Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Hitters - Updates for Aaron Judge, Kyle Tucker, Jordan Westburg, Jeimer Candelario, J.T. Realmuto, and more

The 2024 MLB season is in the 13th week of action, so naturally, there are injuries all over the league to cover. These injuries will significantly impact fantasy baseball lineups, so let's take a look at injured hitters Aaron Judge, Kyle Tucker, Jordan Westburg, Jeimer Candelario, J.T. Realmuto, and more

This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of June 19, 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.

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Aaron Judge Injury Update

New York Yankees superstar outfielder Aaron Judge (hand) said tests on his left hand came back negative and he's not dealing with any fractures. Judge singled and scored in his first at-bat in the eventual 4-2 win over the division-rival Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, but he was hit in the left hand by a pitch in his second at-bat in the third inning and was eventually replaced by Trent Grisham in center field in the fourth frame. It's great news for Yankees fans and Judge's fantasy managers.

Aaron Judge said tests on his left hand were negative. No fracture. Great news for the #Yankees.

— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) June 19, 2024

Although the 32-year-old right-handed slugger appears to have avoided a significant injury to his left hand, he could be held out as a precaution for Wednesday's contest against the O's. Judge is a no-doubt must-start in all fantasy lineups when he's playing. He entered Tuesday's contest leading the league in home runs (26) doubles (22), RBI (64), slugging percentage (.686) and OPS (1.110) while hitting .299 (79-for-264) in 73 games.

Kyle Tucker Injury Update

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) is still not doing baseball activities on the field. Manager Joe Espada said the Astros were hoping he could resume some of that ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the hosting Chicago White Sox, but Tucker is still limited to work in the weight room.

Kyle Tucker is still not doing activities on the field. Espada said the Astros were hoping he could resume some of that today, but Tucker is still limited to work in the weight room.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) June 18, 2024

The 27-year-old star right fielder seems to be progressing slower than originally anticipated from a right shin contusion, considering there was initial optimism he'd be ready to return at some point this past weekend. Tucker will likely need a brief minor-league rehab assignment if he stays on the 10-day injured list much longer. He's slashing a superb .266/.395/.584 with 19 home runs, 41 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases through 262 plate appearances for Houston this year, and it goes without saying that he's a must-stash fantasy asset.

Jordan Westburg Injury Update

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg (hip) left Tuesday's game early against the division-rival New York Yankees due to left-hip discomfort. Westburg struck out swinging in his only at-bat of the contest in the first inning and ended up leaving the game in the bottom of the second inning, being replaced at the hot corner by Ramon Urias. We won't have a better idea of the severity of Westburg's injury until he undergoes more testing after the game. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 25-year-old to be day-to-day.

#Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg exited tonight's game with left hip discomfort

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) June 18, 2024

The former 30th overall pick in 2020 out of Mississippi State has been a mainstay in a potent Baltimore lineup in 2024 and has contributed across the board, entering Tuesday's game with a .278/.332/.504 slash line with a .836 OPS, 11 home runs, 42 RBI and six stolen bases in 252 at-bats. Urias could see regular playing time at the hot corner if Westburg is forced to miss extended time. UPDATE: Manager Brandon Hyde said Westburg is pretty sore and is day-to-day.

Jeimer Candelario Injury Update

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario exited Tuesday's game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates due to tendinitis, according to manager David Bell. Candelario grimaced running the bases earlier in Tuesday's contest and needed to come out early. There are no specifics as to what kind of tendinitis Candelario is dealing with, but Bell doesn't believe he's in danger of going on the injured list.

David Bell said Jeimer Candelario has been dealing with tendinitis and was more sore today.

“He’s not in danger of going on the IL or missing any extended time.”

“It’ll go away. It might linger a bit.”

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 19, 2024

The 30-year-old veteran switch-hitter has been white-hot in the month of June, hitting .343 (23-for-67) with six home runs, four doubles, 15 RBI, and three stolen bases over his last 16 games. Consider Candelario day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's series finale in Pittsburgh, with Santiago Espinal being a candidate for more action at the hot corner if he needs to miss additional time.

