This article is part of our Fantasy Baseball Injury Report series.
Managing injuries during the fantasy baseball postseason is a difficult but integral part of winning a championship. Making these decisions can be complicated by expanded rosters and team-driven choices based on contract eligibility and multiple other factors. However, claiming a title remains the primary reason for playing and moving on from an injured star must remain a realistic option. Let's take a look at a few players whose health status is currently in limbo.
Betts was forced out of Sunday's win over the Mets with what is being described as a "side" injury. The Boston outfielder was injured while making a throw to the plate. The team is optimistic he will be available for their game on Tuesday, and manager Alex Cora called the decision to remove Betts from the game as purely "precautionary." However, it is important to note the MVP candidate was sidelined for 12 games in June with left side soreness. Betts has commented that the injury is only an issue while throwing, which could prompt the Red Sox to shift him to a designated hitter role. However, it seems likely Boston gives Betts routine days off down the stretch, especially if they clinch the American League East over the next few days. The team is off on Monday, giving Betts a small respite.
James Paxton and the Seattle Mariners
An unspecified illness is running rampant in the Seattle clubhouse, with multiple players succumbing to the infection. The illness has been described as viral in
Managing injuries during the fantasy baseball postseason is a difficult but integral part of winning a championship. Making these decisions can be complicated by expanded rosters and team-driven choices based on contract eligibility and multiple other factors. However, claiming a title remains the primary reason for playing and moving on from an injured star must remain a realistic option. Let's take a look at a few players whose health status is currently in limbo.
Betts was forced out of Sunday's win over the Mets with what is being described as a "side" injury. The Boston outfielder was injured while making a throw to the plate. The team is optimistic he will be available for their game on Tuesday, and manager Alex Cora called the decision to remove Betts from the game as purely "precautionary." However, it is important to note the MVP candidate was sidelined for 12 games in June with left side soreness. Betts has commented that the injury is only an issue while throwing, which could prompt the Red Sox to shift him to a designated hitter role. However, it seems likely Boston gives Betts routine days off down the stretch, especially if they clinch the American League East over the next few days. The team is off on Monday, giving Betts a small respite.
James Paxton and the Seattle Mariners
An unspecified illness is running rampant in the Seattle clubhouse, with multiple players succumbing to the infection. The illness has been described as viral in nature and has forced Jean Segura, Nelson Cruz and Cameron Maybin to miss time. However, Paxton seems to have been hit the hardest and did not travel with the team as he received treatment for a mild form of pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection that affects the air sacs of the lungs, making breathing difficult. Pneumonia is often a secondary issue linked to a prior infection.
The Mariners' problem is difficult to manage, as antibiotics are ineffective against a viral infection. Instead, sick individuals often have to wait for the illness to run its course. Medication can be given to treat the symptoms but do little to help eliminate the source of the problem. Furthermore, locker rooms and clubhouses often act as a breeding ground for germs and other pathogens. Team planes and buses also force teammates to share a common space, further increasing exposure to potential illness. The Mariners medical staff will do everything they can to quarantine the sick individuals and disinfect the shared areas to prevent further infections. However, it wouldn't be surprising if another Mariner or two missed time over the course of the next week.
Cruz remains day-to-day, while the team plans on welcoming Paxton back to the rotation by the end of the week. Scale back your expectations for the pair and any other ill Mariner, as the ramifications from being sick can linger even after the players has been cleared to return.
Check Swings
Justin Turner: The Dodgers third baseman returned to action on Sunday after being hit by a pitch the night before. X-rays on his forearm were negative, though he is dealing with some residual soreness. The injury doesn't appear to be overly serious but remember Turner's season debut was delayed by a wrist injury on this same side. Keep a close eye on his productivity over the next few days to see if this latest setback creates any lingering problems.
Trevor Bauer: The Indians right-hander hasn't pitched since breaking his fibula on August 11. He has been actively progressing through his throwing protocol and recently completed an intense bullpen session. The team has not yet decided what role Bauer will assume when he is cleared to return to the active lineup. There has been discussion on bringing him out of the bullpen, but any final decision will depend on his health as he continues his designed program. With Cleveland's focus clearly on the postseason, Bauer's uncertain status may force fantasy owners still playing meaningful matchups to look elsewhere.
Aaron Judge: The Yankees slugger has returned to the active roster but has not been allowed to hit. He made a cameo in the outfield during Friday's game against the Blue Jays but was removed without a plate appearance. He has been taking batting practice and the team is optimistic he returns to the lineup at some point during their impending series with the Red Sox. Fantasy owners will need to exhibit patience here as he may need additional time to knock off any rust.
Gregory Polanco: The Pirates outfielder is slated to miss seven to nine months after undergoing shoulder surgery. Polanco sustained a moderate knee bone contusion and a torn labrum in his shoulder when he took an awkward slide into second base. The shoulder injury is the more significant of the two, with the estimated recovery likely to carry over into next season. Polanco is likely to miss time in the spring and could be hard-pressed to be ready for Opening Day. Furthermore, it can take up to year for a player to return to top form following a labrum repair. For example, outfielder Matt Kemp underwent a similar procedure following the 2012 campaign and endured a down year the following season. Consequently, it wouldn't be surprising to see Polanco get off to a slow start during the 2019 season.
Kyle Schwarber: The Cubs hard-hitting outfielder remains sidelined by a back injury. He had hoped to return over the weekend, but lingering stiffness and discomfort derailed those plans. Rather than subject his balky back to an extended flight, the team opted to leave Schwarber in Chicago during their upcoming series against the Diamondbacks. Schwarber's extended absence makes him a difficult player to roster in most formats.
Pedro Strop and Brandon Morrow: Strop will not pitch for the remainder of the regular season after straining his hamstring on the base path. The Cubs have not officially placed Strop on the DL yet, but fantasy owners should feel comfortable dropping the reliever in all formats.
Morrow is expected to be activated from the DL during the team's current series in Arizona. He hasn't pitched since suffering a bone bruise in his elbow back in mid-July. However, Morrow is not slated to resume the primary closer responsibilities upon his return. Instead, it appears the Cubs will take a closer by committee approach, utilizing a multitude of relivers including Jesse Chavez, Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards Jr. Cishek was given the first crack at the ninth inning, picking up a save on Saturday with Chavez recording a hold.
