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With the fifth week of the fantasy baseball season set to begin, numerous key MLB players are dealing with ailments. These bumps and bruises are sure to affect fantasy baseball lineups, so let's take a look at the top injured players including Rafael Devers, Ozzie Albies, Triston Casas, Sean Murphy, Jhoan Duran, Merrill Kelly, Cristian Javier, Nick Pivetta, and more.
This is the next edition of this year's fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters and pitchers as of April 22, 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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Rafael Devers Injury Update
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) had an MRI exam on Thursday morning that showed a bone bruise and no structural damage in his left knee, which he tweaked making a play on defense in Tuesday's loss. He sat out on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but manager Alex Cora told reporters on Saturday that the team is aiming for Devers to return on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Red Sox have a scheduled off day on Monday, so the club is hoping the 27-year-old will be feeling better by Tuesday. If he's not, he could join first baseman Triston Casas (rib) on the injured list, which would really put the team's infield in a bind. With both Devers and Casas hurt, Bobby Dalbec is going to see regular playing time, making him worth a short-term pickup in AL-only leagues. (MLB.com)
Ozzie Albies Injury Update
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (toe) has been cleared to begin doing fielding drills. The switch-hitting infielder continues to make progress in his recovery from a fractured big right toe. The Braves haven't given a timetable for Albies return, so fantasy managers will have to remain patient.
Both Sean Murphy (oblique) and Ozzie Albies (fractured big toe) have increased their activities in the past couple of days. Murphy is doing more throwing, still not swinging. Albies was given OK to increase activities, doing some fielding work but not running.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 21, 2024
However, it sounds like Albies is progressing so hopefully he won't be sidelined for too much longer. In the meantime, David Fletcher and Luis Guillorme figure to continue splitting up the playing time at second base.
Triston Casas Injury Update
The Boston Red Sox announced on Sunday that they have placed first baseman Triston Casas (rib) on the 10-day injured list with a left-rib strain and recalled catcher Tyler Heineman from the minors in a corresponding move. Casas will be out now until May after injuring his rib in Saturday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Red Sox announce they've placed Triston Casas on the 10-day IL with a left rib strain. Tyler Heineman is being called up.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) April 21, 2024
The 24-year-old left-handed slugger could be out beyond the 10 days, too, but fantasy managers in most formats should keep Casas stashed in an IL spot, as he has hit .244 (19-for-78) with six home runs, 10 RBI, and 12 runs scored in his first 22 games of the 2024 season. Bobby Dalbec is the most likely candidate to see most of the playing time at first base for the BoSox with Casas sidelined, but he has just one hit in his first 26 at-bats so far this year.
Sean Murphy Injury Update
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (oblique) has slowly been working his way back from an injury he suffered earlier in the month. The good news is that Murphy has recently increased his throwing intensity. That is a step in the right direction for Murphy who is working his way back from a Grade 1 oblique strain.
Both Sean Murphy (oblique) and Ozzie Albies (fractured big toe) have increased their activities in the past couple of days. Murphy is doing more throwing, still not swinging. Albies was given OK to increase activities, doing some fielding work but not running.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 21, 2024
The 29-year-old still hasn't begun swinging a bat yet, which means he probably won't return anytime soon. In the meantime, Travis d'Arnaud should continue being the primary catcher in Atlanta.
Jhoan Duran Injury Update
Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday at Triple-A St. Paul. The fireballer recently threw a live batting practice without any discomfort and will now begin the next step in his recovery. Duran will likely be able to return to the majors within the next couple of weeks, assuming there are no setbacks.
Jhoan Duran will begin a rehab assignment with the Saints on Tuesday.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) April 21, 2024
The 26-year-old should be rostered in all fantasy formats as he offers high-end upside as a closer. He may not resume his ninth-inning duties right away for the Twins, but there is no doubt that he will return to closing at some point in the near future.
