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Heading into Week 12 of the MLB season, there is no shortage of key hitters dealing with bumps and bruises. Injuries complicate fantasy lineup decisions, so it's important to stay in the know. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr., Manny Machado, Masataka Yoshida, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Eloy Jimenez, Tyler Stephenson, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of June 7, 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 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
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was removed from Thursday night's game due to left forearm discomfort following an hour-long rain delay. Soto had gone 0-for-1 with a pair of walks and a run scored before leaving the game. The superstar's exit saw Alex Verdugo enter in left field as Aaron Judge shifted to right. Trent Grisham was already manning center. Any missed time for Soto would be a massive blow to the Yankees and fantasy teams alike. Top prospect Jasson Dominguez was pulled from his Triple-A game last night as well. However, the moves were not correlated.
Juan Soto left tonight's game due to left forearm discomfort.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 7, 2024
Dominguez continues to work on his defensive endurance in the outfield. Of course, if Soto and his 1.027 OPS have to miss extended time, then Dominguez should be the optimal call-up and would be an immediate fantasy add. (Update: Soto has reportedly felt this discomfort for the past week and had soreness during the rain delay, which prompted him to see the team doctor. They lifted him as a precautionary move and he will undergo imaging on Friday.)
Ronald Acuna Jr. Injury Update
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair the torn ACL in his left knee. Everything reportedly went well with the procedure. Acuna will stay in Los Angeles for at least a month as he begins his rehabilitation process. It marks the second time the former MVP has gone under the knife for an ACL procedure.
Ronald Acuña Jr. on Wednesday had surgery to repair his torn ACL. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed it in Los Angeles. Acuña will stay in LA for a month or so as he begins the rehab process.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) June 6, 2024
There is a chance that Acuna could be ready to return for the start of next season, barring any setbacks, but that is still months away. It will be interesting to see what Acuna looks like whenever he returns, given that speed is such a valuable part of his game. Adam Duvall will continue to see the majority of playing time in right field for the rest of 2024.
Manny Machado Injury Update
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (hip) is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The veteran slugger injured himself while trying to beat out a throw to first base in Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Padres manager Mike Shildt said the next few days and testing results will determine if Machado has to go on the injured list.
Padres lineup against the D-backs.
Manny Machado isn’t in today’s lineup. pic.twitter.com/Eg7Z23YOht
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) June 6, 2024
Hopefully, the 31-year-old can return to the lineup after a bit of rest. Tyler Wade will get the start at third base and bat eighth in Machado's absence. He is nothing more than a dart throw in DFS formats for Thursday's slate.
Masataka Yoshida Injury Update
Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (thumb) is making steady progress, and he is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment as early as Friday. Yoshida has been taking live batting practice, and he also hit off a Trajekt pitching machine on Thursday. On the injured list since April 29 due to a sprained left thumb, Yoshida will likely need more than a weekend's worth of rehab games before rejoining the Red Sox but is on track to return at some point in mid-to-late June.
The 30-year-old Japanese import took a step back from his first year in the major leagues during 2023, slashing .275/.348/.388 with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 12 runs scored over 89 plate appearances before getting injured in 2024. He's worth stashing in all fantasy leagues for his ability to contribute to all categories. (MLB.com)
Christian Encarnacion-Strand Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) has been cleared to resume baseball activities. The 24-year-old has not played since May 7 due to a fracture in his right hand. The former top prospect will need multiple weeks to get back into the swing of things, but there is a chance he will return before the All-Star break.
David Bell said CES (wrist) has been cleared to progress forward. CES requested a second opinion and will get one. “All indications are he looks good.”
When he starts the ramp up, he’ll begin with strength work and then go to hitting.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 6, 2024
Encarnacion-Strand came into the season with serious breakout potential but struggled to the tune of a .190/.220/.293 slash line through his first 29 games. He should be stashed in most leagues due to his power upside, but it is unclear what the Reds plan to do with their lineup once both he and Noelvi Marte (suspension) return.
Eloy Jimenez Injury Update
Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said that outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (hamstring) is expected to go on a minor league rehab assignment next week. Jimenez is almost ready to start playing in games down on the farm after he was put on the injured list back on May 22 with a left-hamstring strain.
Given the 27-year-old's history with lower-body injuries, the White Sox aren't going to rush him back by any means, but barring any setbacks on his rehab assignment, Jimenez has a good shot to rejoin the big league lineup before the All-Star break in mid-July.
Pedro Grifol had a lot of Sox injury updates:
— Eloy Jiménez should go on a rehab assignment next week
— Yoán Moncada’s rehab is slow-paced, but return post All-Star break is still possible
— Mike Clevinger will throw BP tomorrow and eventually require a rehab start or two
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 6, 2024
The Dominican outfielder teased his ceiling back in 2019 in his rookie year with 31 home runs and 79 RBI, but he has never been able to replicate that showing, and injuries haven't helped. Before getting hurt this year, he had gone 31-for-134 (.231) with five homers, 12 RBI, and 26 strikeouts.
Tyler Stephenson Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (hand) said he had X-rays on his right hand after Thursday's 8-4 win over the visiting division-rival Chicago Cubs, and they came back negative. Stephenson was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of Thursday's contest but remained in the game and finished 2-for-2 with two singles, a walk, and two runs scored to raise his season batting average to .267 and his OPS to .772. The 27-year-old backstop had precautionary X-rays on his hand, but it looks like he's in the clear.
Also, Tyler Stephenson said he had X-rays on his right hand and they came back negative
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) June 7, 2024
Stephenson should be fine to play on Friday in the second game of the series against the Cubbies, but fantasy managers may want to double-check Cincy's lineup. The former 11th overall pick in 2015 out of a Georgia high school isn't flashy but is on pace to set a new career high in homers if he can stay healthy.
Willson Contreras Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (forearm), who has been out since May 7 with a fractured left forearm, was on the field at Busch Stadium on Thursday doing some throwing, catching, and sprinting. Contreras even threw a ball from foul territory to the center field berm to show off his arm strength.
The 32-year-old is doing baseball activities, but the true test for the veteran backstop will be swinging a bat. As such, he still has a ways to go before rejoining the Cardinals' starting lineup, and it might be a surprise if he's able to do so before the All-Star break in mid-July.
#STLCards C Willson Contreras, who has been out since May 7 with a fractured left forearm, was on the field at Busch Stadium today throwing, catching & sprinting — as he did while the team was away. He even threw a ball from foul territory to the CF berm to show his arm strength.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 6, 2024
Until he returns, Ivan Herrera will continue to serve as the team's primary catcher. Before his painful injury, Contreras was off to a good start in his second year in St. Louis, hitting .280 (30-for-107) with six homer and 11 doubles. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues while he rehabs.
Yoan Moncada Injury Update
Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said on Thursday that third baseman Yoan Moncada (thigh) is on a slow-paced rehab plan, but a return after the All-Star break in mid-July is still possible. The switch-hitting Moncada resumed baseball activities in mid-May and was swinging from both sides of the plate. Much like the rehabbing Eloy Jimenez (hamstring), the White Sox are not going to rush the oft-injured Moncada back into the fold.
Pedro Grifol had a lot of Sox injury updates:
— Eloy Jiménez should go on a rehab assignment next week
— Yoán Moncada’s rehab is slow-paced, but return post All-Star break is still possible
— Mike Clevinger will throw BP tomorrow and eventually require a rehab start or two
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 6, 2024
The 29-year-old Cuban infielder has had his share of lower-body injuries in his career, but it sounds as though the team is expecting him back in the second half of the season. He should return to regular duties at the hot corner when that happens. Before his injury, Moncada went 11-for-39 (.282) with no homers, three doubles, and a steal for the Pale Hose.
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