Time flies, doesn’t it? Here we are just two weeks or so into the new baseball season. Already, there have been pitchers, prominent ones at that, who have gone down with injury. Some have had their seasons end, almost before they start. What is a fantasy manager to do? Hopefully, there is room on the injured list so that players who will return can be stashed. The question? Who do we replace them with? No worries, as this Fantasy Baseball Injury Replacements edition is here to help.

Obviously, those in smaller leagues will have an easier time finding a replacement than those in larger ones. In any case, I have selected those that are less than 20 percent rostered in ESPN leagues for consideration. That is the platform that I have the best access to. Those on other platforms need to check their waiver wires for potential replacements. With all of that said, let’s get to it.

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves

The injury news was especially bad for starting pitchers this past week. As we all know, Gerrit Cole went down before the season began. Now, Spencer Strider faces the same fate. At this moment, Strider’s future is still up in the air. Arizona lit him up in his last start and then Strider reported elbow soreness.

What we know for sure right now is that Strider has an UCL strain. He faces more tests, of which we who drafted him are breathlessly awaiting the results. At the moment, it doesn’t look good for Strider’s return this season. Stay tuned.

Shane Bieber, Cleveland Guardians

While the news on Strider is grim, it is even worse for Shane Bieber. He is facing Tommy John surgery and is lost for the season. Of course, Bieber isn’t on the same pitching level that Strider is. He was generally drafted in the tenth round or later. Even as that’s the case, his loss will be felt by all that drafted him.

Eury Perez, Miami Marlins

The injury news regarding Eury Perez wasn’t as big a shockwave as Strider’s was. He has been out for weeks now. Those that drafted him anyway stashed him, hoping for a return to the mound in 2024.

However, there is no need to hold Perez in an I.L. spot any longer in redraft leagues. He is lost for the season due to an elbow injury. Truly, this was an unfortunate outcome for a young pitcher that showed such promise as a rookie in 2023. Even so, Perez still needs to be replaced on fantasy rosters.

Nick Pivetta, Boston Red Sox

First, the good news on Nick Pivetta. He is not lost for the season, fortunately. Second, though, Pivetta does need to go on the I.L. with a mild right elbow strain. The stay should be minimal. Even as that is the case, this Fantasy Baseball Injury Replacements edition has options to use while Pivetta is sidelined.

In his career, Pivetta has been used both as a starter and a reliever. However, Boston had him exclusively in the rotation to start 2024. His 0.82 ERA through 11 innings indicates they made the right call. Likewise, his 0.818 WHIP, 10.6 K9 and 0.6 BB9 are elite.

Managers just need to be patient while Pivetta heals and find someone to adequately fill Pivetta’s spot until his return. See below for pitchers who can do just that.

Framber Valdez, Houston Astros

When Framber Valdez missed his scheduled start Monday, alarm bells were sounded throughout baseball and tha fantasy community. Fortunately, Valdez has a bout of elbow inflammation. He will be shut down for a few days and then reevaluated.

Hopefully, Valdez won’t be on the shelf long. He has been one of the best pitchers in the game over the past few seasons. His ERAs over the last three years are 3.14, 2.82 and 3.45. He made 31 starts in both 2022 and 2023.

Valdez was off to a 2.19 ERA this year, though he hadn’t yet recorded a win. Until he does return, another pitcher has to take his place on a fantasy roster.

Possible Replacements

Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals

Without question, Michael Wacha comes to the head of this list, just as he was included in my article about last weekend’s worthy streaming pitchers. In this episode, I’m pleased to report that in his start against the White Sox, Wacha made him and I look really good. No question, seven innings of shutout baseball certainly helps in that regard.

Unquestionably, Wacha has looked great in the early going. Even so, after two starts, he is still only rostered in 15.7 percent of leagues. This Friday, he has the Mets and that looks like a solid start. Even if that wasn’t the case, Wacha has the look of a pitcher who should be on rosters all season.

Stats through two starts: 1-0 WL, 2.25 ERA, 12.0 IP, 5 hits, 13 K, 2 BB, 175 ERA+, 2.64 FIP, 0.583 WHIP, 3.8 H9, 9.8 K9, 1.5 BB9

2023 stats: 24 starts, 14-4 WL, 3.22 ERA, 134.1 IP, 113 hits, 124 K, 43 BB, 128 ERA+. 3.89 WHIP, 7.6 H9, 8.3 SO9, 2.9 BB9

James Paxton, Los Angeles Dodgers

James Paxton, Los Angeles Dodgers, 13.8 percent rostered, is one of the biggest surprises of the young season. He has had two solid starts and faces the Padres at home Sunday. Most assuredly, that is not the greatest matchup, but Paxton has earned a spot on fantasy rosters.

