This week in (fantasy) baseball, 9/3-9/9

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

• Nick Markakis fractured his thumb on Saturday, which will torpedo his season at least through the rest of this month.

• It’s official: Stephen Strasburg is done for 2012. The heated controversy behind his shutdown aside, John Lannan (2-0, 3.46 ERA, 4.8 K/9 in two starts) will take his spot in the rotation.

• Speaking of shutdowns, say goodbye to Cubs breakout star Jeff Samardzija, who finished his season on Saturday with a strong complete-game win against the Pirates.

• Considering the Red Sox’s chronic misfortunes this year, it doesn’t sound as if there’s a need to rush back David Ortiz, who’s still suffering from a right Achilles’ strain.

• J.A. Happ fractured his right foot and won’t be returning in 2012. Expect the Blue Jays to plug the rotation spot with Brandon Morrow, who last week made his first start since June and pitched six strong innings.

• Chad Billingsley is looking at Tommy John surgery after a MRI revealed a partially torn ligament in his right elbow.

• It doesn’t sound as if Franklin Morales will be returning this season due to a sore shoulder.

Other bumps and bruises

• Jake Westbrook is suffering from a strained right oblique and will miss at least his next start. As of Sunday, the team did not announce his replacement, though Lance Lynn and Shelby Miller are logical options.

Road to recovery

• Look for Troy Tulowitzki to return to major league action this week after missing more than three months with a left groin injury. When he returns, it sounds as if Josh Rutledge will move over to second base.

• Ivan Nova is back from a shoulder injury, but it appears as if he’ll pitch out of the bullpen in the immediate term. He’ll likely return to the starting rotation soon enough, so it comes down to him either bumping Freddy Garcia or David Phelps out of a job (as of Sunday, Phelps looked like the leading candidate to lose his rotation spot).

• The Blue Jays got Brett Lawrie and J.P. Arencibia back last week.

• Jason Hammel looked strong in his return from knee surgery last week, pitching into the sixth inning while allowing just one run against the Yankees on Friday.

• Starling Marte returned over the weekend from an oblique injury.

• Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall rejoined the team on Sunday after missing two months with a fractured wrist.