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As fantasy baseball season inches toward postseason action, there continues to be no shortage of key players dealing with bumps and bruises. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Christian Yelich, Mike Trout, Michael Harris II, Starling Marte, Triston Casas, MJ Melendez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of July 26, 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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Christian Yelich Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) intends to rest and rehab his injured back rather than undergo surgery that would have been season-ending, according to a source. However, offseason surgery is a strong possibility. Yelich was placed on the 10-day injured list with more lower-back issues on Wednesday and is out for the foreseeable future, considering this is the second time he's been on the IL this year due to back issues.
Christian Yelich intends to rest and rehab his back rather than undergo surgery that would have ended his season, a source tells @TheAthletic. Offseason surgery is a strong possibility, the source says.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 25, 2024
The three-time All-Star will rest his back for now, but it doesn't guarantee that he won't eventually elect for surgery before the end of the 2024 season. The 32-year-old needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues for the time being as long as he still plans on returning this year. Until he's able to return, Blake Perkins and Gary Sanchez could see more playing time with Yelich out of action.
Mike Trout Injury Update
Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout (knee) is not in Wednesday night's lineup for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees and will return to Southern California to have his knee re-evaluated. Trout had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on May 3, and he suffered a setback in the first game of his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday in the form of knee soreness. It's a major buzzkill for both the Angels and fantasy managers alike, as manager Ron Washington was hopeful Trout would be able to return to the lineup as a designated hitter on Wednesday.
Medical Update: Mike Trout will not be in tonight's lineup for the Salt Lake Bees and will return to Southern California to be reevaluated.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) July 24, 2024
The three-time American League MVP and 11-time All-Star was slashing .220/.325/.541 with 10 home runs, two triples, six stolen bases, and 14 RBI in 29 games before tearing his meniscus on April 29, and Trout likely won't be able to return before the end of July at this point. Mickey Moniak and Kevin Pillar will continue to form a platoon for at-bats in center field in Anaheim.
Michael Harris II Injury Update
The Atlanta Braves put Michael Harris II (hamstring) on the 60-day injured on Wednesday. Harris has already been on the IL since June 15 due to a strained left hamstring and wasn't going to be back before 60 days even if he began a minor-league rehab assignment imminently, which he's not doing.
#Braves put Michael Harris II on 60-day IL to open a 40-man roster spot for LH Zach Logue, who was brought from Triple A. Harris (hamstring) already has been on IL since June 15 and wasn't going to be back before 60 days even if he began rehab stint today, which he's not doing.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 24, 2024
He began light running exercises on July 3, but the center fielder still has no clear timeline for a return to the Braves. Despite slashing a poor .250/.295/.358 with five home runs, 20 RBI, 30 runs scored, and eight stolen bases over 278 plate appearances this year, the 23-year-old star outfielder should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues. For the time being, veterans Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario will continue to form a platoon for at-bats in center field in Atlanta.
Starling Marte Injury Update
New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee), who is on the 10-day injured list with a bone bruise in his right knee, said he hopes to begin a running program this week. Marte also expects to need a minor-league rehab assignment before he's reinstated from the IL, so he is still a ways away from rejoining the big-league lineup.
Starling Marte (bone bruise in right knee) says he hopes to begin a running program this week. He expects to go on a minor league rehab assignment before activation, so it's still going to be a while yet.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 25, 2024
The 35-year-old veteran continues to ramp up his activities after starting baseball activity last week, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back until at least early August. Marte has been away from the Mets since late June and will eventually return to a .278/.328/.416 slash line with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 38 runs scored as the team's starting right fielder. In Marte's absence, the Mets have been using a combination of DJ Stewart, Tyrone Taylor, and even Jeff McNeil in right field.
Triston Casas Injury Update
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (ribs) is taking full batting practice and could go on a minor-league rehab assignment by the end of the week, according to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow. Casas was targeting a rehab assignment all along at the end of July, but there were reports recently that suggested the 24-year-old left-handed slugger wasn't close to playing in minor league games. If Casas indeed begins a rehab assignment later this week/weekend, he'll have a shot to return to the big-league roster in early August.
Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas is taking full batting practice and could begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week, according to CBO Craig Breslow on @TheGregHillShow. pic.twitter.com/Y3uZDsR6q2
— Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique) July 25, 2024
He's recovering from torn cartilage in his left rib cage that he suffered in late April. Given the amount of time he's missed, expect the Red Sox to be cautious in not bringing him off the injured list too soon. When Casas is ready, he'll return to regular first base duties in Boston and is worth rostering in all fantasy formats for his power upside.
Giancarlo Stanton Injury Update
There are still no decisions on when New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) will be able to come off the 10-day injured list, but he was doing more work on the field at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday before the finale to the Subway Series against the visiting New York Mets. "I think he's feeling towards the end of it," manager Aaron Boone said.
There are still no decisions on Giancarlo Stanton. He was/is doing more work on the field today.
"I think he's feeling towards the end of it." - Aaron Boone.
The manager didn't rule out Boston but said he's not necessarily expecting that. #Yankees https://t.co/zdN4p9xDdD
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) July 24, 2024
The skipper didn't rule Stanton out for the series at Fenway Park this weekend against the division-rival Boston Red Sox but also said he's not necessarily expecting that. It doesn't sound like the Yankees expect the 34-year-old right-handed slugger to rejoin them this weekend, but barring a setback, Stanton should be back in the Yankees' lineup sometime next week. When he does return, Aaron Judge will move back to center field, in turn pushing Trent Grisham back to a bench role.
MJ Melendez Injury Update
Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez (ankle) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday night with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Melendez is getting closer to a return to the Royals lineup after spraining his ankle on July 14. If the 25-year-old can avoid a setback with his ankle at Northwest Arkansas, there's a chance he could be back for the weekend series against the visiting Chicago Cubs.
OF MJ Melendez will begin a rehab assignment tonight with Northwest Arkansas (AA).
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 25, 2024
Before getting hurt just before the All-Star break, Melendez was serving as Kansas City's starting left fielder. The former second-round selection in 2017 is hitting just .196 (52-for-265) on the year with 11 home runs, 29 RBI and 26 runs scored in 85 games, making him useful as outfield depth in AL-only leagues for his power.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (knee) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday if all goes well over the next couple of days during his workouts, according to manager John Schneider. A left knee sprain has kept Kiner-Falefa out since early July, but barring a setback this weekend with Buffalo, he could come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the big-league roster next week.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa will begin his Triple-A rehab assignment Saturday if all goes well over the next couple of days, John Schneider says. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) July 25, 2024
The 29-year-old utility man has had a bounce-back season in his first year in Toronto, hitting .292 (75-for-257) with seven home runs, 33 RBI, and 32 runs scored in 281 trips to the plate over 82 games played. He needs just two more homers to set a new career-high in that category and could see regular starts at the 6 in Toronto when he returns with Bo Bichette (calf) currently on the IL.
Wilmer Flores Injury Update
The San Francisco Giants placed first baseman/designated hitter Wilmer Flores (knee) back on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with right-knee tendonitis and recalled infielder David Villar from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Flores will go back on the IL after returning two weeks ago from the same ailment. The 32-year-old veteran right-handed bat is having a tough season, injuries aside, and is batting .206 (44-for-214) with only four home runs, 26 RBI, and 19 runs scored in 71 games played in his 12th year in the big leagues.
Wilmer Flores is back on the IL with knee tendonitis. David Villar is up from Triple-A.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) July 25, 2024
Villar is starting at first base and batting sixth for the Giants on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Clayton Kershaw, but he's merely going to be the backup at first base for regular LaMonte Wade Jr. with Flores back on the shelf.
Chris Taylor Injury Update
The Los Angeles Dodgers officially placed infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor (groin) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left groin strain and recalled outfielder James Outman from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Taylor, who suffered his groin strain while running out a double on Wednesday night against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, will now miss at least the next 10 days.
#Dodgers recalled outfielder James Outman and placed outfielder Chris Taylor on the injured list with a left groin strain.
— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) July 25, 2024
It's been a terrible year for the 33-year-old veteran, and he hasn't been relevant at all in mixed leagues in 2024 while slashing just .167/.277/.265 with a .542 OPS, three home runs and 15 RBI in 162 at-bats for the Blue. Outman will provide additional outfield depth for LA for the time being, while Enrique Hernandez should be the biggest beneficiary for the Dodgers moving forward at third base, at least until Max Muncy (oblique) returns from his lengthy IL stint.
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