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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 17 (2023). His medical background helps analyze MLB injuries for hitters and pitchers.
The second half of the baseball season has started and this is the article I look forward to writing the most. A lot of injured players will return to their respective teams after this week off. And if injured pitchers are not activated right away, they may be over the course of the next week. This is a positive week for injuries as players look to make a push with their teams for the players. You should look to do the same in your fantasy leagues.
Even if you are not doing that well in your leagues, that injury bug that hit your team or bad luck may turn around and may hit another team in your league. Never mail it in as it is too early (only half over) in the baseball season to do so. I will continue to highlight injured players and when they should return to help you in your quest to finish the season strong!
Here's a little about myself for new readers. My name is Reuven Guy and I am a practicing orthopedic/pain management Physician Assistant. I have been dealing with sports injuries for the past 16+ years and have a knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same time period, which has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball which I hope to share with you. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest MLB breaking news with our award-winning news desk and our free fantasy baseball mobile app with 24/7 push notification alerts!
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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Luis Robert (OF, CHW)- Calf: Robert began experiencing tightness in his right calf during the first round of the Home Run Derby this past Monday. As a precaution, Robert sat out the All-Star Game. The severity of the injury is still unknown and will be evaluated by the White Sox prior to their first game back. He is officially listed as day-to-day.
Aaron Judge (OF, NYY)- Toe: Aaron Judge was placed on the IL with a sprained right big toe. Judge has been doing some light hitting along with playing catch. On a recent podcast, Bret Boone, brother of Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he has been hearing, not from his brother, that Judge may return soon after the All-Star break. Take that for whatever that may mean.
Ke'Bryan Hayes (3B, PIT)- Back: Ke'Bryan Hayes was placed on the IL with lower back pain. The earliest he could be activated is July 17. Jared Triolo could see some time at third with Hayes out.
Yordan Alvarez (OF, HOU)- Oblique: Yordan Alvarez is on the IL with a Grade 1 oblique strain. Alvarez is set to begin a rehab assignment over the weekend and could return to the Astros’ lineup sometime next week.
Jose Altuve (2B, HOU)- Oblique: Altuve was placed on the IL with a “minor” left oblique strain. Altuve has already taken some grounders at second in an effort to return from the IL. Astros general manager Dana Brown said this week that Altuve is healing faster than anticipated, but the is not expected to be activated from the IL when first eligible on July 14.
Rowdy Tellez (1B, MIL)- Forearm: Tellez was placed on the IL with right forearm inflammation. The severity is not known. The earliest he is eligible to return is July 15.
Chris Taylor (OF, LAD)- Knee: Chris Taylor was placed on the IL with a right knee bone bruise. Taylor is currently on a rehab assignment and could be activated from the IL this weekend.
Jorge Polanco (SS, MIN)- Hamstring: Jorge Polanco has been on the IL since late May with a left hamstring strain. He has been doing baseball activities and could begin a rehab assignment this weekend.
Brandon Drury (1B, ARI)- Shoulder: Drury was placed on the IL with a left shoulder contusion. He will not return until at least after the All-Star game. His MRI came back only showing inflammation. He did receive a cortisone injection to help with the healing process. Drury could return from the IL this weekend.
Nick Madrigal (3B, CHC)- Hamstring: Madrigal was placed on the IL with a right hamstring strain. MRI revealed a moderate strain. This usually takes around six weeks to fully recover from. Christopher Morel and Patrick Wisdom should get more playing time with Madrigal out.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Bryce Miller (SP, SEA)- Finger: Miller was placed on the IL with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand and is "not going to pitch for a while" according to Mariners manager Scott Servais. Servais added Miller will be limited to playing light catch for the time being. There is no timeline for his recovery.
Shane McClanahan (SP, TB)- Back: McClanahan landed on the IL this past week with mid-back tightness. The earliest he could return is this Sunday.
Edward Cabrera (SP, MIA)- Shoulder: Cabrera is on the IL since mid-June with shoulder impingement. He is currently on a rehab assignment and could return to the majors by the end of July.
Max Fried (SP, ATL)- Forearm: Fried is on the IL with a left forearm strain. He has begun a rehab assignment and is scheduled to have his next start at Single-A. Barring any setbacks, Fried could return from the IL in less than two weeks.
Hyun Jin Ryu (SP, TOR)- Elbow: Ryu is rehabbing following Tommy John surgery. He has been on a rehab assignment, throwing four innings in his last start. Ryu is trending to return by the end of July.
Anthony DeSclafani (SP, SF)- Shoulder: Desclafani was placed on the IL with right shoulder fatigue. He is scheduled to make a rehab assignment start this weekend with a possible activation from the IL next week.
Brandon Woodruff (SP, MIL)- Shoulder: Brandon Woodruff has been on the IL dealing with a shoulder issue for almost two months. Woodruff has been throwing bullpen sessions prior to getting ready to go out on a rehab assignment. He is still at least three to four weeks away from a return to the Brewers rotation.
Jose Urquidy (SP, HOU)- Shoulder: Jose Urquidy is on the IL with shoulder inflammation. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. If all goes well, he could return by the end of July.
Adam Wainwright (SP, STL)- Shoulder: Wainwright was placed on the IL with a right shoulder strain. He received an injection for his shoulder last week. He remains weeks away from a return.
Merrill Kelly (SP, ARI)- Calf: Merrill Kelly was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf and was placed on the IL. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said that Kelly is in a “really good spot” after throwing a three-inning simulated game. The earliest he could come back is this weekend but is trending to return at the beginning of next week.
Noah Syndergaard (SP, LAD)- Finger: Syndergaard was placed on the IL with a blister on his right index finger. He is scheduled to start a rehab assignment in the near future.
Drew Rasmussen (SP, TB)- Elbow: Rasmussen has been on the IL with a forearm strain. He will undergo an internal brace procedure which will finish his 2023 season and take part of 2024 as well.
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Daniel Hudson (RP, LAD)- Knee: Hudson suffered a sprained MCL on his right knee during his last game and is back on the IL. He was transferred to the 60-day IL and will not be eligible to return until September. This basically rules him out for most of the rest of the fantasy baseball season.
Edwin Diaz (RP, NYM)- Knee: Diaz continues to recover from patellar tendon surgery and hopes to return before the season ends. This will depend on his progress in his injury and how the Mets are doing in the standing. However, his brother, Alexis Diaz said that he is recovering faster and better than expected.
Jose Alvarado (RP, PHI)- Elbow: Alvarado was again placed on the IL with left elbow inflammation, retroactive to July 7. The severity is not yet known but being put on the IL twice over the course of the last few months for the elbow does not bode well for Alvarado.
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