The injury report is filling up with names of some top performers from around Major League Baseball. Undoubtedly, this is a concern for many fantasy managers, who could be without their top producers for the foreseeable future. Let's take a look at injured hitters, including Aaron Judge, Wander Franco, Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, and more.
These are some of the latest fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of June 5, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. Some players on this list impact fantasy baseball more than others. With leagues of all shapes and sizes, you never know which guys will force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the MLB, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy baseball player news page and download the free RotoBaller fantasy baseball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the injury updates for hitters.
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Aaron Judge
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (toe) is being held out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-handed slugger suffered a minor toe injury during Saturday's contest. As a result, the Yankees are going to have Judge sit out this contest.
Manager Aaron Boone said Judge is sore and getting treatment, so he's unsure if Judge is going to be available off the bench during this game. The Yankees have a scheduled off day on Monday, so hopefully Judge is ready to play again on Tuesday. In the meantime, Willie Calhoun, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jake Bauers will cover the outfield versus right-hander Bobby Miller on Sunday.
Wander Franco
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (hamstring) is not in the team's starting lineup on Sunday to face the Boston Red Sox. Franco returned for Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday after dealing with a minor shoulder injury earlier in the week, but he was held out of Game 2 due to left-hamstring soreness.
The 22-year-old's new injury is also considered minor, though, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Hopefully, he'll be able to return for the series finale against Boston on Monday. Taylor Walls will get another start at the 6 on Sunday while hitting eighth against Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck. Walls is hitting .235 (32-for-136) on the year and has seven home runs, 19 RBI and 15 stolen bases as a utility infielder for Tampa.
Jose Altuve
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique) remains out of the team's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Altuve tweaked his oblique while swinging in Friday's game against the Angels, and he'll now sit out for the second straight game as a precaution. The 33-year-old All-Star will hopefully be back in the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, but if he isn't, fantasy managers might start to panic.
Altuve has played in only 11 games after returning from a fractured left thumb, and he's hitting a solid .286 (12-for-42) in the small sample size with three doubles, two homers and six RBI. Mauricio Dubon is at the keystone and batting leadoff on Sunday against Angels right-hander Griffin Canning. Dubon only has one homer in 173 at-bats in 2023, but he's hitting a strong .295.
Cody Bellinger
Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (knee) has made "good strides" in the last few days. However, Bellinger isn't expected back anytime soon, with the veteran stating that a potential return during the team's road trip out west is "probably too aggressive."
Bellinger has been running the bases and doing agility work of late. But nobody knows for sure when he'll be back, especially since a rehab stint hasn't been ruled out.
Joc Pederson
San Francisco Giants designated hitter Joc Pederson (hand) is going on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues on Saturday. The 31-year-old has been out of action since May 13 with a right hand contusion, but his return is drawing near. Pederson was hitting .235/.351/.494 with five homers and 18 RBI over 97 plate appearances before going down.
The two-time All-Star is worth a look for fantasy managers who could use some pop at the cost of speed and batting average. Upon his return, Pederson should slot back into the third or fourth spot of the San Fran lineup versus right-handed pitching regularly.
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