Following a fractured hamate bone in his left hand suffered on Friday, Texas Rangers center fielder Delino DeShields underwent surgery early this week and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks of action. In his absence, the team expects to give regular playing time in center field and at the bottom of the Rangers' batting order to Carlos Tocci.
DeShields, who many were excited about this season from an overall productivity and fantasy standpoint, should be back in the Rangers' lineup by mid-May. Before the injury, many projections saw DeShields capable of 40-plus stolen bases and with enough power to reach double-digit home runs over a full season of plate appearances. Now those projections are dashed and hopes for power will be further clouded upon his return from the surgery.
From a speed and contact perspective, not much should change upon his return. Previous cases of players returning from fractured and removed hamate bones haven't shown any evidence of significantly limiting the batter's ability to make consistent contact and drive the baseball at similar levels to before the injury. But we have seen instances in recent years where the first several months back from a broken hamate bone demonstrate a slow return of power.
DeShields is a player worth stashing on the disabled list. Even if the power doesn't return as much in 2018, a player with his speed is fully capable of contributing 25-plus stolen bases upon his return and he could be a great source of run production as Texas' leadoff hitter with Joey Gallo, Adrian Beltre and Nomar Mazara behind him. So, fantasy owners should hang onto DeShields and wait things out for his return.
As for Tocci, he is not someone who should be considered a fantasy option in season-long leagues.