Dear Cal Raleigh,
What the hell man?? I was convinced this dude was an awful fantasy pick given his top-100 ADP and poor batting average but guess what…he might just post the greatest fantasy season for a catcher ever! His fringe 20-steal pace is just an added insult to injury. I bow to you, Big Dumper. Never shall I slander thee again.
Anyway, if there were any injuries missed, feel free to yell at me in the comments or on Twitter/X @RotoSurgeon.
Injuries to Monitor
Bryce Harper (1B, PHI) Wrist
The Phillies announced that Harper will return to the field to practice throwing and taking dry swings. While the initial injury seemed fairly minor, he is likely multiple weeks from a return. Of course, there is nothing managers can do here aside from monitoring the situation as he rehabs. Pray he is not a shell of himself upon return as the worst thing in fantasy is a big-name player you refuse to bench or drop because they’ll “figure it out” (of course we are nowhere close to this, just in general).
Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF, SD) Arm
He’s back! After reports of an “inconclusive” yet negative x-ray exam, Tatis Jr. is starting tonight and hopefully, can do more than just another 0-4 on the box score. The superstar outfielder has cooled off since early May but it is still too soon to panic. Maybe this week’s shenanigans with the Dodgers will wake him up.
Wyatt Langford (OF, TEX) Side
Everyone’s favorite 2025 breakout pick is day-to-day with side soreness. Unfortunately, “side” translates to oblique. Langford’s already dealt with two of those issues just this year. The last thing anyone wants is this injury to linger beyond 2025 so, I hope the Rangers give him all the time off he needs.
Doesn’t hurt our lineups much to lose Langford as he has a .203 batting average since April 28. The seven HRs and seven SBs in this span are decent but a 75 wRC+ in that span is spooky. Rest up, big guy. I’ll be back in next season no matter what.
Tyler Glasnow (SP, LAD) Shoulder
The Dodgers just announced that Tyler Glasnow will begin a rehab assignment over the weekend. Glasnow has been on the Injured List since April 27 which makes it unlikely that he will only require one start. In all likelihood, Glasnow will not return until early July after three minor league games to build up his pitch count. The Dodgers, while desperate for starters, have managed with their extended bullpen games and the miraculous return of a decent Clayton Kershaw.
Managers with Tyler Glasnow should consider selling him shortly before or after activation. This shoulder issue is compounded with a likely lingering elbow injury which ended his 2024 season and was rested rather than surgically repaired. He was not very good while pitching this season (4.5o ERA / 4.12 xFIP) and will probably find himself back on the IL at some point.
Ivan Herrera (C, STL) Hamstring
Ivan Herrera showed us a lot this season after his peripheral stats displayed breakout potential in 2024 but a second lower-body issue in two months is brutal. His hamstring strain is reportedly Grade 2 which will likely keep him out beyond the All-Star Break. Unless you have several IL spots open, Herrera can be safely dropped.
Luke Weaver (RP, NYY) Hamstring
The Yankees announced that Luke Weaver and Devin Williams will share closer duties moving forward. Weaver just rejoined the team this weekend after spending multiple weeks on IL with a hamstring strain. While Williams was acquired specifically to close in the offseason, his early struggles and Weaver’s magnificence allowed Weaver to cut into the ninth inning and own it himself before the injury.
In shallower leagues, this situation could be a headache moving forward but do not drop Williams because of it. He likely has the leg up based on his cost of acquisition and recent success in high leverage. Weaver should be picked up in deeper leagues given the volume of saves the Yankees could acquire.
Yordan Alvarez (OF, HOU) Hand
Yordan Alvarez has not played a game since May 2 yet the Astros are audacious enough to deem him “day-to-day”. There is nothing day-to-day here aside from my will to ever draft him again. There is nothing anyone can do here except wait and pray. It’s not worth it to sell unless you are desperate and falling in the standings.
