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Four months of the 2023 MLB season are almost in the books, so as always, there are plenty of key fantasy hitters dealing with minor or major ailments. There are even more injuries to deal with than usual this week, so fantasy managers will have to keep an eye out for the latest updates. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Juan Soto, Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Yandy Diaz, Starling Marte, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of July 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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Juan Soto Injury Update
San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (finger) will get Wednesday's game against Johan Oviedo and the Pittsburgh Pirates off as he tries to heal a finger issue that has bothered him since spring training, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic.
Hopefully, he just needs one day and then is back in the lineup for the weekend series against the Texas Rangers. Soto is posting solid numbers through 102 contests in 2023, as he owns a .262/.416/.501 slash line with 20 bombs, 59 runs, 61 RBI, and six steals. The 24-year-old remains a must-start in all formats when in the lineup.
Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve Injury Updates
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said on Tuesday that the team could get both outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (oblique) and second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique) back from the injured list on Wednesday in the series finale against the Texas Rangers. The Astros will make a final decision on Wednesday morning. Either way, Alvarez's and Altuve's returns are imminent, so fantasy managers should be ready to get them back into their starting lineups right away.
Alvarez has been out since June 9. He is a must-start in fantasy as a difference-making slugger when he's healthy. Altuve is in the midst of an injury-plagued 2023 season and has only played in 32 games, but the eight-time All-Star will lock down the keystone in Houston when he's ready.
Yandy Diaz Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays corner infielder Yandy Diaz (groin) was forced from Tuesday's game early against the visiting Miami Marlins with left-groin tightness. He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day for now. Diaz suffered the injury while stretching at first base in the third inning. He went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI in the game before leaving, and he was replaced at first by Harold Ramirez.
The 31-year-old has been a must-start in all fantasy leagues in 2023, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be on the field on Wednesday, especially with a scheduled off day coming on Thursday. Diaz entered Tuesday hitting a strong .317/.401/.505 with a .905 OPS, 14 homers, 47 RBI and 60 runs scored in 325 at-bats this year. His .401 on-base percentage leads the league.
Starling Marte Injury Update
New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (head) did some hitting and ran the bases at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. It's good news for Marte, who is currently on the injured list due to migraines, but he's eligible to return to the team on Thursday. It remains to be seen if Marte will actually return to the club on Thursday, but he looks to be turning the corner from his migraine issue.
Until he's back, Mark Canha and Jeff McNeil should continue sharing playing time in right field. The 34-year-old Marte has been relevant in all fantasy leagues in 2023 because of his 24 stolen bases in 307 at-bats. He's added a .254/.308/.332 slash line with only five home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 28 RBI and 38 runs scored in 84 games.
Kris Bryant Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant (finger) will go back on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a fractured left index finger after he was hit by a pitch last Friday against the Miami Marlins. In a corresponding move, the team will call up infielder Elehuris Montero from the minors. It's unclear how long the 31-year-old Bryant will be sidelined, but he's going to be out past the 10 days for his injured-list stint.
The former Rookie of the Year and MVP continues to be hurt by injuries since arriving in Colorado last year. In 65 games in 2023, he's hitting .251/.338/.379 with just eight home runs, seven doubles, 23 RBI and 27 runs scored in 275 trips to the plate. Nolan Jones will continue to see more playing time in the outfield for the Rockies for however long Bryant is out.
Thairo Estrada Injury Update
San Francisco Giants infielder Thairo Estrada (hand) began a hitting progression on Tuesday and also took groundballs. Meanwhile, outfielder Luis Gonzalez (back) is beginning a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento. Estrada is resuming baseball activities, but he's not expected to come off the injured list until sometime in early August.
The 27-year-old will need to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment before he's activated. He's had a fine season in his third year in San Francisco, hitting .272/.327/.434 with nine home runs, 18 doubles, a triple, 31 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 46 runs scored in 70 games, making him fantasy relevant in most leagues for his speed. Estrada is three steals shy of setting a new career mark in that category.
Andrew Vaughn Injury Update
Chicago White Sox first baseman/outfielder Andrew Vaughn (foot) is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against right-hander Kyle Hendricks and the visiting Chicago Cubs, starting at first base and batting sixth in the order. Vaughn will make his return for the Pale Hose after missing a week due to a bruised left foot. X-rays came back negative, though, and he avoided a trip to the injured list.
The 25-year-old former first-rounder will attempt to pick things up offensively, as he's hitting only .188 (9-for-48) with no homers, a double, four RBI and four runs scored in 12 games in July. Vaughn hasn't cleared the fences since June 24, so perhaps fantasy managers will want to keep him on their benches until he gets back on track at the plate. (MLB.com)
Esteury Ruiz Injury Update
Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz (shoulder) has been doing baseball activities lately and will begin a rehab assignment this week, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. The 24-year-old hasn't seen game action since July 5, after suffering a right shoulder subluxation.
Ruiz has been the best source of speed this season, swiping 43 steals across 85 contests while batting .257 with just one homer, 33 runs, and 35 RBI. With that stat line, he's valuable in every format, and fantasy managers should trust him again for steals once he's back.
Ke'Bryan Hayes Injury Update
Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, according to sources. It means that Hayes could be ready to return to Pittsburgh's starting lineup by later this week. The 26-year-old has been out since July 7 due to lower-back pain. In his absence, rookie Jared Triolo has been seeing everyday playing time at the hot corner and has played well, so it will be interesting to see how the Pirates handle the playing time at third base when Hayes is back.
The former first-rounder has yet to really impress in his four seasons with the Bucs to this point. In 75 games this year before his injury, Hayes has hit .252 (73-for-290) with five home runs, 16 doubles, five triples, 32 RBI, nine stolen bases and 34 runs scored in 307 trips to the plate.
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