 08/14 | Status: Questionable for 2026
What happened: Mentioned above. Langeliers underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus.
Current outlook: You ever had to squat with a torn meniscus in your knee? Me neither, but it sounds awful.
Fantasy impact: High, given the catcher scarcity mentioned above.
Replacement: Eduardo Valencia AGAIN.
Secondary Impact / Quick Hits
These injuries could possibly matter to you.
Reynaldo López (SP, ATL) – Knee inflammation | 15-Day IL | No timetable
Trey Yesavage (SP, TOR) – Knee inflammation | 15-Day IL | No timetable
Ryan Thompson (RP, ARI) – Strained lower back | 15-Day IL | No timetable
Will Klein (RP, LAD) – Elbow discomfort | 15-Day IL | No timetable but may need surgery
Vinnie Pasquantino (1B, KCR) – Wrist soreness | 10-Day IL | No timetable
Season Greetings…or Endings
These are players that are confirmed or expected to be out for the season.
Stephen Kolek (SP, KCR), Luinder Avila (SP, KCR), Trevor McDonald (SP, SFG), Cole Sands (RP, MIN), Blake Dunn (OF, CIN), Brandon Woodruff (SP, MIL), Will Vest (RP, DET; this move was also a strategic move), David Festa (SP, MIN), Brad Keller (RP, PHI), Mitchell Parker (RP, WSN), Addison Barger (OF, TOR).
The Takeaways
The shoulder, elbow, and back issues that are showing up aren’t a coincidence. The pitching workload is catching up. We talked about this at the beginning of the season, but it’s good to make a note of the heavy workloads of this season to try to get ahead of next season and who may be at risk for getting injured.
James Wood joined Club Oblique. It gets old saying “budget for 3-5 weeks on every oblique”, but that’s the sick world we live in.
Finally, catchers are dwindling. The person that autodrafted three catchers in a row in your league is probably having a nice chuckle right now. No matter what they try to make you think, they aren’t psychic.
That’s it for this edition. Protect your neck, and see you next time!
I’m Keelin, the bringer of your bad news. Find me on Bluesky at keelin12ft.bsky.social.
This column focuses on injury situations that meaningfully affect fantasy baseball decisions. It is not a complete injury ledger or a prediction of exact timelines. Teams are often vague, information changes quickly, and this is best viewed as a snapshot of where things stand.
