News of Shohei Ohtani being shut down for three was a big blow to fantasy owners.
It was yet another busy week in fantasy sports. From major injury news to the Caps and Warriors winning championships, there is a lot to talk about. Here are ten thoughts from the week that was.
1. Shohei Ohtani going on the D.L with a Grade 2 UCL sprain isn’t just bad for the Angels. It’s bad for fantasy owners as well. What do you if you own Ohtani? Stay the course. If your D.L is open, put him on the D.L and see where he is in three weeks. Be prepared for him to be shut down for the season. It wouldn’t surprise me.
2. Ohtani wasn’t the only Japanese star to go on the D.L this weekend. Masahiro Tanaka also landed on the D.L yesterday after straining both his hamstrings (Damn inter league play!) It is a big blow to Tanaka owners because he was pitching well of late. Tanaka is expected to be out for four weeks.
3. Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg also went on the D.L with shoulder soreness. The Nationals have handled Strasburg with kid gloves throughout his career and this time should be no different.
4. I have to admit. I was disappointed in the debut of Madison Bumgarner. After waiting two months for him to return in both my leagues, he was lackluster in his first start back. I’ll chalk it up to rust.
5. I would take a flyer on Dodgers first basemen/third basemen Max Muncy in 12 team leagues and NL only leagues. I wouldn’t use up the roster spot on him in any other format right now despite his success at the plate.
6. Paul Goldschmidt appears to have awaken from the two month slumber he was in at the plate. It’s about time!
7. Yoenis Cespedes tweaked his quad again while on a rehab assignment yesterday. For all the talent Cespedes posses, he is brittle physically. He’s a frustrating player to roster.
8. The Minnesota Twins have been a disappointment thus far. They were expended to contend in the wide open A.L Central. Instead, they have floundered between second and third place. The only two players that have exceeded expectations thus far? Eddie Rosario and Eduardo Escobar. They have been terrific for fantasy owners in all formats. Combined, they are owned in 85% of ESPN and yahoo leagues. If one of them is available in your league, pick him up!
9. The Golden State Warriors swept away the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Now we wait with baited breath to see if LeBron James opts our and if he does, where he ends up. I’m going with my sleeper pick. The Lakers. Magic will convince James to come to L.A. He will also sign Paul George this summer and Klay Thompson next summer. If those three moves happen in the next two off-seasons, then the Lakers are back.
10. Caps goalie Braden Holtby was terrific in the Stanley Cup final and secured a top three goalie spot in fantasy rankings for next season. Holtby was the first goalie drafted in many leagues this past season and I expect him to be the first goalie off the board in drafts again next season.