Many fantasy baseball owners had to hold their breath Wednesday night when Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop, and first-round fantasy pick, Hanley Ramirez left Wednesday’s game after getting hit in the hand by a pitch in the seventh inning.
Apr 16, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) is helped by a Dodgers trainer after being hit on the left wrist by a ball thrown from San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, (32) (not pictured) in the seventh inning of their baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Things didn’t look good.
Ramirez jumped back from the batter’s box and threw his helmet down in frustration. When the trainers came out to the field to attend to his hand, he appeared to be in serious pain and yanked his hand away when one of the staff touched the point of contact.
We don’t know the severity of the injury until tomorrow, but a DL-stint is quite possible.
If you own Ramirez, do yourself a favor and go out and grab Alex Guerrero as he could be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque. In three games, Guerrero has hit a pair of homers driven in five runs in 10 at-bats.
A DL stint from Ramirez could result in Dee Gordon moving to short and Guerrero being called up to play second base.
I highly recommend keeping an eye on the Ramirez situation and grabbing Guerrero if there is any whispers of him getting the call.
In other injury news:
Jose Tabata, Pittsburgh Pirates
Tabata left Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth inning after making a sensational catch that saw him crash against the wall. He was removed from the game with concussion-like symptoms. Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle did not say who would replace Tabata if he needed to go on the disabled list. This is only news as it won’t be prized prospect Gregory Polanco as the Pirates won’t risk calling him up now and losing a year of service time down the road.
Joe Kelly, St. Louis Cardinals
Apr 16, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly (58) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Kelly, off to a great start to the season, was pulled from yesterday’s start against the Milwaukee Brewers after four innings after injuring his hamstring running out a bunt. Kelly has reportedly been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and is headed back to St. Louis for further tests.
He is coming off an outstanding 2013 season in which he recorded a 2.69 ERA in 37 games, 15 of which were starts. This season, as the Cardinals’ fifth starter, Kelly has an ERA of 0.59 through three starts, including Wednesday’s.
If the injury is severe and Kelly misses any time, the Cardinals pitching depth will be tested. Fortunately for them, they are very deep in terms of arms.
Carlos Martinez could be an option, but Tyler Lyons started for Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday and is probably the more logical short-term fill-in candidate.
Martinez has been making appearances in a major league setup role and likely isn’t stretched out enough to jump in the rotation right away.
If you are in a deep league, or NL-only format, I would keep an eye on the situation and consider adding Lyons if there are any whispers of a promotion in the next couple of days.
Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Harper has been dealing soreness in his quad since last Friday and was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup before the game.
There isn’t much info on the severity of the issue at this time, but it appears that the Nationals are erring on the side of cautiousness with their star outfielder.
He’s likely going to be day-to-day for the time being, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him miss a few games. Get him out of your lineup for the time being.
Harper has gotten off to a decent start with a .340 BA, 1 HR and 5 RBI.
Cody Ross, Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are expected to activate Ross from the disabled list Friday, and when they do, they will take a pitcher off the roster rather than a position player.
The D-backs are carrying 12 position players and 13 pitchers. Ross has been out since last August, when he suffered a fractured and dislocated right hip while running to first base.
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
Hamels will pitch Thursday in Clearwater and is expected to join the Phillies rotation next week in Los Angeles.
He last pitched in a rehab start Saturday in Clearwater, when he threw 67 pitches.