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The calendar has turned March, meaning fantasy baseball draft season is here, and the MLB season is just around the corner. Despite the season not starting yet, there are plenty of key injuries to keep tabs on. It's never too early to check in on the latest injury updates, so let's take a look at banged-up hitters Nolan Jones, Josh Lowe, Ha-Seong Kim, Ian Happ, Cedric Mullins, Jeff McNeil, Jonathan India, Bo Naylor, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of March 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 when the season begins.
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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Nolan Jones Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back) was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game early against the Texas Rangers as a precaution due to lower-back tightness, but Jones said he's fine and expects to be back in the lineup on Thursday versus the Kansas City Royals. The 25-year-old should be considered a high-end No. 2 fantasy outfielder in the best hitting environment in baseball in Coors Field.
Spoke with Nolan Jones. He says he's fine, just a precautionary move. Expects to be back in there tomorrow. https://t.co/NBu77H61BD
— Manny Randhawa (@MannyOnMLB) March 6, 2024
The left-handed hitter was a second-round pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 and showed off his impressive power/speed combination in 106 games for the Rockies last year by slashing .297/.389/.542 with a .931 OPS, 20 homers 62 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 424 plate appearances. Jones was just as good away from Coors Field, too which makes him even more exciting.
Josh Lowe Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (hip) is progressing but is not yet ready for full baseball activities. Rays skipper Kevin Cash said "Probably another week if all goes well" in regards to Lowe's projected timetable to return to the field. The 26-year-old has said he is "confident" he will be ready to go on Opening Day and that still appears to be a realistic scenario.
Josh Lowe (hip) is progressing but not yet ready for full baseball activities. Kevin Cash said "probably another week if all goes well." #Rays
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) March 6, 2024
Lowe was excellent at the dish in the 2023 season, hitting .292 with 20 home runs, 32 stolen bases, 83 RBI, and a .835 OPS across 135 games and 501 trips to the plate. His power/speed combination entering his prime is extremely attractive as fantasy managers would be wise to capitalize on his 81.8 ADP for the 2024 campaign.
Ha-Seong Kim Injury Update
San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (back) began experiencing back spasms on Tuesday in camp while doing drills and will take advantage of the team's off day on Thursday to get some extra rest this week, according to multiple sources. Kim's rest this week is being described as "precautionary" and "preventative."
He didn't take part in drills on Wednesday but was said to have been virtually pain-free by Tuesday night. The expectation is that he'll return to Cactus League action on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants. The Padres don't seem concerned at all by the 28-year-old's injury, so he should be ready for a two-game series in Korea against the Dodgers on March 20-21 to kick off the 2024 season. Kim's fantasy stock is on the rise after a breakout 2023 campaign, and he's also gone 6-for-15 with a home run and two steals in spring training. (San Deigo Union Tribune)
Ian Happ Injury Update
Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (hamstring) took batting practice in camp on Wednesday, which is a promising sign. Happ is recovering from a left hamstring strain in spring training and is slowly working his way back. The Cubs are optimistic that the 29-year-old outfielder will still be ready for Opening Day on March 28, though, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried.
-Ian Happ (hamstring) is taking BP today, which is a promising sign.
-Patrick Wisdom (quad) is nearing a return to game action.— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) March 6, 2024
The former first-round pick in 2015 out of Cincinnati was a first-time All-Star in 2022 and slashed .248/.360/.431 with 21 home runs, 35 doubles, four triples, a career-high 84 RBI, a career-high 14 stolen bases and a career-high 86 runs scored in 158 games for the Cubbies in 2023. It was a good sign that Happ was more patient last year, and although he's not a standout in any fantasy categories, he makes for a solid No. 3 outfielder.
Cedric Mullins Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins had an MRI on his hamstring come back clean, and the issue is just some cramping. He is expected to return to Grapefruit League action next week. The early-spring hamstring issue is somewhat concerning as Mullins made a pair of trips to the injured list last season with leg injuries, once with a groin injury and once due to a quad strain.
Cedric Mullins said MRI on leg was clean. Just some cramping in hamstring. Back in games probably next week #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) March 6, 2024
The 29-year-old took a step back at the plate a season ago, hitting just .233 with a .721 OPS across 116 games. However, he still slugged 15 home runs and provided 19 stolen bases for fantasy managers in that time. ATC projects 19 long balls and 26 steals from Mullins in 2024, production that certainly serves managers quite well.
