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MLB Opening Day is here! Rejoice, as the fantasy baseball season begins. While we're excited about the start of the new campaign, we should always check in on the latest banged-up players. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, Garrett Mitchell, Jonathan Aranda, and Manuel Margot.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of March 28, 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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TJ Friedl Injury Update
The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. While the move is a procedural measure, it's worth noting that Friedl avoided the 60-day IL in the face of a recovery timetable of six to eight weeks due to his fractured wrist. The Reds must believe the 28-year-old center fielder has a chance to return before the end of May, meaning fantasy managers shouldn't forget about him if choosing to leave Friedl on waiver wires instead of stashing him to start the year in shallow leagues.
The #Reds today announced the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/99neJ5phzp
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 27, 2024
Friedl flourished during his first full year in the major leagues in 2023, slashing a potent .279/.352/.467 with 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases across 556 plate appearances. Will Benson is a name to watch during the early stages of the 2024 campaign after hitting .275 with a .863 OPS, 11 homers, and 19 swipes over 287 at-bats for Cincy a year ago.
Matt McLain Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said on Wednesday that "Matt McLain had successful surgery to address the cartilage damage and repair his labrum in his left shoulder. An exact timeline is still TBD as it has a wide range of possibilities. We hope to have Matt back this season."
From Nick Krall: "Yesterday, Matt McLain had successful surgery to address cartilage damage and repair his labrum in his left shoulder. An exact timeline is still TBD as it has a wide range of possibilities. We hope to have Matt back this season."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 27, 2024
Even though the injury is to his left (non-throwing) shoulder, there's a fairly good chance we won't see the 24-year-old until the 2025 season, despite Krall's words. It's a tough blow for McLain after a very impressive debut in the big leagues for Cincy last year. Don't feel compelled to hang onto McLain in fantasy leagues if you have more pressing needs. McLain's injury now opens up the door for former National League Rookie of the Year, Jonathan India, to be the Reds' primary second baseman in 2024.
Garrett Mitchell Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said on Wednesday that outfielder Garrett Mitchell (finger) will miss six to eight weeks due to a fractured finger on his left hand. The good news for Mitchell is that his injured digit won't require surgery at this time. Mitchell thought his finger was fine the other day before undergoing X-rays, but that won't be the case. It's a tough blow for the 25-year-old, who only managed to appear in 19 games for the Brew Crew last year due to a left shoulder injury that required surgery.
JUST NOW:
Brewers Manager Pat Murphy tells @HellerSports that Garrett Mitchell will miss 6-8 weeks.
His finger does not require surgery at this time.
"I feel for Mitch." -Pat Murphy pic.twitter.com/E7ZTSMpL3D
— 97.3 The Game (@TheGameMKE) March 27, 2024
The former first-round pick from UCLA shouldn't be out nearly as long this time around as he was in 2023. In a crowded outfield picture in Milwaukee, Mitchell figures to be on the strong side of a platoon in right field in 2024 when he's able to return from his injury. In the meantime, Sal Frelick will likely see most of the starts in right.
Jonathan Aranda Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda (finger) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. As expected, Aranda is going to miss some time after suffering a broken finger last week. The expectation is that Aranda should return around late April or early May. As a result, infielder Austin Shenton has been recalled from the minors. He'll likely be in the mix with Curtis Mead, and Harold Ramirez for more playing time with Aranda sidelined.
Really excited for Austin Shenton, making the #Rays Opening Day roster with Jonathan Aranda hurt. The Seattle native and former @FIUBaseball alum said he’ll have 20 or so family/friends in town this weekend, anticipating his MLB debut.
Austin said his mother, Andrea, cried when…
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) March 27, 2024
Manuel Margot Injury Update
Minnesota Twins outfielder Manuel Margot (hand) was hit by a pitch during an exhibition game on Tuesday versus the Atlanta Braves and departed early with a left-hand contusion. However, the Twins expect him to be fine for Opening Day on Thursday. The 29-year-old was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Twins this spring and is projected to open the 2024 regular season as a fourth outfielder in Minnesota, which leaves him very little fantasy value in AL-only leagues.
Manuel Margot was hit by a pitch today and exited with a hand contusion. The Twins expect him to fine for Opening Day.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) March 26, 2024
The Dominican outfielder spent the last four seasons playing for the Tampa Bay Rays and slashed .264/.317/.375 with 19 home runs, 153 RBI, 41 stolen bases and 149 runs scored in 360 total regular-season games. You can avoid Margot in mixed fantasy leagues in 2024.
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