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A weekend of great MLB baseball is upon us, but there will be several key fantasy hitters out of action or questionable to play heading into Friday's slate of games. It's the time of year when fantasy managers must lock in and stay up to date with the latest injury headlines. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Mike Trout, Max Muncy, Byron Buxton, Anthony Rizzo, J.D. Martinez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of August 4, 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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Mike Trout Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (wrist) is expected to progress to hitting off a tee as early as Thursday. Trout had previously taken dry swings on Monday and Tuesday. Manager Phil Nevin said Trout's ramp-up should be pretty quick once he starts hitting a baseball. The 31-year-old had surgery on July 5 after fracturing the hamate bone in his left hand/wrist.
It looks like he's made good progress since, and barring a setback along the way, he could be back in the Halos' starting lineup in center field as early as the middle of August. The Angels desperately need Trout back as they seek to make the postseason for the first time in Shohei Ohtani's career. Trout shouldn't be on the waiver wire anywhere. He's currently hitting .263/.369/.493 with an .862 OPS, 18 homers, 44 RBI and 54 runs scored in 304 at-bats.
Max Muncy Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (wrist) left the game early on Thursday against the Oakland Athletics after he was hit by a pitch on the left wrist, and he was diagnosed with a left-wrist contusion. Muncy walked in two of his plate appearances and scored a run in Thursday's contest before leaving early in the sixth inning after his HBP.
The good news is that X-rays were negative, so it's likely just a day-to-day injury for the 32-year-old heading into a pivotal four-game road series against the division-rival San Diego Padres this weekend. There's a chance Muncy sits out on Friday, but he should appear at some point in the series against SD. Muncy entered Thursday's game hitting under the Mendoza Line but with a useful 27 homers and 70 RBI in 89 games for the Blue.
Byron Buxton Injury Update
Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (hamstring) remained out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Buxton remained on the bench after being scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right-hamstring tightness.
The 29-year-old hasn't missed extended time with an injury in 2023, but he certainly has been far from 100 percent healthy and has yet to play the outfield. He's hitting just .207 (63-for-304) but has been useful for his pop (17 home runs) while driving in 42, stealing nine bases and scoring 49 runs in 85 games. (MLB.com)
Anthony Rizzo Injury Update
The New York Yankees placed first baseman Anthony Rizzo (head) on the concussion injured list on Thursday. Rizzo has been dealing with issues with his head since all the way back in late May after a collision with Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., and it helps explain why he's been cold offensively over most of the summer.
The 33-year-old left-hander could be out for an extended period of time, so fantasy managers need to be prepared for that possibility. Until Rizzo is feeling better, Jake Bauers should be New York's primary first baseman. Rizzo has been a disappointment for fantasy managers with only 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 373 at-bats with a slash line of .244/.328/.378 and a .706 OPS.
J.D. Martinez Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (hamstring) is likely to return to the starting lineup this Saturday against the division-rival San Diego Padres, according to manager Dave Roberts. Martinez hasn't played since Sunday due to left-hamstring tightness, but he's going to avoid the injured list and return this weekend after a bit of rest this week.
The 35-year-old will be returning to a tough matchup in Padres left-hander Blake Snell on Saturday, but Martinez has been a must-start in most fantasy lineups in his first year in LA. He made his sixth All-Star team this year and is batting .260/.310/.562 with an .872 OPS, 25 home runs, 21 doubles, two triples, 75 RBI and 48 runs scored in 365 plate appearances.
Starling Marte Injury Update
New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (head) traveled with the club on their current road trip, and there's a good chance he'll return to action on Friday, according to MLB.com. The 34-year-old has been on the shelf since the middle of July due to migraines, but he's recently been working out and taking batting practice.
Over 84 games this season, Marte's slashing just .254/.308/.332 with five home runs, 38 runs, and 28 RBI, but he's swiped 24 bases. Fantasy managers in need of speed can place the veteran in their starting lineups when he's officially back. (MLB.com)
Justin Turner Injury Update
Boston Red Sox infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner (heel) has missed the past two games with a left-heel contusion, but the 38-year-old and manager Alex Cora are targeting a Friday return with the off day Thursday. That's great news for fantasy managers, as they won't have to wait long to get his production back.
Turner's slashing .286/.356/.481 with 17 homers, 66 runs, 71 RBI, and four stolen bases over 102 contests. The 15-year veteran is valuable in all formats as a solid hitter in the middle of Boston's lineup. (MLB.com)
Oneil Cruz Injury Update
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (ankle) continues to make progress and could start a minor-league rehab assignment in August, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. In other injury news for Pirates infielders, Tucupita Marcano (knee) will have season-ending surgery to fix a torn ACL that he suffered rounding third base on July 24 against the San Diego Padres. Also, Ji Hwan Bae (ankle) will have an extended rehab assignment so that he can play multiple positions.
Cruz has been out since fracturing his left ankle on April 9, and there remains no specific timetable for the 24-year-old's return, although they expect him to return this year. The good news is he has already started to field groundballs and play catch up to 150 feet.
Thairo Estrada Injury Update
San Francisco Giants second baseman Thairo Estrada (hand) has a chance to return from the injured list this weekend, for the series against the Oakland Athletics, according to manager Gabe Kapler. The 27-year-old has missed the last month of action due to a hand fracture sustained on a hit by pitch. Over 70 games, Estrada was enjoying a solid season, slashing .272/.327/.434 with nine home runs, 46 runs, 31 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should be excited to get that kind of production back. (MLB.com)
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