While the 2024 MLB campaign just started, there are already several key fantasy baseball hitters dealing with injury woes. Injuries complicate fantasy lineup decisions, so it's important to stay in the know. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Royce Lewis, Corey Seager, Max Kepler, Nick Senzel, Randal Grichuk, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of March 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 in lineups.
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Royce Lewis Injury Update
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) was taken out of the game in the third inning of Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old came up limping as he rounded third on a Carlos Correa double. At least it's not his surgically repaired knee, but this is certainly not good news, especially for someone with his injury history.
Royce Lewis is leaving the game with a leg injury
Hoping it’s not serious pic.twitter.com/jqBTvY5t5j
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) March 28, 2024
Lewis ended last season on a roll and started 2024 off with a bang, hitting a home run in his first at-bat of the season and followed that up with a single before being pulled from the game. We'll expect to find out the extent of the injury after the game.
Corey Seager Injury Update
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hernia) started at shortstop and hit second on Opening Day on Thursday versus left-hander Justin Steele and the visiting Chicago Cubs. It was uncertain earlier this spring if the two-time World Series MVP would be ready for Opening Day, but those concerns were mostly put to rest when he started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Monday's exhibition game at Globe Life Field against the Boston Red Sox.
Reigning Champs ready to roll. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/lE6tXeskA1
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) March 28, 2024
The 29-year-old missed most of spring training after having sports hernia surgery in the offseason, but all that matters now is that he's available for fantasy managers early in the season. Seager is a must-start on a daily basis in single-year fantasy leagues, but don't be surprised if he gets off to a slow start given his lack of spring training activity.
Max Kepler Injury Update
Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Max Kepler (leg) had X-rays come back negative on his injured leg. Kepler left Thursday's Opening Day contest early against the Kansas City Royals after fouling a ball off his leg, but the team will see how he's moving around after an off day on Friday.
Rocco Baldelli said Max Kepler had an X-ray, which came back negative.
They'll see how he's moving around after the off day.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) March 28, 2024
Fantasy managers will have to check back on Saturday to see if the 31-year-old left-handed hitter will be available to face KC following the off day. If Kepler misses any time this weekend, Matt Wallner would likely get a start in right field. Before leaving the game early on Thursday, Kepler had a rough day at the plate to kick off the 2024 season, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Nick Senzel Injury Update
Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (thumb) fractured his right thumb on a bad hop while taking ground balls before the Opening Day contest on Thursday against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, and could be out for three to four weeks, according to manager Dave Martinez. Senzel signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Nats in the offseason after playing parts of five seasons with the Reds.
The former first-rounder has been a bust to this point in his career, mainly due to injuries. Ildemaro Vargas replaced Senzel at the hot corner in Thursday's 8-2 loss to Cincy, but prospect Trey Lipscomb is expected to be called up from the minors and could split playing time with Vargas at third base for Washington until Senzel is able to recover from his thumb injury. (AP News)
Randal Grichuk Injury Update
The Arizona Diamondbacks officially placed outfielder Randal Grichuk (ankle) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to March 25) on Thursday. Grichuk is recovering from right ankle surgery to remove bone spurs in January, but he is with Triple-A Reno and will play center field for the first time in his recovery process at some point this weekend.
Today's roster moves: pic.twitter.com/v7v8hmCNEm
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 28, 2024
It sounds like he won't need much time before being ready to go. The 32-year-old didn't take part at all in any spring training games but will get some work in the minors before eventually being activated from the IL and brought to Arizona as outfield depth. Grichuk is first eligible to come off the IL on April 5. Because the veteran outfielder won't see much playing time, he's only a bench asset in NL-only fantasy leagues.
Yasmani Grandal Injury Update
The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal (foot) on the 15-day injured list with plantar fasciitis. The veteran came over from the White Sox this offseason to mentor fellow backstop Henry Davis. At age 35, Grandal is no longer the defensive specialist he once was and his offense has also started to decline.
We have selected the contracts of RHP Jared Jones, RHP Ryder Ryan, and RHP Hunter Stratton to the 26-man active roster.
To make room on the 40-man roster, C Ali Sanchez, LHP Jackson Wolf, and OF Canaan Smith-Njigba have been designated for assignment.
We have also placed RHP…
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 28, 2024
There is no timetable for his return, but he only played in two Grapefruit League games this spring and will need to shake off the rust before returning to the big leagues. Even when healthy, Grandal can be left on the wire in almost all formats. Catcher Jason Delay will take over the backup duties to Henry Davis with Grandal sidelined.
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