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Royals Closer Wade Davis Lands on DL: Fantasy Impact

By Bill Pivetz

Jun 13, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Cleveland Indians during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals beat the Indians 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Cleveland Indians during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals beat the Indians 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Royals take a big loss to their roster as they announced closer Wade Davis will be placed on the 15-day DL. There are closers to pick up in his absence.

One step forward, two steps back.

The Kansas City Royals lose a major piece of their team as they try to make a run for the American League Central title. It was announced on Tuesday that closer Wade Davis will land on the 15-day disabled list with a forearm injury. The Royals have one or two players that can serve as a replacement, but you could also look elsewhere.

Davis was having another great season, 1.23 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 28 strikeouts and 19 saves. He is ranked as the No. 16 relief pitcher on the ESPN Player Rater and owned in just about all leagues, 97.7 percent exactly.

It doesn’t look like this is a serious injury as many expect Davis to serve the minimum time on the DL and return right after the All-Star break.

Wade Davis suffered from a similar injury last fall. He was only shut down for a week before returning for the playoffs.

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In the meantime, the Royals have a relief pitcher ready to fill in for Davis. Kelvin Herrera is having a great season, too. He has a 1.40 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 11.4 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9. While he doesn’t have one this season, he does have five career saves, three in 2012 and two in 2013. He is currently owned in 18.2 percent of leagues.

Other options in the Kansas City bullpen include Joakim Soria and Luke Hochevar, but both are likely to pitch in a middle relief or set-up role and not in the ninth inning.

With the recent loss of Francisco Rodriguez, Oakland’s Ryan Madson becomes a valuable closer. Houston’s Will Harris is still available in about 45 percent of leagues.

Next: Junior Guerra: Deep Waiver Add

If you are a Wade Davis owner, I wouldn’t panic too much. While it is a bummer that you’ll be without him for the next two weeks, it won’t be a long-term absence. Once the mid-season break is over, he should be back and ready to pitch.

This is just one more name to add to the long list of injured players in 2016.

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