X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Early Injury Replacements To Target On Waivers

brandon nimmo fantasy baseball rankings waiver wire pickups draft sleepers - icon rotoballer

Now we've already had some major injuries this spring. Closers Kirby Yates and Jose Leclerc are both out for the year with Tommy John surgery, another closer candidate in Nick Anderson will miss the first half of the season with an elbow injury, and outfielder Eloy Jimenez will be out for most of the year with a torn pectoral muscle. But we're also now seeing guys being placed on the injured list with short-term injuries to start the year.

Shortly before I started work on this article, news broke that shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and outfielder George Springer — both top-50 players — will both start the year on the IL with oblique strains. So we're not even one day into the regular season and it's already time to scramble for replacements.

We're going to take a look at some of the key injuries from Spring Training, and we'll see whether you should be targeting whoever replaces them on their teams, or if you should be looking elsewhere on the waiver wire.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:

 

Eloy Jimenez, Chicago White Sox

Jimenez was set to have a breakout year in 2021, but now those plans are on hold after he injured himself in Spring Training trying to rob a home run. With Jimenez out, Chicago will start the year using a combination of utility man Leury Garcia and top prospect Andrew Vaughn in left, and once he returns from the IL, Adam Engel will figure to get time out there as well.

Vaughn has received much praise for his bat at the alternate site last year and in Spring Training this year, and should figure to get regular at-bats somewhere in the lineup whether it's at first base, designated hitter or left field. Vaughn is the more exciting guy, but if you're looking for the safer pick, look to add Aaron Hicks, who has been a consistent 15-to-20-homer, 10-steal threat over the last four years.

 

Luke Voit, New York Yankees

  • Injury: Partially Torn Meniscus
  • Expected Return: May
  • NYY Replacement: Jay Bruce
  • Waiver Wire Option: Bobby Dalbec, BOS (42%)

Voit underwent surgery on his knee shortly before the end of Spring Training, which has forced Jay Bruce into the starting role at first base. Much like with Jimenez's replacement, it will be a decision for managers as to whether they should go with the dependable, known guy or the exciting new prospect. Bruce won't hit for a high average, but he has power in his bat, having averaged 26 homers a year from 2015 through 2019.

Meanwhile, Bobby Dalbec has started the year 0-for-10 through his first three games, but he launched seven home runs in 19 games during Spring Training, and he hit 32 homers between High-A and Double-A in 2018, and 27 homers between Double-A and Triple-A in 2019. He also clubbed eight homers in 23 games with Boston in 2020. Bruce has gotten off to a marginally better start as he's 2-for-10 so far, but I say if you have to pick one, go with the higher upside guy in Dalbec.

 

Kirby Yates, Toronto Blue Jays

In the couple of days that I've worked on writing this article, things have changed up a bit in Toronto. Originally, I was going to suggest managers look to target Wittgren as a replacement for Yates, as he is a high-strikeout reliever, and while he figures to be part of a closer-by-committee early on in Cleveland he still has value in fantasy.

I liked Wittgrens' potential over who I presumed to be the likely closer candidates in Toronto: Jordan Romano and Rafael Dolis. However, this weekend Julian Merryweather has stood out above the pack, as he already has two saves and has struck out five of the six batters he has faced. Hopefully, Merryweather is still available in your league, because he should be a top target among closer candidates.

 

Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals

After dealing with a foot injury earlier in the spring, Mondesi ended up starting the year on the injured list with an oblique strain that is expected to keep him sidelined for a few weeks. Shortly after being cut from camp, Nicky Lopez found himself rejoining the Royals and slotting in as their starting shortstop. Lopez came up through the minors displaying 15-homer, 15-steal potential, but that potential has yet to materialize as he has a career .231/.280/.308 triple-slash line with three home runs and one steal in 162 career games across three years.

Fantasy managers really shouldn't bother looking at Lopez, and should instead check out Garrett Hampson. He has shown double-digit home run potential, with the potential to swipe 20 or more bases in his minor league career. His best year in the majors so far was in 2018, when he hit eight home runs with 15 steals while slashing .247/.302/.385 in 105 games. Hampson looked solid this spring, hitting .283 with a .758 OPS and six steals in 23 games. Simply put, Hampson has looked far better in the majors than Lopez, and Hampson is the guy managers should target to replace Mondesi.

