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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 16 (2023). His medical background helps analyze MLB injuries for hitters and pitchers.
As we enjoy the All-Star game festivities, it is time to reevaluate our fantasy teams. Tough decisions have to be made to either save your fantasy season or give up on it. There have been a lot of pitchers going on the IL with "shoulder issues" and sometimes the teams use that as an excuse to get rest over the break. The same goes for some injuries to position players.
One thing to help you manage your roster is to see if the teams name replacements for these players. A lot of time, if the teams are just using the All-Star break to get an extended rest for a player, they will not mention who their replacement would be. Knowing this should help you get a feel of who to pick up and who to drop both this week and next week in FAAB. I will continue to highlight fantasy-relevant injured players and their prospective timeframes for their returns in order to further help this cause.
Here's a little about myself for new readers. My name is Reuven Guy and I am a practicing orthopedic/pain management Physician Assistant. I have been dealing with sports injuries for the past 16+ years and have a knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same time period, which has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball which I hope to share with you. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest MLB breaking news with our award-winning news desk and our free fantasy baseball mobile app with 24/7 push notification alerts!
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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Aaron Judge (OF, NYY)- Toe: Aaron Judge was placed on the IL with a sprained right big toe. Judge has begun doing some light hitting along with playing catch. Judge said this week that he is walking around a little better but admits that his injured right big toe still "doesn't feel great." There is a possibility of surgery after the season, but not in season. There is no timetable for his return.
Mike Trout (OF, LAA)- Wrist: Trout was placed on the IL after fracturing his left hamate bone after getting hit by a pitch. He had surgery to repair the fracture and is scheduled to miss anywhere between four to eight weeks, probably closer to six to eight weeks. Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell should see more playing time with Trout out.
Corbin Carroll (OF, ARI)- Shoulder: Carroll left the last game he played after swinging and re-aggravating his right shoulder injury. The strength and stability in Carroll’s shoulder is "fine" after he left Thursday night’s game. He had surgery on the same shoulder two years ago and began having shoulder issues again over the last week. I expect him to be placed on the IL to give him time to rest over the All-Star break and get some testing done. Kyle Lewis could be in line for more playing time if Carroll is sidelined for a while.
Thairo Estrada (2B, SF)- Hand: Estrada was placed on the IL due to a fractured left hand. He is expected to miss four to six weeks, longer if he will require surgery. Casey Schmitt will see more playing time for the Giants.
Royce Lewis (SS, MIN)- Oblique: Lewis has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain and is on the IL. He is expected to miss about six weeks. Jose Miranda was called up and could see more playing time with Lewis out.
Ke'Bryan Hayes (3B, PIT)- Back: Ke'Bryan Hayes was placed on the IL with lower back pain. He has been taking batting practice and could be activated this weekend.
Yordan Alvarez (OF, HOU)- Oblique: Yordan Alvarez is on the IL with a Grade 1 oblique strain. Alvarez has no clear timetable to return but has begun taking batting practice. This is the first step towards his return.
Jose Altuve (2B, HOU)- Oblique: Altuve was placed on the IL with a “minor” left oblique strain. The MRI confirmed this. A minor oblique strain usually results in a two to four-week IL stay. Mauricio Dubon looks to get a lot of playing time at second for the Astros
Ramon Laureano (OF, OAK)- Hand: Laureano is on the IL with a fracture of his right hand. He had his splint removed and was cleared to take dry swings and hit off a tee. There is no timetable for his return yet.
Rowdy Tellez (1B, MIL)- Forearm: Tellez was placed on the IL with right forearm inflammation. It is not known when this started but it could explain his recent struggles. There is no timetable for his return. Brian Anderson and Owen Miller may get some more playing time at first for the Brewers.
Chris Taylor (OF, LAD)- Knee: Chris Taylor was placed on the IL with a right knee bone bruise. Manager Dave Roberts said that Taylor is rehabbing but will not be back before the All-Star game.
Jorge Polanco (SS, MIN)- Hamstring: Jorge Polanco has been on the IL since late May with a left hamstring strain. He has now begun baseball activities and is now running sprints. He will still need a few rehab games before he is activated from the IL.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (OF, MIA)- Oblique: Chisolm was placed on the IL with a left oblique strain. An MRI showed a mild oblique strain. Dane Myers was called up and should see some playing time in centerfield for the Marlins.
Tyler O'Neill (OF, STL)- Back: Tyler O’Neill has been on the IL with a back injury for the past few weeks, since early May. He has been playing rehab games and could return before the All-Star break.
Ji Hwan Bae (2B, PIT)- Ankle: Bae was placed on the IL with a left ankle injury. The severity is not yet known. Rodolfo Castro and Tucupita Marcano are likely to be the main beneficiaries of playing time in Bae's absence. Once Bae gets back, the question will be if this injury will affect his stolen base attempts.
Brandon Drury (1B, ARI)- Shoulder: Drury was placed on the IL with a left shoulder contusion. He will not return until at least after the All-Star game. Andrew Velazquez was called up to provide the Angels with infield depth.
Yoan Moncada (3B, CHW)- Back: Yoan Moncada was placed again on the IL due to a low back issue. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said this week that Moncada could begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break, He has dealt with a herniated disc in his back since spring training.
Riley Greene (OF, DET)- Leg: Riley Greene is on the IL with a stress fracture in his left fibula. Greene was sent out on a rehab assignment and could return this weekend.
