Here’s the sentence that made fantasy owners’ stomachs drop to the floor this week: Jose Fernandez will miss the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old Marlins ace joins Diamondbacks ace Patrick Corbin, Braves starters Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy, Rays All-Star Matt Moore, A’s pitchers Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin, Mets closer Bobby Parnell, Yankees hurler Ivan Nova and a slew of others on the ever-growing list of pitchers having to undergo Tommy John surgery.
There’s no easy way to describe this loss. It’s like getting punched in the stomach … by your mother … on Mother’s Day (after you gave her a card, gift and flowers … and took her to brunch). This is a pitcher who has been dominating the opposition since last season, going 16-8 with a 2.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 257 strikeouts in 36 big league starts.
The 6-foot-2 righty was 4-2 this season with a 2.25 ERA (his ERA was 1.74 before allowing six runs on May 9, in what will be his last start of the season) while striking out 70.
Losing a consistently dominating ace this early in this season is devastating, largely because you know it’s impossible to fill the gaping hole left in your roster (just like it was last season when Matt Harvey went down in late August and in 2010 when Stephen Strasburg was hurt, also in August). Sure, you can try to pull off a trade for a starter (and hurt your team in others ways), or turn to several middle relievers and treat their collective stats as a “start,” but it’s never going to give you the safety you had with Fernandez.
Roto Files has no magic wand to wave to bring him back or ease your concerns. But, there are some solid pitchers out there who can help fill the void immediately, as well as some prospects who should be making an impact sooner rather than later. Here’s a look:
Immediate help
Corey Kluber, Indians: The most added pitcher in ESPN leagues this week and with good reason. In five starts since April 24, the 28-year-old is 3-1 with a 2.04 ERA and 47 strikeouts. Numbers like those will help fill the void and he’s still available in 33.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
Jordan Lyles, Rockies: The 23-year-old, who had a 14-29 record coming into the season, is quietly having a great season. He’s 5-0 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 32 strikeouts. Somehow he’s available in more than 50 percent of ESPN leagues.
Drew Pomeranz, A’s: Started the season in the bullpen, but is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts in his first two starts.
Jon Niese, Mets: Going into Friday’s start, he was 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 20 strikeouts in his last four starts. He’s still available in 46 percent of ESPN leagues.
Jacob deGrom, Mets: May only start as long as Dillon Gee remains on the disabled list, but as good as Gee has been, he can take his time if this kid pitches like he did against the Yankees on Thursday.
Down the road
Noah Syndergaard, Mets: The Amazin’s have already brought up Rafael Montero (another solid long-term option) and deGrom, so the 21-year-old fireballer should be the next young gun to make it.
Trevor Bauer, Indians: Dominating Triple-A opponents with a 4-1 record, 2.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 44 strikeouts. Could be called up as early as mid-June.
Andrew Heaney, Marlins: Rated the top prospect in the Marlins’ organization, the 22-year-old lefty is making his case to get the call in Double-A (3-2, 2.35 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 44 strikeouts). Kevin Slowey and Brad Hand will fill Fernandez’s spot for now in Miami, but Heaney could be a long-term solution.
Fantasy Team Name of the Week: Ethier said than Dunn