 

Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners

  • Injury: Bone Bruise in Knee
  • Expected Return: mid-to-late April
  • SEA ReplacementJake Fraley
  • Waiver Wire OptionVictor Reyes, DET (27%)

Lewis recently began baseball activities again, but he's still likely a couple of weeks away from returning to the Mariners lineup. In the meantime, Jake Fraley has replaced Lewis in the outfield, and while he is only 1-for-6 to start the year, he has managed to draw six walks in 13 plate appearances. Fraley has shown a good ability to get on base in the minors with a career 9.1 percent walk rate and a .362 OBP, and when he gets on base he flashes some speed, averaging almost 18 stolen bases per year in four seasons in the minors.

If you're looking for help outside of Seattle, Victor Reyes is a good option to take a look at. He's 0-for-7 to start the year, but he put up solid numbers this spring by slashing .313/.389/.406 with four RBI and a stolen base in 15 games. Reyes has shown similar stolen base potential to Fraley, but unlike Fraley, Reyes also has 10 to 15-homer potential. It's a close call as to who will have the better value until Lewis returns, and it will likely boil down to whether you want the better home run potential (Reyes) or better OBP potential (Fraley).

 

Harrison Bader, St. Louis Cardinals

  • Injury: Forearm Discomfort
  • Expected Return: early-to-mid May
  • STL Replacement: Justin Williams
  • Waiver Wire OptionBrandon Nimmo, NYM (25%)

With Bader out for the first four to six weeks, Dylan Carlson has taken over in center for the Cardinals. But Carlson was already likely to get playing time even with Bader in the lineup, so the guy who has really stepped in to replace Bader in the lineup is actually Justin Williams. And so far it hasn't been a great start for Williams, who is 0-for-9 with five strikeouts through his first three games. This slow start is basically a continuation of a sluggish spring, in which he slashed .229/.308/.343 with one home run in 20 games.

Looking at the waiver wire for an alternate option, managers might want to take a look at Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo and the Mets only just started their season on Monday after the opening series with Washington was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the Nationals. In his first game of the year, Nimmo went 1-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts against the Phillies. But during Spring Training Nimmo was looking good, slashing .294/.379/.490 with two home runs, one steal and a 14:6 K:BB ratio in 17 games.

Nimmo is a 15-homer threat with the potential to touch double-digit steals, and between Williams and Nimmo it's no contest. Although he batted eighth rather than leadoff in the Mets' opener, that shouldn't be the case too often going forward. Managers should look to target Nimmo until Bader returns.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jordan Clarkson4 hours ago

Out At Least A Week
Kyle Kuzma4 hours ago

Out Again On Saturday
Jamal Murray4 hours ago

Won't Return On Friday Night
Giannis Antetokounmpo4 hours ago

Anticipated To Play Versus Cleveland
Puka Nacua5 hours ago

Shot To Play Week 9
Jordan Love5 hours ago

Tracking To Play In Week 9
Stephen Curry8 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Yves Missi8 hours ago

Expected To Take The Court Friday
Karl-Anthony Towns8 hours ago

Available On Friday
Eric Comrie8 hours ago

Faces Blue Jackets Friday
Daniel Theis8 hours ago

Likely To Suit Up Friday
David Savard8 hours ago

Sits Out Practice For Maintenance Purposes
De'Anthony Melton9 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Jordan Hawkins9 hours ago

Expected To Play Friday
Alexander Romanov9 hours ago

Ready To Play Friday
Al Horford9 hours ago

Resting Against Charlotte
Evgeni Malkin9 hours ago

Takes Maintenance Day On Friday
Andrew Wiggins9 hours ago

Probable For Saturday's Matchup With Houston
Rose Namajunas9 hours ago

An Underdog At UFC Edmonton
D'Angelo Russell9 hours ago

Will Suit Up Versus Toronto
Devon Levi9 hours ago

Returns To Sabres Crease
Clayton Kershaw9 hours ago

To Undergo Two Surgeries
Anthony Davis9 hours ago

Available Against Toronto
Erin Blanchfield9 hours ago

Returns At UFC Edmonton
Brandon Lowe9 hours ago

Rays Pick Up Club Option On Brandon Lowe
Ryan Hartman9 hours ago

Rejoins Wild Lineup Friday
Zach LaVine9 hours ago

Will Play Against Brooklyn
9 hours ago

Nick Martinez Headed To Free Agency
Erik Cernak9 hours ago

Available On Friday
Marc-Andre Barriault9 hours ago

Dustin Stoltzfus Set To Face Marc-Andre Barriault At UFC Edmonton
Brent Suter9 hours ago

