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Spring training action has begun, which can only mean the start of the 2024 MLB season is just around the corner. Fantasy baseball drafts are in full swing, and there will be plenty taking place between now and the start of the new campaign. It's never too early to check in on the latest injury updates, so let's take a look at injured hitters Julio Rodriguez, Triston Casas, Max Muncy, Cedric Mullins, Keibert Ruiz, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of February 29, 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 when the season begins.
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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Julio Rodriguez Injury Update
Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said that outfielder Julio Rodriguez (hand) is likely to play in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Oakland Athletics. Rodriguez has been dealing with some left hand inflammation in recent days, but he has been doing light baseball activities and is feeling better.
Servais said that Julio Rodriguez will likely play in Saturday’s Cactus League game.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) February 28, 2024
The 23-year-old All-Star's injury is not serious at all, so fantasy managers considering taking him in the first couple of picks in upcoming drafts shouldn't have anything to worry about. In standard leagues in 2023, Rodriguez was the eighth-best fantasy player in his sophomore season, hitting .275/.333/.485 with a .818 OPS, 32 home runs, 103 RBI, 37 stolen bases, and 102 runs scored in 654 at-bats. The Dominican outfielder can do it all.
Triston Casas Injury Update
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (illness) has been away from JetBlue Park for a few days as he recovers from the flu. He has still been managing to swing a bat, per manager Alex Cora, and he should be healthy enough to play in a game within the next few days. The 24-year-old looked great in his first full season last year, slashing .263/.367/.490 with 24 homers, 65 RBI, 70 walks, and 126 strikeouts over 132 games.
Triston Casas (flu) will be back at the ballpark tomorrow, Alex Cora said. Few days before a game. He told Cora he was still taking swings.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) February 27, 2024
He was the AL Rookie of the Month in July and should remain an everyday contributor this coming season. He has shown solid defensive skills at first base but needs to produce better splits against lefties before the Red Sox can trust him to start daily.
Max Muncy Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (hand) was diagnosed with a left-hand contusion and is day-to-day, according to the team. Muncy was hit by a pitch on his left hand in his first at-bat of Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers and was removed early. X-rays on his left hand came back negative, which is great news for the Dodgers and Muncy with the start of the 2024 regular season less than a month away.
Max Muncy has a left hand contusion, the Dodgers say. He's day-to-day.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 28, 2024
L.A. could hold Muncy out of spring training games for a few days, but he should be ready for the two-game series in Korea against the division-rival San Diego Padres on March 20-21. Muncy gives fantasy managers plenty of power, RBI, and on-base percentage, but he'll put a serious drain on your team's batting average and has been injury-prone in recent years.
Cedric Mullins Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins (groin) reportedly feels 100% heading into the 2024 season. He spent most of 2023 dealing with a groin injury that led to two trips to the injured list. Before the injury, his slash line was .263/.356/.479. He had eight home runs and 13 stolen bases through 53 games.
After that, he played 63 games, slashing .205/.257/.357. In that span, he had seven homers and just six steals. Hoping to stay healthy in 2024, he has even studied the "biomechanics" that led to his groin injury. Mullins will turn 30 in October. If he truly is healthy, this could be his best season since he broke out in 2021.
Keibert Ruiz, Nick Senzel Injury Update
Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (illness) and catcher Keibert Ruiz (illness) were both scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup due to illnesses. Senzel has been sick now for a few days, and Ruiz may have caught the same bug. Both players should be able to return to the lineup in a few days at spring training and will be fine for Opening Day in late March. Senzel, a former first-rounder, flamed out in Cincinnati mostly due to injuries.
Nick Senzel was scratched from today’s lineup. He and Keibert Ruiz (also not playing) are sick. New lineup: pic.twitter.com/2XO99AkI7e
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 28, 2024
The 28-year-old is expected to try and stick as Washington's primary third baseman in 2024, and his power/speed combination makes him worth a bench spot in deep-mixed leagues if he wins the job. Ruiz, 25, has gone 1-for-4 in his two Grapefruit League games so far. He's not an elite fantasy catcher, but he has a strong floor due to his status as the Nats' starting catcher.
Luis Rengifo Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) did some hitting and defensive drills in camp on Wednesday. The Angels are easing Rengifo back into action at spring training after he dealt with some left hamstring tightness.
The 27-year-old still has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day at the end of March, unless he suffers another setback when he starts playing in Cactus League games. Rengifo is most useful to the Angels for his ability to play multiple positions, but when healthy, he's expected to see most of his playing time at the keystone in Anaheim.
Luís Rengifo is also doing some hitting and defensive drills today.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) February 28, 2024
While he had a solid season in 2023, Rengifo doesn't stand out at all for power or speed, making him merely a versatile depth option for fantasy managers in deep mixed leagues.
Mike Yastrzemski Injury Update
San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (shoulder) made his spring training debut on Wednesday, serving as the designated hitter and batting third in the lineup for the Cactus League game against the Oakland Athletics.
Yastrzemski was held back a bit due to a left-shoulder impingement, but he has improved now and is ready to play in games as the DH. The 33-year-old should start playing the outfield soon and is fully expected to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Before he's cleared to play in spring games in the outfield, Yaz is scheduled to throw from 110-120 feet.
The Bay Bridge rivalry heads to Arizona
⏰: 12:05 PM
🎙️: @MLB Radio pic.twitter.com/vO5c9LXtOR— SFGiants (@SFGiants) February 28, 2024
Yastrzemski isn't going to give fantasy managers much help in the batting-average department, but he can provide decent counting stats in the strong side of a platoon in San Fran's outfield in deep-mixed and NL-only fantasy leagues if he can stay healthy.
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