Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Hitters - Updates for Francisco Lindor, Masataka Yoshida, Austin Hays, TJ Friedl, Vaughn Grissom, Matt McLain, and more

As we approach weekend MLB baseball, there are plenty of hitter injuries to cover ahead of Friday's slate. With fantasy baseball lineup decisions in mind, let's take a look at injured hitters Francisco Lindor, Masataka Yoshida, Austin Hays, TJ Friedl, Vaughn Grissom, Matt McLain, and more.

This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of May 3, 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.

• Fantasy baseball injury reports
• Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
• Daily MLB starting lineups for fantasy baseball
• Fantasy baseball BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
• Fantasy baseball PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
• Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts, bullpens, saves
• Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard, daily leaderboards

Francisco Lindor Injury Update

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (illness) did not start Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs, but he still managed to make a massive impact. The talented infielder came off the bench in the sixth inning and proceeded to hit a two-run double to bring the Mets within a run. In extra innings, Lindor smacked another double to cash in two runs and earn the walk-off win.

It was one of Lindor's stronger games this season, as he has struggled at the plate in the early going. His .207/.287/.380 slash line is rather uninspiring, so hopefully this performance kick-starts the four-time All-Star. (MLB.com)

Masataka Yoshida Injury Update

The Boston Red Sox's medical staff is still gathering information on outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida's (hand) injury, and surgery isn't being ruled out. Yoshida jammed his left thumb in Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs and landed on the injured list on Wednesday with a left thumb sprain.

Medical staff still gathering information on Yoshida. Figuring out if surgery is a possibility.

Pivetta is slated for 4 innings today in Worcester.

Romy Gonzalez starts a rehab assignment tomorrow.

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) May 2, 2024

If surgery is needed, he'll obviously need to miss extended time, but a specific timetable probably won't be known until after he goes under the knife. Until Yoshida is able to return, the newly acquired Garrett Cooper figures to serve as Boston's primary designated hitter. The 30-year-old Tanaka continues to make plenty of contact and is currently hitting .275 (22-for-80) with a nice .348 on-base percentage, but he only has two home runs and has driven in 11.

Austin Hays Injury Update

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays (calf) said his left calf feels much better, and he has run the past few days. He is running the bases and doing some hitting on Thursday, but he's unsure if he'll need to go on a brief minor-league rehab assignment. Not only is the 28-year-old on the 10-day injured list with a left-calf strain, but before his injury, he had fallen out of favor in Baltimore's outfield due to the impressive start for rookie outfielder Colton Cowser.

Austin Hays says his left calf feels much better. He's run the past few days and is running the bases and hitting today. Not sure if he'd need a brief rehab assignment #orioles

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) May 2, 2024

Since his placement on the IL, the O's also called up top outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad, although Kjerstad could be sent back to the minors once Hays is ready to return. Hays is currently hitting just .111 (5-for-45) with no homers and two RBI, and he'll almost certainly return to a bench role when he's eventually reinstated.

TJ Friedl, Alex Young Injury Update

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) and left-handed reliever Alex Young (back) are heading out on minor-league rehab assignments on Thursday with Triple-A Louisville. Manager David Bell said the rehab assignment will be like spring training for Friedl, who had his spring training cut short due to a small fracture in his right wrist in mid-March. It means that the 28-year-old will likely be in the minors for the maximum amount of time, especially given how crowded Cincy's outfield rotation already is.

TJ Friedl and Alex Young are heading to Triple-A for a rehab assignment.

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 2, 2024

Once he's back with the Reds, Friedl will battle for playing time against right-handed pitching. Young, who is on the 60-day injured list while recovering from low-back disc degeneration, won't be eligible to return until late May.

Vaughn Grissom Injury Update

Boston Red Sox middle infielder Vaughn Grissom (hamstring, illness) is feeling a lot better and is excited to travel with the team to Minnesota for a three-game series against the Twins that starts on Friday. Grissom said if the Red Sox needed him to pinch hit on Thursday, he would have been ready. All signs are pointing to the 23-year-old being activated from the injured list to make his Red Sox debut on Friday. He was initially expected to return this Tuesday, but an illness caused his return to be pushed back.

Vaughn Grissom is feeling a lot better and excited to travel with the team to Minnesota.
He told me if Alex Cora needed him to pinch-hit today, he’d be ready.

— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) May 2, 2024

Grissom, who has 15-15 capabilities, even after a late start to the season, will operate as the team's regular second baseman and should be picked up in fantasy leagues if he's available on the waiver wire. Boston acquired Grissom from the Braves as part of the Chris Sale trade in the offseason.

Matt McLain Injury Update

Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain (shoulder) is about a week away from a follow-up appointment with a doctor. The evaluation should allow the Reds to map out a clearer return timetable for McLain, who is recovering from March 26 left shoulder surgery. Manager David Bell said on April 1 that "there is a chance [McLain] gets back this year," so fantasy managers should still be prepared for the 24-year-old former top prospect to be sidelined through the All-Star break.

With McLain on the shelf, former National League Rookie of the Year Jonathan India is operating as Cincy's everyday second baseman. India could heat up in a hurry, and over his last nine games, he's batting a strong .344 (11-for-32) with one home run, six RBI, three runs scored, one stolen base, and three walks. (Cincinnati.com)

DJ LeMahieu Injury Update

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) reported to Yankee Stadium on Wednesday and told the club's training staff that he was "feeling great," according to manager Aaron Boone. LeMahieu appears to be close to resuming baseball activities, and a minor-league rehab assignment doesn't appear far off.

The 35-year-old veteran contact hitter suffered a setback while recovering from a non-displaced fracture in his right foot with Double-A Somerset after one inning on April 23, but he should still be able to return sometime in mid-to-late May if he can avoid any additional hitches in the road during his progression. The switch-hitting Oswaldo Cabrera is serving as New York's everyday third baseman for now, but he's losing steam with a .236/.259/.327 triple-slash line in his most recent 55 at-bats (15 games) and LeMahieu's return approaching. (NYDailyNews)

Dylan Carlson Injury Update

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (shoulder) went 2-for-3 with a home run in a rehab game with Triple-A Memphis. Carlson was playing in his second rehab game and was used as the designated hitter in this one after playing in center field on Wednesday.

He will likely need a decent amount of time to get himself ready for a return to the majors, as he hasn't yet played in a game for the Cardinals this year after suffering a sprained left shoulder in Spring Training. The 25-year-old doesn't have much fantasy appeal, but he was once a well-regarded prospect and is still young, so a post-hype breakout is possible. (MILB.com)

More Fantasy Baseball Advice