Fantasy Fallout: Rays Have a Bevy of In-House Options to Replace Steve Pearce

Here are the fantasy implications of Tampa Bay Rays 1B/2B/OF Steve Pearce heading to the disabled list due to a strained hamstring:

Season-Long Fantasy Leagues

Typically used by the Baltimore Orioles as the right-handed half of a platoon at several different positions over the past three seasons, Pearce had grown into an everyday player with the Rays this year. Through 51 games and 196 plate appearances, he was slashing .322/.393/.540 with nine home runs, 23 runs scored and 25 RBIs. His 0.63 BB/K ratio was the best of his career.

Pearce originally received an opportunity when 1B/2B Logan Forsythe went on the disabled list earlier this season. Forsythe is owned in little more than 50 percent of leagues, so there's a good chance he may be available in yours. He's hitting .301 for the season with five home runs, 15 RBIs and four stolen bases.

1B Logan Morrison is widely available and offers more similar power numbers to those of Pearce. While Forsythe hits from the leadoff position, Morrison has taken over clean-up duties, providing him plenty of RBI opportunities.

If looking to make up for the multi-position eligibility of Pearce, 2B/SS/OF Brad Miller is an adequate option, and he's available in over 90 percent of leagues. Like Forsythe, Miller is also a threat to steal bases, with nine homers and four SBs on the year. He's moved up to the second spot in the Rays' order.

All of these players should be owned in AL-Only leagues, while any of the above makes for an adequate replacement during Pearce's absence.

Daily Fantasy

Pearce had been effective against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers this season, but his true strength in daily fantasy was still in matchups against lower-quality southpaws. He was hitting .396 through 48 at-bats against lefties, with eight walks and 10 strikeouts.

Pearce had developed a moderate price tag, after beginning the season as a consistent bargain. The Rays also have a variety of right-handed platoon options, including Forsythe, OF Desmond Jennings, and SS/OF Taylor Motter. Motter is the cheapest and is hitting .375 against lefties with a home run.

Waiver Wire Targets

Here are some widely-available options for replacing Pearce from outside the Rays' organization:

• 1B Mitch Moreland, Texas Rangers: Moreland seems to have been sparked by Rangers INF Jurickson Profar beginning to steal his playing time at first base. He's hit five of his 11 home runs on the season in June, while also improving his batting average and BB/K ratio. He's a top candidate to replace Pearce's power, but he doesn't play every day, usually sitting against left-handed pitching.

• 1B Kendrys Morales, Kansas City Royals: Another player showing major improvements of late, Morales has posted a 1.078 OPS over the last two weeks, after a horrendous start to the season. He's hit two home runs, scored eight runs and driven in 10. He's hitting sixth for the Royals and receives plenty of RBI opportunities.

• 2B/3B Martin Prado, Miami Marlins: Prado fills the corner and middle infield spots potentially vacated by Pearce. He's posted a 1.016 OPS over the past two weeks, averaging .385 with a home run and 11 runs scored. He's operating out of the two-hole in the Marlins lineup, setting the table nicely for OFs Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton.