Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Hitters - Updates for Nolan Jones, Luis Robert Jr., Royce Lewis, Jung Hoo Lee, Brandon Drury, Chas McCormick, more

As always, MLB injuries are beginning to pile up now that over a month of the 2024 season is behind us. A ton of stud fantasy baseball hitters are in the injury headlines, so let's dive into the latest updates on Nolan Jones, Luis Robert Jr., Royce Lewis, Jung Hoo Lee, Brandon Drury, Chas McCormick, and more.

This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of May 10, 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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Nolan Jones Injury Update

The hope is that Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back) will start defensive practice and resume hitting in the cage this weekend. As he prepares to ramp up his baseball activities, Jones will "more than likely" need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before returning from a strained lower back.

Kris Bryant will be part of defensive practice today, and he hit in the cage. #Rockies veteran getting closer to a return.

The hope is Nolan Jones starts the same this weekend. He’ll “more than likely” need a rehab assignment.

— Luke Zahlmann (@lukezahlmann) May 8, 2024

Following a 2023 breakout campaign, the 26-year-old left-handed hitter was slashing an icy .170/.243/.277 with one home run, five doubles, seven RBI, and two stolen bases through 94 at-bats (26 games) as Colorado's primary left fielder but remains a recommended stash with a mid-May return still a possibility. Top prospect Jordan Beck should continue receiving the lion's share of the reps in left field until Jones is ready to return, but he's hitting an empty .125 (3-for-24) over seven outings during his first stint in the major leagues.

Luis Robert Jr. Injury Update

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hip) has resumed hitting after suffering a minor setback with his right hip flexor strain while rehabbing in Arizona. Manager Pedro Grifol says Robert is back up to running at 70 percent intensity, and the center fielder will continue to ramp up his activity. Robert is about a week away from taking the next step in his recovery, which could be a minor-league rehab assignment, and he'll play some backfield games before doing so.

Pedro Grifol said Luis Robert Jr.’s setback was a slight grab feeling in his hip flexor. Grifol said Robert is back up to running at 70 percent intensity. He’s about 5-7 days away from “the next step,” and will play some backfield games before rehab assignment

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) May 9, 2024

While the dynamic 26-year-old slugger could get into rehab games in mid-May, barring any setbacks, fantasy managers should be prepared to be without Robert until late May with the last-place ChiSox likely in no hurry to rush him back. Veteran Tommy Pham is working as Chicago's primary center fielder and worth considering in AL-only leagues, slashing a serviceable .295/.326/.477 with two home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and four runs scored in 44 at-bats (11 games) this year.

Royce Lewis Injury Update

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quad) saw doctors again for another checkup on Wednesday, and his latest MRI still showed some inflammation in his strained right quad. Lewis started sprinting on Wednesday alongside up to 80 swings in the batting cage a day, jogging on the warning track, and taking fielding drills hit directly to him, but there's still a lack of a concrete timeline for him to be cleared to ramp up his baseball activities. With the Twins exercising ample levels of caution with the 24-year-old former No. 1 overall pick, Lewis' return to the major-league roster is not expected to arrive before June.

In the meantime, super-utility man and switch-hitter Willi Castro is bouncing around the diamond to help fill in for Minnesota and is worth rostering in most fantasy leagues. In 21 games since April 17, Castro is batting .363 with two home runs, 12 RBI, 12 runs scored, and five stolen bases. (TheAthletic)

Jung Hoo Lee Injury Update

Updating a previous report, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (foot) was absent from the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the Colorado Rockies in the series finale after fouling a ball off his foot in the win on Wednesday night. Manager Bob Melvin said Lee is getting treatment and the team will see how he feels on Friday before the start of the series opener versus the visiting Cincinnati Reds. Fantasy managers need to consider the 25-year-old as day-to-day for now and check back to see if he's active on Friday.

Jung Hoo Lee not in the Giants lineup today after fouling a ball off his foot last night.

Manager Bob Melvin said Lee is getting treatment and they'll see how he feels tomorrow.

Just a day off for Matt Chapman.

— Manny Randhawa (@MannyOnMLB) May 9, 2024

Austin Slater got the nod in center field for the Gigantes on Thursday and was hitting sixth in the order. Lee is currently in the midst of a modest six-game hitting streak in May, going 9-for-29 (.310) in the span with a double and an RBI. He's provided a decent batting average and on-base percentage so far in his first year in the big leagues but with little power (two homers).

Brandon Drury Injury Update

The Los Angeles Angels placed infielder Brandon Drury (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left hamstring strain. With infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) also going on the 10-day IL and Anthony Rendon (hamstring) out for the long term, the Angels' infield depth has really been tested. The Halos acquired veteran infielder Luis Guillorme from the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, and he immediately got the start at second base while hitting eighth in his Angels debut.

#Angels transactions:
•INF Luis Guillorme (#15) reports to Major League club
•Recalled INF Kyren Paris (#19) from Double-A Rocket City
•Placed INF Brandon Drury (left hamstring strain) on 10-day IL
•Placed INF Luis Rengifo (viral infection) on 10-day IL (retro to May 6)

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) May 10, 2024

With both Rengifo and Drury now out, Guillorme, Cole Tucker, and Ehire Adrianza could see decent playing time to warrant a look in AL-only leagues. In addition to his hamstring injury, Drury was hitting a terrible .173/.230/.240 with a homer, six RBI, and nine runs scored in his first 104 at-bats this year.

