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Dealing with Injuries
Now that you understand the OOTP injury model, what do you do when one of your players gets injured?

When a player is injured during a game, first and foremost, you will have to make a substitution. But, after getting through the game, this sort of injury is handled just like any other injury during auto-play. Let's consider the most common ways of dealing with each of the three types of injuries. Bear in mind, though, that the options available to you may vary depending on your playing style and the configuration of your league!

Day-to-Day Injuries
Day-to-day injuries are a judgment call. Remember that injured players who play are less effective, and more likely to get hurt again. That said, if it's the playoffs, and your All-Star shortstop at 80% is still far better than the alternative, you have some thinking to do. Here are the most common actions to take with day-to-day injuries:

  • Do nothing. Leave the player untouched in your lineups and depth charts and hope he doesn't get hurt worse.
  • Install a temporary substitute. Leave the injured player on your active roster, but place another player in the starting lineup and ahead in the depth charts until the injury is healed. Note that if you auto-play your games, there is still a chance the AI might use him to pinch hit, or as a defensive substitution, if it feels that is necessary.
  • Place him on the 15-day disabled list. Then call up a replacement from the minors or your reserve roster, or sign a free agent. Not a very common action to take with a day-to-day injury, but this could be an option if you want to be extra cautious.

Out Injuries
Injuries that take a player out of the lineup often require an immediate roster move. The most common actions are as follows:

  • Do nothing. Leave the player untouched in your lineups and depth charts. The computer won't let him play, since he is listed as "out," so he won't get hurt worse, but you'll be playing with a short bench. Still, if it's a short-term injury, you may be able to squeak by.
  • Place him on the 15-day disabled list. Then call up a replacement from your secondary or reserve roster", or sign a free agent. This is probably the most common action for short-term injuries.
  • Place him on the 60-day disabled list if his injury is more serious. Add another player to your secondary roster if you wish, since putting him on the 60-day disabled list frees up a slot on the secondary roster. Call up a replacement from the minors or your reserve roster", or sign a free agent. This is probably the most common action for longer-term injuries.

Career-Ending Injuries
When a player gets a career-ending injury, there is really only one option: place him on the 60-day disabled list for the rest of the season. At the end of the season the player will retire, and you will be relieved of the remainder of his salary.

Note: Unless you are rolling in cash and just don't care, do not release the player immediately, or you will have to pay the remainder of his salary for the current season!

Lineups and Depth Charts
When you move players around due to injury, don't forget to make changes to your lineups and depth charts. If you don't, the AI will certainly do what it thinks best, but if your AI coach makes a decision you don't like, then there will be no one to blame but yourself!

Previous page: Injuries and Fatigue
Next page: Player Retirement