2026 Fantasy Baseball: Should We Worry About Lawrence Butler's Knee Recovery?
Let’s face it. Sometimes you really don’t want to know how the sausage is made. I think of that phrase when I think of Lawrence Butler.
On one hand, he was a 20-20 player last year for the A’s. On the other, his average slid 30 points and his slugging percentage suffered. In the offseason he had surgery on one knee and injections in the other. He has yet to play a spring training game. But he still projects as a 20-20 player.
Can he have a season of growth to establish himself as a reliable fantasy baseball player, or should I draft him with one eye closed and not watch the A’s games in a minor league ballpark and just take what I get?
We will dive into Butler’s recovery from knee surgery, his prospects for 2026, and the skills that dipped last year that we will keep an eye on this season. You might not want to know how the sausage is made, so be thankful that we have a front-row seat in the sausage factory.
Lawrence Butler's 2025 Breakdown
20-20 Amid Knee Struggles
Overall, Butler hit .234 with 21 HR and 22 SB to go with 83 runs and 63 RBI in 152 games last season. His second half, marked by knee pain, saw only a .218 batting average after the All-Star break, despite swiping 9 of his 22 bases in that stretch.
When healthy, he owns 90th percentile speed and his exit velocity tracks well. So if he returns to full health, fantasy baseball players should be excited. If.
His power, on base percentage, and slugging percentage all suffered in the second half. He was particularly bad versus left-handed pitching, which might limit his lefty-on-lefty opportunities in 2026.
Butler had a torn patella tendon in his right knee, for which he had offseason surgery. The injury could be blamed for his subpar second half last season. He also received a platelet-rich plasma injection for tendonitis in his left knee.
Since he has not appeared in a spring training game yet, it is very difficult to forecast either the health of either knee or how he will fare in 2026.
Recovery and Spring Training Activities
The public comments from A’s manager Mark Kotsay are encouraging at least. Butler has recently appeared in minor league games and is expected to debut in spring training in the near future, Kotsay said.
He also told the media that Butler has probably had more at-bats, albeit in the batting cage, than any teammate this spring.
Bounce-Back Potential vs. Fade
Potential is always a loaded word. Butler certainly owns potential. There is work to do, particularly against lefties, but the projections understandably are lukewarm on his 2026 prospects.
Steamer is calling for a .242 average, a .721 OPS, 20 HR, 23 SB, and 69 RBI in 579 at-bats. Even healthy I do not see a 30-30 player, but perhaps a 25-25 guy who could hit .260.
His current ADP is 137 (131 on CBS, 208 on ESPN). But you will need to see good speed and contact in the handful of spring games he will play before Opening Day to draft him in rounds 10-12 with any confidence.
What to Do With Lawrence Butler?
I would not be eager to roster Butler at his current ADP, but if he slips a round or two I would have greater interest. That is a part of the draft that is rich with starting pitching depth, but if I needed help in steals at that point, I might give Butler a shot.
But I will not watch the sausage being made.
People Want to Know More About Lawrence Butler for the 2026 Fantasy Baseball Season
Is Lawrence Butler injured in 2026 spring?Yes, Lawrence Butler is recovering from October 2025 knee surgery and had not appeared in spring games as of early March.
Lawrence Butler 2025 stats?Lawrence Butler hit .234 with 21 home runs, 22 stolen bases, 83 runs and 63 RBI in 152 games.
Butler 2026 projections?Steamer projects Lawrence Butler for a .242 average with 20 HR and 23 SB across roughly 579 at-bats.
Should I draft Lawrence Butler?Many fantasy managers are fading Lawrence Butler early due to injury uncertainty but considering him as a late-round upside stash.
Knee surgery recovery timeline?Patellar tendon repairs often require several months of recovery, with setbacks possible if early workloads increase too quickly.
A’s outfield alternatives?Miguel Andujar and JJ Bleday could see additional opportunities if Lawrence Butler’s recovery slows early in the season.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
