When Will Triston Casas Return and Be Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

First base has been a very hit-and-miss position this year in fantasy baseball. Names like Bryce Harper, Pete Alonso, and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. have been living up to their hype and more. Meanwhile, Matt Olson, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt have been ringing disappointments, whether it be due to performance, injury, or both.

Triston Casas was generally considered a top-10 1B in pre-draft rankings for 2024. The upside was felt to be particularly high with Casas as he was more of a "bargain" pick compared to all of those names above who generally were going before him in drafts.

Things came to a screeching halt at the end of April when Casas suffered torn cartilage in his ribcage. He has been on the IL since then, although things are heating up for a possible return.

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Triston Casas Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Casas will head out for a rehab assignment on July 30th at Triple-A Worcester. Details have been minimal on how long this rehab assignment will be, but barring a setback he seems set for a return in the next few weeks.

Triston Casas working on his hands ahead of his first rehab start in Worcester. He’ll DH. pic.twitter.com/CXDpzcsRJ1

— Morey Hershgordon (@MHershgordon) July 30, 2024

Ribcage cartilage is a somewhat rare injury, and a return timeline can be hard to pin down. Thus, it is great that Casas has been cleared for a rehab assignment, which must mean he is fully healed. This injury is somewhat reminiscent of more common oblique injuries - they are very difficult to play through and usually require a full recovery before clearance.

Managers should keep close tabs on how is rehab assignment goes. If Casas has his full torque back (the ribcage being a key component of generating torque), then he will be set up for success and a quick return to the MLB club. Expect a rehab assignment of a week, give or take, and a return in the first or second week of August.

Triston Casas Fantasy Baseball Outlook

As noted above, Casas garnered a lot of hype as a value pick for those who missed the first five or six "big name" 1B in drafts. After a mediocre, limited cup of coffee in the MLB in 2022, Casas burst onto the scene last year with 24 HR in 429 AB in 2023. If that was just the start of an upward trend for a 24-year-old player, Casas could be a major fantasy contributor for the remainder of 2024, 2025, and beyond.

Casas had a solid 6 HR in his limited 90 AB to start 2024. That pace would eclipse 40 HR if he had a full season's worth of AB. Those numbers would be good for a top-five contribution from the 1B position, even with some of the strong performances above.

Managers should keep an eye on Casas' power numbers in particular. He is certainly worth a speculative IL spot immediately in leagues where he is available. For leagues without an IL spot, his return may be imminent enough to use a roster spot on him now. If he has his full power back, he will be a difference-maker down the stretch.

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