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As the MLB playoffs draw closer, it's never been more crucial for fantasy baseball managers to keep up with the latest injury headlines. Several key players are either out or set to return. Let's take a look at the top injured players including Yu Darvish, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Matt Chapman, Kenley Janson, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters and pitchers as of September 13, 2023. 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 the top fantasy baseball players.
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Yu Darvish Injury Update
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) has been shut down for the remainder of the 2023 season, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Over 24 starts this year, the 11-year veteran pitched to a 4.56 ERA (4.03 FIP), 1.30 WHIP, and 24.6% strikeout rate with eight wins.
However, Darvish suffered an elbow injury at the end of August, and he hasn't progressed quickly enough to return to action before the end of the year. Hopefully, the 37-year-old can put this season behind him and rebound in 2024.
Max Scherzer Injury Update
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Max Scherzer (triceps) will get an MRI exam on Wednesday after dealing with a right-triceps spasm during his start on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. It could be a good sign that Scherzer wanted to pitch through the issue, but the Rangers wouldn't let that happen. He still picked up his 13th win of the year by going 5 1/3 scoreless innings with three hits, one walk and two strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 3.77.
The 39-year-old All-Star should be considered up in the air for his next scheduled start next Monday, depending on the results of his MRI exam and how he feels in the coming days. Scherzer has been strong since coming to the Rangers in a trade with the New York Mets, as he entered Tuesday's game with a 3.63 ERA (3.46 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, 14 walks and 51 K's in 39 2/3 innings in his seven starts in a Rangers uniform.
Clayton Kershaw Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) finished up a bullpen session on Tuesday, and the plan is for him to start on Saturday in Seattle against the Mariners. Due to ongoing issues with his left shoulder, the Dodgers skipped Kershaw's last turn in the starting rotation to give him some extra rest.
The team continues to say that the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer won't make another trip to the injured list, but Kershaw is most likely going to have to pitch through his shoulder issues for the rest of the year. He still has a tidy 2.61 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 123 K's in 117 1/3 innings over 21 starts this year, but his shoulder issue has contributed to a loss of control and drop in velocity. Kershaw has walked eight hitters with eight strikeouts over 10 innings in his last two starts.
Matt Chapman Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman (finger) is going through a full day of baseball activities on Tuesday, including hitting off a velocity machine. The hope is that he will return from the injured list later this week. When Chapman returns to the big-league roster, he'll return to regular duties at the hot corner, moving Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio back to bench roles in Toronto.
In his second year with the Jays, Chapman has hit .248/.338/.431 with 15 home runs, 36 doubles, a triple, 50 RBI, three stolen bases and 61 runs scored in 520 trips to the plate and 125 games. He's been slightly disappointing from a power perspective after clubbing 27 home runs each of the previous two seasons in Oakland and Toronto.
Kenley Janson Injury Update
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was pulled from his outing in the ninth inning in the second game of a doubleheader against the division-rival New York Yankees on Tuesday with fatigue and illness symptoms. It was a rough outing for Jansen, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit while walking one before being pulled in favor of Nick Robertson after failing to record a single out.
The 35-year-old should be considered day-to-day, and it's ultimately good news that he's not dealing with a specific injury or a heart-related issue that he's had in the past. The four-time All-Star is Boston's primary closer and entered Tuesday's games with a 3.43 ERA (3.60 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, 29 saves and 52 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings of work. If he misses any upcoming save situations, they'll likely go to either Chris Martin or Josh Winckowski.
Yandy Diaz Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (groin) is back at first base and is hitting in his usual leadoff spot on Wednesday as the team takes on the Minnesota Twins and left-hander Dallas Keuchel. Diaz suffered a testicular contusion on Tuesday night when he fouled a ball off a sensitive area below his belt, but it turned out to be nothing serious thankfully.
Fantasy managers will want to get the Cuban All-Star back in their starting lineups immediately against Keuchel. The 32-year-old right-handed slugger is hitting a strong .323/.403/.510 on the year with 20 home runs, 71 RBI and 88 runs scored in 480 at-bats for the Rays. Diaz has gone 35-for-106 (.330) with eight of his 20 home runs in 120 plate appearances against southpaws in 2023. (MLB.com)
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