Jeff McNeil Injury Update
New York Mets infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil (biceps) is feeling "a lot better" and could be back relatively soon, per skipper Carlos Mendoza. Mendoza added McNeil won't require an MRI or other tests. The 31-year-old has been slowed by the left biceps soreness this spring after his 2023 season ended early due to a partial tear in a ligament in his left elbow and he was cleared for full baseball activity in mid-February.
Jeff McNeil (left biceps discomfort) is feeling "a lot better," per Carlos Mendoza. He won't be receiving an MRI or other tests. Could be back relatively soon.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 5, 2024
McNeil took a step back at the plate in the 2023 season, hitting .270 with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases across 156 games. He struck out in just 10% of his plate appearances but also walked just 6% of the time. He has a middling fantasy outlook for the 2024 season with a lack of power the foremost concern.
Jonathan India Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that second baseman Jonathan India (foot) is on track to make his spring training debut on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. India dealt with plantar fasciitis in his left foot last year and was still bothered by it at the start of spring training, so the Reds have been slow-playing him in hopes that he'll be feeling better by Opening Day on March 28.
David Bell said that Jonathan India is on track to make his spring training debut on Friday.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 6, 2024
The 27-year-old's fantasy stock heading into 2024 was already down due to the fact that the Reds plan to use Matt McLain as their primary second baseman, assuming he's healthy. It means that India is going to have to bounce around on the infield and in the outfield in order to find consistent playing time in what is now a pretty stacked Reds roster of position players. The former National League Rookie of the Year isn't guaranteed regular playing time this year.
Bo Naylor Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians catching prospect Bo Naylor (back) was back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers, starting behind the plate and batting cleanup for the Guardians. It will be the 24-year-old's second spring training game because of back spasms that kept him out for around a week.
Ladies and gentlemen, our lineup. #GuardsSpring pic.twitter.com/Xz45TCSwJ3
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) March 6, 2024
But he's back now, and Naylor should be ready for Opening Day at the end of the month, barring a setback with his back. The left-handed-hitting Canadian played in 67 games last year and hit .237/.339/.470 with a .809 OPS, 11 homers, 32 RBI, and five stolen bases for Cleveland. Naylor is expected to see most of the starts behind the plate for the Guardians in 2024 in his first full MLB season, and his combination of power and speed at the catching position gives him unique upside at a weak position for fantasy managers.
Alex Verdugo Injury Update
New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (leg) returned to the team's Grapefruit League game on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays and was starting in left field while batting seventh in the lineup. Verdugo was hit by a pitch on his left leg last Saturday and was scratched from the spring game on Sunday as a result.
Midweek Match-up 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8HdSigOcoE
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 6, 2024
It was a minor injury, so the 27-year-old left-handed hitter should be just fine for Opening Day on March 28. He comes to the Bronx in 2024 after a trade from the division-rival Boston Red Sox and is expected to serve as the Yankees' starting left fielder. Verdugo has gone 1-for-8 with a double and three strikeouts so far in camp, and his fantasy stock is down after slashing .264/.324/.421 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI, and five steals in 142 games in his final season in Boston in 2023. He just hasn't shown enough power or speed production to be of much use in mixed fantasy leagues.
Anthony Rendon Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (groin) went through a regular workout in camp on Wednesday. Rendon was shut down in spring training for a few days after having some groin discomfort on Sunday. It looks like the issue isn't too serious, though, so the 33-year-old veteran could return to Cactus League action by the weekend if he continues to progress.
Anthony Rendon (groin) is going through a regular workout today.
Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is going to throw a bullpen session. Ron Washington said he will have time to get the innings he needs before opening day.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) March 6, 2024
Still, it's been one injury after another since Rendon signed a seven-year deal with the Angels before the 2020 season. In his four years in Anaheim, he's played in only 200 games and has hit .249/.359/.399 with 22 homers and 111 RBI in 857 trips to the plate. His extensive injury history, combined with his decline in power production (most likely due to injuries), makes him hard to trust in mixed fantasy leagues at this point.
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