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Weekend MLB baseball is around the corner, and there are several key hitters in the injury headlines. Injuries complicate fantasy lineup decisions, so it's important to stay in the know. That said, let's take a look at banged-up hitters Trea Turner, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Nolan Jones, Jorge Soler, Chas McCormick, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of May 17, 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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Trea Turner Injury Update
For the second straight day on Thursday, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (hamstring) went through a full agility workout at Citizens Bank Park while taking ground balls and also hitting inside in the cages. It has only been 13 days since he injured his left hamstring and is progressing at a surprising pace given the original timetable of around six weeks. The 30-year-old All-Star is making fantastic progress, but the Phillies will probably pump the brakes on him returning too soon and aggravating his injury, especially given the nature of Turner's game on the basepaths.
For a second straight day, Trea Turner went through a full agility workout, took grounders, and hit inside. It’s only been 13 days since his hamstring injury. He is progressing at a surprising pace given the original timetable.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) May 16, 2024
However, if Turner continues to progress at this pace, he'll surely beat his projected six-week timetable, which is great news for his fantasy managers. Edmundo Sosa will continue to work as the Phillies' starter at the 6 until Turner returns from his hamstring ailment. Keep Turner stashed in all fantasy formats.
Nico Hoerner Injury Update
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (hamstring), who remained out of Thursday's lineup, went through a more regular pregame workout before the game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, manager Craig Counsell said. If all goes well, the hope is that Hoerner will be back in Chicago's lineup for the second game of the series against Pittsburgh on Friday.
Nico Hoerner is going through a more regular pregame workout today, Craig Counsell said. If all goes well, the hope is Hoerner will be back tomorrow.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) May 16, 2024
The 27-year-old contact-hitting infielder appears to be on the cusp of a return from tightness in his left hamstring after being out of the lineup in each of the past three contests, so fantasy managers should expect to get him back without needing a trip to the injured list. In 41 games (156 at-bats) before picking up the injury, Hoerner slashed .269/.361/.391 with two home runs, 11 doubles, 12 RBI, 25 runs scored, and five stolen bases as the Cubs' primary leadoff hitter.
Dansby Swanson Injury Update
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (knee) continued to ramp up his activity ahead of Thursday's game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, including fielding ground balls. After a period of rest, recovery, and treatment, Swanson did some light running and agility work and played catch before Wednesday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves and seems to be progressing well in his recuperation from a sprained right knee.
Dansby Swanson (knee) taking grounders pregame. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/9460L8xiDU
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHSports) May 16, 2024
The 30-year-old star infielder is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list as early as Saturday's contest against Pittsburgh, though it's unclear if he'll need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before the Cubs activate him. Although Swanson was slashing a meager .209/.285/.341 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 20 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 37 games (129 at-bats) as Chicago's everyday shortstop before the injury, he's a must-stash player in all fantasy leagues.
Nolan Jones Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday and went 0-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout for the Isotopes while playing five innings in left field. It was the 26-year-old's first game since going on the 10-day injured list in late April with a lower back strain. If Jones doesn't suffer any setbacks in the minors, he should be ready to return to the big-league roster pretty soon, possibly as early as this weekend against the Giants in San Francisco.
The former second-round pick of the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 hit nearly .300 in 2023 with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases, so his power/speed combination makes him intriguing in all fantasy formats, especially playing half his games at hitter-friendly Coors Field. His fantasy managers will be hoping he can turn around his slow start in 2024 when he's activated, as he's currently slashing .170/.243/.277 with a homer and seven RBI in 26 games. (MILB.com)
Jorge Soler Injury Update
San Francisco Giants designated hitter Jorge Soler (shoulder) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. Soler is slated to play in two games in the minors and will likely be back with the Giants on Friday for the series opener against the division-rival Colorado Rockies if everything goes well there.
Jorge Soler will get some at-bats in Sacramento tonight. Giants are off tomorrow, but it seems likely he’s back on Friday if everything goes well.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) May 15, 2024
Before hitting the injured list with a strained right shoulder, the 32-year-old slugger slashed a disappointing .202/.294/.361 with five homers, four doubles, and eight RBI through 119 at-bats (34 games) as San Fran's everyday DH. Despite those shortcomings, Soler would have a great opportunity to jump-start his season while facing off with a Rockies team that entered Wednesday’s action ranked last in team ERA (5.16) and WHIP (1.53) in 2024.
Chas McCormick Injury Update
Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hamstring) played in his second straight minor-league rehab game on Wednesday with Double-A Corpus Christi and went 0-for-4 as the designated hitter. McCormick went 0-for-2 in five innings in center field on Tuesday after going 2-for-5 in his first rehab game on Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land.