J.T. Realmuto Injury Update

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) expects to be close to 100 percent around or soon after the All-Star break. Realmuto won't be ready to resume baseball activities for a little while longer as he recuperates from surgery on his right knee, but he anticipates being available to the Phillies sometime in late July or early August.

The 33-year-old star backstop was hitting a solid .261 (54-for-207) with seven home runs, 20 RBI, and 28 runs scored through 51 outings as Philly's No. 1 catcher before going down, but his one stolen base was a major disappointment. Fantasy managers should still be stashing Realmuto in all leagues. Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan are filling in behind the plate, but neither are worth considering outside of deep two-catcher setups. (MLB.com)

Anthony Rizzo Injury Update

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (forearm) said he's going to go at least four to five weeks without baseball activities after being placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to a fractured right forearm that he suffered on Sunday night against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. It will be eight weeks before Rizzo is ready to play in games, so fantasy managers that choose to hang onto him in mixed leagues will need to be patient. The 34-year-old veteran first baseman expects to play again this year, though.

Anthony Rizzo said at least 4-5 weeks of no baseball activities. He expects to play again this season.

Also said he's ready to help Ben Rice as needed. #Yankees

— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) June 18, 2024

Prospect Ben Rice took Rizzo's roster spot and is being thrown right into the starting lineup on Tuesday against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. In addition to Rice, DJ LeMahieu is expected to see a lot more playing time at the cold corner in the Bronx, boosting Oswaldo Cabrera's playing time at third.

Charlie Blackmon Injury Update

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (hamstring) exited Tuesday's game against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers due to tightness in his right hamstring. Blackmon went from first to third on a single and appeared to grab his right leg going into third base during the first inning, and Elehuris Montero stepped in as the designated hitter on Tuesday.

#Rockies Charlie Blackmon exited Tuesday's game with right hamstring tightness.

— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) June 19, 2024

The 37-year-old former All-Star is slashing a modest .266/.337/.410 with three home runs, 26 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five stolen bases through 222 at-bats for the Rockies in 2024, and he isn't much more than an NL-only fantasy option at this stage of his career. Montero and the switch-hitting Michael Toglia would be tasked to handle additional at-bats if Blackmon is forced to miss extra time.

Brendan Rodgers Injury Update

Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) will go on a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque before returning from the 10-day injured list due to a left-hamstring strain. Rodgers was put on the injured list on June 8 but may only need a couple of rehab games before the Rockies feel comfortable bringing him back to the big leagues. It means that the 27-year-old could be back in the starting lineup for the Rockies as soon as this weekend, barring a setback with the Isotopes.

#Rockies Brendan Rodgers said he will be going out on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque before returning from a left hamstring strain.

— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) June 18, 2024

When Rodgers is back in the fold in Denver, infield prospect Adael Amador is likely to be sent back to the minors for more seasoning. Before getting hurt, Rodgers was in the midst of one of his best seasons in his sixth year in the league, slashing .275/.309/.390 with three home runs, 14 doubles, a triple, 22 RBI, his first career stolen base and 24 runs scored in 59 games.

Yoan Moncada Injury Update

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said that third baseman Yoan Moncada (groin) is on track to return to the team around the All-Star break in mid-July. The oft-injured Moncada has been out since early May when he suffered a groin strain, but the 29-year-old Cuban has made good progress and is nearing a return to the big leagues. Expect him to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment first before getting cleared to come off the injured list.

Chris Getz said Yoán Moncada is on track to return to the Sox around the All-Star break, while Eloy Jiménez could be back with the big league team next week.

— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 18, 2024

Moncada could be eased back in, but once he returns to the White Sox, he should eventually return to everyday duties at the hot corner. The switch-hitting infielder didn't have any home runs or RBI in 39 at-bats this year before his injury, but he was swinging a hot bat with a .282 average (11-for-39) with a stolen base and four runs scored.

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