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With the 2024 MLB campaign heating up, it's never been more important to monitor the latest injuries that could impact fantasy baseball lineups. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Mike Trout, Kyle Tucker, Christian Walker, Starling Marte, Evan Carter, Alejandro Kirk, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of July 31, 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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Mike Trout Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian said that outfielder Mike Trout (knee) has had another setback with his surgically repaired knee and is being re-evaluated on Tuesday. Trout was hoping to return in late July after having surgery to fix the meniscus in his knee earlier this season, but he returned to LA to have an MRI exam last week after taking just one at-bat with Triple-A Salt Lake on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Perry Minasian said Mike Trout has a setback and he’s being re-evaluated today.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 30, 2024
The 32-year-old apparently still isn't feeling great, and at this point, with the Angels firmly out of contention, it's fair to wonder if the 11-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer will return this year at all. Trout is now in the midst of a second straight lost season due to injury and will lose even more fantasy value going into 2025, regardless of whether he returns to close out this season. Mickey Moniak should continue to play regularly in center field for the Halos with Trout sidelined.
Kyle Tucker Injury Update
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. This procedural move doesn't alter Tucker's timeline for a return from a right shin contusion, but it's been a frustratingly lengthy absence since early June for the Astros and fantasy managers, to say the least.
Pedro León selected and Shawn Dubin recalled. Kyle Tucker was transferred to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man roster spot for León.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) July 30, 2024
The 27-year-old All-Star slugger was slashing an MVP-caliber .266/.395/.584 with 19 home runs, 40 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 214 at-bats before heading to the IL, and he should be back to help Houston at some point in August, depending on when he moves on to a minor-league rehab assignment. With corner outfielder and top prospect Joey Loperfido on the move north of the border to the Toronto Blue Jays ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline in the Yusei Kikuchi deal, Trey Cabbage should see the lion's share of work in right field until Tucker is finally ready to make his long-awaited return.
Christian Walker Injury Update
The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly placing first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) on the injured list on Tuesday with a strained left oblique and recalled Pavin Smith from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Walker left Monday's win over the Washington Nationals and was replaced in the lineup by Kevin Newman.
The news I am hearing is that it looks like Christian Walker is headed to the IL.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 30, 2024
He is hitting .254/.338/.476 with 23 homers, 71 RBI, and 62 runs scored in 107 games. The Diamondbacks added first baseman Josh Bell from the Miami Marlins for cash considerations on Tuesday as a replacement for Walker, whose return status is currently unknown. Fantasy managers will have to dig deep to find a source of power while Walker is sidelined. UPDATE: Walker was diagnosed with a low-grade strain after his MRI exam and hopes to rejoin the team in around three weeks.
Starling Marte Injury Update
New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee) said on Tuesday he hopes to start a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as next week. After resting his right knee over the All-Star break, Marte began a running progression this past weekend and is progressing toward returning to game action. He's still unlikely to rejoin the Mets until sometime in mid-August, but fantasy managers should make sure the 35-year-old former All-Star isn't floating around on any waiver wires at this point in his recovery from a bone bruise.
Starling Marte (right knee bone bruise) said he hopes to start a rehab assignment as soon as next week.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 30, 2024
Before going down, Marte was producing well across the board while batting .278 (68-for-245) with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 38 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases over 66 games as New York's primary right fielder. With the addition of Jesse Winker to a crowded outfield in Queens, however, it remains to be seen if Marte will return to an everyday role upon his eventual reinstatement from the injured list.
Evan Carter Injury Update
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) could miss the rest of the regular season, according to general manager Chris Young. Things have been pointing in this direction for Carter, and he was recently moved from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL, meaning that he won't be able to return until at least September.
Evan Carter could miss the rest of the regular season, general manager Chris Young says. #Rangers
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) July 30, 2024
There may not be much to play for for the defending World Series champions by then. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has been on the shelf since late May with a lumbar sprain in his back, and he recently had a setback, prompting the team to shut him down from baseball activities. Carter's extended absence late into the second half of the season should assure Leody Taveras of regular playing time to close out the year. Before getting hurt, Carter was disappointing with a .188/.272/.361 slash line with five homers in 144 at-bats in just his second year in the big leagues.
Alejandro Kirk Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (elbow) was removed from Tuesday's game against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles due to a left elbow contusion. Kirk left Tuesday's game against Baltimore after being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning, and it's encouraging to hear that he's only dealing with a bruise.
UPDATE: C Alejandro Kirk was removed from tonight's game with a left elbow contusion.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 31, 2024
Fantasy managers should consider the 25-year-old backstop day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's contest against the O's. After hitting a sacrifice fly to center field in the fourth inning to score first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and make it a 4-1 ballgame on Tuesday, Kirk is slashing a weak .239/.305/.321 with two home runs, nine doubles, and 26 RBI in 59 games for the Blue Jays this season but is set to get all the action he can handle the rest of the way. In the aftermath of Danny Jansen being sent to the Boston Red Sox, Brian Serven is the only other traditional option behind the dish on Toronto's active roster.
Anthony Rendon Injury Update
The Los Angeles Angels placed infielder Anthony Rendon (back) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 27) on Tuesday with lower-back inflammation and recalled infielder Michael Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. Rendon was only able to play in 14 games for the Halos after coming off the IL in early July following a three-month absence due to a hamstring strain.
#Angels transactions:
•Recalled INF Michael Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake
•Placed INF Anthony Rendon (low back inflammation) on 10-day injured list (retro to July 27)— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) July 30, 2024
The 34-year-old will be eligible to come off the IL this time around on August 6, but given his lengthy injury history and reputation as a slow healer, we wouldn't be surprised if his absence extends beyond that. Luis Rengifo is making the start at the hot corner on Tuesday against the visiting Colorado Rockies and is likely to split time at the position with Brandon Drury for the foreseeable future. Not only can Rendon not stay healthy anymore, but he's hitting .227 (29-for-128) this year and has yet to homer.
Jorge Mateo Injury Update
The Baltimore Orioles transferred infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. It's a fairly significant development for Mateo's return timetable as he begins a long recovery due to a left elbow subluxation, as it clears the way for incoming top prospect Jackson Holliday to receive regular at-bats at second base for the remainder of the regular season if he can maintain his roster spot in Baltimore after mashing at Triple-A Norfolk.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Livan Soto and Austin Slater, the Orioles transferred Jorge Mateo to the 60-day Injured List (left elbow subluxation) and designated LHP Matt Krook for assignment
— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) July 31, 2024
Mateo's regular season is all but over at this point, as he won't be eligible to come off the IL until late September, but he still has time to make his way back and be an option for the O's as a pinch-runner and defensive specialist during the postseason in October. The 29-year-old speedster hit just .229 over 192 at-bats this year, but he did have 14 doubles, 30 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in 68 outings.
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