Since last week’s Ambulance Report the Los Angeles Dodgers have suffered a pair of injuries. If there is a silver lining to them, it’s that the team went and called up Corey Seager. Given his lofty prospect pedigree — he’s unarguably a top-25 guy, mostly top-10 prospect — and the potential for playing time down the stretch as the Dodgers rest some of their other players, it’s time to pick up Seager if he’s still free in your league.
Yasiel Puig, Dodgers: A strained right hamstring forced Puig to the 15-day disabled list back on August 28 and he was the first domino to fall. With word that he could miss the remainder of the season, if you’er in contention and need bodies in the lineup, I’d probably drop him in redraft leagues.
Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers: The second domino to fall was Hernandez, who was shelved for at least 15 days thanks to a left hammy strain. Unfortunately as the linked article above notes, there is no guarantee Hernandez could get back on the field this season. That sound you hear is my hopes and dreams of my fantasy teams rapidly collapsing, mostly because I lost these guys in a league and didn’t get Seager. Sigh.
Hanley Ramirez, Red Sox: After a long wait — seriously, he hasn’t appeared in a game in a week — the Sawx finally moved Hanley to the 15-day DL due to a lingering right shoulder issue. For those of you who have him, rejoice for now you can finally move him to a DL slot and pick up someone else. The roster move is retroactive to August 27, making Hanley eligible to return with almost three weeks left in the season, unfortunately that won’t be the case. If I were a betting man (hint: I am), I’d wager we don’t see him back in action until the final 10 games or so. The Red Sox have no reason to push him, other than to test out his glove at first base.
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: Greg Bird’s stock shot up considerably after the Yanks placed Tex on the 15-day DL on Friday, retroactive to August 27. A right shin bruise hasn’t healed up the way the club would like to see, so the Tex gets a few more days of rest. The slugger did say he expects to return before the regular season ends, and with the Yanks chasing the Jays for the AL East crown, I think he’ll only miss the minimum time frame.
Nori Aoki, Giants: Concussion like symptoms are giving Aoki fits yet, and it’s possible the team will let him sit out the remainder of the regular season. No move has been made just yet, however given what we know about concussions and their long term effects, it’s best to play things carefully. I hope you’ve enjoyed his .287/.353/.380 line as much as I did this year; I don’t think we’ll see him take the field until 2016.
Corey Dickerson, Rockies: Beyond the sad news, there lies the good. Dickerson owners (assuming not everyone has bailed on him just yet) or waiver-wire sharks take note! The 24-year-old began his minor league rehab stint with Triple-A Albuquerque on September 2 and has gone 4-for-12 in his first three games, and was 1-for-3 in yesterday’s game at the time of writing. The light at the end of the broken rib tunnel has is within Dickerson’s grasp.
Justin Morneau, Rockies: The Rockies activated the first baseman on Friday after concussion and neck issues cost him the majority of the season. Since returning, Morneau has hit fifth in both games, a good sign for those looking for some cheap RBIs as the season wanes. Any hitter getting regularly playing time in Coors Field is worth picking up in basically any format, and Morneau is no exception. Unfortunately both he and Ben Paulsen are left-handed hitters, so no natural platoon can be found. I’m expecting Morneau to get the majority of the playing time down the stretch as he offers more in the way of batting average with similar power.
Carlos Carrasco, Indians: The right-hander is penciled in to make Tuesday’s start against the White Sox! Carrasco has missed time due to inflammation in his right shoulder, and while I’m very cautious of pitchers coming back from shoulder issues, however it seems as though Cleveland has a firm grasp on what is going on. The team gave him a cortisone shot just days after the DL move happened, and Carrasco may be on a pitch count on Tuesday. That he’s back and contributing at all is a good sign, and I’ll be placing him in my lineup as we may get two starts out of him.
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins: Wellp, he wasn’t activated on Friday to face the Mets as hoped, however all is not lost. The minor league season is wrapping up this weekend and while it’s possible the Fish will send him to play through some simulated games, I’m expecting him to return to the lineup at some point this week. Stanton’s wrist fracture has crushed his fantasy contributions this season, and he hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since June 26. With a week of home games, I figure on seeing Stanton either tomorrow against the Brewers or Thursday as the team hosts the Nationals.
A.J. Burnett, Pirates: I don’t like ending things on a down note, so here is one last blurb. Burnett tossed a simulated game on Friday and he felt like he was where he needed to be. He’s been out since July 30 due to a right elbow flexor strain, but he lasted 90 pitches in the simulated game. The club has Burnett scheduled to throw a bullpen session today, after which he’ll be reevaluated. If he gets thrown back into the rotation or at least some spot starts and you’re looking for wins, I’d stream him with as little worry as I can have about a 38-year-old coming off of an elbow injury.
