Yankees Starlin Castro headed to the DL: Fantasy Fallout

By Brad Kelly | Jun 27, 2017

May 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro (14) reacts after he struck out during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Starlin Castro is having a great season for the Yankees but is headed to the DL due to a strained hamstring. What is the fantasy fallout of the news?

The Yankees have fallen back to earth some over the last two weeks, yet still are at the top of the AL East. While Aaron Judge rightfully gets most of the praise and hype, Starlin Castro also deserves a lot of recognition. But, now that he is one of the many recent Yankees to be bitten by the injury bug, what is the fantasy fallout from the news?

Starlin Castro has been in the league for eight seasons, and outside of one down year in 2013, he has posted solid lines each year. The Yankees acquired him heading into the 2016 season, and all he has done is surpass all expectations for the club. Does he still swing at everything; yes. Does he still baffle most with some his defensive miscues; yes. But, the righty just keeps on hitting and had amassed a .313/12 HR/45 RBI/.835 OPS line over 73 games.

He already has 92 hits this season, has cut his walk rate while raising his contact rate and his OPS at this point was a career best. Fantasy owners that were able to get Castro in the late rounds in drafts this spring have rejoiced at the value he has offered from the 2B spot. Fortunately, the Yankees do not think the Castro injury is as serious as initially thought and he only missed 10 days last season with a similar hamstring injury.

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In terms of the impact on the Yankees, they are losing much-needed protection for Judge and easily their second best position player this season.

The club did promote an intriguing prospect, Tyler Wade, as a result. Wade got lost in the shuffle of the top names in the Yankees’ system but was ranked just outside the team’s top-10 prospects in the minors.

Wade will man a utility man type of role. think along the lines of a Brock Holt type, but Wade has the skill of speed on his side. Across 71 games at AAA this season, he had a .313/5 HR/25 RBI/24 SB/.833 OPS line. If he can shine in his playing time with the Yanks, there is a chance that he can carve out a role with the team moving forward, especially if he shows the same speed.

But, he would not be a recommended fantasy add at this point because of the solid results the Yankees are getting from Ronald Torreyes, who will likely man second base for the most part.

In terms of fantasy replacements, the MI spot is still a tricky spot to fill. There are no replacements that can offer the AVG and RBI help that Castro was supplying, but there are some guys that are hot at the plate that can help.

We covered Orlando Arcia and his recent hot stretch, Scooter Gennett keeps on mashing, Whit Merrifield has heated up again for the Royals, and those looking for a deep league dart throw, Paul DeJong is offering nice power numbers for the Cardinals.

Next: Fantasy Baseball: What is going on in the Colorado Rockies outfield?

Losing Castro sucks for the Yankees and fantasy owners, but hopefully, it is just for the minimum 10 days. There is also the hope that may this time off helps Castro’ bothersome wrist as well. The options on the waiver wire are limited, yet there are some available players that are on hot stretches at the plate right now.

Act fast.

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