Inks Extension With Cincinnati
Immanuel Quickley9 hours ago

Out Again On Friday Night
CJ McCollum9 hours ago

Out At Least Two Weeks
9 hours ago

Yankees, Mets Among Teams In Battle For Juan Soto
Anthony Black9 hours ago

Starting Versus Cleveland
Franz Wagner10 hours ago

Cleared For Friday Night
Herbert Jones10 hours ago

To Miss A Significant Amount Of Time With Shoulder Injury
Marc-Andre Barriault10 hours ago

A Favorite At UFC Edmonton
Blake Snell10 hours ago

Opts Out Of Deal With San Francisco
Desmond Bane10 hours ago

Won't Face The 76ers
Josh Jacobs10 hours ago

Questionable For Sunday
Drake Maye10 hours ago

Questionable For Week 9
Tyler Boyd11 hours ago

Tony Pollard, Tyler Boyd Listed As Questionable
Tyjae Spears11 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
Calvin Ridley11 hours ago

Off The Injury Report
Trevin Giles11 hours ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Noah Fant11 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
Brian Robinson Jr.11 hours ago

Questionable For Week 9
Mike Malott11 hours ago

Opens Up UFC Edmonton Main Card
Dallas Goedert11 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
DK Metcalf11 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 9
Zach Benson12 hours ago

Could Play Next Week
Jani Hakanpaa12 hours ago

And Connor Dewar Sent On Conditioning Stint
Dmitri Voronkov12 hours ago

Ready For Season Debut Friday
Jordan Love12 hours ago

Questionable Vs. Lions
Mathew Barzal12 hours ago

Getting Tests Done For Upper-Body Injury
Vladimir Tarasenko12 hours ago

Ready To Go For Saturday
Mark Stone12 hours ago

Misses Practice Due To Birth Of Child
Puka Nacua13 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Week 9
Will Levis13 hours ago

Questionable For Week 9
David Njoku14 hours ago

Good To Go For Week 9
Bucky Irving14 hours ago

Absent During Friday's Practice
David Njoku14 hours ago

Returns To Practice On Friday
Adam Thielen14 hours ago

Doubtful For Week 9
Jonathon Brooks14 hours ago

Not Expected To Play In Week 9
Tee Higgins14 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful For Sunday
Tyreek Hill14 hours ago

Expected To Play In Week 9
Tomás Nosek17 hours ago

Tomas Nosek Ready For Panthers Debut On Friday
Leon Draisaitl18 hours ago

Leads Oilers To Victory With Three-Point Effort
Martin Necas18 hours ago

Registers Four Points In Dominant Win
Alex Ovechkin18 hours ago

Bags Three Points In Thursday's Win
18 hours ago

Royals Decline Option On Adam Frazier
Sidney Crosby18 hours ago

Drags Penguins Back On Track
18 hours ago

Manuel Margot, Kyle Farmer Headed To Free Agency
William Nylander18 hours ago

Pots Two Goals Versus Seattle
18 hours ago

Milwaukee Declines Option On Wade Miley
NHL18 hours ago

Will Smith Scores First Career Goals
Lucas Giolito18 hours ago

Staying In Boston
Chris Stratton18 hours ago

Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton Returning To Kansas City
Jordan Montgomery19 hours ago

Staying In Arizona
1 day ago

Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn Headed For Free Agency
Roansy Contreras1 day ago

