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The 2024 MLB season is still young, yet there are flurries of pre-existing and fresh injuries to keep track of for fantasy baseball. That said, let's take a look at some injured hitters such as Brendan Donovan, Brandon Lowe, Jeimer Candalario, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of April 5, 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.
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 hitters.
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Brendan Donovan Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Brendan Donovan (elbow) said after Thursday's victory over the Miami Marlins that he'll be good to go for Saturday's game. Donovan was hit on the bicep in Los Angeles and just above his right elbow in Wednesday's loss to the San Diego Padres, but the training staff was able to do enough work to get him loosened up and on a good path moving forward.
Brendan Donovan said postgame that he’ll be good to go Saturday. He was hit on the bicep in LA and just above the elbow in SD (and had gnarly bruises and seam imprints to show for it), but they were able to do enough work to get him loosened up and on a good path.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) April 4, 2024
The 27-year-old has been beat up by hit by pitches in the last week, but he's not dealing with any structural damage and should return to the lineup on Saturday after an off day on Friday. Donovan is off to an 8-for-26 start (.308) with a homer, six RBI and six runs scored and should be in the lineup every day with Tommy Edman (wrist), Lars Nootbaar (ribs) and Dylan Carlson (shoulder) all on the injured list to begin the 2024 season.
Brandon Lowe Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe's (oblique) MRI exam showed no structural issues after he was forced to leave Wednesday's game early against the Texas Rangers with left-oblique tightness. The Rays are facing a left-hander against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, but he'll be available off the bench and is expected to return to the starting lineup for the second game of the series on Saturday.
Kevin Cash provides the latest update on Brandon Lowe (left side tightness): @RaysBaseball | #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/hy0YtB3iKi
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) April 5, 2024
It's good news that the oft-injured 29-year-old won't need a trip to the injured list early in the 2024 season. Oblique injuries can linger, though, so it's an ailment that could affect Lowe's production at the plate moving forward. The former third-rounder in 2015 out of Maryland is off to a slow start at the dish, too, going 3-for-16 (.188) with a homer and four RBI in his first five games of the year.
Jeimer Candelario Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario (elbow) is feeling better after leaving Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies due to soreness in his right elbow. "I should be good. It's already better," said Candelario, who will be re-evaluated before Friday's game versus the visiting New York Mets. Before exiting on Wednesday, he hit a two-out double in the eighth inning and may not have to miss any time moving ahead.
Update on #Reds Jeimer Candelario https://t.co/MI0ocAfiyZ pic.twitter.com/e2KHFmYlrA
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) April 4, 2024
After netting a three-year deal with the Reds this past offseason, the 30-year-old infielder is slashing just .167/.200/.375 with one home run and two RBI through 25 plate appearances so far this year. Even so, Candelario is difficult to consider dropping in shallow fantasy leagues while he's regularly batting cleanup at a hitter-friendly ballpark and locked into an everyday role at the hot corner with Noelvi Marte (suspension) unavailable until midseason.
Willson Contreras Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that X-rays showed no fracture in catcher Willson Contreras' left hand. The Cardinals hope Contreras will be available in some fashion on Saturday. The 31-year-old veteran backstop injured his left hand when he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's loss to the San Diego Padres, which caused him to miss the home-opening win on Thursday over the winless Marlins.
Marmol says x-rays revealed no fracture in Contreras’s left hand. Cardinals hopeful he’ll be available in some fashion on Saturday. For the moment, it’s as tolerated.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) April 4, 2024
With Contreras out on Thursday, Ivan Herrera got the start behind the plate and went 2-for-5 with his first major-league home run, two RBI, two runs scored and two strikeouts in the team's 8-5 win. Don't be surprised if Herrera gets another start behind the plate on Saturday, with Contreras serving as the designated hitter.
Garrett Mitchell Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (finger) had an X-ray on Wednesday morning that showed his fractured left finger has not shifted and is healing as expected. The news keeps Mitchell on a four- to six-week timeframe for a return. Mitchell suffered the fractured finger late in spring training, another injury setback early in his career after he missed most of 2023 when he needed surgery on his shoulder.
Better health news for the Brewers: Garrett Mitchell had an x-ray this morning that showed his fractured left finger has not shifted and is healing as expected. Keeps him on a 4-6 week timeframe.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) April 3, 2024
The 25-year-old former 20th overall pick in 2020 out of UCLA is most likely to make his 2024 debut in early May, barring any setbacks, but regular playing time is probably going to be an issue in Milwaukee's stacked outfield. His first-round pedigree alone, though, makes him worth stashing in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues. Mitchell hit .246 (16-for-65) with three homers and seven RBI in just 19 games last year.
Eloy Jimenez Injury Update
Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez (groin) remained out of the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. It was the fourth straight missed game for Jimenez, who tweaked his groin on Sunday. The White Sox have been optimistic that the 27-year-old will avoid a stint on the injured list, but if he cannot return this weekend, the team's tone could change. The left-handed-hitting Gavin Sheets served as the designated hitter again and hit cleanup on Thursday against Royals right-hander Seth Lugo.
Eloy Jimenez appears to be hurt... AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/y7BNOuj0Rt
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) March 31, 2024
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