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The 2024 MLB postseason is nearing, which can only mean the fantasy baseball playoffs are also set to begin soon. Unfortunately, the list of key injured players continues to grow. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Ha-Seong Kim, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Jorge Soler, Jeimer Candelario, Jordan Westburg, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of August 21, 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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Ha-Seong Kim Injury Update
San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 19. There is some good news, though, as Padres manager Mike Shildt said Kim isn't likely to require much longer than a minimum stay on the injured list. Kim injured his right shoulder while diving back to first base during Sunday's game.
The team had Kim undergo an MRI, which didn't reveal any significant damage to his shoulder. Despite that, the Padres are going to play it safe and give Kim some time off.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/mPuhxGLmn8
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 20, 2024
In a corresponding move, Matthew Batten has been recalled from Triple-A El Paso. The 29-year-old is likely to platoon with Tyler Wade at shortstop until Kim returns. Fantasy managers looking for reinforcements should look elsewhere, as neither player offers much upside with the bat.
Kyle Tucker Injury Update
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) took batting practice on the field again on Monday and continued to do drills in the outfield. Tucker is jogging, but manager Joe Espada has said previously that Tucker won't be getting close to a minor-league rehab assignment until he can run the bases, which he has yet to do.
Fantasy managers have to be wondering why Tucker has missed so much time -- he went on the 10-day injured list on June 7 with a right shin contusion.
At the time of his injury, his .979 OPS was fourth in baseball behind Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Marcell Ozuna, and he also ranked second in the American League in walks (46) and third in slugging (.584). He is the third player in franchise history with at least 19 homers in the team's first 59 games.
It might not be until September when we see Tucker again, but he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats. (MLB.com)
Alex Bregman Injury Update
Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow), who was ruled out for the weekend series against the Chicago White Sox after he came down with a swollen right elbow, "hit, took ground balls and is asking, 'Put me in coach,'" manager Joe Espada said. However, the Astros held Bregman out for a fourth straight game in Monday's win over the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park.
Espada said Bregman also hit in the cages before Monday's contest. The two-time All-Star said on Friday that he slept on his arm "wrong" and had some swelling in the back of his elbow.
An MRI exam showed no structural damage, and he stressed it was not an injury that would land him on the injured list. Rookie Shay Whitcomb has made three straight starts at the hot corner in Bregman's absence. Fantasy managers will want to check Houston's lineup on Tuesday to see if Bregman is back in there. (MLB.com)
Jorge Soler Injury Update
Atlanta Braves outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler (hamstring) was sidelined for the Braves on Tuesday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. Soler suffered a strained left hamstring last Wednesday and will now sit out his fifth straight game as a result.
If the 32-year-old veteran right-handed slugger isn't able to get back in Atlanta's starting lineup by the end of the week, he could require a trip to the 10-day injured list.
Back home 🫡#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/0ouneq1r2a
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 20, 2024
Soler was a disappointment with the San Francisco Giants earlier this year before being traded to Atlanta, where he's gone 12-for-45 (.267) with four home runs and 11 RBI in 13 games since the end of July.
Ramon Laureano is in an interesting lineup spot and playing for Soler on Tuesday, but he's also in a shy-away matchup against Zack Wheeler. He's hitting .224/.296/.410 on the year with seven homers and four stolen bases. UPDATE: Soler thinks he'll be ready by Friday.
Jeimer Candelario Injury Update
The Cincinnati Reds placed third baseman Jeimer Candelario (toe) on the injured list on Tuesday with a left-toe fracture and added infielder Amed Rosario to the active roster. Candelario is hitting .225/.279/.429 with 20 homers, 56 RBI, and 47 runs scored while adding four stolen bases in 112 games.
The Reds added infielder Rosario to the active roster after acquiring him off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rosario, who was traded to the Dodgers by the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline, hit a combined .305/.331/.415 with two homers, 28 RBI, 23 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.
Rosario will have some appeal to fantasy managers who need stolen bases as he joins a Reds team that has swiped 168 bags. (SI.com)
Jordan Westburg Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (hand) has resumed baseball activities, including fielding ground balls while stationary and taking one-handed swings with his left arm. Westburg is recovering from a fractured right hand, but he remains unsure if he'll be able to return to the O's before the end of the regular season.
Jordan Westburg is taking ground balls and one hand swings. Happy to be doing some baseball activities. But can’t provide timeline for return. #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) August 20, 2024
With that said, there is still no concrete timetable for the All-Star infielder's return, and he may not be able to make much of an impact for fantasy managers again in 2024 by the time he's ready to ramp up his activity. Top prospect Jackson Holliday remains worth holding through his ups and downs as Baltimore's everyday second baseman in the absence of Westburg.
Patrick Bailey Injury Update
The San Francisco Giants placed catcher Patrick Bailey (oblique) on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and recalled backstop Jakson Reetz from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Bailey was expected to start Monday night's series opener against the visiting Chicago White Sox, but he ended up being a late scratch.
#SFGiants roster moves:
- C Jakson Reetz recalled from Triple-A Sacramento.
- C Patrick Bailey placed on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to 8/19) with a right oblique strain.— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 21, 2024
The Giants sent him to undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday, which revealed the injury. Veteran Curt Casali made his second straight start behind the dish in place of Bailey as a DFS budget option on Tuesday against the last-place White Sox, with Reetz getting called up to act as San Fran's backup catcher.
Bailey has gone just 3-for-53 (.057) in the month of August, and Casali should operate as the primary backstop as long as he's sidelined.
J.P. Crawford Injury Update
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (finger) is hoping to start swinging a bat this week as he tries to work his way back from the injured list. Crawford threw for the first time before last weekend's homestand finale against the visiting New York Mets on Aug. 11 after going down with a fractured right pinkie finger in late July.
Per Servais, JP Crawford is hoping to start swinging a bat this week as he tries to work his way back from the IL.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) August 20, 2024
For now, fantasy managers can expect the veteran on-base machine to return to the M's sometime before the end of August or in early September, depending on whether he needs a minor-league rehab assignment or not. In the meantime, center fielder Victor Robles should continue functioning as Seattle's everyday leadoff hitter and experiencing an uptick in fantasy value.
Wilmer Flores Injury Update
San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores (knee) will miss the rest of the season, manager Bob Melvin announced back on Aug. 6. Flores had a Tenex procedure on his right knee on Aug. 6 after being put on the injured list on July 25.
He had returned from the same injury on July 9. The Giants moved Flores to the 60-day IL on Aug. 16. "He was fighting it all year, and unfortunately, we're losing him for the rest of the year, which isn't ideal," Melvin said.
It's possible that Flores' knee had been bothering him well before he was shut down for the year and had surgery, as he hit .206/.277/.318 with a .595 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, and 19 runs scored in 214 at-bats for the Giants this year. It was a disappointment after one of his best offensive showings in 2023 when he hit .284/.355/.509 with 23 home runs, all career-highs.
Flores could bounce back with better health next year, but don't count on it. (MLB.com)
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