He'll have the day off on Thursday before playing for Corpus Christi again on Friday. If the 29-year-old outfielder comes out of Friday's game fine, there's a good chance the Astros will reinstate him from the injured list and have him available for Saturday's contest against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. When he returns to the majors, McCormick will continue to battle for playing time in Houston's outfield as a platoon option. Through his first 72 at-bats in 2024, he's hit .236 (17-for-72) and is still searching for his first home run. (MLB.com)
Byron Buxton Injury Update
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) will play another minor-league rehab game with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, and if all goes well, he'll be back from the injured list to rejoin the Twins on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians. Buxton went 0-for-3 while playing seven innings in center field on Wednesday in his first rehab game with St. Paul and should be cleared to return to the big leagues if he gets through one more game with the Saints on Thursday.
After the Castro adventure in CF last night, look forward to seeing Byron Buxton back out there this weekend in Cleveland. He'll play for the Saints tonight, again. If all goes well, can see Buck back with #MNTwins on Sat.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) May 16, 2024
The 30-year-old oft-injured outfielder has already had surgery on the same knee twice and has been sidelined with right-knee inflammation since early May. Fantasy managers should expect the Twins to ease Buxton back into the fold when he returns, but if his knee cooperates, he'll eventually return to starting duties in center field.
J.P. Crawford Injury Update
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique, hand) is not traveling with the team ahead of Friday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Crawford's hand is still sore and a little swollen after getting hit by a pitch during Wednesday's minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma, and the M's aren't certain when he'll rejoin the club. Working his way back from a strained right oblique as well, the 29-year-old infielder will likely need a few days to allow the swelling in his hand to go down before getting back into game action.
JP Crawford didn’t fly to Baltimore today. His hand is still sore and a little swollen after getting hit by a pitch. The Mariners aren’t certain when he will join the team
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) May 16, 2024
It may be enough to keep Crawford from being reinstated from the injured list this weekend. Fantasy managers should have a few more days of streaming value out of utility man Josh Rojas, who's taken over as Seattle's primary leadoff man while slashing a potent .330/.395/.482 with three home runs, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 126 plate appearances (35 games) this year.
Luis Rengifo Injury Update
The Los Angeles Angels reinstated infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned infielder Niko Goodrum and right-hander Davis Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake after Wednesday night's game in a corresponding move. Rengifo missed over a week with a viral illness that caused painful blisters on his feet. Now that the 27-year-old is recovered, he should return to everyday duties at third base for the Halos, starting on Friday for their series opener against the Rangers in Texas.
#Angels transactions:
•Following last night’s game, optioned INF Niko Goodrum and RHP Davis Daniel to Triple-A.
•Today, reinstated INF Luis Rengifo from the IL.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) May 16, 2024
Rengifo is due some regression after starting the year with a .330/.378/.462 slash line with two home runs and nine stolen bases in 28 games, but the fact that he's going to play regularly makes him at least a middle-infield bench option in deep-mixed fantasy leagues. He's most useful for his speed in AL-only formats.
DJ LeMahieu Injury Update
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) will do a full workout on Thursday at Double-A Somerset with the expectation being that he will start his minor-league assignment on Friday. LeMahieu went on a rehab assignment in the minors last month before being shut down after just one game due to renewed soreness in his right foot, so hopefully this time around he'll be able to get through a handful of games and then be activated from the injured list in order to make his 2024 debut in the Bronx.
DJ LeMahieu will do a full workout today at Double-A Somerset with the expectation being that he will begin his rehab assignment on Friday.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) May 16, 2024
The Yankees surely won't rush the 35-year-old veteran back to the majors, but when he's ready, he figures to be the team's primary option at the hot corner despite a disappointing performance at the plate in 2023.
Coby Mayo Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles infield prospect Coby Mayo (undisclosed), the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was removed from the game on Thursday with Triple-A Norfolk as a precaution after he collided with part of the third base dugout. It's unclear exactly what type of injury Mayo is dealing with, but it doesn't sound serious. Fantasy managers stashing Mayo in their leagues will want to check back for more information later on Thursday or Friday.
#Orioles prospect Coby Mayo (O’s No. 3, @MLBPipeline’s No. 21 overall) was removed from today’s Triple-A Norfolk game as a precaution after he collided with part of the third-base dugout.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) May 16, 2024
The 22-year-old former fourth-round selection by the O's in 2020 entered Thursday's game with a strong .282/.353/.594 slash line with a .947 OPS, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, three steals, and 29 runs scored in 41 games for the Tides. Mayo has been pushing for his first big-league promotion, but this injury could set him back some. The stacked nature of Baltimore's big-league roster will make it hard for Mayo to carve out significant playing time if he does get the call at any point in 2024.
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