Claimed By Texas
1 day ago

Alex Kirilloff Announces Retirement
Jorge Soler1 day ago

Traded To Los Angeles
Curtis Lazar1 day ago

Out Indefinitely Following Knee Procedure
Brendson Ribeiro1 day ago

Searching For 1st UFC Win At UFC Edmonton
Caio Machado1 day ago

Drops Down To Light Heavyweight At UFC Edmonton
Jhonata Diniz1 day ago

Gets Big Step-Up At UFC Edmonton
Derrick Lewis1 day ago

Faces An Unranked Heavyweight At UFC Edmonton
Amir Albazi1 day ago

An Underdog At UFC Edmonton
Brandon Moreno1 day ago

Ends Layoff At UFC Edmonton
2 days ago

Daniel Hudson Retires After World Series Victory
Freddie Freeman2 days ago

Drives In Two More Runs, Earns World Series MVP Honors
Chase Elliott4 days ago

Comes Up Short at Homestead
William Byron4 days ago

Rallies to Sixth at Homestead
Kyle Larson4 days ago

Tire Issue at Homestead Could Doom Kyle Larson's Championship Hopes
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

Charges To A Thrilling Victory At Homestead
Ryan Blaney4 days ago

Loses At Homestead On The Final Corner To Tyler Reddick
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Quietly Nabs A Top-5 Finish At Homestead
Khamzat Chimaev5 days ago

Remains Undefeated
Robert Whittaker5 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 308
Aleksandar Rakic5 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC 308
Armen Petrosyan5 days ago

Knocked Out At UFC 308
Shara Magomedov5 days ago

Gets Highlight-Reel Knockout Win At UFC 308
Joey Logano5 days ago

Intentionally Sleepwalked Through Homestead to Focus on Phoenix
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Advances to Championship 4 as Owner but Not as Driver
Dan Ige5 days ago

Loses Second-Straight Fight At UFC 308
Lerone Murphy5 days ago

Remains Undefeated At UFC 308
Magomed Ankalaev5 days ago

Wins Lackluster Decision Win At UFC 308
Max Holloway5 days ago

Gets Knocked Out For First Time At UFC 308
NASCAR6 days ago

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Earns Best Qualifying Run in Over a Year at Homestead
Zane Smith6 days ago

Expect Zane Smith's Steady Consistency to Continue at Homestead
Ryan Preece6 days ago

Both Ryan Preece and Stewart-Haas Racing Seem Ill-Suited to Intermediates
Michael McDowell6 days ago

Couldn't Overcome Ford's Intermediate Speed Deficit in Homestead Qualifying
Joey Logano6 days ago

Team Likely to Ignore Homestead to Focus on Phoenix
Carson Hocevar6 days ago

Looks to Clinch Rookie of the Year Award
Daniel Hemric6 days ago

Qualifies Ninth for Best Start of the Year
Denny Hamlin6 days ago

Is Strong at Homestead, but Sometimes Struggles in the Clutch
Justin Haley6 days ago

Benefits in Qualifying From Spire Motorsports Speed
Austin Cindric6 days ago

Slowest Ford Regular in Homestead Qualifying
Chris Buescher6 days ago

Lacks Intermediate Track Consistency
Josh Berry6 days ago

Hopes to Stay Alive in Rookie Race at Homestead

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Jalen Hurts - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Survivor Pool Picks: Week 9 Targets and Avoids (2024)

Welcome to our NFL Survivor Pool Picks for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season! There are so many different pools, fantasy leagues, weekly bets, and futures bets that it's hard to decide what to do with these choices. But survivor pools are the oldest and simplest leagues out there. All you have to do […]


Chase Brown - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Week 9 DraftKings NFL DFS Picks - Main Slate (2024): Jalen Hurts, Chase Brown, Evan Engram, and more

After raiding my daughter's trick-or-treat bag leftovers, I'm battling a Halloween hangover. It's probably a similar feeling to what lots of DFS players were experiencing after last week's Main Slate, as injuries and muted outputs from several popular players were hallmarks of Week 8. That said, we're on to a Week 9 slate that features […]


Puka Nacua - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football Injury Reports For Week 9 (Friday Updates): Puka Nacua, DK Metcalf, Josh Jacobs, Jordan Love, more

We have now hit the halfway point of the NFL season, but over halfway for most fantasy football seasons. As has been the norm this season, there are plenty of injuries to top fantasy players at every position. Some remain out for the foreseeable future, some are potentially playing through injury, and some are returning […]


Jayden Daniels - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL Pick'em Pool Picks (Week 9) - Targets, Avoids, Predictions for Pick'em Contests (2024)

