Fantasy Baseball Weekend News Update
It's been a wild weekend of news for your fantasy teams, get the important updates before setting your weekend FAAB.
It has been a devastating few days in terms of injuries around baseball. As most know, I do a weekly news recap and usually a Saturday/Sunday combo for the weekend. I’ll still do an update Sunday night, but I wanted to get you a quick update on what we have right now that may affect your FAAB today. Use this news as an add-on or update to the Week 3 FAAB Preview that dropped on Sunday morning.
Shane Bieber (SP - CLE)
What a shocking start to Saturday when we got the news that Bieber needed Tommy John surgery. People were so pumped that Bieber’s velocity was up and back to “normal,” resulting in two excellent starts. With Sunday’s rain out and an off day next week, the Guardians may not need to fill Bieber’s rotation spot yet. If they don’t, Gavin Williams should be able to return the following week and jump into the rotation.
Spencer Strider (SP - ATL)
Strider was rocked on Friday and expressed discomfort in his elbow. On Saturday, we got the MRI results back that Strider had damage to his UCL that will sideline him for a while. The Braves said he will be further evaluated, but all things point to Tommy John surgery or at least a long time out of the Braves rotation. I am leaning toward Strider’s season being over, which means a drop. Some may want to wait for more news, and that’s fine, but don’t hold your breath for too long. The Braves recalled Allan Winans for now, but early signs point to Dylan Dodd entering the rotation. AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder could be options down the line as well.
Luis Robert Jr. (OF - CWS)
Robert left Friday’s game with a hip flexor injury. On Saturday, MRI results revealed a Grade 2 strain, which could sideline Robert for months, according to the White Sox. Robert had a similar injury a few years back, missed most of the season, and declined surgery. Robert is a drop in most formats, and Robbie Grossman appears to be the primary beneficiary of Robert’s injury. Grossman is better left for deeper formats, but he has shown the ability to provide fantasy value occasionally when he is healthy.
Lars Nootbaar (OF - STL)
Nootbaar is ready to rejoin the Cardinals on Monday. I’ve been saying to add him wherever you could for a while, and now the time has come. The result of Nootbaar returning could mean the end of Victor Scott’s first run with the Cardinals. Scott is only hitting .091 in his debut, with one stolen base and a 30.6% strikeout rate. Scott needs more seasoning in the minors before returning to the Cardinals.
Willson Contreras (C - STL)
Contreras is out again on Sunday with a sore left hand from a hit-by-pitch. The Cardinals expect him back early next week…no specific date. With Contreras out, Ivan Herrera has been filling in and doing well. Herrera is hitting .375 with a home run while striking out less than 17% of the time. I’ve preached that Herrera has a viable fantasy catcher, given playing time, and he’s already showcasing that this season. Herrera may already have C2 viability in deeper leagues and is leaning towards viability in 12-team leagues.
CJ Abrams (SS - WAS)
Abrams was out of the Nats lineup for the second straight game. He has a bone bruise on his finger. He is day-to-day, and hopefully, he'll return very soon.
Trevor Story (SS - BOS)
Story left Friday’s game after suffering a shoulder injury. We have now seen that it’s a severe shoulder injury, and Story said he hopes to return this season. That does not sound great. I’d imagine it’s at least a few months before we see Story on the field, making him a drop in most formats. David Hamilton has gotten the start without Story, and Pablo Reyes could also see some playing time. Maybe Cedanne Rafaela will see more playing time in the infield, too. There is no great replacement for Story for a Red Sox replacement.
Geraldo Perdomo (SS - ARI)
Perdomo has a torn meniscus in his knee that will require surgery, and he’ll miss at least a month. He is probably a drop in most formats. It’s a shame Jordan Lawlar is injured because this could be his shot. Instead, we turn to Blaze Alexander, who makes for a great add as he should see most of the playing time at SS. Blaze entered Sunday, hitting .278 with a home run and a stolen base. Be aggressive in FAAB, where you need an SS or MI add.
Sonny Gray (SP - STL)
Gray will return to the Cardinals’ rotation this week and start on Tuesday. He will be on a 65-70 pitch count for his first start. Hopefully, all goes well for Gray as he will have a great 2-step next week compared to the A’s and Brewers.
Twins/Guardians PPD
Nothing is crazy here, but the PPD moved Triston McKenzie to start on Monday and Logan Allen to Tuesday. The worst part of the PPD makes Bailey Ober’s next start versus the Dodgers, which is not what you want to see to get Ober back on track.
JD Martinez (UTIL - NYM)
Martinez is experiencing “general soreness” and will not play Sunday or Monday as he works his way back to game shape. The Mets hope to get Martinez back next weekend.
Was really hoping for better lubob news. Appreciate the write up!