RADIO
The MLB season is approaching the midway point, meaning the standings in fantasy baseball leagues are beginning to take shape. However, a flurry of injuries can tank a top contender, while fantasy managers at the bottom of the standings can rise the standings by staying up to date with the latest injury updates and finding adequate replacements. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Bryan Reynolds, Dansby Swanson, Byron Buxton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Aaron Judge, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of June 21, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. 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 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.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:- Fantasy baseball injury reports
- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- Daily MLB starting lineups for fantasy baseball
- Fantasy baseball BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- Fantasy baseball PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts, bullpens, saves
- Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard, daily leaderboards
Bryan Reynolds Injury Update
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (back) was out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Manager Derek Shelton said Reynolds is not going on the injured list despite some reports saying that he was. It sounds like Reynolds is dealing with lower back tightness.
Sadly, this is the type of injury that does have a tendency to linger. For the moment, the Pirates are going to consider Reynolds as day-to-day. That being said, fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on his status.
Dansby Swanson Injury Update
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (wrist) is going for X-rays on his right wrist, which is a little swollen after Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Swanson was 0-for-3 in the contest and was also hit by a pitch in the game to drop his season average to .263. He was able to stay in for the entire game, but we won't know more on the severity of his injury until the results of his X-rays come back.
For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. The 29-year-old lost his eight-game hitting streak by going hitless on Tuesday, and he came into the contest slashing .266/.352/.403 on the year with seven home runs, 31 RBI, four stolen bases and 33 runs scored in his first year in Chicago. If Swanson's injury is serious, Nico Hoerner would most likely shift over to the 6, with Nick Madrigal seeing more playing time at second.
Byron Buxton Injury Update
Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) still isn't ready to play center field. "From the beginning of the year, he has not been physically able to play in the outfield. If he was, he would be out there. If we even thought that it was possible that he could play in the outfield right now, he would be out there," Baldelli said. Buxton continues to serve exclusively as the team's designated hitter after having surgery on his right knee in September of last year.
The oft-injured 29-year-old has managed to play in 55 games for the Twins in 2023 and he has nine doubles, 10 homers and six stolen bases, but he's hitting an extremely disappointing .202 (40-for-198) with a .306 on-base percentage. He has one hit in his last 34 at-bats with 17 K's in 10 games, so perhaps his knee is affecting him at the plate as well.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Injury Update
Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (toe) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday. Chisholm did a total-body workout on Monday and is nearing a return to the big leagues after injuring his right big toe while crashing into the center field wall on May 13. X-rays were negative, but Chisholm was diagnosed with turf toe and has been out ever since.
The 25-year-old will eventually need surgery in the offseason, but he's hoping to play through the injury before then. He was hitting a disappointing .229 (33-for-144) before the injury with seven home runs, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 39 games. Hopefully he will continue to run on the base paths despite the toe injury.
Aaron Judge Injury Update
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he feels like outfielder Aaron Judge (toe) is turning a corner in his rehab, although he hasn't done any baseball activities yet. Most of the swelling in his toe is gone and he is able to do more things on his toe from a balance standpoint. It comes after Judge received a second platelet-rich plasma injection in his big right toe.
Once the 31-year-old All-Star slugger resumes baseball activities, a minor-league rehab assignment shouldn't be far off, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to return until July. Judge still leads the league in slugging percentage (.674) and OPS (1.078) while hitting .291 (51-for-175) with 10 doubles, 19 home runs, 40 RBI and 42 runs scored in 49 games played. He's obviously a must-stash in all fantasy leagues.
Riley Greene Injury Update
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (leg) is completing a return-to-play running progression and is also playing catch and hitting flips in the batting cages. Greene is attempting to return from a stress fracture in his left fibula and is still wearing an air cast, so he's still a ways away from making a return to the big leagues.
There is no current timetable for his return, but fantasy managers should fully expect the 22-year-old to return after the All-Star break in mid-July. The young left-handed hitter will return to an everyday role in Detroit's outfield when he's ready, though, as he was batting a strong .296 (60-for-203) with nine doubles, three triples, five homers, 18 RBI, six stolen bases and 29 runs scored in 52 games before the injury in just his second major-league season.
J.D. Davis Injury Update
San Francisco Giants third baseman J.D. Davis (ankle) make his return to the starting lineup on Tuesday versus the San Diego Padres. The 30-year-old is dealing with a lingering ankle issue that has forced him to come off the bench over the last three games.
This game was his first start since last Tuesday. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Davis back in their lineups moving forward.
Chris Taylor Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor (knee) remained out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, but entered the game as a pinch hitter. Taylor was injured during Friday's game while running the bases.
The MRI came back negative, and his plate appearance could mean he'll be in the starting lineup soon.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
