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Jonathan Lee

AccuScore Analyst

Twitter @thejonlee

The calendar is about to flip to September, which means the arrival of football and the winding down of the fantasy baseball season.  With precious little time to make up ground in categories (in roto leagues) or to reach the playoffs (in head-to-head leagues) some drastic measures need to be taken.  Since trades are no longer an option, the waiver wire is the only place to turn to for help.  With such few games left, the best way to improve your team is to look at which categories you can catch up in and try and load up with players to help in those categories.  It’s time to ditch underperformers or injured players.  The only thing that matters at this point is winning.

For example, if you’re headed to the playoffs do you hold onto an injured Justin Duchscherer and gamble that returns in time (and healthy enough) to help you?  I made this decision in two leagues this week and decided to dump him.  He will be out for another two weeks minimum, and likely won’t have enough time to recover and help my team.  I will be using his roster spot to stream pitchers and position players.  Taking a serious daily proactive approach is the only way to make up ground this late in the season.

Here are a few new injuries to be aware about as well as a few players on the mend that could be available to help you down the stretch:

• Evan Longoria and Troy Percival appear to be on the mend.  Longoria, out since ….. will resume hitting this week and hopes to return by September 1.  Percival had his first bullpen session Tuesday since going on the DL.

• J.D. Drew was placed on the DL retroactive to August 19 with a herniated disk and muscle stiffness.  This is a big blow to the Red Sox as the difference between Drew and Coco Crisp offensively is sizable.  Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury have been playing everyday in the outfield, but expect the newly acquired Mark Kotsay to see time as well.  Kotsay has very little value even in AL-only leagues because he appears to be in a part-time role with the Red Sox.  It is unclear how long Drew will be out for, but with this type of injury its fair to say it will continue to hamper him even if he does return this season.

• Colorado closer Brian Fuentes was placed on the bereavement list meaning he will be out until at least Friday and possibly longer.  Manny Corpas will assume 9^th-inning duties in the interim.

• San Francisco’s Jonathan Sanchez is expected to return on Monday against Colorado.  If nothing else, he will be a good source of strikeouts.

• Elijah Dukes returned early from the disabled list, but Austin Kearns took his spot with a stress fracture in his foot.  Kearns will be out 2-4 weeks.

• Victor Martinez could return when rosters expand Sept.1, but he likely won’t be playing everyday according to manager Eric Wedge.  Kelly Shoppach has been playing very well.  Martinez will probably fill-in at catcher, first base, and DH.  With his injury woes this year and lack of power, Martinez has zero value in mixed leagues.

• Quick closer note: with Eddie Guardado back to the Twins, Frank Francisco takes over in Texas.

• The Dodgers could make up a pretty good pitching staff with all the pitchers they have on the shelf.  Cory Wade, a surprisingly important cog in the bullpen this year, has begun a rehab assignment and should be back at the start of September.  Penny is unlikely to pitch again this season, and if he did it would be out of the pen.  Takashi Saito is expected to throw off a mound this weekend for the first time since spraining his elbow.  His recovery is important considering the struggles of interim closer Jonathan Broxton.  I would bet against Saito pitching again this season however.  Proctor and Schmidt have suffered numerous setbacks in their attempts to return.  However, the Dodgers are optimistic either player could help down the stretch in relief.

• Justin Upton should be back when rosters expand.  Where he plays is another matter.  There is a lot of speculation that Mark Reynolds could shift to second base to open up a lineup spot moving Chad Tracy to third and Adam Dunn or Conor Jackson to first.  This bears watching mostly for positional eligibility next season.  Reynolds is marginal at third, but would be a great source of power at second.  Upton still looks another year away from being solidly fantasy relevant.