One of the main storylines of the 2019 season thus far has been the Yankees roster getting decimated by injuries yet still being able to overcome all of them.  The Astros are slowly reaching that same level with the injuries they have sustained to key players, so it will be interesting to see whether they can attain the same success with their roster depth.  This is also the key to success for fantasy GMs who need to focus on accumulating enough depth to withstand these inevitable injuries to key players.  It may seem like it is impossible to overcome the loss of some players, but GMs can take solace knowing everyone else is dealing with the same problems.  So without further ado, here is the next edition of the fantasy baseball emergency room.

George Springer (OF-HOU)

Springer has been the leading candidate for American League MVP thus far but he landed on the injured list with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.  He is batting .308 with 17 home runs, 43 RBI, 41 runs scored and four stolen bases thus far making him invaluable to fantasy GMs.  The good news is that he did some running earlier in the week and could be heading towards a rehab assignment sooner than initially expected.  This would be a huge boost for GMs who can ill afford to be without Springer for an extended amount of time.  Originally it looked like Springer would miss several weeks but now it appears there is a chance he could be back in a much shorter amount of time.  GMs should attempt to tread water for now until he is able to return.

Carlos Correa (SS-HOU)

Speaking of Astros’ injuries, we can once again add Carlos Correa to the injury report as he suffered a fractured rib while getting a massage at his house.  No that was not a typo.  This is certainly one of the more bizarre circumstances under which a player suffered an injury which makes it all the more frustrating for fantasy GMs who had hoped the former number one draft pick was overcoming his reputation.  It was reported that he is likely going to be out for four to six weeks which is a significant loss given how productive Correa has been with his batting average of .295 with 11 home runs, 35 RBI, 26 runs scored and one stolen base.  It is anticipated that Alex Bregman will slide over to shortstop in Correa’s absence.

Charlie Blackmon (OF-COL)

The Rockies had hoped that Blackmon would be available to play earlier in the week after injuring his calf last Thursday, but that was not meant to be.  He sat out last weekend which was not enough time to recover, so Colorado placed him on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 24.  The expectation is that he will return once eligible but he may be sent for a rehab assignment before being activated.  The timing of the injury was devastating for GMs as Blackmon was red hot seeing his batting average ascend to .300 with ten home runs, 31 RBI, 35 runs scored and two stolen bases.   He should be back sometime next week barring any setbacks. 

Justin Turner (3B-LAD)

Justin Turner is day-to-day right now with some tightness in his hamstring.  He suffered the injury on Wednesday and then was held out of Thursday’s game against the Mets.  Max Muncy played third base in his absence and will likely continue to do so if Turner requires any additional days off.  He has been on fire lately raising his batting average to .306 with six home runs, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored and one stolen base.

Joey Votto (1B-CIN)

It has been a real struggle for veteran Joey Votto this year but he recently looked like he was finally snapping out of a season-long slump.  Unfortunately, he injured his right hamstring on Wednesday but had Thursday to get some additional rest.  The Reds are hopeful that he can return to the lineup on Friday against Washington, but the concern is whether he can continue hitting effectively.  Votto has been a non-factor for fantasy GMs this year batting just .242 with four home runs, ten RBI, 28 runs scored and one stolen base.

Eugenio Suárez (3B-CIN)

Suarez was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Pirates after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand.  The good news is that x-rays were negative so he avoided any type of serious injury.  He should be back in the lineup on Friday depending on whether there is still any pain or swelling, but either way he is not expected to miss much time at all.  Suarez has been a solid fantasy contributor all season batting .279 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 31 runs scored and one stolen base.  Check for updates later today to see if you should put him back in your daily lineups.

Yadier Molina (C-STL)

The future Hall of Fame catcher has missed the past couple games with a bruised right hand and is considered day-to-day.  This does not appear to be a serious injury so chances are that he is back in the lineup for the weekend.  Molina remains one of the most consistent fantasy catchers in the league.  He has provided solid production thus far with his .265 batting average along with four home runs, 33 RBI, 18 runs scored and four stolen bases.  Matt Wieters filled in for him the past couple days and would be in line to do so if Molina does require some additional rest.

Mitch Moreland (1B-BOS)

The Red Sox have placed Mitch Moreland on the 10-day injured list with a strained lower back.  The move is retroactive to May 26 so he is eligible to return some time later next week.  Moreland has been an offensive force for Boston despite a .228 batting average.  He does have 13 home runs, 34 RBI, 25 runs scored and one stolen base to his credit so he has been worthy of being a starting 1B or CI in most fantasy formats.  Boston moved Michael Chavis to first base earlier in the week and played Brock Holt at second base, so this is likely going to continue while Moreland recovers.

J.P. Crawford (SS-SEA)

Crawford has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle which could keep him sidelined up to a month.  Crawford had taken over at shortstop for Seattle replacing Tim Beckham and was playing well, but now he will be out for several weeks allowing Beckham to reclaim his position.  Crawford has been a top prospect for several years so he does have upside, but right now he may not be worth holding onto if you are desperate for roster flexibility.  The Mariners will be able to move Beckham back to shortstop and have Kyle Seager back at third base as he returns from his own injuries. 

Michael Pineda (SP-MIN)

The injuries continue for Michael Pineda who just can’t seem to stay on the mound.  He has been placed on the 10-day injured list with tendinitis in his right knee.  This is the same knee that he suffered a torn meniscus last year, so it is clearly an ongoing problem.  Pineda has been inconsistent thus far with a 4-3 record along with a 5.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 59 innings over 11 starts.  The Twins have been rolling all season despite Pineda’s performance, and now they will turn to Devin Smeltzer who was quite impressive in his first start earlier this week.