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Heading into midweek MLB action, there are a few star players in the injury headlines. Missing key studs are sure to affect fantasy baseball lineups this week. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Mike Trout, Luis Robert Jr., Nolan Jones, Masataka Yoshida, Chas McCormick, Salvador Perez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of May 1, 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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Mike Trout Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) has a torn meniscus in his left knee that will require surgery, according to general manager Perry Minasian. The procedure, which is believed to be scheduled for Friday, isn't considered season-ending. It's a silver lining for the 11-time All-Star, who has missed significant time the last several seasons due to injuries. A source familiar with Trout's injury said a four- to six-week timetable is a best-case scenario, but a true timetable won't be established until he goes under the knife later this week.
It’s a torn meniscus, Angels GM Perry Minasian shuts announced. No timetable right now.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) April 30, 2024
The 32-year-old three-time MVP is currently tied for the major-league lead in home runs with 10, but he's also hitting just .220 (24-for-109) with 14 RBI and six stolen bases. Fantasy managers must keep him stashed in an injured list spot for the time being. Former first-overall pick Mickey Moniak is expected to start regularly in center field for the Angels with Trout sidelined.
Luis Robert Jr. Injury Update
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hip) is at 80 percent running in his recovery from a hip flexor strain and is also taking batting practice, according to manager Pedro Grifol. "He's strong, energetic, he's excited to come back so we're hoping sooner than later but we're going to take our time because we don't want this to happen again," Grifol said.
Luis Robert Jr is at 80% running in comeback from hip flexor strain and is taking batting practice, Griofol said. "He’s strong, energetic, he’s excited to come back so we’re hoping sooner than later but we’re going to take our time because we don’t want this to happen again."
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) April 30, 2024
Robert was initially given a six- to eight-week timetable for a return after last playing on April 5. The oft-injured 26-year-old looks to be ahead of schedule, but for a player with Robert's extensive injury history, the White Sox would be wise to play it safe and not bring the talented outfielder back too soon. The Cuban slugger's 38-homer, 80-RBI, 20-steal 2023 season displays his upside, but he's also played in over 100 games just once in his four previous MLB seasons due to injuries.
Nolan Jones Injury Update
The Colorado Rockies placed outfielder Nolan Jones (back) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 29) with a lower-back strain. With Jones going to the IL, Colorado selected the contract of outfielder Jordan Beck to the major league roster, and left-hander pitcher Lucas Gilbreath has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have selected the contract of OF Jordan Beck (#27) from Triple-A Albuquerque and have placed OF Nolan Jones on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 29) with a low back strain. Additionally, LHP Lucas Gilbreath has been…
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) April 30, 2024
This season, Jones is slashing .170/.243/.277 with one home run, as he last played on April 28 and went 1-for-2 with one strikeout. Beck is the Rockies' No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and will likely play every day while Jones is on the IL.
Masataka Yoshida Injury Update
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (hand), who was out of the lineup on Tuesday against the visiting San Francisco Giants, is going for an MRI exam on his injured left hand on Wednesday.
Masataka Yoshida is getting an MRI on his left hand tomorrow. He’s technically active tonight but isn’t likely to play.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) April 30, 2024
The 30-year-old jammed his hand in the game on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs and could miss additional time, depending on the results of his MRI. Yoshida, who has basically been the team's full-time DH, is hitting a decent .275 (22-for-80) but with only two home runs and 11 RBI to this point through the first month of the season.
Chas McCormick Injury Update
Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick is dealing with soreness in his hamstring. Astros manager Joe Espada said it is a day-to-day injury for the time being. McCormick is slashing .236/.325/.278 this season with 8 RBIs. With McCormick out of the lineup, Joey Loperfido will be getting some starts in the outfield, the manager revealed.
Chas McCormick has some soreness in his hamstring, Joe Espada tells @SportsMT, which will “open the door” for Joey Loperfido to play some outfield. McCormick didn’t play in the Astros’ last game in Mexico City.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 30, 2024
Loperfido was expected to play some first base due to the struggles of Jose Abreu, but will now get some reps in the outfield due to the injury to McCormick. In the minors, Loperfido slashed .287/.393/.713 with 13 home runs in 25 games before the callup and is a fantasy option due to his power.
