Fantasy Baseball Week 21 Injury News, Updates: Zack Wheeler, Byron Buxton, Michael Koepech and more

Believe it or not,  September baseball is upon us. The American League playoff races remain wide open while the National League race is much smaller. Your own fantasy team could be in either one of those types of leagues. being able to manage your lineup to get the most possible out of them is most probably your goal at this time. Players are beginning to be shut down for the rest of the season while other injured players are "hopeful" to return this year. Knowing who will come back and if they come back is very important to help finish your fantasy season strong.  Knowing when injured players are coming back or how long they will be out is key to your success from now to the end of the season.

For new readers, my name is Reuven Guy and I am a practicing orthopedic/pain management Physician Assistant. I have been dealing with sports injuries for the past 16+ years and have a knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same period, which has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball, which I hope to share with you.

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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball

Wander Franco (SS, TB)- Wrist: Franco is on the IL as just under a month ago he had surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist. Rays manager Kevin Cash said this week that Franco will not restart his rehab assignment again until sometime next week at the earliest. The earliest he could be activated from the IL is September 2nd. 

Byron Buxton (OF, MIN)- Hip: Buxton was placed on the IL with a low-grade right hip strain. He already had an MRI performed but it is not known how long he will be out. Gilberto Celestino and Jake Cave could see extra playing time while Buxton is out.

Vinnie Pasquantino (1B, KC)- Shoulder: Pasquantino was placed on the IL this week with right shoulder discomfort. This could be a short-term absence and the Royals are just being extra cautious with him.  He is eligible to return on September 2.

Eric Hosmer (1B, BOS)- Back: Hosmer was placed on the IL this week with low-back inflammation. The severity is not yet known. Franchy Cordero was called up and could platoon with Bobby Dalbec at first while Hosmer is on the IL.

Jonathan Schoop (2B, DET)- Ankle: Schoop was placed on the IL this week with a right ankle sprain. Severity is not known and no word as to how long he will be out. Kody Clemens and Willi Castro will likely be the primary candidates to fill in at second base for the Tigers.

Kris Bryant (OF, COL)- Foot: Bryant is on the IL with plantar fasciitis of the left foot. He is in a walking boot and received a PRP injection this week. He will be re-evaluated 7-10 days after this injection.

Brandon Belt (1B, SF)- Knee: Belt is on the IL with an inflamed right knee, confirmed by MRI. His injury is being described as a chronic concern that could threaten the longevity of his career. Belt has required multiple surgeries on the knee during his career and had his knee drained three times this year. It is still possible he could return this year but for now Wilmer Flores and J.D, Davis could get most of the starts at first base. 

Trevor Story (SS, BOS)- Hand: Story was placed on the IL with a hairline fracture in his wrist. He is currently on a rehab assignment and was to be re-evaluated on August 26, but Manager Alex Cora said he will not be activated then. He could be activated within the next week.

Yasmani Grandal (C, CHW)- Knee: Grandal is on the IL with a left knee strain. He was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on August 26. Grandal could return when first eligible next week.

Garrett Cooper (1B, MIA)- Concussion: Cooper is on the concussion IL currently. He began a rehab assignment this week and could return once he can play for three consecutive days symptom-free. 

Luis Garcia (SS, WAS)- Groin: Garcia was placed on the IL with a left groin strain. Garcia is currently on a rehab assignment and could take over the full-time duties at second base as CJ Abrams is now the everyday shortstop position. 

Ramon Laureano (OF, OAK)- Oblique: Laureano is on the IL with a left oblique strain. It is a Grade 1 oblique strain. Laureano backed off of his rehab program as he began to have “general body soreness” as per Athletics manager Mark Kotsay. 

Brandon Marsh (OF, PHI)- Knee: Marsh was placed on the IL this week with a bone bruise in his left knee and left ankle sprain. Marsh is on a rehab assignment and could return as early as August 27.

