CBRACKE
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That’s right, we got a sweet whole two games from Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo in between trips to the disabled list.
For a fantasy owners like myself who saw bright lights and championships in my future with him anchoring my pitching staff, I just threw up in my mouth over the drastic turn of events that have unfolded over the last few hours.
Gallardo was injured during a play during Thursday’s game when he ran over to first to cover on a slow roller from Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson and when first baseman Prince Fielder made the tag, Gallardo was forced to hurdle Johnson, landing awkwardly on his right leg. He remained on the ground for a little while showing minor discomfort before walking off the injury, completing the inning, and tossing an additional inning before eventually leaving the game. Doctors confirmed that staying out to pitch didn’t cause further damage to his knee, but an MRI exam on Friday morning confirmed that he’ll miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. The only good news to come from this is that the team expects Yovani to be ready for the start of the 2008 season.
“We had high hopes for Yovani,” general manager Gord Ash told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “You can’t replace the talent level. You just have to have other guys step up. It’s a significant loss.”
Sadly, the statement above holds true for fantasy owners to a certain extent. “You can’t replace the talent level.” Of course not unlike the Brewers, you have to try in order to field a competitive team for the last five months of the season. Milwaukee recalled Dave Bush, who made an impressive start, allowing one earned run over six innings for Triple-A Nashville.
How to fantasy owners recover from the loss of a pitcher who has, or at least had, as much potential as almost any pitcher in baseball? It seems likely that in most leagues pitchers such as Edwin Jackson, Chad Gaudin, and of course phenom Max Scherzer are long since plucked from the waiver wire. Consider Gallardo’s replacement, Bush, who may not have pitched that well so far this season at the major league level, but his skill set is promising (6.5 K/9IP and 3.0 K:BB ratio). A few other possible free agents in your league depending on it’s size might include the recently recalled Yankees’ starter Darrell Rasner, Indians’ Aaron Laffey, Pirates’ Paul Maholm, Rays’ Andrew Sonnanstine, or Cardinals’ Joel Piniero.
Another option may include trading for pitchers who have yet to perform up to their full potential. Some of those who qualify who I believe are on the verge of turning things around are: the Reds’ Johnny Cueto, Tigers’ Justin Verlander, and the Mets’ John Maine.
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