Latest MLB Injuries and Who to Target in Fantasy Baseball Leagues: Spencer Strider, Yoan Moncada, Brandon Lowe and More

Discussing some more injured MLB players and who to target in fantasy baseball leagues with those guys out.

It continues to be a rough start to the MLB season, with several more notable players going down with injuries.

Let’s discuss some of the bigger injuries and then some players to target while others are out of action.

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Spencer Strider Out for Season

The reason for this article today is because Atlanta’s Strider is out for the season.

It’s a devastating blow to the Braves’ chances to win it all, and also for the fantasy owners that spent an early draft pick on the flame-throwing righty. He only got two starts in, giving up seven runs over nine innings, while striking out 12 and walking five.

Strider was coming off a monster season in 2023 where he went 20-5 with a 3.86 earned run average. He struck out 281 batters over 186 2/3 innings.

Strider was in competition with New York Yankees’ Gerrit Cole for the top fantasy pitcher in the game this season, and now both of those guys won’t finish anywhere near the top SP spot.

When Strider was placed on the 15-day IL, Allan Winans was called up from the minors. Winans allowed seven runs (six earned) in his lone start before being sent back down. 

Darius Vines was called up Friday. He is not lined up to start until at least Tuesday, so he may simply have been called up to provide the team with a fresh arm out of the bullpen.

Max Fried, Chris Sale, Charlie Morton and Reynaldo Lopez are the current members of the starting rotation, and the injury to Strider likely locked those four guys into the rotation for a while. Lopez is the only guy in that group with an own percentage below 90% right now.

AJ Smith-Shawver, Bryce Elder, Dylan Dodd, Ian Anderson and Winans join Vines as potential SP replacements. Those guys are all on the 40-man roster, but in the minor leagues right now.

It might take some time to sort out the SP replacement for Strider, so keep a close eye on the team’s probable pitchers and then box scores to see who might be emerging as a potential fantasy asset.

Yoan Moncada Placed on 60-Day IL

Moncada had been enjoying a hot start to his season before going down with a left adductor strain that will keep him out several months.

Through 11 games and 44 plate appearances, Moncada had a .282 average and .364 on-base percentage. Among his 11 total hits, three were doubles and one was a triple. Moncada failed to drive in a run, scored four times and stole one base, while striking out 10 times and walking five times.

Oscar Colas was originally called up when Moncada was injured, but was sent back down shortly after. Zach Remillard was called up when Moncada was put on the 60-day IL.

Remillard looks like a platoon option at best though. It’s Lenyn Sosa that’s gotten three starts at third base since Moncada has gone down. Sosa is a young player still trying to find his way in the MLB. He’s got a career .189 average (.222 this season), so I wouldn’t advise adding Sosa outside really deep leagues or dynasties. I’d definitely keep an eye on him in case he gets going though.

Chicago’s lineup is pretty weak right now with Moncada, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert Jr. all on the IL. Once those guys return, some other players in the lineup will see their fantasy values increase, but for now, there’s really nobody in the lineup that I’d trust every day.

Brandon Lowe Hits IL

Lowe was placed on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain. Niko Goodrum was called up in a corresponding move.

Lowe had struggled so far this season, hitting just .185 across eight games and 30 plate appearances. He had a double and a homer among his five total hits, drove in four runs, scored three times, walked twice and struck out seven times.

Goodrum looks like a bench option for the time being. Curtis Mead has made eight starts at second base (where Lowe plays), with Amed Rosario getting two starts there. Rosario can play all over the field, so that helps him get into the lineup a little more.

Mead is hitting .250 and has a .323 OBP across 31 plate appearances this season. All seven of his hits are singles though, and he’s failed to drive in a run, while scoring just twice.

Rosario has a .275 average and .293 OBP across 41 plate appearances this season. Four of his 11 total hits are doubles. Rosario has driven in four runs, scored once and also stolen a base.

Rosario and Mead are short-term streaming options, but it will likely only be until some of the Rays’ injured players are back. Josh Lowe, Jonny DeLuca, Jonathan Aranda and Taylor Walls are also on the 10-day IL right now.

Brent Rooker Placed on IL

Oakland’s Rooker is on the 10-day IL with a costochondral cartilage injury. Max Schuemann was called up in a corresponding move.

Rooker had a nice 2023 campaign, hitting 30 homers and driving in 69, but had just a .200 average and .226 OBP across eight games this season. Rooker did have two homers and a double among his six total hits, drove in five runs and scored twice. The outfielder had 16 strikeouts to just one walk.

Schiemann looks like a platoon option right now, which is what a good portion of the team’s lineup is. I’m shocked the callup wasn’t Esteury Ruiz, but it appears the team is trying to limit his MLB time to control his contract in the long run.

Anyways, there’s not many Oakland hitters that I like as fantasy options right now. Zack Gelof is the highest owned, but has just a .204 average. No qualified batter has over a .240 average, so if you rostered Rooker, I’d look to another team for some fantasy help.

Nick Pivetta, Trevor Story Both Injured

Boston’s Pivetta was placed on the 15-day IL with a right elbow flexor strain, while Story was placed on the 10-day IL (but is out for the season) because of a left shoulder injury that requires surgery.

Story’s injury-plagued career took another hit with his injury. He can be safely dropped in redraft leagues, and you’d probably be better off looking for additional help in dynasty leagues if you rostered him in one. 

David Hamilton was called up in a corresponding move, and he is part of a platoon at shortstop right now, which limits his fantasy value. Romy Gonzalez and Pablo Reyes have also started some games at shortstop. None of those guys are currently great fantasy assets though. 

Vaughn Grissom could maybe be the team’s answer at SS once he returns from an injury. He made his first rehab start on Friday, so it likely won’t be too long before he’s ready to go. Either add him now, or watch for news of his return to the MLB closely to make sure you beat other fantasy owners to him.

Pivetta had a 0.82 ERA across two starts this season, so it’s a shame he’s now out of action. He had struck out 13 batters over 11 innings, while allowing just one run.

Brennan Bernardino was called up in a corresponding move, but is pitching out of the bullpen for the Red Sox. Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are the four locked-in members of the starting rotation right now.

There doesn’t look to be any standout options to fill Pivetta’s spot in the rotation, so I’d keep a close eye on their probable pitchers and then the box scores to see if anyone steps up for a short time.

Framber Valdez Out with Injury

Houston’s Valdez hit the 15-day IL with left elbow soreness. 

Valdez made two starts this season, posting a 2.19 ERA across 12 1/3 innings. He struck out 10 batters, but walked six. He’s been a good SP option the past two seasons, so this will sting the Astros until he’s back.

Spencer Arrighetti got a start in place of Valdez, but was rocked, allowing seven runs in just three innings. He’s still on the active roster, and might make a second start with the team.

He’d be tough to trust, regardless of the opponent, after what he showed in start No. 1, but he looks like the short-term answer with Valdez out of action.

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