This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Injury management doesn't stop the moment a player is activated from the disabled list. The ramifications of a prolonged absence and any lingering effects of the injury itself can negatively impact a player's performance. The player's inherent level of risk may also remain elevated, creating a hard to navigate situation for fantasy owners.
As a result, roster construction and depth become vital components for fantasy success. Benching recently activated players should be considered to allow them extra time to return to top form. For example, Texas' shortstop Elvis Andrus was batting a solid .327 before suffering a fractured elbow. The injury forced the former All-Star to sit for more than two months before he returned to action last week. Unfortunately, the time off appears to have slowed Andrus' bat and threw off any sort of rhythm he had established during the spring. In his first five games back, Andrus has gone 2-for-21 at the plate and struck out eight times. Consequently, fantasy owners invested in Andrus may want to keep him on the bench until he puts together a sustained stretch of positive productivity.
Let's take a look at a few other players who may need extra time to overcome their ailments.
The Braves prospect, out since May 27 with a knee sprain, has been inching toward a return to Atlanta. However, the team is taking a conservative approach with their 20-year-old outfielder and will likely keep him with Triple-A Gwinnett for at least a few more days.
Injury management doesn't stop the moment a player is activated from the disabled list. The ramifications of a prolonged absence and any lingering effects of the injury itself can negatively impact a player's performance. The player's inherent level of risk may also remain elevated, creating a hard to navigate situation for fantasy owners.
As a result, roster construction and depth become vital components for fantasy success. Benching recently activated players should be considered to allow them extra time to return to top form. For example, Texas' shortstop Elvis Andrus was batting a solid .327 before suffering a fractured elbow. The injury forced the former All-Star to sit for more than two months before he returned to action last week. Unfortunately, the time off appears to have slowed Andrus' bat and threw off any sort of rhythm he had established during the spring. In his first five games back, Andrus has gone 2-for-21 at the plate and struck out eight times. Consequently, fantasy owners invested in Andrus may want to keep him on the bench until he puts together a sustained stretch of positive productivity.
Let's take a look at a few other players who may need extra time to overcome their ailments.
The Braves prospect, out since May 27 with a knee sprain, has been inching toward a return to Atlanta. However, the team is taking a conservative approach with their 20-year-old outfielder and will likely keep him with Triple-A Gwinnett for at least a few more days. Acuna suffered a low-grade ACL sprain after hyperextending his left knee. He was able to avoid surgery, and the Braves want to insure the knee is stable before activating him. On the plus side, Acuna hasn't suffered any setbacks during his rehab stint and hasn't reported any lingering pain within the joint. However, he's struggled at the plate finishing 1-for-10 in three games. While it seems plausible Acuna returns to the Braves prior to their weekend series in St. Louis, fantasy owners may want to exhibit caution on their own and allow Acuna to get a few games under his belt before reinserting them into their lineups.
The Dodgers ace serves as another example of the difference between healthy and available, and playing at top form. Kershaw returned to action on Saturday after two prolonged absences. He missed time in early May due to a case of biceps tendinitis and was shelved once again after sustaining a lower back strain. His return to the mound was unsurprisingly short, as the team closely monitored his pitch load and limited him to just three innings. The resulted were mixed, as he gave up two runs on five hits and one walk, while striking out four over in a no-decision. He did display some improvement on his fastball in what should be considered a rehab start. The team is expected to keep Kershaw under a strict pitching limit in his next start, with the results dictating the next step in the recovery plan. Despite Kershaw's pedigree, scaling back expectation through the All-Star Break may be the best plan. It's also worth mentioning that both of Kershaw's injuries can be easily aggravated, meaning he will proceed with an increased level of risk.
While Carrasco's return isn't imminent, he should transition back into action better than others. The Indians starter has been sidelined since suffering a right elbow contusion after being struck by a comebacker. X-rays on the area were negative, and the right-hander is expected to a throw bullpen session later in the week. The timeline will make it extremely difficult for him to return when first eligible on Wednesday, but it does setup a possible weekend return. Fortunately, Carrasco should have a smoother return, as his injury is the result of an isolated incident and not a chronic or recurring issue. The recovery rate is also quicker, meaning his time away from throwing will be minimal. Barring some unforeseen setback, look for Carrasco to be back with Cleveland by the start of next week.
Check Swings
Kris Bryant: The Cubs third baseman missed back-to-back games over the weekend due to a sore left shoulder. A specific diagnosis wasn't provided, though the former MVP attributed the problem to extra work in the batting cage. Chicago is optimistic the time off will allow Bryant to clear his mind and improve physically, setting up a return to All-Star form. His upside is too significant to ignore, so keep utilizing him as you would normally. However, it may be worth scouting out a potential replacement should the soreness linger and require a trip to the DL.
Johnny Cueto: The Giants were pleased with Cueto's first rehab performance, as he threw three and two thirds scoreless innings for Triple-A Sacramento, allowing one hit and striking out four. The right-hander is working his way back from a low-grade elbow sprain and reported no pain or discomfort after the 48-pitch outing. He's expected to make at least two more starts on his rehab assignment before returning to San Francisco. Cueto remains a valuable yet precarious asset when healthy. He's already undergone Tommy John surgery once and will remain at risk for further issues as the season progresses.
Garrett Richards: Richards has extended his long toss to 120 feet as he continues to make his way through a throwing problem. The Los Angeles pitcher hasn't pitched since straining his hamstring on June 13 but hopes to return to the mound on Monday. If all goes well, he's scheduled to make a rehab start over the weekend. The Angels admitted the injury may end up being a blessing in disguise, as the time off as helped preserve his arm. Richards has shown a propensity for arm injuries, including an UCL sprain in his elbow and a strained biceps, so any bit of rest could be beneficial. However, it's worth pointing out Richards has also had lower extremity problems as well, including a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee during the 2014 season. Tread cautiously here.
Gary Sanchez: The Yankees are expected to be without Sanchez for the foreseeable future, as the All-Star catcher suffered a strained groin while attempting to beat out a double play. An MRI is slated for Monday which should provide insight on the involved muscle and the severity of the strain. Look for Sanchez to miss at least 10 to 14 days recovering.
Travis Shaw: The Brewers third baseman made an early exit on Sunday after aggravating a lingering wrist injury. Shaw had previously missed a pair of games earlier in the week due to the problem but irritated the injury on an awkward swing. The team has yet to put a name on the injury, but it sounds like a more detailed exam is on the horizon. A DL stint may be needed, making him a dicey play this week.
