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The midweek MLB slate is set to begin, and there are plenty of banged-up fantasy studs to monitor. Injuries complicate fantasy lineup decisions, so it's important to stay in the know. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Cody Bellinger, Lane Thomas, Zack Gelof, Willson Contreras, J.P. Crawford, Jasson Dominguez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of May 8, 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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Cody Bellinger Injury Update
Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (ribs) went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres. Bellinger was activated from the injured list on Tuesday after missing the last two weeks with a fractured ribcage. The 28-year-old didn't miss a beat on his return, collecting three hits and blasting a solo shot off Randy Vasquez in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.
Before landing on the injured list in mid-April, Bellinger was on an eight-game hitting streak entering Tuesday's contest. He extended his hitting streak to nine games and is slashing .382/.447/.794 with four home runs, eight RBI, and six runs during that span. Overall, Bellinger is slashing .250/.337/.489 with six home runs and 11 RBI across 101 plate appearances in 2024. Bellinger appears over his rib injury and should be started in all leagues. (MLB.com)
Lane Thomas Injury Update
Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas (knee) took full batting practice on the field on Tuesday for the first time since going on the injured list with a left MCL sprain two weeks ago. It's good progress for Thomas, but he still has other boxes to check before the club clears him to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment. Barring a setback with his knee, the 28-year-old should be able to return to Washington's lineup before the end of May. In his absence, the left-handed-hitting Jesse Winker has seen more run in the Nationals' outfield.
Lane Thomas is taking full BP on the field for the first time since going on the IL with his MCL sprain.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) May 7, 2024
When he's healthy, Thomas will return to everyday duties for the team despite hitting .184 in his first 87 at-bats. He had added two home runs, 10 RBI, and, 11 stolen bases. Thomas' 20-20 potential makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy leagues.
Zack Gelof Injury Update
Oakland Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (oblique) returned to baseball activities on May 1 by taking grounders at second base and playing catch before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has also resumed taking light swings in the cage, but there remains no timeline for Gelof to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, as the A's don't want to rush him back and have him potentially aggravate his oblique injury.
Oblique injuries are notoriously tough to return from, so the 24-year-old is going to be brought along slowly in his rehab. With Gelof out, Abraham Toro has capitalized on frequent playing time at the keystone. Gelof, the former second-rounder in 2021 out of Virginia, impressed in his major-league debut last year but was hitting just .196 (18-for-92) with three home runs, seven RBI, and four steals at the time of his injury. (MLB.com)
Willson Contreras Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (forearm) said he will have surgery on his fractured left forearm in the coming days. Doctors have told him that he will likely miss six to eight weeks, but Contreras said he hopes to return to the team by the All-Star game in mid-July.
#STLCards catcher Willson Contreras said he will have surgery on his fractured left forearm in the coming days. Doctors have told him that he will likely miss 6-8 weeks.
He said he hopes to return by the MLB All-Star Game in mid-July.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) May 8, 2024
The 31-year-old veteran backstop was hit by the swing of Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez on Tuesday night and was in obvious pain. With Contreras now out for the foreseeable future, Ivan Herrera's fantasy stock just skyrocketed as St. Louis' primary catcher. The team is likely to recall Pedro Pages from Triple-A Memphis when they officially put Contreras on the injured list. Contreras entered Tuesday's game hitting .274 (29-for-106) with six home runs, 1,2 RBI, and two steals. He needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats while he's out.
J.P. Crawford Injury Update
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique) was able to take swings in the batting cage on Tuesday. Manager Scott Servais mentioned that Crawford should be able to start swinging on the field this weekend. If he's 100 percent this weekend then Crawford should be able to go on a rehab assignment next week.
Scott Servais said he got video of JP Crawford hitting in the cage in Arizona. He’s progressing to hitting on the field. The hope is he that he can swing at 100 percent this weekend in Seattle and go on a brief rehab stint.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) May 7, 2024
Crawford has been out of the lineup since late April due to an oblique injury. Dylan Moore will cover shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander Bailey Ober on Tuesday.
Jasson Dominguez Injury Update
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (elbow) is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment in mid-to-late May. The 21-year-old continues recovering from last year's Tommy John surgery. The hope is that Dominguez can rejoin the outfield mix at some point next month. The top prospect did well with the team during his first taste of big-league action last season. He should be an impact player once he's back to full health.
Jasson Domínguez is less than two weeks away from starting up a rehab assignment, per Aaron Boone.
