It’s the final week so if a player figures to miss even a few days you’re better off dropping them and replacing them with a hot bat or arm, perhaps one you caught in this week’s waiver wire. Let’s take a look at who’s safe to drop in every league in the final days of the season.
Manny Machado (knee): Machado was carted off the field on Monday with a bad looking injury. He definitely won’t be returning this week and could end up missing some time next season based on how bad it looked.
Jacoby Ellsbury (foot): Ellsbury, who hasn’t played since September 5 with a foot injury, has a chance to return on Wednesday but it’s hard to see him being productive in the final games since his speed is the biggest part of his game.
Welington Castillo (knee): Castillo has a meniscus tear in his knee and while it’s not big long-term injury it’ll obviously knock him out for the final week, leaving Dioner Navarro to start at backstop.
Tony Cingrani (back): Cingrani continues to sit out with a sore back and doesn’t figure to make any starts this week so you can freely replace him on your roster.
Shin-Soo Choo (thumb): Choo missed most of the weekend series with a jammed thumb but is expected to return to the lineup as soon as Monday.
Justin Masterson (oblique): Masterson is not expected to make any starts this week so you can safely replace him on your roster.
Jorge De La Rosa (thumb): De La Rosa missed another start on Saturday and may or may not start this season. He’s too risky a start with his injury so I’d drop him for one of this week’s streaming options.
Dexter Fowler (knee): Fowler has been relegated to pinch-hitting duty all month and I wouldn’t expect him to make any starts, at least not effective ones, this week.
Wilin Rosario (calf): Rosario has been out with a sore calf since last Tuesday and could miss most or all of the final week.
Carlos Gonzalez (finger): CarGo, whether he manages an at-bat this week or not, is done and should be dropped in all leagues.
Jose Iglesias (hand): Iglesias is out of the lineup for the fourth-straight game on Monday and is listed as day-to-day.
Miguel Cabrera (groin): Cabrera missed Sunday’s game against the ChiSox but is back in the lineup on Monday to take on the Twins.
Jered Weaver (forearm): Weaver hasn’t started a game since September 14 but is expected to start against the A’s on Wednesday.
Andre Ethier (ankle): Ethier had his first at-bat since September 13 on Sunday as a pinch hitter but has a chance to return to the lineup on Tuesday to face the Giants.
Jean Segura (hamstring): Segura will miss his fifth straight game on Monday and with one of his wheels dinged up he doesn’t figure to be much of a factor in the final week.
Josh Willingham (foot): Willingham missed the entire weekend with a foot injury and is listed as day-to-day.
Joe Mauer (concussion): Mauer is not expected to return to the lineup this week so you can safely drop him from your roster.
CC Sabathia (hamstring): CC strained his hammy on Friday and won’t make another start this season.
Brett Gardner (oblique): Gardner is not expected to return to the Yankees this week.
Kyle Kendrick (shoulder): Kendrick is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
Starling Marte (hand): Marte continues to get sporadic at-bats but doesn’t figure to have any impact on your fantasy week and can be freely dropped in all leagues.
Russell Martin (knee): Martin left Sunday’s game against the Reds and is listed as day-to-day.
Yonder Alonso (hand): Alonso will not play in any of the Padres’ final games.
Marco Scutaro (finger/back): Scutaro hasn’t played since September 15 and isn’t expected back this season so he can be safely dropped in all leagues.
Matt Holliday (back): Holliday missed Sunday’s game with a back injury but will start on Monday against the Nats.
Allen Craig (foot): Craig isn’t expected to play in the final week and his status is questionable for the playoffs.
Desmond Jennings (hamstring): Jennings suffered a hamstring strain on Monday and is expected to miss some days.
Colby Rasmus (eye): Rasmus is out for the season with an eye injury.
