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The 2024 MLB season is heating up, but unfortunately, injuries to key fantasy baseball players have come along with it. These bumps and bruises are sure to affect fantasy baseball lineups, so let's take a look at the top injured players including Wyatt Langford, J.P. Crawford, Steven Kwan, Kris Bryant, Travis d'Arnaud, Gerrit Cole, Blake Snell, and more.
This is the next edition of this year's fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters and pitchers as of May 20, 2024. Some players on this list impact fantasy baseball more than others, but with leagues of all shapes and sizes, all players should be monitored ahead of the start of the week.
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 the top fantasy baseball players.
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Wyatt Langford Injury Update
Texas Rangers rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) has been "doing great" in his recovery process, per manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy expressed that "He's getting live at-bats, swinging the bat well too, down there in BP-He's doing well." This is a great sign for the 22-year-old who is just over the halfway mark of his expected 3-4 week absence that started on May 5.
Bruce Bochy said Wyatt Langford is "doing great" in his recovery from a hamstring strain.
"He's getting live at bats, swinging the bat well too, down there in BP. I saw video of his first day, he hit a couple homers. He's doing well."
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) May 19, 2024
Before the injury, Langford posted a .224/.295/.293 slash line with just one home run and one stolen base. He should remain rostered in all leagues and should be a must-start player when he returns.
J.P. Crawford Injury Update
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique) is expected to re-join the major league roster sometime in the team's four-game set against the New York Yankees that begins on Monday. Crawford has been on the injured list since April 25 with a Grade 1 oblique strain. The 29-year-old faced a minor setback in a rehab game after being hit by a pitch. Thankfully, this has not seemed to delay his recovery much at all, as he could be in the starting lineup as soon as Monday.
J.P. Crawford is expected to join the Mariners at some point during their four-game series that begins tomorrow in New York, per Scott Servais ... Crawford threw and took some swings yesterday in Seattle.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) May 19, 2024
Crawford posted a mere .190/.296/302 line through the first 22 games of the season but tallied a career-high 19 home runs last season with a solid .266/.380/.438 slash line. Crawford should be expected to serve as the everyday shortstop in Seattle and typically bat in the leadoff spot.
Steven Kwan Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan (hamstring) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment within the next seven to 10 days. The left-handed slugger was able to take batting practice on Friday. He appears to be making solid progress from a hamstring strain he suffered in early May.
Chris Antonetti said the hope is that Steven Kwan can begin his rehab assignment in the next 7-10 days.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) May 19, 2024
The expectation is that he'll need a few minor league games before returning to the big league lineup. Fantasy managers should expect Kwan back around early June.
Kris Bryant Injury Update
Colorado Rockies first baseman Kris Bryant (back) remained with Triple-A Albuquerque on a rehab assignment through Sunday. He made his fifth appearance in Triple-A on Sunday and is expected to join the Rockies for their three-game series against the Oakland A's, starting on Tuesday. The 31-year-old has been sidelined for over a month due to a lower back strain. He struggled to start the season, slashing .149/.273/.255 over 13 games before being placed on the injured list.
The veteran has been unable to stay healthy and hasn't played 100 games or more since 2021. Fantasy managers might want to see how Bryant performs before activating him to their starting lineups. Still, the former Chicago Cub is mainly an option in deep-league formats for now until he turns it around at the plate. (MLB.com)
Travis d'Arnaud Injury Update
Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud (head) was not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres. The veteran backstop left Friday's game after taking a foul ball off of his mask. He reportedly felt dizzy after the incident, but he was not diagnosed with a concussion and is considered day-to-day.
As expected, the Braves’ Sunday lineup against the Padres does not include Austin Riley or Travis d’Arnaud.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) May 19, 2024
Chadwick Tromp will start behind the plate and bat ninth while d'Arnaud recovers. Tromp has minimal fantasy appeal, especially with Sean Murphy (oblique) inching closer to a return.
Gerrit Cole Injury Update
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Saturday, and his fastball was clocking in at the low 90s. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said that Cole is "one notch ahead of your typical spring training progression." This means that the reigning AL Cy Young winner has a chance to face live hitters sometime next week. However, the 33-year-old is still several weeks away from a return, which could be somewhere around the mid-June or early July timetable.
Matt Blake said Gerrit Cole was throwing in the low 90s today during his bullpen. He called Cole’s current status as “one notch ahead of your typical spring training progression.”
Cole may face live hitters next week as his next step. Still several weeks out from returning.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) May 18, 2024
Cole should be rostered in all formats and will be inserted at the top of the Yankees rotation when he returns. This will likely send either Luis Gill or Clarke Schmidt to the bullpen if the Yankees opt to continue with a five-man starting rotation. However, both pitchers have performed quite well with a 2.39 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 2.49 ERA,1.13 WHIP, respectively, and could push the Yankees into having a six-man rotation.
Blake Snell Injury Update
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (groin) is nearing a return to the big-league rotation. The left-hander has been sidelined since late April due to a lingering groin issue. The good news is that Snell looked great during his most recent rehab outing on Friday.
Blake Snell’s next start will be in Giants rotation after he dominated minor-leaguers in two starts. likely Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Meantime. Alex Cobb timetable iffy, some shoulder issues still.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) May 18, 2024
The left-hander threw five scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters. It sounds like the plan is for Snell's next start to be with the Giants. That'll likely happen at some point next week, possibly Wednesday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Joe Musgrove Injury Update
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (triceps) was not activated from the injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Instead, Musgrove is likely to be activated and start against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. The Padres were planning on bringing Musgrove back on Sunday, but a rainout on Saturday pushed back their rotation.
Fantasy managers will have to wait a little longer before getting the 31-year-old back on the mound. Musgrove holds a 6.37 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and a 36/13 K/BB ratio through eight starts this season. Hopefully some time off will help him get back on track. (ESPN)
Ryan Pepiot Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) threw a three-inning bullpen session on Friday. He has now completed successful three successful bullpen sessions over the week. The 26-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list after getting struck by a line drive in his last start on May 5 against the New York Mets. He owns a 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts across 36 2/3 innings this season. Pepiot is on track to be activated next week ahead of the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox.
Fantasy managers might want to see how Pepiot performs if he is activated next week before inserting him into their starting lineups. Pepiot is off to a solid start and is a mid-to-back-end starter for most fantasy rotations in 2024. (MLB.com)
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