Salvador Perez Injury Update
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (back) was playing first base and batting cleanup for the Royals on Tuesday against right-hander Jose Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays. Perez was scratched from Monday's lineup with back tightness, but he singled in a pinch-hit appearance late in the game and is back in the lineup a day later. Fantasy managers will want to get the 33-year-old All-Star back into their starting lineups immediately.
Cole Ragans heads to the mound tonight as we look to even the series in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/KkV2fTYT5C
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 30, 2024
Perez has been going off offensively with a .346/.404/.596 slash line with seven home runs in his first 29 games this year. He has a lot of experience against Berrios in his career, too, but he's hit just .214 with a home run and five RBI in 42 at-bats.
Jake Burger Injury Update
Miami Marlins third baseman Jake Burger (intercostal) began his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Jacksonville, according to manager Skip Schumaker. Burger has been doing full on-field workouts since April 26 in Miami after exiting the top of the fourth inning in an April 14 game against the Atlanta Braves with a left oblique strain.
He suffered a left oblique strain last year, and he said this injury felt similar to that one. Burger is expected to come off the injured list on the team's upcoming road trip, which begins in Oakland against the A's this Friday. Emmanuel Rivera has been seeing regular playing time at the hot corner with Burger sidelined, but Burger should take over everyday duties when he returns. The 28-year-old was hitting .228 (13-for-57) with three home runs and 15 RBI at the time of his injury. (MLB.com)
Gary Sanchez Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's game against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays with tightness in his right hamstring. Sanchez hit into a fielder's choice in the first inning, coming up lame after legging out a throw to first base and getting pulled from the contest right away. Top prospect Tyler Black, who was just promoted from the minor leagues on Tuesday, replaced Sanchez to run for him. The Brewers should offer another update on Sanchez's status when he's further evaluated following the contest.
DH Gary Sánchez left tonight’s game with right hamstring tightness.
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 1, 2024
The 31-year-old slugging backstop is slashing a decent .208/.283/.458 with three home runs, three doubles, and six RBI in 48 at-bats (18 games) for Milwaukee this year, and the club would really lean on the red-hot William Contreras behind the dish if Sanchez is facing a significant setback. Black would also see more work as a designated hitter in this case.
Vaughn Grissom Injury Update
Boston Red Sox middle infielder Vaughn Grissom (hamstring, illness) did not come off the 10-day injured list on Tuesday because he has the flu. Grissom was expected to be activated from the IL for the game against the visiting San Francisco Giants, but he's being delayed while under the weather.
Vaughn Grissom not activated because he has the flu
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) April 30, 2024
Whenever he eventually joins the Red Sox, the 23-year-old former 11th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 2019 should be the team's regular second baseman in Beantown. Given Grissom's power/speed abilities, fantasy managers should be looking to pick him up off the waiver wire if he's still available. In 64 major-league games with the Braves in 2022 and 2023, Grissom hit .287/.339/.407 with five home runs, 27 RBI, and five stolen bases.
Garrett Cooper Injury Update
Boston Red Sox first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper (wrist) was removed from Tuesday's game against the visiting San Francisco Giants due to a right wrist contusion. Cooper, who was making his Red Sox debut and went 0-for-2 before exiting on Tuesday, was hit by a pitch on the right wrist in the fifth inning, and he was replaced at the cold corner by Bobby Dalbec.
Right wrist contusion for Garrett Cooper, the Sox say. Would guess they'll do imaging/Xray.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 1, 2024
The Red Sox should provide another update on Cooper's status after the veteran is evaluated further following the contest. The 33-year-old lefty masher is slashing a modest .256/.341/.410 with one home run, one double, six RBI and three runs scored over 39 at-bats (13 games) this season, and Boston would likely be forced to hand Dalbec regular at-bats at first base if Cooper needs to miss additional time.
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