Merrill Kelly Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (undisclosed) was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday in the final game of a four-game set against their division rival San Francisco Giants. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported the news, but there has not been any clarity on why the 35-year-old was not on the bump, so fantasy managers should pay close attention over the next few days.
Merrill Kelly has been scratched from his start today. Not sure on specifics, but it’s an injury of some kind. Sounds like team is still sorting through who will go in his place.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) April 21, 2024
Kelly was off to another strong season, sporting a 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 24 ⅔ innings.
Cristian Javier Injury Update
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) was scratched from Sunday's start earlier in the day and now will be placed on the 15-day injured list. The move to the injured list was made to "give him time," according to manager Joe Espada. It is unclear when this problem arose for Javier and hopefully it is not a long-term issue.
Espada says they will put RHP Cristian Javier on IL with neck discomfort and call up RHP Spencer Arrighetti. Still deciding on rotation schedule for Cubs series, but it will include RHP JP France. https://t.co/XBXq66clox
— Byron Kerr (@ByronKerr) April 21, 2024
The 27-year-old has been a bright spot for a battered Astros rotation to start the season. He has gone 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHI,P and 18/11 K/BB across his first four starts. More information about the injury will surely come out over the next few days. Javier should obviously be stashed in all fantasy formats while he is sidelined.
Nick Pivetta Injury Update
Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Saturday. Pivetta will next throw an up-and-down session on Thursday in Cleveland and then throw live batting practice as he works his way back from an elbow injury that landed him on the injured list.
The 31-year-old will then probably need to go on a short minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Boston's starting rotation. The former fourth-round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2013 out of New Mexico Junior College looked great in his first two starts for the Red Sox this year, allowing just one earned run on eight hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out 13 in 11 innings pitched. Fantasy managers who are stashing him right now can only hope he'll be just as effective once he returns from his elbow ailment. (BostonGlobe.com)
Jose Siri Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Siri is considered day-to-day after missing Sunday's game due to kidney stones. Siri was at the hospital on Sunday getting treatment, so he was unable to play in the Rays game against the New York Yankees. Siri got off to a pretty good start to the season, but he is now mired in an 0-for-15 slump during which he has struck out 10 times.
Jose Siri spent part of Sunday at a NY hospital due to kidney stones. He flew home with #Rays, and all they said about his availability to play is he’s day to day. Also notes on Cleavinger 1st save, odd travel schedule, shutting down #Yankees Judge, more https://t.co/Nn98PByuRV
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 22, 2024
Outside of stolen bases and the occasional homer, Siri doesn't provide much value to fantasy managers and can be safely left on waivers outside of deep leagues.
Bryan Woo Injury Update
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (elbow) is slated to begin his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on Sunday, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. Woo was diagnosed with elbow inflammation during Spring Training and has been on the IL since the start of the season.
Bryan Woo will start his rehab assignment today with @RainiersLand in Las Vegas. Matt Brash will pitch once more in Peoria this week and then they will determine a schedule for his rehab stint. https://t.co/W77vYcwKHh
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 21, 2024
The 24-year-old made his major league debut last summer and pitched to the tune of a 4.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 87 ⅔ innings and tallied 93 punchouts. The right-handed pitcher placed in the 83rd percentile among qualified pitchers in hard-hit rate and 77th percentile in barrel rate, showing how he succeeded in limited hard contact. Woo should be expected to slot in the Mariners rotation as soon as he joins the major league club and is worth adding if on your waiver wire.
DJ LeMahieu Injury Update
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) will start a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. Lemahieu hasn't played in the 2024 season yet after injuring his foot before the season started. Lemahieu has his work cut out for him to get into the Yankees lineup, as Oswaldo Cabrera has started the season hot and the team might prefer to stick it out with him for a while.
DJ LeMahieu will join the @SOMPatriots for a rehab assignment beginning Tuesday at Reading.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) April 22, 2024
That said, Lemahieu should still get his at-bats in, whether that be as the starting third baseman or as a utility man. He is a deeper league option at this point.
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