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He never lost consciousness so there doesn't appear to be any reason he'll miss time but who do you look to for saves in Cincinnati if he starts complaining of headaches and goes on the DL?

Does he fall just a bit in your rankings?

he has facial fractures......he is going to miss time. but it could have been alot worse.

I would be shocked if he doesn't start the season on the DL. He has broken bones in his face. I'm no doctor, but I suspect that the Reds would want to make sure those bones have healed completely before throwing him back out on the mound. I have not seen any estimates yet, but we could be talking about a DL stint of months, not weeks. I hope he is OK, as that was truly scary. In terms of fantasy, Chapman most likely will plummet in folks' rankings; how far will depend upon estimates of how long he will be out. Four months of Chapman probably is better than six months of certain other RPs, especially ones likely to be replaced or injured anyway. In terms of replacement closers, who knows? Hoover? Broxton? Marshall (when healthy)? Perhaps we'll get the dreaded closer-by-committee?

One of the few drawbacks of serious fantasy baseball is that it warps our priorities. You see a play like that and your first reaction is holy crap, I hope he is OK. Sadly, the interval only is seconds before you start thinking (i) is he on any of my fantasy teams? (ii) who is the Reds' likely new closer until Chapman returns? and (iii) how does this impact my rankings?

Mike

I'm used to seeing NHL players get half their teeth knocked out and playing again the next night so it appears I've underestimated the amount of time he'll miss.

Anyone like Sean Marshall or Alfredo Simon now?

Sometimes injuries like this have long term effects on the player that have nothing to do with the "physical" injury itself.

I see that Aroldis is still in your plans Mr Lowy. Thanks for the tip.

I'd be amazed if he isn't out for a long time.

Kimbrel might not make it past the 2/3 turn.

Sack wrote:I see that Aroldis is still in your plans Mr Lowy. Thanks for the tip.

Nah my friend. He wasn't in my plans even before getting smoked in the face.

Glenn:

Agreed, tough to spend such an early pick on a closer.

Aroldis Chapman will undergo surgery Thursday to repair fractures around his nose and left eye.
Chapman, who was also diagnosed with a mild concussion, will need 6-8 weeks of recovery time. And he won't necessarily be ready to pitch in major league games immediately after his rehab is through. The hard-throwing Cuban closer was hit in the face by a Salvador Perez line drive on Wednesday night in Cactus League play and had to be carted off the field on a stretcher. Cincinnati will likely open the 2014 season with a committee of JJ Hoover, Jonathan Broxton, and Sean Marshall at closer.

So, Chapman has a headache and gives fantasy drafters for big events a headache.
For a possible three months of Chapman, a drafter has the pleasure of not only drafting him with a probable mid-rounds pick, but also plays short handed with his bench for three months.
And for those gambling on his temporary replacement, they get a pitcher who will have the role.
Or share the role.
Or not have the role at all.
And probable best case scenario, he will only have that role for three months.

No game changes like our game. I LOVE fantasy baseball.

Your right. Things do change quickly.
In a recent express draft that I was in, we had an owner shout for joy that he was available to draft Patrick Corbin in the 15th round.
Then minutes later he realized that why.
He wasn't happy.

Aroldis Chapman is the latest causality as he'll drop down toward the middle rounds around where Rex Bothers sits.

Krys

While the round to which Chapman falls is interesting, I'm curious as to whether folks start moving the other elite closers up a little on their rankings now that there is one less to choose from.

Mike

First thought - hope A.C. is OK

Second thought - I'm drafting the guy who hit the line drive!