Aledmys Diaz (3B, HOU)- Groin: Diaz was placed on the IL with left groin discomfort this week. He is now expected to miss “a few weeks”. The severity is not yet known. J.J. Matijevic was called up to provide depth for the Astros’ bench. Yordan Alvarez and Trey Mancini, as a result, will see more outfield playing time.

Eduardo Escobar (3B, NYM)- Oblique: Escobar was placed on the IL with a strained left oblique. Escobar is currently on a rehab assignment and is preparing for a multi-position utility role when he returns. Bret Baty looks to be the main third base option at this point for the Mets.

Jared Walsh (1B, LAA)- Shoulder: Walsh is currently on the IL with thoracic outlet syndrome, on the 60-day IL now. Walsh could need surgery to address the condition, though Angels athletic trainer Mike Frostad said a decision on that front has yet to be made. He is done for the year. Mike Ford and Matt Thaiss could get more playing time with Walsh out.  

Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball

Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD)- Back: Kershaw is on the IL with a low back issue. Kershaw had an epidural injection performed and has been feeling better since then. Kershaw threw a three-inning sim game this week and is scheduled for a second one this weekend. Kershaw is not expected to go out on a rehab assignment which means he could return within the next ten days. 

Zack Wheeler (SP, PHI)- Forearm: Wheeler was placed on the IL with right forearm tendinitis, retroactive to Aug. 22. The Phillies are hopeful he will only miss two turns through their rotation. Bailey Falter is expected to start on normal rest to take Wheeler’s spot. 

Nestor Cortes (SP, NYY)- Groin: Cortes was placed on the IL with a left groin strain Thursday, retroactive to Aug. 22. The severity is not yet known. The earliest he could return is September 6. Clarke Schmidt is most likely to take his rotation spot. 

Michael Kopech (SP, CHW)- Knee: Kopech was placed on the IL with a left knee strain. White Sox manager Tony La Russa said that Kopech was dealing with a hamstring issue, but the White Sox provided an updated diagnosis. The severity is not yet fully known. He is first eligible to return on September 7. Tanner Banks was called up and could take his place. 

Steven Matz (SP, STL)- Knee: Matz is on the IL with a torn MCL in his left knee. Matz threw a bullpen session this week but is still a few weeks away from returning.

Tylor Megill (SP, NYM)- Shoulder: Megill is currently on the IL with a shoulder strain. He is scheduled to pitch against live hitters this weekend and a rehab stint may be on the horizon. When he does return, he could be used out of the bullpen or as a starter should the need arise. 

Bailey Ober (SP, MIN)- Groin: Ober has made only seven starts this year due to his groin injury. He was scheduled to face live hitters this week and will probably need a few rehab starts before he could be activated. 

Nathan Eovaldi (SP, BOS)- Shoulder: Eovaldi is on the IL with shoulder inflammation. He played catch this past Wednesday and could throw a bullpen session this weekend. He is not eligible to return for at least another week but must first build back up his pitch count. Brayan Bello will fill Eovaldi's spot in the rotation for now.

Zack Greinke (SP, KC)- Forearm: Greinke was placed on the IL this week with right forearm tightness. He left his last start with forearm cramping. The severity is not yet known, nor is who will replace him in the Royals rotation. 

Graham Ashcraft (SP, CIN)- Biceps: Ashcraft was placed on the IL  with right biceps soreness. The severity is not yet known. T.J. Zeuch could take his spot for now and Manager David Bell is hopeful that Ashcraft will return this year. 

Shane Baz (SP, TB)- Elbow: Baz had arthroscopic elbow surgery in March 2022 and was then placed on the 60-day IL with an elbow sprain. He has been cleared for a throwing program and the Rays remain hopeful he could return this year, albeit possibly out of the bullpen. 

Kyle Hendricks (SP, CHC)- Shoulder: Hendricks has been on the IL since early July with a shoulder issue. It was learned this week that he has a capsular tear and he will not return this year. 

Michael Lorenzen (SP, LAA)- Shoulder: Lorenzen is on the IL with a shoulder strain. Lorenzen is on a rehab assignment and the earliest he could be activated from the IL is September 2.  