Chas McCormick Injury Update

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hamstring) could start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. McCormick has recovered quickly after landing on the injured list with hamstring soreness last week. If the 29-year-old gets out of a short rehab assignment without any setbacks, he could return to the Astros early next week. Mauricio Dubon has seen more playing time in Houston's outfield since McCormick landed on the shelf.

Cristian Javier is set to start Friday or Saturday in Detroit, Espada said.

Chas McCormick could start a rehab assignment this weekend. José Urquidy will likely also make his first rehab start this weekend with Triple-A Sugar Land.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) May 8, 2024

McCormick is going to need to do more with the bat when he returns to assure himself regular playing time. In 21 games before his hamstring injury, he was hitting .236/.325/.278 with no home runs, eight RBI, two stolen bases, and six runs scored in 83 plate appearances. He's coming off his best season as a pro in 2023 when he hit .273 with 22 homers, 70 RBI, and 19 swipes.

Luis Rengifo Injury Update

The Los Angeles Angels placed infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday, retroactive to May 6. Rengifo hasn't appeared since last Friday's win over the Cleveland Guardians due to a viral infection, and his absence leaves a considerable void in the Angels' infield.

#Angels transactions:
•INF Luis Guillorme (#15) reports to Major League club
•Recalled INF Kyren Paris (#19) from Double-A Rocket City
•Placed INF Brandon Drury (left hamstring strain) on 10-day IL
•Placed INF Luis Rengifo (viral infection) on 10-day IL (retro to May 6)

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) May 10, 2024

The versatile 27-year-old righty-hitter was slashing a strong .330/.378/.462 with two home runs, six doubles, 11 RBI, and a career-high nine stolen bases through just 91 at-bats (28 games) for the Halos in 2024. The club is hopeful it'll be a short stint for Rengifo. Veteran Luis Guillorme was just acquired on Thursday and already made his way into Anaheim's patchwork lineup against the Kansas City Royals, but he carries little to no fantasy appeal despite an everyday role likely headed his way.

Willson Contreras Injury Update

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (forearm) underwent successful surgery on Wednesday on his fractured left forearm and he's hoping to return by the All-Star break. Manager Oliver Marmol said that Contreras will likely be out for 10 weeks. The 31-year-old All-Star backstop was hit by a swing from New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez this week and will now likely miss the rest of the first half of the season.

Willson Contreras underwent a successful surgery on Wednesday. A return by the All-Star break remains the goal. #STLCards

— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) May 9, 2024

Because of the lack of depth at the catching position in fantasy, Contreras needs to be stashed for now in all formats. In his absence, Ivan Herrera will be St. Louis' primary catcher, with prospect Pedro Pages backing him up. Herrera currently is hitting .232/.276/.377 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and seven runs scored in his first 69 at-bats in 2024.

Tommy Edman Injury Update

St. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman (wrist) is continuing tee work with increased intensity. After being transferred to the 60-day injured list on Sunday, Edman has still yet to fully go through baseball activities after undergoing wrist surgery in October. Although the speedy 29-year-old switch-hitter still has a chance to return in late May when first eligible for reinstatement, he still needs to go through what will likely be a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment after missing all of spring training.

Tommy Edman is continuing tee work, with increased intensity.

— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) May 9, 2024

In the interim, top prospect Masyn Winn is functioning as St. Louis' primary shortstop. Winn is slashing only .265/.333/.357 with seven extra-base hits, seven RBI, 10 runs scored, and five stolen bases through 98 at-bats (33 games) this season, however, and he isn't worth rostering in the majority of fantasy leagues at the moment.

Anthony Rendon Injury Update

To make room on the roster for infielder Luis Guillorme on Thursday, the Los Angeles Angels transferred third baseman Anthony Rendon (hamstring) to the 60-day injured list. It means that Rendon won't be eligible to come off the IL until June 21. The 33-year-old oft-injured veteran is on the shelf yet again with the Halos after suffering a high-grade partial tear of his left hamstring almost three weeks ago.

The Angels have acquired INF Luis Guillorme from the Braves in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Anthony Rendon has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) May 9, 2024

We'll know more about a specific timetable for Rendon's potential return in another few weeks, but he's unlikely to be ready to come back when he's eligible to come off the IL on June 21. Luis Rengifo, Brandon Drury, Ehire Adrianza and Cole Tucker have all been options at third base for the Angels since Rendon's injury, and now Guillorme could get his shot after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

Chase DeLauter Injury Update

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter (foot) doesn't need surgery on his broken left foot, and the medical team is working through the next steps for him. DeLauter reported pain in his left foot on April 25, which is the same foot that he had surgically repaired last year, and the team announced on Sunday that a CT scan revealed a fracture in his fifth metatarsal bone. The 22-year-old former first-round pick is Cleveland's No. 1 prospect for 2024, per MLB Pipeline, and his indefinite absence could delay his major-league debut that wasn't likely to arrive until 2025 to begin with.

Guardians prospect Chase DeLauter does not need surgery on broken left foot. Medical team working through next steps for him.

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) May 9, 2024

It's a big hit to his fantasy stock for dynasty managers. DeLauter was already struggling with Double-A Akron this season, slashing .197/.296/.295 with one home run, three doubles, three RBI, and one stolen base over 71 plate appearances (16 games) after crushing four homers in 25 Cactus League at-bats with the Guardians in spring training.

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