In a series of moves on Monday, the Boston Red Sox saw their rotation take a major hit to its depth. Boston placed starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez, Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz on the 10-day disabled list.
We'll start with Pomeranz, whose forearm injury is of most concern but for now doesn't appear as if it will keep him out for long. Pomeranz suffered the forearm strain earlier in spring training and the team exercised extreme caution given the nature of the injury and Pomeranz's injury history.
The 29-year-old shined for Boston last season, displaying much of the same ability that led to Boston acquiring him before the trade deadline in 2016. Across 32 innings, Pomeranz registered a 3.32 ERA, 3.84 FIP and struck out 23.5 percent of the batters he faced. The question about Pomeranz's ability to repeat his line, largely tied to an 80 percent left on base rate that leads to a higher probability to a rise in ERA.
From a fantasy perspective, his time on the disabled list puts a slight tick down in his fantasy value and the added risk of further problems with his forearm are of large concern. But if fantasy owners set expectations at a top-55 starting pitcher who can provide contributions in wins, strikeouts and post a sub-four ERA.
As for Rodriguez, his injury could keep him out for a little longer. Consistent knee issues, especially last season, ultimately pushed Rodriguez to undergo patellofemoral ligament construction on his right knee back in October. While Rodriguez has made good progress since then and is already back on the mound and throwing, he will need up to a month to stretch himself out and be able to throw 90-plus pitches for any given start.
When Rodriguez returns, fantasy owners will once again hope inconsistent flashes of brilliance eventually turn into consistent production. In the first half of last season, Pomeranz limited opposing hitters to a .219/.293/.416 line, struck out 65 batters and recorded a 3.54 ERA across 61 innings pitched. Then came the second half, when Rodriguez's slash line allowed jumped to .254/.325/.430 with a 4.72 ERA in 76 1/3 innings.
Rodriguez will be a serious gamble for fantasy owners, both in his productivity and with questions surrounding his health. He likely won't be 100 percent until May and even then, the risks will remain to make him a high-risk/reward pitcher target.
Wright, who will face a 15-game suspension for domestic violence chargers upon his return from the disabled list, is on the disabled list due to continued complications from knee surgery last year. Further complications with the knee led to a PRP injection recently and clouded his timetable for a return. One thing is for certain, Wright is not on the fantasy radar right now.