Hurting for help
How to deal with fantasy injuries down the stretch
WE’RE at a point in the sea-season when an injury, no matter how big or small, can become a disaster and waiting for already ailing players to return is more tedious than ever.
Stephen Strasburg is one of those players you would love to depend on down the stretch, but it doesn’t help that he seems to be held together by dental floss and bread crumbs.
When he arrived in t he majors in 2010, he immediately dealt with right shoulder inflammation before ultimately tearing his UCL and undergoing To m my Jo h n surgery.
In 2013, he suffered a lat strain. After making a career-high 34 starts in 2014, he had upper back issues, right shoulder irritation, neck tightness and a left oblique strain in 2015. In 2016, he dealt with an upper back strain, right elbow soreness and a flexor mass strain in his right arm.
This season, he has been dealing with a right elbow nerve impingement and right forearm discomfort while going 10-3 with a 3.25 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 121²/₃ innings. It is a typical Straburg season — winning record, solid strikeouts per nine innings to go along with a decent amount of walks issued while expanding his ever-growing laundry list of injuries.
Fantasy owners should not be scared of using Strasburg when he returns. But, with his extensive list of ailments, you should want Washington to take some time bringing him back. You want the healthiest version possible of a player who is, at times, impossible to deal with because of the talent he has and how much is lost because of how fragile he has become.
Here is a look at some other injured players and what value t h ey hold the rest of the way:
Trea Tur ner: He is taking grounders, so the next hurdle is hitting. When he returns, and it looks like it could be later this month, he will need some time to shake off the rust, but he should be flying around the bases for fantasy owners come pl ayoff time. Clayton Kershaw: This is the second straight season he missed time with a back injury. Though he likely won’t return until later this month, this still should be minimal concern. After returning last season, he went 1-2 with a 1.29 ERA, 27:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .182 opponent average in five September starts after returning. He will be as good as new. David Price: Dealing with an elbow issue all season does not
bode well for high-level fantasy production when (if ?) he returns.
Willson Contreras: The redhot catcher (.311, 10 HRs, 29 RBIs, 1.080 OPS since the break) likely will go on the disabled list, but he avoided a worst-case scenario hamstring injury. He could miss as much as a month, and then you’re looking at a player who likely will be shaking off some rust come fantasy playoff time. Robbie Ray: He is slated to take the mound Tuesday against Houston after being struck in the head on July 28 and suffering a concussion. Give him some time to find his bearings before putting him back in your rotation. Noa h Sy nder gaa rd: He is hoping to return from his torn lat muscle in September, but if you’re desperate to see him throwing, go watch last week’s episode of “Game of Thrones.” He is anxious to compete, so he should be trusted when he returns. Mat t Ha r vey : The Dark Knight could return from his shoulder injury later this month, but the odds of him returning to superhero status are about the same as George Clooney returning for the next Batman flick with his nipple suit.