Week That Was: Holland Daze

Greg Holland was lights-out as Kansas City's closer in the first half of the season, converting 16 of 17 save chances through the end of June. Since the start of July, however, he hasn't been nearly effective, blowing four saves while posting a 4.74 ERA and watching his opponents' batting average jump from .134 to .313.

In light of those numbers, along with his diminished velocity, it should come as no surprise that Holland has been dealing with elbow problems. The Royals revealed this week that their closer has a significant tear in his UCL, and will be shut down for the season.

It's sad news for the 29-year-old Holland, who will likely need Tommy John surgery, putting his entire 2016 season in doubt. Kansas City is well equipped to handle the loss, though, with strong bullpen depth and one of the game's most dominant relievers ready to step in as replacement.

Should you be lucky enough to have Wade Davis still available in your league, grab him immediately.

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* If you're counting on Troy Tulowitzki to help you out in the final week of the season, you're unfortunately still stuck in limbo at this point. Jays manager John Gibbons would only say that Tulo's return in the regular season is "a possibility."

"I'm definitely hoping maybe by Tampa," was a meandering quote from Gibbons that perfectly sums up the vagueness of this situation. Given that Toronto has a playoff spot locked up and is gearing up for its first October run in two decades, I'd bet against seeing much of Tulowitzki next week.

* Jonathan Papelbon received a three-game suspension for beaning Manny Machado on Wednesday. He appealed, so he'll remain active until that's sorted out. If he does have to sit out before the year is over, Blake Treinen or Felipe Rivero could get a save chance or two.

* Great news out of Milwaukee: Jonathan Lucroy has been cleared to play after battling concussion symptoms stemming from a foul tip to the catcher's mask. Lucroy singled in a pinch-hitting appearance on Thursday, his first action since September 8th, and came off the bench once again on Friday. He won't catch again this year, so the regular reps behind the plate will continue to go to Martin Maldonado.

* Jimmy Nelson, another Brewer who has been dealing with a scary head injury after taking a foul ball off the head last Thursday, was lucky enough to escape with only a contusion but won't pitch again this year. The 26-year-old had a decent year, falling off in the last couple months after a strong first half. He's virtually assured a spot in Milwaukee's rotation next year.

* Billy Hamilton underwent capsule surgery on his right shoulder Friday, ending his season. He had quite the disappointing season for Cincinnati, hitting just .226/.274/.289, but he did provide plenty of value to fantasy owners by going 57-for-65 on stolen base attempts.

* Tigers manager Brad Ausmus sent Bruce Rondon home for the rest of the season, citing "effort level" as the reason. That's not an encouraging development, and doesn't bode well for Rondon's future in Detroit. The hard-throwing yet erratic reliever issued seven walks over his last seven appearances, blowing three saves in the process, and finishes with a 5.81 ERA on the season. We don't see him getting another chance to close any time soon, regardless of where he ends up.

* Hanley Ramirez's first season in Boston is done, as his nagging shoulder injury has prompted the team to shut him down. He finishes with a 717 OPS, his lowest since 2011, although he did manage a respectable 19 homers and 53 RBI in 105 games. We expect to see him bounce back in 2016, when he'll be making a full-time transition to first base.

* Ramirez's former teammate, Yasiel Puig, also appears unlikely to play again, with his manager Don Mattingly acknowledging that a regular season return is doubtful. Puig has been out since the end of August and is still reportedly running at only 70 percent, so his availability for the playoffs is very much in question.

* Marcus Stroman is providing the Blue Jays with exactly what they were hoping for when they activated him earlier this month. The 24-year-old completed a lightning-fast six month recovery from his torn ACL suffered in spring training, and since stepping into the Toronto rotation he has won all three starts. His brilliant outing against the Yankees on Wednesday, in which he hurled seven scoreless innings with only five hits and one walk allowed, was his finest effort yet.

As good as he's looking, Stroman could be a huge factor for a Blue Jays club that has been lacking intimidating starter options beyond David Price for the playoffs. Stroman is slated for two starts in the season's final week.

* Baltimore closer Zach Britton has been battling shoulder soreness, and while an MRI taken this week found no structural damage, it's still not clear whether he'll be able to return this season. Dominating righty Darren O'Day has assumed closer duties in Britton's absence and converted saves on three consecutive days this week.

* Yadier Molina suffered a slight tear in his left thumb ligament while making a tag last Sunday, and hasn't played since. He said on Tuesday that he believes he'll be able to return before the end of the regular season but that's no guarantee. The defensive guru is a crucial piece of the Cardinals squad.

* Nearing 170 innings on the season, Taijuan Walker is likely finished pitching in 2015 as the Mariners seek to protect their young starter, whose highest workload previously was 141 frames in 2013. While he was a bit homer-prone, Walker showed plenty of promising signs in his first full big-league season and could have a breakout campaign in store for next year.

* Sidelined since mid-August by an oblique injury, Hunter Pence probably isn't going to make it back before season's end. His manager Bruce Bochy said he "would be shocked" to see the outfielder back on the field.

* The Twins activated embattled right-hander Ricky Nolasco from the disabled list. He'll pitch in relief the rest of the way.