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Each week brings a new set of highly valuable fantasy baseball hitters dealing with minor or major aliment, causing trouble for fantasy lineups. The middle part of the season can be the most draining for players and fantasy managers alike, but it's important to stay updated with the latest injury news. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Cody Bellinger, Byron Buxton, Max Muncy, Kris Bryant, Ketel Marte, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of June 16, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. 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 force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.
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
The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Cody Bellinger (knee) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday. Bellinger started at first base and batted sixth on Thursday against Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Johan Oviedo.
The 27-year-old left-handed slugger missed four weeks with a left-knee contusion, but he'll be returning to a .271 average (39-for-144) with seven homers, 20 RBI and nine stolen bases. Hopefully, the former MVP can pick up where he left off at the plate. The 25-year-old should be back again at some point, but he'll need to make more contact if he wants to see more playing time in Chicago.
Byron Buxton Injury Update
Minnesota Twins designated hitter/outfielder Byron Buxton has been activated off the injured list after dealing with a rib injury. Buxton was hit by a pitch in the ribs on June 1, and while he avoided breaking any ribs, he needed some time off to allow his contusion to heal. Prior to hitting the shelf, Buxton had recorded just one base over a five-game span while his average is down to just .220 on the season.
However, Buxton has at least provided fantasy managers with a power/speed combination with 10 homers and six stolen bases alongside 31 runs scored. He returned to hit second against Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd on Thursday while outfielder Trevor Larnach was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
Max Muncy Injury Update
Kris Bryant Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant (heel) has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 after suffering a bruised left heel. There's still no timetable for his return, but he did join the team on Thursday and took some swings in the cage. Bryant expects to increase his baseball activities in the coming days, so hopefully, he can return soon.
The former MVP has disappointed since coming to Colorado, playing just 92 games since the start of 2022. This season, Bryant's slashing .263/.346/.374 with five homers, 21 runs, and 17 RBI over 50 contests. Fantasy managers should still hold onto the 31-year-old and give him some more time to find his power stroke.
Ketel Marte Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (back) was back in the starting lineup Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Marte got the night off with a sore back Wednesday against left-hander Ranger Suarez, but he got back at it Thursday afternoon against Phillies righty Aaron Nola.
Marte is in the midst of a resurgent season, as he's hitting .280 with nine home runs, six stolen bases, and an .826 OPS across 63 games played prior to yesterday's action. In his return, he hit a homerun and scored three RBIs. While he's been a big-time fantasy asset at a thin second-base position, Marte's .335 xwOBA is below his .356 wOBA while he sports middling hard-hit and barrel rates, potentially leading to regression moving forward.
Anthony Rendon Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (wrist) was hit by a pitch on his wrist in the first inning of Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers and is getting X-rays to determine the severity of the injury. Rendon had to stay in the game because the Angels are shorthanded in the infield and didn't have anyone else who could play third after Gio Urshela (hip) was pulled from the game with an injury of his own.
Rendon hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire anyways, slashing .074/.167/.148 in June with no homers or steals. He doesn't need to be rostered outside of AL-only leagues, especially if his injury causes him to miss time.
Yoan Moncada Injury Update
Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (back) is heading to the injured list on Thursday, and the team is recalling infielder Zach Remillard from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move, according to a source. Moncada sat out the win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday with a back injury that has bothered him since spring training, and now he'll miss more time after going 7-for-50 (.140) with one homer in his last 15 games.
He was also on the IL from April 10 to May 12 with a protruding disc in his back, so it's more bad news that the injury hasn't gone away. Jake Burger played third base Wednesday and hit two home runs. He now has 15 long balls on the year and has been much more productive than the disappointing Moncada in 2023.
Jake Fraley Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (wrist) has been on the 10-day injured list since June 10 after sustaining a right wrist contusion. However, he'll avoid surgery and expects to be back in action on Sunday for the contest against the Houston Astros, according to MLB.com.
Fraley was enjoying a solid campaign before the ailment, posting a .262/.350/.430 slash line with seven homers, 23 runs, 38 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. The 28-year-old's underrated production is useful in just about every league, and fantasy owners should hold onto him during his recovery.
Joey Votto Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (biceps, shoulder) had his best minor-league rehab performance on Thursday for Triple-A Louisville, going 2-for-2 with a solo home run, two runs scored and two walks. The veteran left-handed slugger has now cleared the fences twice on his rehab assignment in his last five games, and he's getting closer to making his season debut for the Reds.
The 39-year-old has taken a while to recover after having surgery on his left bicep and shoulder in the offseason, but he appears to be fully healthy now. The six-time All-Star clearly isn't in his prime anymore after hitting .205 with 11 homers and 41 RBI in 91 games in 2022, but he should at least see partial playing time at first base and designated hitter when he returns to Cincinnati.
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