Just two teams will be on a bye during Week 9, leaving a busy slate across the NFL. Injuries will once again impact the slate, as well as some teams making changes at quarterback. Each week of the NFL season, I’ll share my picks for each game and rank their selections for those who play […]


RotoBaller NFL Betting Picks Stock

2024 NFL Week 9 Betting Picks (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools and Content can be accessed on the premium dashboard. To see ALL of Jamie's bets (and others from RotoBaller experts) then head over to the RotoBaller Discord. You'll find every bet and prop in the #NFL-BETTING-PROPS channel there!   Background My name is Jamie Calandro (@jac3600 on X) and I have […]


AJ Brown - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

NFL DFS: FanDuel Daily Fantasy Football Picks for Week 9 - Top Lineup Plays Include Bijan Robinson, A.J. Brown, T.J. Hockenson

Like a backup quarterback patiently holding the clipboard with his hat on backward, I've been summoned into action to help give you some helpful NFL DFS advice for Week 9. My good friend Dennis Clausen, who usually pens this piece, asked me to help him out this week. Don't worry - Dennis is fine, other […]


Zay Flowers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Week 9 Fantasy Football Busts? Players Who May Disappoint Include Josh Jacobs, Zay Flowers, Tank Bigsby, Rachaad White, Nick Chubb, Bucky Irving

Welcome to Week 9, the midway point of the 2024 fantasy football season. It's arrived quickly for most, but there's still plenty of season left! Injuries to wide receivers have left a sour taste in the mouths of fantasy managers, therefore propping up running backs. However, some running backs may have a rough week while […]


Michael Pittman Jr. - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

WR/CB Matchups to Upgrade and Downgrade - Fantasy Football Week 9 (2024)

Welcome back to our WR/CB Matchups for Week 9 of the 2024 fantasy football season. For those unfamiliar, this weekly series looks at fantasy football matchups for wide receivers versus the cornerbacks who are projected to cover them. The data we access for offensive and defensive players continues to skyrocket. Though we mainly focus on offensive […]


Bijan Robinson - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em - Week 9 Matchups Analysis

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another start'em and sit'em piece as we look ahead to Week 9! With the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers on bye this week, fantasy managers will have to replace George Pickens, Najee Harris, Deebo Samuel Sr., and George Kittle in their lineups. This Week 9 matchups analysis and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em piece will help you make the right lineup decisions […]


Trey Hendrickson Cincinnati Bengals Defense - Fantasy Football DST Streamers, Rankings, Pickups

Top Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings (Weeks 9, 10, 11, 12) - Defense Streamers and Starts

Welcome, RotoBallers, to our fantasy football D/ST streamers and starts for Weeks 9, 10, 11, and 12 -- looking at the next four weeks and identifying the best D/ST matchups. If you like to stream defenses weeks in advance or are looking for a defense to pick up and play this week, you have come to […]


Video: Week 9 Must-Start Running Backs - 2024 Fantasy Football Streamers, Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Analysis

Week 9 of the NFL season is upon us! There are some interesting decisions at the RB position on this slate. Don't miss our notable fantasy football running back starts and sits for Week 9! RotoBaller's Matt Donnelly discusses his top "Must Start" running backs that will have a fantasy football impact in Week 9, […]


CeeDee Lamb - Fantasy Football Rankings, DFS and Betting Picks, NFL Injury News

Wide Receiver Sleepers, Risers, Breakouts for Fantasy Football - Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Week 9 (2024)

Wide Receiver Sleepers, Risers, Fantasy Football Breakouts - Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends Analysis For Week 9 by Kevin Tompkins Targets are paramount when it comes to evaluating pass-catchers for fantasy football. There are no air yards, receiving yards, receptions, or touchdowns without first earning a target. There’s a reason the biggest and most consistent […]


Josh Downs - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

The King's Week 9 Lineup Rankings and Analysis (Premium Content)

RotoBaller senior writer Scott "The King" Engel delivers his Week 9 fantasy football lineup rankings for PPR, half PPR, and standard scoring league formats. He also provides an analysis of the rankings at every skill position. Regular starting options are included to confirm that your must-start players have a good chance of posting winning fantasy […]