During a session of batting practice ahead of the April 24 matchup with the division-rival Texas Rangers, J.P. Crawford suffered a Grade 1 right oblique strain following an awkward swing. It was originally thought that the injury was just soreness, but an MRI later revealed a more significant diagnosis that caused Crawford to hit the 10-day injured list the day after.
Besides a brief stint on the concussion IL last season, this is the first time the reliable Crawford has been on the IL since June 2019. Oblique strains tend to be tricky issues that lead to multi-week absences, so the veteran infielder might be sidelined for a considerable amount of time.
Let's take a look at where Crawford is at in his recovery from the injury.
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J.P. Crawford Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball
Surprisingly, Crawford was already feeling better and back to working out in a limited capacity during pregame warmups ahead of the April 28 series finale versus the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.
J.P. Crawford is out doing his daily pregame progressions with Perry Hill, just four days after suffering his Grade 1 oblique strain. He’s also doing some light jogging in the outfield, but no throwing yet.
He said in passing that he’s feeling much better. pic.twitter.com/s9vkk3ky8I
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 28, 2024
If that wasn't encouraging enough, Crawford was back out there again fielding grounders prior to the April 29 series opener against the Atlanta Braves. The Mariners believe that his timeline is still a matter of multiple weeks, however, so fantasy managers should not be expecting Crawford to be reinstated from the injured list when first eligible on May 5. A mid-May return is more realistic, though a minor league rehab assignment before his activation also cannot be ruled out.
JP Crawford is out taking ground balls which is a good sign.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 29, 2024
J.P. Crawford Fantasy Baseball Outlook
The 29-year-old on-base machine is only worth stashing in settings that record walks, as evidenced by his .198/.296/.302 triple-slash line with two home runs, nine RBI, and 13 runs scored in 86 at-bats (22 games) as Seattle's everyday shortstop. Crawford's baserunning skills, as well as his great plate vision, are simply more conducive to real-life value as a table setter for the M's than fantasy baseball, but he could still score plenty of runs atop a formidable lineup and launch the occasional homer when he returns.
Swung on.
Belted.
J.P. Crawford. pic.twitter.com/B5ckjEqVSE
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 30, 2024
For the time being, superutility players Dylan Moore and Leo Rivas will handle the lion's share of the reps at short in Seattle. Although neither of the two are worth rostering in any leagues at the moment, fellow utility player Josh Rojas is slashing a robust .308/.375/.523 with three long balls, six RBI, 10 runs scored, and one stolen base across 73 plate appearances (22 outings). He is worth a look in deep mixed or AL-only formats as the primary leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching in Crawford's stead.