Nick Madrigal (3B, CHC)- Hamstring: Madrigal was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. The severity is not yet known Christopher Morel and Patrick Wisdom should get more playing time with Madrigal out.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Shohei Ohtani (SP, LAA)- Finger: Ohtani is now dealing with a blister on the same finger that he had been dealing with a cracked fingernail. He is not scheduled to make another start until after the All-Star break, so it is possible his playing time as both a hitter and pitcher doesn't take much of a hit. He remains in the Angels lineup as a designated hitter.
Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD)- Shoulder: Kershaw is on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. He said this past week that his shoulder injury is "trending upward" and that he feels "confident" that he'll be ready to pitch after the All-Star break. Kershaw also described the injury as "frustrating" and "disappointing" before explaining that he is feeling better and expressing optimism about a short recovery period. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said this week that he is "very confident" Kershaw will be ready to return when first eligible immediately following the break.
Triston McKenzie (SP, CLE)- Elbow: McKenzie is on the IL after being diagnosed with a partially torn right UCL in mid-June. He will remain shut down for three more weeks. He will attempt to rehab the injury with rest, with the goal of starting a throwing program later this month and eventually returning late in the season. Tommy John surgery is probably the alternative at this point.
Bryce Miller (SP, SEA)- Finger: Miller was placed on the IL with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand and is "not going to pitch for a while" according to Mariners manager Scott Servais. Servais added Miller will be limited to playing light catch for the time being. There is no timeline for his recovery.
Shane McClanahan (SP, TB)- Back: McClanahan landed on the IL this past week with mid-back tightness. McClanahan was throwing in the outfield this past Thursday and Manager Kevin Cash said they are very confident he will be ready to go on July 16.
Edward Cabrera (SP, MIA)- Shoulder: Cabrera is on the IL since mid-June with shoulder impingement. He threw a 22-pitch bullpen session, only used his fastball, and told reporters afterward that he felt "super great." He is trending to return soon after the All-Star break.
Max Fried (SP, ATL)- Forearm: Fried is on the IL with a left forearm strain. He threw live batting practice this week and per Brian Snitker could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment if there are no lingering issues. This could put him on track to return to the Braves' starting rotation about a week after the All-Star break
Hyun Jin Ryu (SP, TOR)- Elbow: Ryu is rehabbing following Tommy John surgery. He had his first rehab start this past week. He will need a few more rehab outings before being activated.
Brandon Woodruff (SP, MIL)- Shoulder: Brandon Woodruff has been on the IL dealing with a shoulder issue for almost two months. Woodruff had to put a pause on his throwing program last week but has made it through a couple of successful flat-ground workouts over the last few days and is about ready to get back on a mound. Woodruff is aiming to throw a bullpen session this weekend. There is still no timeline for his return but early August seems on the table.
Michael Wacha (SP, SD)- Shoulder: Wacha was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. He has been dealing with shoulder fatigue in recent weeks. He is eligible to return to the Padres' rotation shortly after the All-Star break.
Michael Kopech (SP, CHW)- Shoulder: Kopech was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. He is expected to return to the White Sox's rotation after the All-Star break
Jose Urquidy (SP, HOU)- Shoulder: Jose Urquidy is on the IL with shoulder inflammation. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session this week and is scheduled to throw one more session before facing live hitters and then a rehab stint. Barring any setbacks, he could return from the IL in mid to late July.
Jose Quintana (SP, NYM)- Rib: Jose Quintana has been on the IL from the start of the season following rib surgery. He is scheduled for a possible final rehab start this weekend and could be activated sometime after the All-Star game.
Adam Wainwright (SP, STL)- Shoulder: Wainwright was placed on the IL with a right shoulder strain. The severity is not yet known. He may require multiple rehab starts to get himself right.
Anthony DeSclafani (SP, SF)- Shoulder: Desclafani was placed on the IL with right shoulder fatigue. The severity was not yet known. In the corresponding move, Mike Yastrzemski was activated from the IL.
Merrill Kelly (SP, ARI)- Calf: Merrill Kelly was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf and was placed on the IL. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said that Kelly was expected to throw a bullpen session and that Kelly "feels good" and is beginning to track back to the rotation, which is expected when eligible following the All-Star break.
Cal Quantrill (SP, CLE)- Shoulder: Quantrill was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Quantrill missed most of June with the very same issue. The severity is not yet known.
Ben Lively (SP, CIN)- Pectoral: Ben Lively was placed on the IL with a right pectoral strain. He is on track to return to the Reds rotation this Sunday.
Noah Syndergaard (SP, LAD)- Finger: Syndergaard was placed on the IL with a blister on his right index finger. He was scheduled to throw a simulated game this week and has made it through a few bullpen sessions without issue and will now advance to facing live hitters. He will still require a rehab stint prior to his activation.
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Liam Hendriks (RP, CHW)- Forearm: Liam Hendriks was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation. He was cleared to begin throwing and is scheduled for a bullpen session this weekend. There is no timetable for his return yet.
Matt Moore (RP, LAA)- Oblique: Matt Moore has been on the IL with a Grade 2 oblique strain since the end of May. He is on a rehab assignment and should be activated from the IL after the All-Star break.
Ben Joyce (RP, LAA)- Wrist/Hand: Ben Joyce was placed on the IL with right ulnar neuritis. He has been cleared to rehab but will not begin to throw off of a mound for at least another three to four weeks.
Jose Leclerc (RP, TEX)- Ankle: Leclerc sprained his right ankle on June 21 and is on the IL. He has begun a rehab assignment and could be activated this weekend.
Daniel Hudson (RP, LAD)- Knee: Hudson suffered a sprained MCL on his right knee during his last game and is going back on the IL. He returned from a torn ACL in his left knee on June 30 and had turned in three scoreless outings since. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that surgery was not recommended at this time, but that Hudson will be out "quite some time."
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