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The 2024 MLB season is less than two weeks old, but as always, there are plenty of fantasy-relevant players on the injury report. These banged-up batters are sure to affect lineups, so let's take a look at injured hitters CJ Abrams, J.T. Realmuto, Willson Contreras, Trevor Story, Max Kepler and more
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of April 10, 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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CJ Abrams Injury Update
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (finger) was back at shortstop and batting leadoff on Tuesday against left-hander Kyle Harrison and the Giants in San Francisco. A bone bruise in Abrams' left pinkie finger kept him out of action for the last three games, but it was never considered a very serious injury. Fantasy baseball managers in single-year leagues will want to get the 23-year-old back into their lineups if they have not already.
The former sixth overall pick of the San Diego Padres in 2019 could easily break out in his second full season in D.C. this year. Abrams was off to a strong start in his first seven games before injuring his pinkie, going 9-for-28 (.321) with two home runs, a triple, five RBI, three stolen bases and five runs scored in 32 plate appearances. He's never faced Harrison yet in his MLB career. (MLB.com)
J.T. Realmuto Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto (neck, throat) was forced to leave Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals early in the seventh inning after taking a bouncing pitch in the dirt from right-hander Zack Wheeler to the neck/throat area. Realmuto was in a lot of pain after the ball went under his mask. He was replaced by Garrett Stubbs in the contest.
#Phillies All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto is out of the game after taking a bouncing pitch from Zack Wheeler to the throat/neck area. Realmuto was in a lot of pain after the baseball got under his mask. He'll be replaced by Garrett Stubbs. pic.twitter.com/bD7VcHE1E5
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 10, 2024
Before leaving, Realmuto went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts to drop his season average to .273, so it was a rough game all around for the 33-year-old veteran. Even if Realmuto's injury isn't too serious, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to play in the series finale against the Cards on Wednesday.
Willson Contreras Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (hand) was back in the team's starting lineup on Tuesday, serving as the designated hitter and batting third in the order against the Philadelphia Phillies. Contreras is still dealing with soreness in his left hand and feels the injury slightly when he swings, but it's a good sign to see him back. (MLB.com)
Trevor Story Injury Update
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (shoulder) will have surgery on his fractured shoulder on Friday, according to general manager Craig Breslow. Story's recovery will be somewhere in the neighborhood of six months. The 31-year-old suffered a left-shoulder subluxation last Friday against the Los Angeles Angels when diving for a ball on the infield, and now he's going to miss the rest of the 2024 season.
Trevor Story will have surgery on his fractured shoulder on Friday, Craig Breslow says. The recovery will be somewhere in the neighborhood of six months.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 9, 2024
It's a tough blow for Story, who got a late start to last season due to surgery on his right elbow. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can safely drop Story at this time. In the meantime, the recently recalled Romy Gonzalez will platoon at the 6 with David Hamilton, although Vaughn Grissom (groin, hamstring) could also see reps at the position when he returns from the injured list. At best, Gonzalez and Hamilton are AL-only pickups for middle-infield depth.
Francisco Alvarez Injury Update
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez remained out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. When asked about the situation, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Alvarez is beat up right now. It sounds like the young backstop is dealing with normal bumps and bruises that happen when you're a full-time catcher.
Francisco Alvarez is “beat up,” Carlos Mendoza said. Hence him sitting out for a second time in four days.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) April 9, 2024
Max Kepler Injury Update
The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Max Kepler (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right knee contusion. The club also acquired right-hander Michael Tonkin from the New York Mets for cash considerations and moved right-hander Zack Weiss (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. The 31-year-old Kepler has struggled with injuries in his career and will now miss at least the next 10 days with what doesn't appear to be a major injury.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/CaqGAIWo2s
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 9, 2024
He last played on Saturday and will be eligible to return to the Twins on April 17. In addition to the injury, Kepler has gone just 1-for-20 with six strikeouts in his first five games in 2024. Until he's able to return, Manuel Margot and Matt Wallner will likely platoon in right field.
DJ LeMahieu Injury Update
New York Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu (foot) has taken on-field batting practice and said on Saturday that he was encouraged by his progress. LeMahieu has also been fielding ground balls hit directly at him, and he has been running with approximately 90% effort, per MLB.com. Manager Aaron Boone also said on Tuesday that LeMahieu has started taking side-to-side grounders. LeMahieu is trying to overcome a non-displaced fracture of his right foot, and he will need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Yankees.
DJ LeMahieu has started taking side to side grounders, per Aaron Boone. No rehab assignment planned yet.
Gerrit Cole recovered without a problem after playing catch yesterday. He wasn't scheduled to throw again today. #Yankees
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) April 9, 2024
The 35-year-old contact-hitting infielder still has a chance to return before April's end, and he's a candidate to lead off in the Bronx after a strong 2023 second half saw him slash .273/.377/.432 with eight home runs, 17 RBI, and 27 runs scored over his final 220 at-bats of the year. In the interim, Jon Berti and Oswaldo Cabrera will share reps at the hot corner.
Yoan Moncada Injury Update
Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (groin) was removed early during Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Moncada has been dealing with a lingering issue since the start of the season. The expectation is that he'll join teammates Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert Jr. on the injured list. The White Sox are likely to have Moncada undergo further testing before making any moves.
Yoán Moncada left tonight's game with a left adductor strain. He will be reevaluated tomorrow.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 9, 2024
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