Fantasy Baseball: Aramis Ramirez, Adam LaRoche heading to DL
By Matt Shetler
Fantasy stars have dropped like flies this season and we have another pair of names off to solid starts heading to the disabled list in Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez and Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Apr 25, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (16) backs away from an inside pitch in the fifth inning during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Ramirez’s strained left hamstring will likely send him to the disabled list before Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and club officials and a corresponding roster move is likely coming.
That all likely depends on whether right fielder Ryan Braun is ready to return from a stint on the DL for a right rib-cage strain.
That all seems likely as Braun took batting practice again on Sunday and the results were positive.
Keep an eye on Mark Reynolds as he will likely fill in at third base most of the time in Ramirez’s absence. While Reynolds will only help you in the power categories, he has hit in nine of his last 10 games with three long balls during that span.
Ramirez was off to a nice start in the power department with five homers and 21 RBI, but was sitting with only a disappointing .699 OPS though 34 games.
As for LaRoche, he has already been placed on the DL (retroactive to May 10) after an MRI revealed a strain in his right quad.
The Nats made the announcement officially on Sunday, and promoted Tyler Moore as the corresponding move.
Losing LaRoche is another injury blow for the Nats who are already missing Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman.
LaRoche, known for notorious slow starts, had been playing as well as anyone on the Nationals roster. Through 32 games he boasts a .319 average with a .925 OPS, five home runs and 21 RBI.
Other injury news:
Apr 6, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jason Grilli (39) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates
Grilli completed a 25-pitch bullpen before Sunday’s game as he creeps closer to returning to game action. Grilli said he mixed in his slider and said he is on target to pitch in a simulated game in Milwaukee.
He should be back sometime this week you would think.
Grilli was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique on April 25.
Devin Mesoraco, Cincinnati Reds
Mesoraco was on fire before heading to the DL and could be back in the Reds’ lineup by the end of the week.
He should be able to begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment early this week. Triple-A Louisville is at home Monday, and could be back later in the week if all goes well.
Sergio Santos, Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays placed Santos on the DL on Sunday with forearm tightness.
He had the opportunity to run away with Toronto’s closing gig when Casey Janssen started the year on the DL, but that didn’t come close to happening.
Santos walked nearly a batter per inning this year and had an ugly 9.00 ERA.
He has next to no value when he returns.
Ian Stewart, Los Angeles Angels
May 11, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Ian Stewart (44) slides in to third base for a triple in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Angels won 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Stewart looks to be the latest Angels’ player heading to the DL.
He came out of Sunday’s game in the seventh inning, after a pitch his left hand. X-rays were normal, but Stewart said it was sore.
Third baseman Luis Jimenez was pulled from the game at Triple-A Salt Lake City in the fourth inning, which is likely a sign that the Angels were at least preparing for the possibility of bringing up Jimenez and putting Stewart on the disabled list.
Stewart recently snapped an 0-for-24 slump with a triple to center field over the weekend.
Michael Pineda, New York Yankees
It has been a roller coaster ride for Pineda as he made his way back to the majors, was subsequently suspending and is now on the DL.
However Pineda’s initial three to four week timetable to work back from his shoulder injury is unlikely to be met.
An updated timetable wasn’t given, but this is obviously bad news for Pineda owners.
He may be worth buying low on his as he’d come very cheaply and would be worth stashing away.