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As Wednesday's mid-week MLB slate is set to begin, several stud hitters are dealing with ailments. Injuries complicate fantasy lineup decisions, so it's important to stay in the know. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Rafael Devers, Cody Bellinger, Nolan Jones, Triston Casas, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of March April 24, 2024. Some players on this list impact fantasy baseball more than others, but with leagues of all shapes and sizes, you never know which guys will be important in lineups.
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Rafael Devers Injury Update
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is giving third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) one more day to rest his knee on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians and said Devers will serve as the designated hitter on Wednesday. Devers was originally set to return to Tuesday's lineup, but the Red Sox are being cautious since he hasn't played since suffering a bone bruise on his left knee on April 17. Pablo Reyes is getting the start at third for Boston on Tuesday and is hitting the ninth against Guardians right-hander Ben Lively.
Cora says one more day for Devers, who will DH tomorrow.
Reiterated Yoshida isn't hurt and him being out is more about O'Neill at DH.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 23, 2024
Reyes, 30, should be avoided in DFS, especially in the nine-hole for the Red Sox. The Dominican infielder has eight hits in 46 at-bats (.174 average) with no homers and four RBI this year. Reyes has hit eight home runs, drove in 53, and stolen 12 bases in his six years in the majors.
Cody Bellinger Injury Update
Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger exited Tuesday's game versus the Houston Astros with an apparent injury after crashing into the wall in center field. Bellinger hit the wall hard tracking down a Yainer Diaz double in the fourth inning, and the center fielder was later seen holding his right side in the dugout. Bellinger remained in the game all the way up until the seventh frame before he was removed for Alexander Canario, so his departure could very well be a precautionary measure.
Cody Bellinger exits the game as Mike Tauchman shifts to center and Alexander Canario is in right to start the seventh. Marquee shows a replay of Bellinger hitting the wall on the ball hit by Yainer Diaz in the fourth and then Belli later holding his right side in the dugout
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) April 24, 2024
The Cubs should provide a clearer picture of the 28-year-old All-Star slugger's health following the contest, and he should be deemed day-to-day ahead of the second game of the series on Wednesday. After clubbing a two-run home run on Tuesday, Bellinger is up to a .226/.320/.440 triple-slash line with five homers, 17 RBI, and 10 runs scored in 84 at-bats (22 games).
Nolan Jones Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back) exited Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Padres early with a stiff back, per MLB.com's Thomas Harding. The 25-year-old went 1-for-4 with a single, an RBI, and a strikeout before being replaced by Jake Cave. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for further updates, but Jones can be considered day-to-day for now.
#Rockies LF Nolan Jones left tonight's game with a stiff back, per the club.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) April 24, 2024
He has been highly disappointing to start the season, slashing just .148/.219/.250 in 96 plate appearances.
Triston Casas Injury Update
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (rib) has been diagnosed with a left rib fracture and will be out "a while." Casas hurt himself swinging last Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and was put on the 10-day injured list on Sunday. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger is obviously going to miss well beyond 10 days while on the IL, but there's no exact firm timetable for when he might be able to rejoin the Red Sox as their everyday first baseman.
Casas has a left rib fracture. He will be out "a while."
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) April 23, 2024
Until he's able to return, Bobby Dalbec figures to see most of the playing time at the cold corner in Boston, but Pablo Reyes and Rob Refsnyder could also factor in if Dalbec continues to struggle at the plate. He currently has just one hit in his first 30 at-bats in 2024 with three walks and 18 strikeouts in 14 games.
Lane Thomas Injury Update
Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas (leg) exited Tuesday's game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers with an apparent left leg injury. Thomas appeared to twist his left leg on a slide while attempting a stolen base in the fifth inning and was able to stay in the game temporarily, but he was later replaced by Eddie Rosario in right field in the seventh. Considering Thomas was able to keep playing for a bit, there's optimism that he's only dealing with a minor injury.
Two innings later, Eddie Rosario has replaced Lane Thomas in right field. https://t.co/M4a8LbyoHC
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 24, 2024
Expect the Nats to offer some clarity on his status following the contest, and Thomas should be deemed day-to-day ahead of the second game of the series with LA on Wednesday. The 28-year-old right fielder is batting a mere .184 (16-for-87) with two home runs and 10 RBI in 22 games this season, but his 11 swipes are softening the blow. It wouldn't hurt fantasy managers in deep leagues to make a speculative add-on No. 2 prospect James Wood until Thomas is fully healthy.
Francisco Alvarez Injury Update
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb) underwent surgery to address the injury to the UCL in his left thumb on Tuesday. A typical return to play takes approximately eight weeks, which lines up with the club's original timetable after Alvarez tore a ligament in his left thumb in Friday's win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Earlier today, Francisco Alvarez underwent surgery to address the injury to the UCL in his left thumb. A typical return to play is approximately 8 weeks. Additional updates will be provided as appropriate.
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 23, 2024
The 22-year-old former top prospect should be stashed for fantasy managers who can afford the roster spot in the meantime, considering Alvarez's light-tower power, but he was slashing a lukewarm .236/.288/.364 with one home run, four doubles, eight RBI, and eight runs scored in 59 plate appearances (16 games) before going down. Veteran backstops Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido will form a platoon for at-bats behind the dish while Alvarez is on the shelf, but neither of the two is even viable in deep two-catcher leagues at the moment.
TJ Friedl Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) is taking flips and hitting off a tee. Manager David Bell said on Tuesday that Friedl is "much further ahead" than anticipated in his six-week timetable from a fractured right wrist that he sustained back on March 16, so the center fielder's minor-league rehab assignment sounds like it's imminent. If Friedl continues to progress well, fantasy managers should be able to get him back available sometime in early to mid-May. After breaking out a year ago, the 28-year-old left-handed hitter should serve as Cincy's everyday center fielder upon his eventual activation from the injured list.
David Bell Tuesday:
* Sam Moll activated off IL, Casey Legumina optioned
* India, Fraley, Justin Wilson all "significantly" healthier
* Benson "still trending up" despite 0-for-16 slump
* TJ Friedl taking flips and hitting off tee, "much further ahead" than expected— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) April 23, 2024
Fellow lefty-hitter Will Benson has drawn starts and hit from a favorable spot in the Reds' batting order at times against right-handed pitching this season, but he's barely on the radar in 12-team leagues with a .186/.288/.400 triple-slash line, two home runs, six RBI, and five stolen bases in 70 at-bats (20 games).
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