Ambulance Chasers: Freddie Took a Fall

Issues had been quiet…too quiet final week so in fact, we’re again with one other version of Ambulance Chasers in Week 2. The Baseball Gods laughed as we acquired our hopes up throughout Opening Weekend. The previous few video games haven’t been a massacre however additionally they haven’t been type. A number of big-name stars are going to overlook time for the subsequent few weeks together with a few thrilling younger weapons. Let’s dive in.

Accidents to Monitor

Freddie Freeman (1B, LAD) Ankle

All you are able to do is chuckle. Freddie Freeman reaggravated his surgically repaired ankle earlier this week in a “bathe incident” which might imply something (we aren’t right here to evaluate). There was hope that Freeman might return by this weekend’s sequence however that’s out of the query as he has been positioned on the 10-Day IL retroactive to Monday.

Assuming that this re-injury is minor, we are able to anticipate a return as quickly as Freeman is eligible but we shouldn’t be too relieved. Freeman is a fragile asset this season who’s greatest traded to another person’s roster. Let him return, present indicators of life once more, after which deal him elsewhere. He’s going to obtain common days off (in line with Dave Roberts) and will simply get harm once more.

Ketel Marte (2B, ARI) Hamstring

The Diamondbacks’ recently-paid star second baseman is harm. Ketel Marte injured his hamstring whereas operating the bases and was changed mid-game by Garrett Hampson. Marte has a historical past of hamstring accidents which had been prevalent from 2019 via 2022. Regardless of not realizing the severity of this damage but, we are able to assume a stint on the Injured Record is inevitable.

Until this damage is long-term, it’s unlikely the Diamondbacks name up high prospect Jordan Lawlar who’s struggling to begin the season in Triple-A. Hampson is probably going the short-term substitute and has some fantasy upside given his pace however that bat is just not playable.

Sean Manaea (SP, NYM) Indirect

Sean Manaea has been shut down from throwing after experiencing lingering soreness in his indirect and can obtain a PRP injection. The injection will hopefully pace up therapeutic however given this added delay in his ramp-up, Manaea could not contribute to the Mets or fantasy groups till the second half of this season. If IL spots in your fantasy groups are tight, be at liberty to drop him.

Jack Leiter (SP, TEX) Blister

Jack Leiter will probably be positioned on the 15-Day IL attributable to a blister concern that popped up in his most up-to-date begin. Leiter was dealing in opposition to the Reds however was eliminated after simply 5 innings. Blisters could be difficult points (see: Hill, Wealthy) and ought to be allotted the right time to heal.

Fortunately, it didn’t look like a big concern and there was consideration for Leiter to make his subsequent scheduled begin. Given what we now have seen from Leiter blended along with his pedigree, he’s a worthwhile IL stash who ought to return by late April.

Colton Cowser (OF, BAL) Thumb

Colton Cowser is out for the subsequent 6-8 weeks with a fractured thumb. Cowser injured his thumb sliding into first base (not saying it’s his fault, but in addition, not-not his fault). This damage opens up extra taking part in time for Heston Kjerstad, Ryan O’Hearn, and Ryan Mountcastle who had been all in a probable rotation upon Gunnar Henderson’s activation.

Mountcastle is value rostering in all leagues whereas O’Hearn is a JAG for fantasy. Kjerstad has some upside however continues to be in a platoon at greatest. The previous second-overall decide won’t hit excessive sufficient or play sufficient days of the week to be something greater than an OF streamer (and never the sort I pay good cash for).

In the meantime, Cowser’s 2025 worth is doubtlessly shot. He was a fringe fantasy OF choice getting into the season after his second-half decline in 2024 and may very well be out of the Orioles’ common lineup if Kjerstad hits properly in his absence. Cowser has plus-fielding to his credit score but when he can’t stumble on his return from the thumb, there may be not a lot to do in addition to look in the direction of 2026.

Gleyber Torres (2B, DET) Indirect

The Tigers’ large low season acquisition on offense is already harm. Gleyber Torres has been positioned on the 10-Day IL (first time since 2021) attributable to a strained indirect. There is no such thing as a data on the severity of Torres’s indirect pressure however he’s “finishing rehab every day” because the damage. However, we ought to be nervous anytime the muscle is injured.

Between Torres and Parker Meadows, the Tigers are down two of their projected top-four hitters getting into this season. Fortunately, Riley Greene is elite and Spencer Torkelson is waking as much as maintain the offense competent. Torres ought to be held on fantasy ILs given the state of center infields throughout the league but when he begins sluggish from the damage, a drop is affordable.