Red Sox: David Price Injury Concerns, Fantasy Impact

The Red Sox may be without their No. 2 starting pitcher David Price for the season. If he is done, here is the fantasy impact of the injury.

The Boston Red Sox made a serious statement that they want to win the World Series again by trading for ace Chris Sale. Having him and David Price atop the rotation would be tough to compete with and be fruitful for fantasy owners. However, we may not see this one-two punch this season.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Price has been feeling elbow soreness. It’s significant enough that Price will miss his next start and will get a second MRI on the elbow, as reported by Jeff Bowden of ESPN Baseball Tonight. This, unfortunately, lines up perfectly to require Tommy John surgery.

In his first season in Boston, Price didn’t put up the numbers we are used to seeing. He still reached 230 innings but posted a 3.99 ERA, 1.204 WHIP, and 3.60 FIP with a 17-9 record. The offense carried him to most of those wins. Yet, he allowed his fair share of runs.

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The American League East is home to a few high-powered offenses. Having pitched in the division for most of his career, this shouldn’t have been a surprise for him.

However, Price allowed the most runs and homers of his career, 102 and 30 respectively.

It looked like he lost a bit of control throughout the season. He had 50 walks and seven hit by pitches. This could be the effect of an issue with the elbow. Not being able to locate your pitches makes for a poor season.

Price finished No. 70 overall on the ESPN Player Rater. Even with the struggle, I had him inside my top 10 among starting pitchers.

Now, with the injury concern, Price is going to drop a bit. Even if he doesn’t undergo TJ surgery immediately, the idea of any lingering injury will be looming around him all season. That isn’t a risk I’m willing to take in re-draft leagues. He is now outside my top 20, for now.

Moving forward, the Red Sox rotation will be Sale, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright with Drew Pomeranz likely taking over the fifth spot. For their sake, they are hoping all will be healthy by Opening Day. The team shipped out Clay Buchholz earlier in the offseason.

Next: Brewers Zach Davies: Deep 2017 Fantasy Sleeper

This is all speculation and we won’t have a definite answer until Price goes for a second opinion. It’s always good to have a backup plan now before it’s too late. I would adjust your pitcher rankings accordingly.

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