Royals Mike Moustakas Tore ACL, Done for the Year
By Bill Pivetz
Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. If you own him, it’s safe to drop him in all formats.
The Kansas City Royals may not be repeating as World Series champions. Just two days after returning from the DL with a thumb injury, star third baseman Mike Moustakas will not take another at bat for the rest of the year. He was diagnosed with a torn ACL after colliding with outfielder Alex Gordon in foul territory. What is the fallout from his injury?
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It took a little while, but Moustakas had his breakout season last year. In 147 games, he hit 22 home runs, 82 RBI and a .284 average. After years of disappointment, this was a relief for fantasy owners that invested in the former top prospect.
This season was going along the same route. In his first 25 games, he hit seven home runs, 13 RBI and .258. He also had 10 strikeouts and eight walks, which showed improve patience at the plate. Then, injury struck.
He missed 14 games with a thumb injury. Moustakas came back on May 21. He went 0-for-7 in his first two came back before injury struck again.
Mike Moustakas is done for the year, Ned Yost says. He's getting second opinion, but expected back for spring training.
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) May 26, 2016
Mike Moustakas is owned in 72.9 percent of ESPN leagues. He is safe to drop in all leagues, even keeper/dynasty leagues. While he should be ready for Spring Training, I don’t think he is worth keeping. If you do want him, you should be able to draft him late next year.
The Royals promoted outfielder Brett Eibner because Gordon was also injured on the play, though he should return in about a month. As for third base replacements, Kansas City doesn’t have much as far as viable replacements are concerned.
Prospect Cheslor Cuthbert and utilityman Whit Merrifield are listed behind Mike Moustakas on the depth chart. Both have been called up recently, so their big-league playing time is limited. There is the possibility of moving Omar Infante over to third base. While he has over 600 innings at the position, he hasn’t played there since 2012.
Next: Julio Urias Gets the Call
There are some practical options on the waiver wire. Eduardo Nunez is hitting well recently and owned in just 28.4 percent of leagues. While he hasn’t hit a home run since May 17, Danny Valencia is still out there. Digging deeper, Chase Headley has been lighting it up over the past week.