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Weekend MLB action is slated to begin, and as always, there are a ton of injuries around the MLB. These bumps and bruises are sure to affect fantasy baseball lineups, so let's take a look at the top injured players including Bryce Harper, Adley Rutschman, Kyle Schwarber, Carlos Correa, Yu Darvish, Lars Nootbaar, and more.
This is the next edition of this year's fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters and pitchers as of June 28, 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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Bryce Harper Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Thursday's loss to the Miami Marlins that first baseman Bryce Harper (hamstring) felt his hamstring grab as he was running to first base on a game-ending groundout. Thomson said the club doesn't know more than that right now, and they will have more information before Friday's tilt against Miami.
Rob Thomson said no updates on Harper or Schwarber until tomorrow.
Schwarber felt his groin tighten on a play in the 8th. Harper felt his hamstring grab on last play in the 9th.
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) June 28, 2024
Harper limped off the field on Thursday, appearing to pull his left hamstring in the contest's waning moments. He'll head for imaging to determine the severity of the issue, and fantasy managers can only hope the 31-year-old superstar slugger isn't dealing with any kind of significant strain. Harper is slashing .303/.399/.582 with 20 home runs, 20 doubles, 58 RBI, and four stolen bases over 287 at-bats. Alec Bohm would likely shift to the cold corner if Harper is facing an extended absence, potentially opening up an everyday role at third base for Edmundo Sosa, who is worth a speculative add in most fantasy leagues.
Adley Rutschman Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman's (hand) right hand was wrapped up after it was hit by a foul tip in Thursday's game against the defending champion Texas Rangers. Considering Rutschman stayed in the game and homered after, however, the issue should be of minimal concern to the O's and fantasy managers going forward.
Adley Rutschman's hand was wrapped after it was hit by a foul tip. He stayed in the game and homered after. Brandon Hyde said: "I'm sure it's going to be sore. He got it in kind of a weird spot there on his hand, but he wanted to stay in the game, and rewarded with a homer."
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) June 28, 2024
Following Thursday's effort, the 26-year-old former top prospect is slashing a rock-solid .300/.351/.479 with 15 long balls, 12 doubles, 55 RBI, and one stolen base over 317 at-bats (77 games) as Baltimore's everyday backstop. If Rutschman's hand swells up overnight and he can't continue to play through the problem, veteran James McCann would be in line for a spot start behind the plate as a potential DFS budget play on Friday against the Rangers.
Kyle Schwarber Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (groin) departed Thursday night's game against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to left groin tightness. Schwarber was pulled in the ninth inning and replaced in left field by Brandon Marsh, going 1-for-4 before exiting. Thursday marked just the third time this season that Schwarber appeared in the outfield, so it's fair to wonder if his body wasn't responding well to the defensive action.
The Phillies say Kyle Schwarber left tonight’s game with a tight groin. Hopefully it is just a precaution. pic.twitter.com/1f3TRarLcf
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 28, 2024
Consider the 31-year-old star slugger day-to-day before he's re-evaluated ahead of Friday's contest against Miami, but with the All-Star break looming, the first-place Phillies could always choose to err on the side of caution. Whit Merrifield and Edmundo Sosa are candidates for more at-bats at DH if Schwarber needs to miss a couple of games or head to the injured list.
Carlos Correa Injury Update
Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (thumb) said his hand went numb initially when he got hit by a pitch in Thursday's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks but he was relieved after his X-rays came back negative. Correa said he'd be ready to play in Friday's series opener on the road in Seattle against the Mariners. It remains to be seen if Twins manager Rocco Baldelli will actually pencil him into the lineup, but the bottom line is that the 29-year-old avoided a long-term injury after what initially looked like it could be a serious injury.
Carlos Correa said his hand went numb initially when he got hit by the pitch but he was relieved after getting his X-ray results.
