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We have made it to the final week of the season. Fantasy leagues are winding down, playoffs (both MLB and fantasy league) are being decided. This week many players will be shut down even if they have only minor injuries. Other players are still returning to try to prove they still have "it" (Noah Syndergaard, Dakota Hudson, etc.) and other players are trying to help the playoff push (Chris Bassitt). Injured players are basically out of time to return from the IL. This week's waiver wire comes with a lot of luck. Knowing who will get the playing time your team needs for the last week of the season. No news about any injured player at this time of year usually means they will not come back this year. I will continue to highlight players on the IL with their hopeful return time frame, if they have it for this year.
During September, starting pitchers returning from injuries will not necessarily have the same timeline to return as do everyday players. One reason for this is that minor league seasons start to come to an end. Most commonly, players coming back from injuries require rehab stints in the minors prior to activation from the IL. Pitchers coming back from injury usually have a few rehab assignment starts prior to being activated from the IL. This trend will change for the final week of the season. This may also turn starters into relievers for the final week.
Let's take a look at the latest injury breakdown as we enter Week 27 (and final week) of the 2021 fantasy baseball season. Please follow me on Twitter @mlbinjuryguru during the offseason for player injury updates as they come available and thanks for reading my weekly article throughout the baseball season!
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Injured Players - New Listings
Devin Williams (RP, MIL): Devin Williams has been unavailable recently due to a calf injury. Manager Craig Counsell revealed that Williams recently sustained a calf injury while running in the outfield. He has not pitched since September 18. Since the Brewers have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, Williams should not be pushed that hard but the Brewers will probably also want him not rusty for the playoffs.
Darin Ruf (OF, SF): Ruf was placed on the IL with a right oblique strain, retroactive to September 20. Ruf had missed the past few games. Severity is not known. Alex Dickerson was activated off of the IL and Wilmer Flores could see more time as a backup first baseman with Ruf out. No word if Ruf will be able to return next week.
Mike Moustakas (2B, CIN): Moustakas was placed on the IL with right foot plantar fasciitis, retroactive to September 21. Based on the length of time players are normally out for this injury, do not expect him back this year.
Jason Heyward (OF, CHC): Heyward was placed on the 7-day concussion IL. Manager David Ross said it's "doubtful" Heyward will return from the IL before the end of the year.
Cody Bellinger (OF, LAD): Bellinger was placed on the IL this week with a left rib fracture, retroactive to September 18. Bellinger was supposed to rejoin the Dodger's lineup after missing the past few games with the non-displaced rib fracture. He is to be eligible to be activated September 28. Luke Raley was called up.
Garrett Whitlock (RP, BOS): Whitlock was placed on the IL 10-day injured list with pectoral tightness. Manager Alex Cora said that the pectoral injury is not thought to be serious, but that the Red Sox "don't feel he's going to be ready in the upcoming days." Whitlock will become eligible to be activated September 30. Ryan Brasier was recalled.
Andrew Kittredge (RP, TB): Kittredge was placed on the IL with neck tightness. With the Rays winning the AL East, this looks like a move to help give one of the best relievers rest prior to the postseason. He could be activated the end of next week just to give him some work prior to the playoffs.
Hyun Jin Ryu (SP, TOR): Ryu was placed on the IL with a neck strain. Ryu apparently had the injury crop up when he woke up Saturday morning following his start Friday. The Blue Jays hope he will miss only one start. Ross Stripling is a candidate to fill in as a spot starter for the Jays.
Gregory Soto (RP, DET): Soto was placed on the IL with a fractured left ring finger and he will not return this year.
Injured Players - Updates
Chris Taylor (OF, LAD): Taylor has missed his last three games after playing for three games. He should not be placed on the IL at this late stage of the season however there is no guarantee he will be able to play the majority of next week. Gavin Lux has been filling in playing left field and centerfield.
David Bednar (RP, PIT): Bednar was placed on the IL this week with a right oblique strain. Pirates director of sports medicine said this week that Bednar will throw live batting practice soon. This is in the hope that he could return next week. Chris Stratton has been closing for the Pirates since the injury.
Blake Snell (SP, SD): Snell was placed on the IL this week with a left adductor groin strain. Severity is not yet known. He is out for the rest of the regular season.
Jesse Winker (OF, CIN): Winker was placed on the IL due to an intercostal strain. The aggravation of this injury should mean the end of the season for him.
Jake McGee (RP, SF): McGee was placed on the IL with a right oblique strain. Manager Gabe Kapler is hoping to have him back by the end of the regular season. If he does come back, they may try putting him back in a high leverage spot to see how he does coming back from injury. The earliest he could return is October 1. Until then, Tyler Rogers is closing for the Giants.
Jacob deGrom (SP, NYM): deGrom was placed on the IL with an elbow/forearm inflammation for the past few months. deGrom threw a 20-pitch bullpen session this week and still expects to return before the end of the season. If activated, do not expect an extended appearance.
Johnny Cueto (SP, SF): Cueto was placed on the IL this week with a strained right elbow. Cueto was scheduled for a rehab start at the end of the last week for a possible activation next week.
Dylan Bundy (SP, LAA): Bundy is on the IL with a right shoulder strain. Bundy is unlikely to return this year.
Jameson Taillon (SP, NYY): Taillon was placed on the IL with what the Yankees are calling a right ankle tendon injury. Taillon got through a rehab start and could be activated next week.
Connor Joe (OF, COL): Joe was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. He has been ruled out to return this year.
Jake Odorizzi (SP, HOU): Odorizzi has been on the IL since September 14 due to right foot soreness. He is scheduled to return from the IL this Sunday to start.
Jacob Stallings (C, PIT): Stallings is on the concussion IL and his symptoms have subsided recently. He will now try to ramp up baseball activity to be activated next week.
Jorge Alfaro (OF, MIA): Alfaro was placed on the IL with a strained left calf. He has not yet resumed baseball activities and will likely be shut down for the rest of the season.
Justin Upton (OF, LAA): Upton was placed on the IL in early September with a right lumbar strain. He has been shut down for the rest of the year.
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