As we head into September and the Labor Day weekend, MLB has a ton of news for fantasy owners to look at due to the conclusion of the waiver/trade deadline that ended on August 31. We break down all of the important information including some ominous news from the return to the mound for Shohei Ohtani. I am just lucky that umpire Joe West did not confiscate my cheat sheet. If you are not familiar with the situation that happened with the Phillies, click this link.
MLB News and Notes for September 3
McCutchen heads to the Bronx
The Yankees have agreed to a trade with San Francisco for veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen. He is expected to help bolster the outfield with the absence of Aaron Judge, and to help spell Giancarlo Stanton, who is bothered with a nagging hamstring injury. McCutchen is batting .255 with 15 homers, 55 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 130 games this season. Even when Judge returns, he should see plenty of playing time and owners in AL-only leagues would be wise to grab him. NL-only leagues looking for a replacement should consider Tyler O’Neil and Hunter Renfroe.
Andrew McCutchen is no longer an MVP-caliber player, but can he still be great for the #Yankees? https://t.co/gZc5r31NaC
— Pinstripe Alley (@pinstripealley) September 2, 2018
Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound
Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound on Sunday when he faced the Houston Astros. He struggled a bit in the first inning giving up a base hit to George Springer and a walk to Carlos Correa before striking out Tyler White to end the inning. His biggest issue in the second inning came when Ohtani tried to field a groundball with his pitching hand, but there was no injury. In the third inning, he gave up a two-run homer to Springer before being lifted after 49 pitches.
Ohtani was diagnosed with a UCL injury following a start on June 6 and has been treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection and an injection of stem cells. He could make as many as five starts the rest of the season if the Angels continue to use him once per week like they have in the past. Fantasy owners would be wise to monitor his progress to see what kind of value he holds as a pitcher for this season, in addition for keeper and re-draft leagues in 2019.
Granderson heads to Milwaukee
The Brewers acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson from Toronto in exchange for a minor leaguer. Granderson’s value takes a hit as he will primarily be used as a bat off the bench and has value in only very deep leagues. AL-only owners may want to take a look at Toronto outfielder Billy McKinley or the resurgent Melky Cabrera.
Upton may have a mild concussion
Two days after getting reinstated from the 10-day disabled list, Angels outfielder Justin Upton left Saturday’s game against the Astros after showing symptoms of a mild concussion. He did not start in Sunday’s game so fantasy owners need to monitor his situation to see how much, if at all, Upton plays this week.
Donaldson heads to Cleveland, Brewers acquire Gonzalez
In two deadline deals, the Indians acquired Josh Donaldson from Toronto and the Brewers picked up Gio Gonzalez from the Nationals. The Gonzalez deal does not have a big fantasy impact, especially after the Brewers announced that they do not have firm plans on when they plan to add him to the rotation. The Donaldson deal is a bit trickier, as he has not played in a game since May 28th, dealing with a sore shoulder and a calf injury that has not healed quickly. He could be someone to stash if available, but at the very least, keep an eye on as he recovers from these injuries.
Fantasy stars return from the DL
In what fantasy owners hope will help them finish the season strong, a couple of major players have returned from some extended stints on the DL. Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was activated from the 10-day disabled list. Bryant hasn’t appeared in the majors since July 23, when he suffered another bout of chronic left shoulder soreness. Reports state that he has made nice progress during his rehab stint and comes at a good time as the Cubs placed Jason Heyward on the 10 day DL with hamstring tightness. Bryant started in right field in Saturday’s game in Philadelphia.
The Yankees activated catcher Gary Sanchez from the 10-day disabled list and made his first start in nearly six weeks. Sanchez has been disappointing for most to the 2018 season but a relatively thin fantasy position, owners would love to see him return to the form that most feel he can play at. Also, the Nationals have stated that closer Sean Doolittle may return to the team this week.
Price hit by line drive, next start is up in the air
Price was hit on his left wrist by a line drive in the third inning of Wednesday night’s game against Miami. There is not a significant injury but Boston is taking a cautious approach on having Price return to action. Price could pitch as early as this coming weekend but Boston is waiting for the swelling and soreness to subside before a final decision is made.
Boston Red Sox expect Chris Sale, David Price to return soon https://t.co/AwHq6JF6to pic.twitter.com/wGXQ1frh36
— sportsfeild (@sportsfeild_a) September 2, 2018
Chris Sale may return as an “opener”
Boston may also have Chris Sale return this weekend but limit his initial appearances to a couple of innings to start. Fantasy owners may have to weigh if a couple innings of Sale is better than full starts for their other pitchers. Sale has been limited to just one start since the beginning of August because of a shoulder problem.
David Wright to return?
It has been a long time since New York Mets third baseman David Wright has been fantasy relevant. Wright has not appeared in a major league game since May 27, 2016, due to a neck, back, and shoulder injuries. Wright has played some games in the minor leagues and has recently joined the Mets to continue his rehab. Fantasy owners might just want to keep an eye on his progress in case he starts playing and provides some fantasy benefits for their teams.
Keep up with all the latest Fantasy Baseball happenings with Van Lee, Jeff Zimmerman, and Rob Silver on the Launch Angle Podcast.