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The 2024 MLB and fantasy baseball season has flown by, and we're almost into the final few months of the campaign. As always, there continue to be plenty of banged-up players to cover and monitor. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, Nolan Jones, Jose Miranda, J.P. Crawford, and more
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of July 24, 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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Christian Yelich Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) left Tuesday's 1-0 win over the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field early with back tightness, according to the team. Yelich went 0-for-1 with two walks in the contest before departing and was replaced as the designated hitter by first baseman Rhys Hoskins.
Christian Yelich left the game tonight due to back tightness, the Brewers announced.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) July 24, 2024
The 32-year-old veteran left-handed-hitting outfielder has a long history of back injuries, so this definitely isn't what the Brewers or fantasy managers want to see. He was already on the injured list once this year with a lower-back strain. Don't expect to see Yelich in the lineup on Wednesday, and fantasy managers should prepare for another potential trip to the IL. If Yelich misses extended time with his latest back issue, look for both Blake Perkins and Jake Bauers to potentially see more opportunities as Milwaukee's DH.
Cody Bellinger Injury Update
Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (finger) took on-field batting practice ahead of Tuesday's game against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and "had a really good workout" at Wrigley Field, per manager Craig Counsell. The hitting aspect of Bellinger's rehab has gone well, but the outfielder's throwing progression has gone slower. Counsell said that the Cubs could "absolutely" consider bringing Bellinger back as a designated hitter before he gets back at full strength with throwing on his fractured left middle finger.
Cody Bellinger took batting practice before today’s game.
He’s been out since July 10 with a fractured middle finger. pic.twitter.com/ULbutnpPqP
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 23, 2024
Bellinger resumed hitting in the cage this past weekend, and it sounds like he's on the verge of beginning an abbreviated minor-league rehab assignment or perhaps being activated from the 10-day injured list in the coming days. The 29-year-old star slugger is a trade candidate ahead of next Tuesday's deadline, slashing .269/.331/.410 with nine home runs, 37 RBI, 39 runs scored, and five stolen bases over 344 plate appearances this year.
Mike Trout Injury Update
It didn't take long for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) to suffer a setback with his surgically-repaired left knee, as he left his first minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday night with left-knee soreness. Trout is being considered day-to-day after playing just two innings for the Bees. The 32-year-old 11-time All-Star was tracking toward a return at the end of July, but those plans could now be out the window, depending on how long it will be before he can get back into a rehab game.
The Angels said Mike Trout left the game with left knee soreness. He's day to day. https://t.co/KPVTw4onYA
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 24, 2024
He'll likely undergo some tests, and we should have a better idea of a timetable in the next few days, but fantasy managers should probably not expect Trout's return until August now. The three-time MVP is in the middle of a second straight lost season after breaking his hand in 2023. Before injuring his knee earlier this year, he was hitting just .220 but with 10 homers and six steals in 29 games.
Nolan Jones Injury Update
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said prior to Tuesday's game against the visiting Boston Red Sox that the club doesn't have "a total game plan" for outfielder Nolan Jones (back), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 13. "He's feeling better, that's the main thing," Black said. "With Nolan, it starts with that.
If he gets through the next couple of days, we'll probably have a little bit more of a plan." It's the second time this year Jones has been on the shelf with a strained lower back, so the Rockies are likely going to be more inclined to take a cautious approach this time around. The 26-year-old left fielder enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, but he's slashing a dreadful .202/.311/.313 with three home runs, 14 RBI, 19 runs scored, and three stolen bases over 163 at-bats in 2024 and is no longer a must-stash fantasy asset. (MLB.com)
Jose Miranda Injury Update
Minnesota Twins third baseman Jose Miranda (back) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday. As long as Miranda doesn't suffer a setback with his back at St. Paul, there's a chance that Miranda will be activated from the 10-day injured list to rejoin the big-league roster for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Tigers in Detroit.