In the end, Paxton doesn’t come close to Wacha as a replacement recommendation because of his unsightly walk ratio. However, in a pinch, Paxton will do just fine on this fantasy baseball injury replacements edition.

Stats through two starts: 2-0 WL, 1.64 ERA, 11.0 IP, 7 hits, 9 K, 6 BB, 282 ERA+, 4.41 FIP, 1.182 WHIP, 5.7 H9, 13.5 K9, 6.8 BB9

2023 stats: 19 starts, 7-5 WL, 4.50 ERA, 96 IP, 93 hits, 101 K, 33 BB, 101 ERA+, 1.313 WHIP, 8.7 H9, 9.5 K9, 3.1 BB9

Luis Gil, New York Yankees

When it comes to the pitchers on this Fantasy Baseball Injury Replacements edition, Luis Gil might be the least known. Despite being on the Yankees, at this moment, Gil is rostered in just 9.4 percent of leagues. No doubt, the unknown is about to end for Gil. He’s already been featured in an article on Belly Up Sports. Assuredly, there will be more.

Without question, his walk rate is a concern. However, his other stats look good (see below). For the moment, and perhaps longer, Gil is an excellent fill in.

Stats through two starts: 0-0 WL, 3.00 ERA, 9 IP, 3 hits, 14 K, 7 BB, 133 ERA+, 2.77 FIP, 1.111 WHIP, 3.0 H9, 14 K9, 7 BB9

Minor league stats: 71 starts, 13-16 WL, 3.52 ERA, 312 IP, 235 hits, 418 K, 187 BB, 1.353 WHIP, 6.8 H9, 12.1 K9, 4.0 BB9

Colin Rea, Milwaukee Brewers

Next up is Milwaukee’s Colin Rea. Immediately, the concern for him is he isn’t a strikeout pitcher. Additionally, his H9 isn’t all that great. However, so far, Rea masks much of those problems. When looking at last season, Rea doesn’t dish out many free passes.

Expect that trend to continue. Further, his K9 and H9 shows those figures will improve as the year moves along. Even though it is early, the Brewers and Rea look better than we thought they would. The forecast of this Fantasy Baseball Injury Replacement edition is to ride the Rea wave while it’s cresting.

Stats through two starts: 2-0 WL, 1.64 ERA, 11 IP, 12 hits, 5 K, 2 BB, 271 ERA+, 2.85 FIP, 1.273 WHIP, 9.8 H9, 4.1 K9, 1.6 BB9

2023 stats: 22 starts, 5-5 WL, 4.55 ERA, 12.2 IP, 110 hits, 110 K, 38 BB, 94 ERA+, 4.90 FIP, 1.187 WHIP, 7.9 H9, 7.9 K9, 2.7 BB9

Tyler Anderson, Los Angeles Angels

Last, but not least, for consideration is Tyler Anderson. Like Rea above, the Angels and Anderson look better so far than we could have possibly expected. In fact, in his first two starts, Anderson was as dominant as just about any pitcher in the majors. In 14 2024 innings, he’s yet to allow a run. Notice the innings. In both starts Anderson went seven. That’s extremely encouraging. Further, he’s 2-0.

Despite his stats, Anderson has been largely ignored by the fantasy community. As this is being written, he is only rostered in 15.3 percent of leagues. Certainly, that won’t continue if he pitches anywhere close to what he’s accomplished so far. Conclusion: Anderson may not stay afloat all season. Even so, it’s best to jump now while Anderson is this available.

Stats through two starts: 2-0 WL, 0.00 ERA, 14 IP, 8 hits, 8 K, 3 BB, 2.71 FIP, 0.786 WHIP, 5.1 H9, 5.1 K9, 1.6 BB9

2023 stats: 25 starts, 6-6 WL, 5.43 ERA, 141 IP, 146 hits, 119 K, 64 BB, 82 ERA+, 4.92 FIP, 1.489 WHIP, 9.3 H9, 7.6 K9, 4.1 BB9

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Baseball Injury Replacement edition! As always. debate and discussion are highly encouraged. Agree or disagree with anything in the article? Let’s talk about it.

Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will be live every Sunday at 8 pm Eastern from here to the end of the fantasy season. Don’t miss a single episode! Check out our latest show here.