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Midweek MLB action is set to begin, but a handful of stud fantasy baseball hitters are in this week's injury headlines. Injuries complicate fantasy lineup decisions, so it's important to stay in the know. That said, let's take a look at the latest updates for hitters Bryce Harper, Triston Casas, J.T. Realmuto, Royce Lewis, Rhys Hoskins, Jorge Soler, Mitch Garver, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of May 15, 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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Bryce Harper Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (head) is feeling better, according to manager Rob Thomson, after he was scratched from Tuesday's win over the New York Mets due to a migraine headache. Harper's migraine was not related to him being hit in the head by a throw on Monday night. The former MVP was available to pinch hit on Tuesday and will play on Wednesday against the Mets, so fantasy managers will want to get him back in their starting lineups then.
Bryce Harper is feeling better, Rob Thomson said. Migraine was not related to being hit in head by Nido’s throw last night. He was available to pinch-hit. Will play tomorrow. So will J.T. Realmuto, Thomson said, barring anything unexpected.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) May 14, 2024
The 31-year-old left-handed slugger has been better so far in May, going 13-for-39 (.333) with three home runs and 11 RBI. On the season as a whole, Harper is slashing .259/.381/.496 with a .877 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, and two stolen bases in 168 plate appearances.
Triston Casas Injury Update
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (torn cartilage, left ribcage) has been making progress in his recovery from a torn cartilage and left ribcage injury. Casas was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 21 and eventually transferred to the 60-day injured list, which makes him eligible to return on June 21 at the earliest. Casas spoke with the media and mentioned that in the upcoming days, he will begin a running program and start his throwing program.
The first baseman has started lifting weights but has yet to swing a bat and that is projected to be the final step in his recovery. Casas is currently ahead of schedule but still is far away from returning to the field. The 24-year-old was off to a good start this season with six homers and 10 RBI over his first 78 at-bats and managers with injured list spots should keep him on the roster until he returns. (MLB.com)
J.T. Realmuto Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) will return to Wednesday's starting lineup against the New York Mets, barring anything unexpected, according to manager Rob Thomson. Realmuto was held out of action for a third straight game due to right-knee soreness in Tuesday's shutout win over the New York Mets but he should be back in there for the third game of the series on Wednesday.
Bryce Harper is feeling better, Rob Thomson said. Migraine was not related to being hit in head by Nido’s throw last night. He was available to pinch-hit. Will play tomorrow. So will J.T. Realmuto, Thomson said, barring anything unexpected.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) May 14, 2024
Fantasy baseball managers will want to get the 33-year-old veteran backstop back in all starting lineups on Wednesday, as he's still one of the best offensive-minded catchers in the game. Realmuto is hitting .364 (12-for-33) in the month of May in eight games and is currently riding a six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 11-for-26 with no homers and one RBI.
Royce Lewis Injury Update
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) did some running on the field on Tuesday, and the Twins are ramping up his baserunning in what is described as a big week for his recovery. Lewis will do more aggressive change-of-direction stuff later this week, which will give us a better idea of a timeline for his minor-league rehab assignment. He still has a ways to go before we see him back in the big leagues, but it's nice to see that he's making progress for fantasy managers who have been stashing him since his injury.
Royce Lewis is doing some running on the field today and the Twins are ramping up his baserunning in what’s described by Paparesta as a big week for his recovery. Will do more aggressive change-of-direction stuff later this week and that’ll educate a rehab assignment timeline.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) May 14, 2024
Lewis has been out since Opening Day on March 28, but his power/speed combination makes him a worthy stash in most fantasy formats. The Twins have plenty of options to play the hot corner until Lewis is able to return, but Jose Miranda has been seeing most of the opportunities there of late.
Rhys Hoskins Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. The hope was that this was a minor issue after Hoskins was absent from the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game. That was not the case as the team placed him on the injured list shortly after releasing the lineup.
1B Rhys Hoskins placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring.
INF/OF Owen Miller recalled from Triple-A Nashville. pic.twitter.com/sJxpE4KY3Z
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 14, 2024
This is a shame considering the 31-year-old was finally starting to heat up at the plate. In his absence, Jake Bauers will cover first base for Tuesday's game. He figures to see more time at the cold corner while Hoskins is out. Also, Owen Miller has been recalled from the minors and is an option at first base as well.
Jorge Soler Injury Update
San Francisco Giants outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler (head, shoulder), who was hitting on the field on Tuesday for the first time since going on the injured list, fouled a ball off the top pipe of the batting cage that ricocheted and hit him in the head. Soler walked off the field with a trainer and could undergo testing for a concussion if his injury is serious enough. At the very least, this incident could cause the Giants to pause the 32-year-old veteran slugger's rehab from a shoulder injury.