He said he'd be ready to play tomorrow.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) June 27, 2024
Correa got a hit in his only official at-bat of Thursday's game before leaving and was on a heater in June coming into the game, batting .382 (34-for-89) with four homers, four doubles and 18 RBI in 22 games. If he's in the lineup on Friday, keep him in your starting fantasy lineups.
Yu Darvish Injury Update
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow, groin) had some imaging that came out clean and will likely get some more imaging done for peace of mind. Darvish will stay behind during the team's current road trip. The Padres were initially expecting the 37-year-old veteran to come off the 15-day injured list to start on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, but he was scratched with inflammation in his right elbow.
Shildty says Darvish had some imaging that came out clean and likely will have another one for peace of mind. Darvish will stay behind and get in his work here.
Also, Arraez has an "ouchie" on one of his hands. #padres— Bernie Wilson (@berniewilson) June 26, 2024
The good news is he's recovered from his groin injury, and his elbow injury doesn't appear very serious. Still, there's no word on when Darvish might be able to return to San Diego's starting rotation. If he needs a minor-league rehab start before returning, there's a chance Darvish won't make it back to the big-league club before the All-Star break in mid-July.
Lars Nootbaar Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (oblique) will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Friday with Double-A Springfield. Nootbaar told reporters on Thursday that the plan is to play five or six games before returning to St. Louis. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since late-May due to an oblique strain.
OF Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain) will start his Minor League rehab assignment on Friday with Double-A Springfield, he said. He estimates he will need 5-6 games to regain his timing and swing.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 27, 2024
When healthy, Nootbaar is a solid contributor in fantasy formats. He has been off to a slow start to 2024, but Nootbaar does have a good track record. He should be able to return to the Cardinals lineup in early July.
Jace Jung Injury Update
Detroit Tigers infield prospect Jace Jung (wrist) saw a hand specialist on Tuesday and was cleared for baseball activities. Jung is now beginning a return-to-play program in Lakeland, Fla., according to the Tigers. The 12th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft out of Texas Tech landed on the seven-day minor-league injured list with Triple-A Toledo back last week with right-wrist soreness. The 23-year-old has been bothered by his wrist since May but will now start ramping up his activities before eventually rejoining Toledo.
Tigers prospect Jace Jung saw a hand specialist Tuesday and was cleared for baseball activities.
He is beginning a return to play program in Lakeland, per the Tigers.
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) June 27, 2024
The club's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, could still have a shot to make his big-league debut with the rebuilding Tigers later this year as long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his wrist. Before the injury, the left-handed hitter was batting .270 (62-for-230) with 11 homers, 41 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 64 contests.
Jordan Romano Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) is back to throwing out to 120 feet on flat ground. The Blue Jays are still working toward getting Romano on a mound, which will begin a more formal rehab schedule, but it's encouraging to hear the hurler is back to where he was at in his throwing program before it was slowed down a week ago due to right elbow inflammation.
Although he has a chance to resume throwing off the mound sometime during this weekend's series against the division-rival New York Yankees, Romano is unlikely to rejoin Toronto's bullpen until early July at this point. With Yimi Garcia (elbow) joining Romano on the sidelines, Chad Green is the Jays' favorite for ninth-inning work for the time being and belongs on the majority of fantasy rosters for those who need saves. (MLB.com)
Taijuan Walker Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger) doesn't have a timetable for a return right now, but it "won't be before the All-Star break," according to manager Rob Thomson. With right-hander Spencer Turnbull (lat) now out six to eight weeks with a lat strain, the next man up is pitching prospect Michael Mercado, who should get a handful of starts, and maybe more, depending on Walker's status to begin the second half of the season after the mid-July All-Star break.
Spencer Turnbull is out 6-8 weeks. Taijuan Walker doesn't have a timetable right now, but it "won't be before the All-Star break."
Next man up is Michael Mercado, who should get a handful of starts -- and maybe more depending on Walker's status.
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) June 27, 2024
Walker was put on the 15-day injured list with right index finger inflammation. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to grab Mercado now. He's the team's No. 30 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and was pitching extremely well at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before his first big-league call-up earlier this week.
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