Here's the latest, along with the rest of today's full slate of positive #Yankees injury updates:https://t.co/Mr4GkID0UM
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) May 7, 2024
Gio Urshela Injury Update
Detroit Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela (hamstring) ran the bases and took batting practice ahead of Tuesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, and he will do so again on Wednesday. If all goes well, Urshela could begin a minor-league rehab assignment sometime soon after the Tigers return home on Friday for the start of a three-game series with the Houston Astros.
#Tigers medical update: Gio Urshela (right hamstring strain) is scheduled to run the bases again Wednesday at Progressive Field, which could be the final test before he begins a rehab assignment. pic.twitter.com/WYVh7FxtCI
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) May 7, 2024
Although the 32-year-old defensive-minded infielder was hitting .298 (17-for-57) before going on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right hamstring, he has only six RBI, two extra-base hits, and four runs scored through 18 games (57 at-bats) as Detroit's primary third baseman and doesn't need to be stashed in most fantasy leagues. Matt Vierling is worth a look in AL-only formats in the meantime, however, slashing .286/.321/.510 with two home runs, one double, two triples, and seven RBI over his last 49 ABs (15 games).
Victor Robles Injury Update
The Washington Nationals reinstated outfielder Victor Robles (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Alex Call to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. Robles will return to the big leagues after missing more than a month due to a strained left hamstring.
The Nationals have made the following roster moves:
- LHP Robert Garcia and OF Victor Robles both returned from rehab assignment and reinstated from the IL.
- Alex Call optioned to Triple-A Rochester.
- RHP Matt Barnes designated for assignment.
More: https://t.co/r7zCYkzipW pic.twitter.com/S8bgxPK3bG
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 7, 2024
The 26-year-old went 7-for-20 with a stolen base in six minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Rochester, but he was not immediately back in the big-league lineup for the Nats on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles. The Dominican speedster has been a disappointment in his seven years in D.C., so regular playing time will not be guaranteed now that he's back, especially since Jacob Young has played well in his absence.
Oswald Peraza Injury Update
New York Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza (shoulder) made a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday night with Single-A Tampa. Peraza hasn't played at all this year after suffering a right shoulder strain in spring training in late February.
🚨JUST IN... 👉@Yankees INF Oswald Peraza is currently scheduled to commence an #MLB Rehab Assignment TONIGHT @GMSField!!
Get Your $2🎟️ for TONIGHT'S Tail Waggin' $2 Tuesday DOUBLE HEADER Presented By @TheVEGolution➡️ https://t.co/WoFVVblBAL
Game One Starts @ 4:00PM! 🎣 pic.twitter.com/puyMMbqDUG
— Tampa Tarpons (@TampaTarpons) May 7, 2024
The 23-year-old is probably going to require a lengthy stint in the minor leagues before the Yankees consider adding him to the major league roster. If he's able to return before DJ LeMahieu (foot) does, the 23-year-old infielder could see playing time at the hot corner in the Bronx. Peraza performed well in the minors last year but struggled in 52 contests at the big-league level, slashing .191/.267/.272 with two home runs, 14 RBI, and four stolen bases in 191 plate appearances. When the entire Yankees roster is healthy, Peraza profiles as a utility infielder.
Miguel Andujar Injury Update
Oakland Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar (knee), who had surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee on March 27, resumed taking batting practice, but manager Mark Kotsay said on Sunday that the outfielder is experiencing lateral knee soreness, a "slight setback" that will slow his progress. Andujar was originally given a recovery timeline of at least four to six weeks. He's expected to join the big-league club after he goes on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Given the nature of the 29-year-old's injury and his long layoff, it wouldn't be a surprise if he wasn't able to return to the A's until June. It remains to be seen what role Andujar will have once he makes his 2024 MLB debut. He's a name worth monitoring in AL-only formats once he gets closer to a return. (MLB.com)
Aledmys Diaz Injury Update
Oakland Athletics infielder Aledmys Diaz (calf) has resumed taking batting practice. He has not started running the bases yet, but manager Mark Kotsay said that once Diaz does so without issue, he could be ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 33-year-old veteran utility man is slowly making progress but is probably still a month away from being able to make his 2024 debut with the A's.
The Cuban infielder won't be guaranteed playing time when he's able to return, though, after disappointing with a .229/.280/.337 slash line in his first year with the team in 2023 in 109 games. Even if Diaz does find regular playing time when he's healthy, he'll have a low ceiling with minimal power and speed. Diaz hasn't hit more than 18 home runs in a single season in his eight-year big-league career. (MLB.com)
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