Let’s start off the All-Star edition by challenging you with a little trivia about the midsummer classic. Who was the first pitcher to win an All-Star game and a World Series game in the same season? (Accomplished in both 1937 and 1938) See the answer at the end of the article. So many fantasy owners had wondered, and now had confirmed, that this year seemed to see a great deal of player movement for MLB teams. We will take a look at this and other MLB news that may impact your fantasy and MLB team.
MLB NEWS WEEK OF JULY 16
This is why fantasy owners have to pay attention
Joe Sherman of the New York Post tweeted out an interesting fact: as of last Tuesday night, major league teams have collectively exceeded 1,200 players used this season. What makes this interesting is that before 1999, the 1,200 mark had never been reached, but with the caveat that before 1998 there were fewer teams. But even in the 30-team era, the numbers we’re seeing are incredible. They have risen each and every year since 2012 and last year a new record was set at 1,358. Teams are very much on pace to shatter that record this year. The reason for this is that teams are shuttling players on and off rosters, on and off the disabled list, and up and down from the minor leagues at rates never before seen. All of which keeps fantasy owners busy and has good owners keeping track of these movements and other news at sites like here at Fantrax.
Kluber shut down for a week
The Indians are going to shut ace Corey Kluber down for the next week after giving him an injection in his right knee. The Indians say it’s the knee that is bugging him, leading to his mechanics being messed up which has led to an over five ERA in his last six starts. He is expected to be back in time for the July 23 game against the Pirates.
Matheny fired by Cardinals
Normally a manager firing would not have a big impact on fantasy. However, fantasy owners know that many of their Cardinal players are underachieving this year. This move appears to be done for the sake of culture instead of trying to judge things purely on win-loss record. There have been multiple stories written and anecdotes shared about just how poisonous the Cardinals locker room has been this season. Harmony in the clubhouse isn’t a guarantee of success but it surely helps matters and when morale is bad, it makes a difficult sport even more challenging. For fantasy owners, this change could mean an improvement in the second half of the season for Cardinal players or as a bargaining chip in possible trades involving Cardinals.
Mike Matheny lost the clubhouse and now he has lost his job https://t.co/8NVEwMGzfa
— Cathlene Sareli (@cbtuck62) July 15, 2018
Eduardo Rodriguez suffers an ankle sprain, heads to DL
Boston placed LHP Eduardo Rodriguez on the 10-day disabled list with a right ankle sprain. Rodriguez suffered the injury during Boston’s win over Toronto on Saturday when he landed awkwardly and tumbled to the ground after attempting to cover first base. Further tests revealed that he suffered some serious damage to the ligaments in that ankle. Rodriguez will be in a walking boot for a couple of weeks and the Red Sox are hopeful that he can return sometime this season. Left-hander Brian Johnson was activated from the 10-day DL to replace Rodriguez and started Sunday’s game.
Trade for Machado could happen this week
Reports out of Baltimore indicate that the Phillies, Brewers, and Dodgers appear to be the front-runners to acquire Manny Machado. The Orioles have been doing a lot of research on Phillies prospects of late. The trade fever hit hard Sunday when Machado was removed from the game but it turned out he was pulled only because of poor field conditions. Regardless, this is bad news for Machado owners in AL-only leagues but NL-only leagues should get ready to go after him when the trade goes down.
It was a bittersweet conclusion to the first half as the Orioles beat the Rangers 6-5 on the backs of Manny Machado and Adam Jones. #Birdland https://t.co/d7oQ1W95Br
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) July 15, 2018
Richards to undergo Tommy John surgery
Garrett Richards was diagnosed with a damaged ulnar collateral ligament last Wednesday, after an abrupt exit from a start against the Mariners. Richards will undergo Tommy John surgery which will certainly end his 2018 season and will keep him out for most, if not all of the 2019 season as well. He has had trouble staying healthy in recent years, accruing only six starts in each of the 2016 and ’17 seasons.
Wilson Ramos injures hamstring, withdraws from All-Star game
Ramos made an early departure from Saturday’s record-setting 19-6 win over the Twins after feeling some tightness in his left hamstring. He will not participate in Tuesday’s mid-summer classic and will probably end up on the DL. Ramos has had issues with hamstrings in both of his legs over the last few years, although nothing serious enough to merit a lengthy stay on the disabled list since 2013. Prior to his injury on Saturday, the catcher batted .297/.346/.486 with 14 home runs and a .832 OPS this season.
.@RaysBaseball manager Kevin Cash on Wilson Ramos not being able to play in the All-Star Game due to injury. #RaysUp #MLB pic.twitter.com/TBmUkm5IUn
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) July 15, 2018
Indians recall top prospect
The Indians have recalled top prospect Francisco Mejia from Triple-A amid speculation about him being part of potential deadline deals. Mejia is batting .279 with 21 doubles, seven home runs, and 43 RBI in 77 games for the Columbus. In June, he batted .455 with four homers and 23 RBI in 24 games. This is his second stint this season with Cleveland, which could be tempted to trade him to find relief help or another outfielder.
Francisco Mejia's latest stay with the Cleveland Indians will be brief, but there's a job here if he wants it https://t.co/kuWHyVOb67 pic.twitter.com/iyr6gOUaqG
— Joe Noga (@JoeNogaCLE) July 15, 2018
Pujols heads to DL
Albert Pujols was placed on the 10-day disabled list last Friday with left knee inflammation. The Angels report that Pujols had a platelet-rich plasma injection and is expected to return after the minimum stay on the DL. The Angels recalled infielder Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace Pujols on the roster and he started at first base on Friday night against the Dodgers.
Vizcaino goes back on DL
The Braves placed Arodys Vizcaino on the 10-day DL last Saturday after just returning from a previous stint on July 3. The Braves still think Vizcaino has only inflammation in his pitching shoulder, but they’ll likely have him undergo an MRI exam to rule out anything more serious. Vizcaino has dealt with shoulder issues that cropped up after he pitched in four of five Braves games during a June 13-17 stretch. He’s made only three appearances in four weeks since then, and now he’s back on the DL despite efforts to assure he got plenty of rest. A.J. Minter will likely be the Braves’ closer until Vizcaino returns.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Lefty Gomez
It’s time to multi-task! Keep up with all of our baseball coverage, but kick off your football prep and dig into our 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit. Then head on over to Fantrax and join a Fantasy Football league.