Jose Miranda will start a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul tomorrow. #MNTwins https://t.co/fsSiXvUowt
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 23, 2024
The 26-year-old has been out since before last week's All-Star break with a lower back strain. Before his injury, Miranda was scorching hot at the plate, going 28-for-59 (.475) with a homer, nine doubles, 16 RBI, five walks, and a stolen base in 16 games since June 22. He snapped a 13-game hitting streak just before he was injured before the All-Star break. Regular third baseman Royce Lewis (groin) is also on track to return from the IL on Friday, but if Miranda picks up where he left off, the Twins will find a lineup spot for him on the daily.
J.P. Crawford Injury Update
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) has been placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game. The bad news continues to pile up for Seattle as outfielder Julio Rodriguez (ankle) joined Crawford on the injured list. The Mariners made a few moves with them losing two of their starting players.
.@Mariners roster moves:
🔹 OF Jonatan Clase, INF Tyler Locklear, OF Cade Marlowe & INF Leo Rivas, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
🔹 INF J.P. Crawford & OF Julio Rodríguez, placed on 10-day IL.
🔹 INF Ty France, designated for assignment.Read more: https://t.co/0QSsVDtypH
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) July 23, 2024
They've called up infielders Tyler Locklear and Leo Rivas to help give them some depth at shortstop. The assumption is that Dylan Moore will see a majority of the playing time, but Locklear and Rivas should get a few looks as well. There isn't a viable fantasy pickup here in the absence of Crawford.
Matt McLain Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain (shoulder), who joined the club in Atlanta on Monday for their series against the Braves to begin more baseball activities, has been able to take ground balls, run the bases, and lift weights. McLain said on Tuesday that he hasn't been cleared to hit or dive, but the plan is still for him is to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Aug. 12.
"I'm focused on playing as soon as I can."
Matt McLain is getting closer to returning to the team, and he joined @JimDayTV to give the latest updates. #Reds pic.twitter.com/Gd9t83l01L
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) July 23, 2024
The 24-year-old former first-round pick remains on track to return to the Reds at some point in late August or early September to aid their playoff push, but his fantasy impact in 2024 will likely end up being muted. McLain is only worth stashing on rosters far ahead in the standings. Jonathan India has worked his way into must-roster territory at the keystone in Cincy, batting 89-for-324 (.275) with eight home runs, 40 RBI, 50 runs scored, and nine stolen bases over 93 games.
Parker Meadows Injury Update
Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (hamstring) is completing baseball activities daily and is scheduled to complete a baserunning session on Wednesday. Meadows is recovering from a strained right hamstring that landed him on the 10-day injured list over two weeks ago. The 24-year-old is making some progress, though, and could be cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future.
Parker Meadows will be doing base running work tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/uMfTwLSDJf
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) July 23, 2024
The former second-round selection in 2018 has hit only .131/.247/.286 with a well below-average .533 OPS, three homers, five RBI and four stolen bases in 97 plate appearances and 35 games in 2024 in his second year in the big leagues for Detroit. While he has yet to impress at the big-league level, his power/speed combination is attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Jasson Dominguez Injury Update
New York Yankees outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez (oblique) took live batting practice in Tampa on Monday and is traveling to join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday to resume playing in games "within a week," according to manager Aaron Boone. The Yankees' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, Dominguez is ahead of schedule in his return from a left oblique strain that he suffered in mid-June, although the Bombers aren't going to rush the 21-year-old back.
Jasson Dominguez took live BP in Tampa and is traveling to join Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tomorrow to resume playing games “within a week,” Aaron Boone said.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) July 23, 2024
He was already rehabbing from right-elbow surgery earlier this season before injuring his oblique, and there's no guarantee that the Martian will head to the big leagues at the end of his rehab assignment. But when Dominguez does return to the Bronx, he will be an immediate contributor in all fantasy leagues. The Dominican outfielder has hit .356/.404/.609 with a 1.014 OPS, six homers and 13 RBI in 23 minor-league games in 2024.
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