The Giants have to be cursed right now. Jorge Soler hit on the field for the first time since going on the IL and he fouled a ball off the top pipe of the cage that ricocheted and struck him in the head. He walked off the field with a trainer.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) May 14, 2024
The Cuban right-handed hitter will return to a regular role in the Giants' lineup between the outfield and the DH spot when he's healthy enough to return from the injured list. His elite power alone makes him worth stashing in most fantasy leagues. Before getting hurt, Soler was hitting .202 (24-for-119) with five homers and eight RBI in his first 34 games with the Gigantes. UPDATE: Soler is fine and didn't suffer any significant injuries after getting hit in the head on Tuesday during batting practice. It remains to be seen if Soler will come off the injured list when he's eligible on Wednesday.
Mitch Garver Injury Update
Seattle Mariners catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver (back) was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Royals with spasms in his upper back and trapezius area, per Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. The 33-year-old did miss some time earlier this season with back spasms, although it was reported that his current spasms are unrelated.
Mitch Garver is dealing with spasms in his upper back and trap area.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) May 15, 2024
Garver, who has struggled offensively with a .174/.287/.347 slash line in 143 plate appearances, should be considered day-to-day unless the team releases further news.
Byron Buxton Injury Update
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) tested out his knee on Tuesday in front of the team, and if all goes well, he will play in some minor-league rehab games before returning to the Twins. Given the fact that Buxton has had surgery on his knee two different times, it makes sense for the Twins to test him on a minor-league assignment before activating him from the injured list. The 30-year-old has teased fantasy baseball managers with his power/speed combination for years but has coupled that with an inability to stay on the field because of injuries.
Byron Buxton will test out his knee today in front of the team. If all goes well, he’ll play in some rehab games before returning. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 14, 2024
Buxton was an All-Star in 2022 but has played in 100-plus games in a season just once since 2015 and doesn't run like he did earlier in his career. Until Buxton is able to get past his knee injury, Willi Castro should continue to benefit from extra playing time in center field in Minnesota.
Luis Rengifo Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) was diagnosed with a viral infection in early May that caused him to suffer from painful blisters on his feet. He was ultimately placed on the injured list on May 9. However, Rengifo took ground balls on the field on Monday and could return to the Angels as soon as Friday, May 17.
The 27-year-old Venezuelan switch-hitter was fortunate to hit .330 in his first 91 at-bats before going on the injured list, but Rengifo should return to a regular role on the Angels' infield when he comes off the IL with both Anthony Rendon (hamstring) and Brandon Drury (hamstring) both out with injuries, which will at least make him useful as middle-infield depth in AL-only leagues. In his first 28 games this year, Rengifo has two homers, 11 RBI, a career-high nine stolen bases, and 14 runs scored. (MLB.com)
Noelvi Marte Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marte, who is currently serving a suspension, was seen getting some live at-bats in the Arizona Complex League on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate. Marte is staying in baseball shape by playing in minor-league games, but he won't be eligible to return to the Reds' big-league roster until June 19. By then, corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) could be back from his injured-list stint, so there's no telling what Marte's playing time situation will look like when he's eligible to be reinstated.
Noelvi Marte getting some at bats at the Complex against the Dodgers yesterday.
I know a lot of people were curious about what he could do with the organization during his suspension.
🎥: TroyCollinsBaseballLife/Instagram pic.twitter.com/Qyv4sf9F5u
— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) April 30, 2024
The 22-year-old Dominican infielder made his major-league debut in 2023 with the Reds and slashed an impressive .316/.366/.456 slash line with a .822 OPS, three home runs, 15 RBI, and six stolen bases in 123 plate appearances.
Patrick Bailey Injury Update
The San Francisco Giants placed catcher Patrick Bailey (head) on the seven-day concussion injured list (retroactive to May 12) on Monday and recalled infielder Marco Luciano from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Bailey suffered a concussion earlier this month but had already returned from his IL stint, but the 24-year-old backstop recently missed two games for the Giants, with the illness apparently related to his head injury. It's nothing to mess around with, so the Giants will play it safe and sideline Bailey again for another week.
The #SFGiants made the following roster moves today:
- C Patrick Bailey placed on the 7-day concussion IL (retro to May 12).
- IF Marco Luciano (#37) recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 15, 2024
Blake Sabol will take over the primary catching duties for the beat-up Giants moving forward. Sabol is 8-for-21 in his first eight games for the Giants this year and is now worth a look in two-catcher leagues, especially since Bailey could be out for an extended amount of time.
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