This week in (fantasy) baseball 6/25-7/1

It’s hard enough following one’s own fantasy team without having to keep track of an entire sport’s daily transactions. To assist you, here’s a column dedicated to recapping the most notable trades, signings, promotions, demotions and role changes across the majors over the past week as they relate to fantasy. We’ll do this on a weekly basis. If you feel I’ve missed anything important, please don’t hesitate to keep the conversation going in the comments below.

Fantasy infirmary

Andy Pettitte’s return had become one of baseball’s warmer stories in 2012, but a devastating fractured left ankle will cost him at least the next two months of the season. His injury occurred on the same day that CC Sabathia landed on the DL with a strained muscle in his left leg, so look for Freddy Garcia and David Phelps to pick up starts, especially after Adam Warren was blasted by the White Sox Friday and was subsequently demoted.

• Forearm tendinitis forced Colby Lewis to the DL, and he likely won’t be seen until after the All-Star break. His absence, however, does open up a spot for left-hander Martin Perez, the Rangers’ best pitching prospect. Perez, 21, posted five strikeouts over 5.1 innings while beating the A’s on Saturday, and could stick around in the rotation even after Lewis returns if he pitches well enough.

Daniel Hudson has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and you know what that means: Tommy John surgery. Of course, his departure means that some guy named Trevor Bauer will have a chance to make starts at the major league level. Bauer, of course, is a must-add in any league in which he’s still available, but he left his major league debut last week due to a groin injury that’s apparently been nagging him throughout the season. He expects to make his next start, however.

• A broken bone in Lonnie Chisenhall’s right forearm will cost the 23-year-old up to the next three months, which will probably boost Jose Lopez’s playing time.

Other bumps and bruises

• Knee inflammation sidelined Joey Votto during Sunday’s game against the Giants.

David Price was pulled early from his start Friday against the Tigers with a back tightness, though he expects to make his start this week against the Yankees. Manager Joe Maddon, however, seems cautious in pushing the All-Star back onto the mound, so consider him a risky start in week 14.

Trading block

• As of Sunday night, Carlos Lee was still making up his mind about whether to accept a trade from the Astros to the Dodgers. Lee, 36, has just five homers and 29 RBIs this season, and yet would still be a boost to LA’s lineup if he were to replace James Loney.

• Baltimore added Jim Thome for a couple of low-level minor-leaguers over the weekend, though it remains to be seen how much playing time the 41-year-old first baseman will be able to grab. Nick Johnson, however, was added to the DL last week with a sprained right wrist, which will likely give Thome some at-bats.

Minor developments

Yasmani Grandal was called up again, but this time, his biggest roadblock to playing time, Nick Hundley, was demoted to make room for him as the Padres’ No. 1 catcher. Grandal, 23, was a centerpiece of the Mat Latos deal over the offseason, and promptly slammed two home runs on Saturday.

Drew Pomeranz, arriving in his second major league stint this season to replace the demoted Guillermo Moscoso, pitched well Sunday in his loss to San Diego, giving up just two hits over six innings and allowing one unearned run. There’s much to like about Colorado’s young lefty, but keep in mind the team’s four-man starting rotation will keep his pitch count limited.

• Speaking of the Padres, flame-thrower Andrew Cashner was called up last week after spending a few weeks in the minors to get stretched out, and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning Friday against the Astros. Like most young pitchers, he’s at risk of a pitch count, but there’s no question that PETCO Park could immeasurably aid him as he settles in as a starter.

• It’s been a tough season for Brian Matusz, so maybe his trip down to Triple-A will give the 25-year-old lefty a chance to work out some kinks. The team has not yet announced Matusz’s replacement, though one imagines either Zach Britton or Chris Tillman, both pitching in Triple-A, would be the most obvious candidates.


Karl, a journalist living in Washington, D.C., learned about life's disappointments by following the Mets beginning at a young age. His work has appeared in numerous publications, and he has contributed to the 2014 and 2015 editions of The Hardball Times Annual. Follow/harass him on Twitter @Karl_de_Vries.

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