MacKenzie Gore (SP, WAS)- Elbow: Gore was placed on the IL with a sore left elbow. Gore began throwing off a mound this week and still hopes to be able to return to the Nationals' active roster before the season ends. 

Carlos Carrasco (SP, NYM)- Oblique: Carrasco was placed on the IL with a  low-grade left oblique strain. Carrasco said he “feels much better” after his bullpen session this week. He was expected to be out for three to four weeks, with September 9 being a possible return date. David Peterson took his rotation spot for the Mets. 

Jack Flaherty (SP, STL)- Shoulder: Flaherty is on the IL as he continues to rehab from a shoulder injury. He is currently on a rehab assignment and is scheduled to continue it, being stretched out. The earliest he could return to the majors is either August 31 or September 2. 

Trevor Rogers (SP, MIA)- Back: Rogers is on the IL with lower back spasms. Rogers struck out 12 batters in his last rehab assignment and should be activated this week. 

Wade Miley (SP, CHC)- Shoulder: Miley is on the IL with a strained left shoulder. Miley played catch this week but still is not rebounding from his left shoulder injury as well as the Cubs would have liked. He will need at least one or two more rehab outings before he could be activated. 

Aaron Ashby (SP, MIL)- Shoulder: Ashby was placed on the IL this week with left shoulder inflammation Monday, retroactive to August 20. Adrian Houser took his rotation spot and the severity of Ashby’s injury is not yet known. 

Hunter Greene (SP, CIN)- Shoulder: Greene is on the IL with a shoulder strain. Greene threw a bullpen session and is scheduled to throw against live hitters this weekend. He is expected to need up to three rehab starts before he could be activated from the IL. 

James Paxton (SP, BOS)- Elbow: Paxton is on the IL following Tommy John surgery last April. He now has a grade 2 left lat strain and is done for the year. 

Mike Soroka (SP, ATL)- Achilles: Soroka is on the IL following multiple Achilles tendon surgeries. Soroka is scheduled for another rehab start this weekend after which time he could be activated from the IL to make his next start. Soroka last pitched in the majors in August 2020.  

Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball

Tanner Houck (RP, BOS)- Back: Houck was placed on the IL with low back inflammation. He was diagnosed with a disc issue. Houck threw off of flat ground this week and Red Sox manager Alex Cora still believes Houck could return this year.

Clay Holmes (RP, NYY)- Back: Holmes was placed on the IL this week with left lower back spasms. Holmes had a bullpen session and remains on track to return from the IL on August 29.

Scott Effross (RP, NYY)- Shoulder: Effross was placed on the IL with a minor shoulder strain. He was expected to be shut down from throwing for seven to ten days, but manager Aaron Boone hopes that the right-hander will be able to return in a few weeks. The Yankees do not have a clear closer so it will be handled by a committee, possibly headed by Aroldis Chapman and Lou Trivino.

J.P. Feyereisen (RP, TB)- Shoulder: Feyereisen has been on the IL with right shoulder impingement since June. He will throw another bullpen session this week before throwing live batting practice. He will then probably require a rehab assignment. The earliest he could return is September 9. 

Ryan Pressly (RP, HOU)- Neck: Pressly was placed on the IL with neck spasms this past Thursday, retroactive to August 22. The severity is not yet known. Bryan Abreu has already racked up a save with Pressly out but Rafael Montero will likely be the top candidate to handle closing duties until Pressly can return.

Seranthony Dominguez (RP, PHI)- Triceps: Dominguez is on the IL right triceps tendonitis. An MRI showed no structural damage. He went on a no-throw program for five days which makes his return when first eligible, September 2, not likely. The Phillies are going with a closer by committee for now with David Robertson, Connor Brogdon, and Brad Hand in line for the most chances.

Josh Staumont (RP, KC)- Biceps: Staumont is on the IL with right biceps tendonitis. Before being placed on the IL, he threw a career high 42 pitches. The severity is not known and the earliest he could come back is September 9. 

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