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Navigating injuries is always a key aspect of finding success in fantasy baseball, even early on in the season. Injuries are unpredictable and it's always a good idea to stack depth on your roster, but following along with the latest injury news could help you make tough start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Just because a player is active doesn't mean they're at full strength, so anyone on this list is at risk of having down performances moving forward. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Michael Harris, Corey Seager, Yordan Alvarez, Luis Arraez, and J.D. Martinez.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of April 26, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. 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 force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.
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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Michael Harris II Injury Update
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, April 26, the team announced on Tuesday. Harris has been on the 10-day injured list since April 7 with lower-back soreness, but if he looks good in rehab games this week, it's possible he'll be back in the Braves starting lineup by this weekend.
He won the National League Rookies of the Year in 2022 by hitting .297 with 19 home runs, 64 RBI, 20 stolen bases and an .853 OPS in 114 games. When healthy, the 22-year-old will be a lineup regular for Atlanta, and he should be rostered in all fantasy formats. Before landing on the IL, Harris was 5-for-23 (.217) with a double, RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored in seven games.
Corey Seager Injury Update
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hamstring), who is on the injured list with a strained hamstring, played catch and took some swings on Monday in Cincinnati for the first time since suffering his injury on April 11 against the Kansas City Royals. He is expected to be out at least four weeks, but it's a good sign seeing him restart baseball activities.
Barring any setbacks once the 28-year-old begins playing in minor-league rehab games, Seager should return to the Rangers lineup around the middle of May. Fantasy managers need to remain patient and keep him stashed in all leagues, as he was hitting .359 (14-for-39) with four doubles, a home run and four RBI in his first 11 games. Ezequiel Duran and Josh H. Smith will continue splitting time at the 6 with Seager out of action.
Yordan Alvarez Injury Update
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (neck) was once again absent from the club's starting lineup Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. His absence isn't a surprise, considering Astros skipper Dusty Baker told the media earlier on Tuesday that Alvarez's neck "is about the same," and he was sent back to Houston for additional testing.
Alvarez is sure to miss the remainder of the series with the Rays, and an injured list stint isn't out of the question at this point. The power-hitting outfielder is off to a nice start this season, hitting .253 with six homers and a .900 OPS across 20 games. Corey Julks will take over in left field as long as Alvarez remains out.
Luis Arraez Injury Update
Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez (knee) remained out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. This marks the third game in a row that Arraez has missed due to left knee soreness. He was also dealing with a left finger issue last week, so maybe Arraez re-aggravated that injury.
Fantasy managers should stay tuned for further updates and when Arraez might return.
J.D. Martinez Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder J.D. Martinez (back) was held out of Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The veteran slugger reportedly felt something in his back during Sunday's contest.
The Dodgers played it safe and had Martinez sit out for at least one game, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Martinez to miss significant time because of the injury.
MJ Melendez Injury Update
Kansas City Royals catcher MJ Melendez (back) remained out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-handed slugger will miss his second straight game after exiting early on Sunday due to back tightness.
The team hasn't placed Melendez on the injured list, so hopefully this is only a minor injury. In the meantime, Franmil Reyes will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth versus Ryne Nelson.
Jose Siri Injury Update
The Tampa Bay Rays activated outfielder Jose Siri (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
The 27-year-old was walked once but held without a hit in his return to the lineup for the now 20-4 Rays. He will be back in consideration in fantasy lineups moving forward as he works his way back to full strength.
Harrison Bader Injury Update
New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader (oblique) began a Minor League rehab assignment last Friday with Double-A Somerset and joined Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. The 28-year-old, who was placed on the 10-day injured list in late March, will need about two weeks of Minor League action. This suggests that Bader could return to the Yankees in early May.
Bader has been an inconsistent fantasy player, sometimes providing power and sometimes speed. Last season, he slashed .250/.294/.356 with five home runs, 30 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 313 plate appearances between the Cardinals and the Yankees.
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