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Fourth of July festivities are in the books, and unfortunately, there are a ton of big-name fantasy baseball studs dealing with injuries. The list of key guys has no shortage of star power, so fantasy baseball lineups will be mightily affected for at least the next few weeks. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Mike Trout, Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Thairo Estrada, Jeremy Pena, and several more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of July 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, 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.
Mike Trout Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list after fracturing his left hamate bone during Monday's game. The superstar has a timetable of four to eight weeks to recover. Trout mentioned that he's unsure if he'll undergo surgery. He said that he has heard of people returning in four weeks from this injury, but acknowledged it could take longer.
This is a huge blow to the Angels, but Trout does believe he'll be back this season. In the meantime, Mickey Moniak and Taylor Ward should see more playing time in the absence of Trout, as well as former top prospect Jo Adell.
Jose Altuve Injury Update
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique) was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the visiting Colorado Rockies due to left-oblique discomfort, according to the team. It's the same injury that caused him to miss four games in early June. This is definitely something that could cause Altuve to need a trip to the injured list or at the very least miss the rest of this week leading up to next week's All-Star break.
Injuries have been the story of the 33-year-old's 2023 season after he initially fractured his thumb in the World Baseball Classic. Mauricio Dubon should continue to get starts at the keystone for however long Altuve remains out with his oblique ailment. Altuve has hit .264 with six homers, 18 RBI, five steals, and 25 runs scored in his 121 at-bats so far this year.
Thairo Estrada Injury Update
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said that infielder Thairo Estrada (hand) is expected to miss four to six weeks with a fractured left hand. The Giants put Estrada on the 10-day injured list on Monday after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand on Sunday, but he's obviously going to miss more than 10 days with his injury.
It's a really tough break for the 27-year-old Venezuelan, as he was hitting .272/.327/.434 with nine long balls, 18 doubles, a triple, 31 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 46 runs scored in 315 trips to the plate over 70 games before his injury. Brett Wisely got the nod at the keystone in Monday's game and Casey Schmitt got the start there on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. Estrada is only five homers from his career-high in that category and is four stolen bases shy of setting a new career-high mark in thefts.
Jeremy Pena Injury Update
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that shortstop Jeremy Pena (neck) should be able to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Pena missed his fifth straight game on Tuesday while dealing with neck stiffness, but it hasn't been a serious issue all along. Mauricio Dubon continues to see regular playing time in Houston's lineup between injuries to Pena and second baseman Jose Altuve (undisclosed).
Fantasy managers should have Pena available again on Wednesday when he'll be looking to extend his current hitting streak to a modest six games. During his five-game streak, he's gone 6-for-23 (.261) with a homer, three RBI, and four runs scored.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Injury Update
Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s (oblique) MRI exam showed only a mild strain in his left oblique. It's good news after the Marlins put Chisholm on the 10-day injured list on Monday, but the 25-year-old outfielder continues to be set back by injuries early in his career. He had been back for only a week after returning from a stint on the injured list due to turf toe before injuring his oblique and being sidelined again.
Chisholm has played in only 45 games in 2023 as a result. When healthy, he can be a dynamic player for fantasy managers. He's currently hitting .246 (41-for-167) with nine home runs, four doubles, a triple, 21 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 20 runs scored in 183 plate appearances. Chisholm should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues.
Aaron Judge Injury Update
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (toe) said he has started doing some light hitting in addition to playing catch. He said he has felt better lately, but he's still undecided on going to Seattle for this year's All-Star festivities next week. Judge started playing catch before games last week. Now, he's graduated to light hitting, which is another sign he's progressing from a torn ligament in his right big toe.
The 31-year-old All-Star slugger is still far from a return to the Yankees lineup, and surgery after the 2023 season remains a possibility. It would probably be a surprise if he's able to return before the end of July at this rate, so fantasy managers are going to have to remain patient. The Yankees have used Jake Bauers, Giancarlo Stanton, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Billy McKinney in right field in the last week.
Ryan Mountcastle Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (vertigo) is batting .209 with one home run, five RBI, and four walks in his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. The 26-year-old has been on the injured list prior to the June 13 game, with the move retroactive to June 10.
While he has been playing at Triple-A, it remains to be seen when he could rejoin the O's, as vertigo is not as clear as a condition to manage or recover from compared to a bone or muscle injury. Mountcastle hadn't hit for average but was hitting for power with the O's, slashing .227/.264/.421 with 11 HR and 39 RBI in 261 plate appearances. He is worth hanging onto for fantasy managers with IL spots in their leagues.
Anthony Rendon Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (shin) left Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres early after fouling a ball off his left shin. According to Sam Blum of The Athletic, the 33-year-old underwent X-rays, which came back negative.
Rendon has dealt with the injury bug a couple of times already this season and has only played in 42 games. He's slashing .236/.361/.318 with just two homers, 23 runs, 22 RBI, and two steals in another disappointing season with the Angels. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates.
Yoan Moncada Injury Update
Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (back) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment after the All-Star break. The switch-hitter has been sidelined since mid-June due to inflammation in his lower back.
It sounds like Moncada has been slowly working his way back, but appears ready to get back into game action. He was slashing .232/.279/.370 with three homers and 13 RBI before landing on the injured list. The hope is that he'll be able to return in late July.
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