This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Yadier Molina
The Cardinals' Gold Glove catcher was removed from Sunday's game after spraining his left thumb. He is slated to undergo further testing, including a MRI, on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. The thumb has been an issue for a while now but the team attributed the pain and soreness to the normal wear and tear associated with being an everyday catcher. Unfortunately, the collision with Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo either exacerbated the condition or resulted in a more significant injury, leading to Molina's current state.
If the degree of injury is graded as two or higher, meaning the ligament is partially or completely torn, Molina could require surgery. He is no stranger to the procedure, having undergone a ligament reconstruction on his right thumb last season. He missed seven weeks recovering but struggled in his return, hitting .267 with just five extra-base hits for the remainder of the season. The perennial All-Star was slumping considerably before Sunday's departure and the injury should only reinforce the decision to drop him in most formats. Tony Cruz would take over for the Red Birds though he's done little to merit fantasy consideration. You may be able to add Oakland's Stephen Vogt if someone else dropped him while he recovered from a groin injury. Tampa Bay catcher J.P. Arencibia is also widely available and has played well over the last few weeks. Veteran Jarrod Saltalamacchia has also performed admirably for the Diamondbacks, though he continues to split time
Yadier Molina
The Cardinals' Gold Glove catcher was removed from Sunday's game after spraining his left thumb. He is slated to undergo further testing, including a MRI, on Monday to determine the severity of the injury. The thumb has been an issue for a while now but the team attributed the pain and soreness to the normal wear and tear associated with being an everyday catcher. Unfortunately, the collision with Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo either exacerbated the condition or resulted in a more significant injury, leading to Molina's current state.
If the degree of injury is graded as two or higher, meaning the ligament is partially or completely torn, Molina could require surgery. He is no stranger to the procedure, having undergone a ligament reconstruction on his right thumb last season. He missed seven weeks recovering but struggled in his return, hitting .267 with just five extra-base hits for the remainder of the season. The perennial All-Star was slumping considerably before Sunday's departure and the injury should only reinforce the decision to drop him in most formats. Tony Cruz would take over for the Red Birds though he's done little to merit fantasy consideration. You may be able to add Oakland's Stephen Vogt if someone else dropped him while he recovered from a groin injury. Tampa Bay catcher J.P. Arencibia is also widely available and has played well over the last few weeks. Veteran Jarrod Saltalamacchia has also performed admirably for the Diamondbacks, though he continues to split time with Wellington Castillo.
Giancarlo Stanton
The Marlins slugger has suffered a setback in his recovery from wrist surgery and appears to be out for the remainder of the season. Stanton fractured his hamate bone on June 26 and underwent surgery to address the break. In the procedure, the broken bone is simply removed and the area is immobilized. Unfortunately, Stanton has developed an "abnormal amount" of scar tissue at the injury site that has resulted in limited mobility and a strength deficit. As a result, he has been unable to smoothly swing a bat and his chances of returning this year are slim, at best. He could opt to address the scar tissue buildup with an additional surgery known as a debridement but I'm betting the Marlins will look for other less invasive options. However, timing remains key as the longer the issue lingers into the offseason, the more likely it will have a carryover effect into next year. Fantasy owners still holding out hope for his return should look elsewhere to finish the season.
Check Swings
Billy Hamilton
Hamilton has missed five straight games with lingering shoulder issues. The speedy outfielder originally suffered a sprained capsule in his right shoulder in mid-August and was sent to the DL to recover. He returned several weeks later but has since begun experiencing reoccurring soreness in the area. Capsule injuries can be painful and limiting, affecting the individual's mobility at the joint. He served as a pinch runner on Wednesday and managed to steal a base but the Reds have already discussed shutting him down for the season. He's a terror on the base paths but an unpredictable amount of playing time makes it hard to utilize him in any format.
Felix Hernandez
The Mariners ace was removed from Sunday's game after experiencing stiffness in his throwing elbow. Seattle does have a day off this week, buying the former Cy Young winner some extra time. If the elbow improves he would remain in line for a Saturday start against the Angels. However, the team could opt to handle the situation conservatively and allow him to skip his next start. The timing of it all makes him a dangerous play in weekly formats and I wouldn't be surprised if he misses at least one start.
Matt Holliday
The St. Louis outfielder has yet to return to the starting lineup since being activated from the disabled list early last week. He did make a pinch hit appearance Friday but was removed from the game after being hit by a pitch on the head. The ball struck his helmet, though the team has not stated whether or not he suffered a significant injury on the play. He has not played since and will not start until any lingering head issues resolve and the Cardinals determine he is not at risk to aggravate his previous quadriceps injury. It's a double whammy for Holliday, so keeping him on the bench is advised.
Jonathan Lucroy
Lucroy has made minimal progress in his recovery from a concussion sustained two weeks ago. The Brewers' catcher does not have a lengthy history of concussions, though every individual reacts differently, which is part of the reason managing the injury is so difficult. He does play a position particularly prone to concussions and ensuring he's completely healthy before returning is vital. Lucroy hasn't exactly been a fantasy force this year, so waiting this situation out could prove detrimental to your team's success. Consider adding one of the options mentioned with Molina.
Yasiel Puig
The Dodgers outfielder remains less than 100 percent and a return to the roster does not appear imminent. He is still experiencing tightness is his strained left hamstring and appears to have become droppable in non-keeper leagues.
Masahiro Tanaka
The Yankees right-hander strained his hamstring on the base paths during his most recent start and will not pitch Wednesday. While the injury is being reported as a low-grade strain, that fact that he will not pitch this week is a big blow for those in both weekly formats and daily leagues. Ivan Nova will start in Tanaka's place.
Troy Tulowitzki
The Blue Jays shortstop is progressing in his return from a scapula fracture but told reporters this weekend that he will not play again during the regular season. Feel free to let him loose in all single-season formats.
Juan Uribe
Uribe injured himself diving for a ball and it was initially believed to be a collarbone injury. However, X-rays were negative and the team is now calling it a chest contusion. Given the location, it seems as if the injury is to the upper chest, likely the sternum. He will undergo a MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.
