Prior likely out for season

August 14, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Mark Prior (shoulder) has battled injuries all season, and it appears as if that battle is all but over. Prior was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season Saturday, Aug. 12, and his return this season is in doubt. 

The latest incident came after Prior allowed five earned runs in three innings to the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Aug. 10. The outing wasn’t a major cause for concern until the Cubs noticed Prior lost a lot of velocity on his pitches during the third inning. An MRI Friday, Aug. 11, showed rotator cuff tendonitis. 

What will happen with Prior now? For starters (pardon the pun), he could be done for the season. The Cubs want him to take a full three weeks off before throwing again. He would then begin a rehab program but his return this season is very unlikely with roughly six weeks left. He would need 10-to-14 days to get his arm back in shape for the final seven to 10 days of the season. With his injury past as well, the team will not likely rush him back, especially in a season that has essentially been written off.

What does this mean for your fantasy team? Prior, while posting only a 1-6 record with a 7.21 ERA, still had the ability to dominate games and could have been a sleeper down the stretch. He only lasted three innings Thursday but in his start before that, Saturday, Aug. 5, he allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He is also a high strikeout pitcher, which could be hard to replace.

If you had been counting on Prior this season, there are other pitchers you can take a look at over the stretch run. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher Joe Saunders has posted a 4-0 record this season, to go along with a 1.67 ERA, and he would represent a solid addition to any starting staff. He has also struck out 18 batters in 27 innings this season. 

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Doug Davis has put up an 8-6 record, with a 4.97 ERA, but he has come on strong of late, winning four of his past five starts. Davis also has 109 strikeouts in 147 innings pitched this season. 

Florida Marlins starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez could be another solid addition to your rotation this late in the season. He owns a 4-2 record with a 4.13 ERA, but since Friday, July 14, he has pitched 37 1/3 innings and given up only 13 runs. As well, eight of those runs came in one outing Sunday, July 30. Sanchez is not a high strikeout pitcher (27 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings), so you will lose out there, but he has been a solid pitcher over the last month.

Prior has not done a lot this season, which should make him easier to replace (unlike say Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Francisco Liriano). His injury likely won’t kill your team as you have probably been replacing him all season, but with Prior, it is more in what he could have done that will leave you disappointed.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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