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The MLB season is heating up, but unfortunately, injuries are also piling up. Banged-up key players are sure to complicate fantasy lineup decisions, so it's important to stay in the know. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Ozzie Albies, Rafael Devers, Christian Yelich, Seiya Suzuki, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of April 17, 2024. 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 be important in lineups.
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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Ozzie Albies Injury Update
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that second baseman Ozzie Albies (toe) won't need surgery on his fractured big toe but doesn't have a specific timetable for a return from the injured list. It sounds like there's a chance Albies could be back in two weeks, which means three weeks might be the safer bet, especially this early in the season. It's ultimately good news for the 27-year-old after he was hit by a pitch in Monday's 6-1 win over the Houston Astros.
Snit said Albies won’t need surgery. He didn’t give a timetable. But it sounds like there’s a chance he could be back in two weeks, which means three weeks might be the safer bet, especially this early in the season.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 16, 2024
Fantasy baseball managers must be patient with the All-Star second baseman and keep him stashed in an IL spot in all formats. In the meantime, outfielder Michael Harris II will hit near the top of the batting order, boosting his short-term fantasy stock. Luis Guillorme, who is starting at second on Tuesday, and David Fletcher figure to split playing time at the keystone in Atlanta with Albies hurt.
Rafael Devers Injury Update
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) left Tuesday's game against the visiting Cleveland Guardians with left knee discomfort. Devers went 1-for-2 with two RBI and two walks before being replaced at the hot corner in the eighth inning by Bobby Dalbec. The 27-year-old missed several games last weekend due to a shoulder injury but returned to action on Monday before an injury scare when he collided with outfielder Tyler O'Neill (head), who was forced to leave the game.
Rafael Devers left with left knee discomfort
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) April 17, 2024
For now, fantasy managers should consider Devers as day-to-day while checking back on Wednesday to see if he's back in the starting lineup. The Red Sox can ill-afford another injury to their infield after losing shortstop Trevor Story (shoulder) already for the season. In addition to Dalbec, Pablo Reyes could play some third base if Devers is forced to miss additional time.
Christian Yelich Injury Update
The Milwaukee Brewers placed outfielder Christian Yelich (back) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 13) on Tuesday with a lower-back strain and recalled infielder/outfielder Owen Miller from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move. Yelich was put on the IL after not playing since last Friday. This is definitely an injury that could linger for the 32-year-old Yelich, so fantasy managers should be prepared to be patient if he's forced to miss more than 10 days.
OF Christian Yelich placed on the 10-day injured list with a low back strain, retroactive to April 13.
INF/OF Owen Miller recalled from Triple-A Nashville. pic.twitter.com/XNzjTEaE9Q
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 16, 2024
Keep him stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues after he started the year hitting .333 (13-for-39) with five home runs, 11 RBI, and two steals in 11 games. Blake Perkins is starting in center field and batting sixth against the San Diego Padres and right-hander Dylan Cease on Tuesday, but Joey Wiemer could also see additional playing time in Milwaukee's outfield until Yelich can return.
Seiya Suzuki Injury Update
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique), who went on the injured list on Monday with a right-oblique strain, will be sidelined "in the four-week range," but the Cubs will have a better timeline for his return once he's symptom-free, according to manager Craig Counsell. It means that the 29-year-old won't be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the 10-day IL, but fantasy managers should still keep him stashed in all leagues, especially after he started the year 18-for-59 (.305) with three home runs, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored.
Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain) is sidelined “in the four-week range” but Cubs will have a better timeline for his return once he’s symptom free, Craig Counsell said.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) April 16, 2024
With Suzuki set to miss at least several weeks, outfield prospect Alexander Canario, the club's No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is going to get his first extended look in the big leagues. He's starting in right field and hitting ninth on Tuesday against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Tommy Henry.
Tyler O'Neill Injury Update
Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill (head) cleared the league's concussion protocols and is doing OK after being removed from Monday's game early against the Cleveland Guardians following a collision in the outfield with third baseman Rafael Devers. O'Neill was out of the lineup on Tuesday and will also sit on Wednesday, but manager Alex Cora said he's planning to have O'Neill back in action on Thursday for the series finale against Cleveland.
O’Neill is doing ok, went through concussion protocols and cleared. He’ll sit today and tomorrow and Cora said he’s planning to have him back Thursday.
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) April 16, 2024
The 28-year-old required eight stitches to close a cut on his head above his left eye, but it appears he won't need to go on the seven-day concussion injured list and should return for fantasy managers later this week. O'Neill has enjoyed his time in Beantown so far, going 15-for-48 (.313) in the early going with seven homers, eight RBI, a steal, and 14 runs scored.
Gabriel Moreno Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (thumb) was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the Chicago Cubs with a right-thumb contusion, according to manager Torey Lovullo. The skipper said that Moreno is day-to-day, so check back on Wednesday to see if he's back in the lineup. The injury occurred on the wild pitch that Moreno tried to block in the top of the ninth inning which ended up tying the game in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Cubbies.
Gabriel Moreno was scratched with a right thumb contusion, manager Torey Lovullo said.
It happened on last night’s wild pitch in the ninth inning.
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) April 16, 2024
The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop has gone 11-for-45 (.244) to start the year with no homers and six RBI for the Snakes. Tucker Barnhart is catching left-hander Tommy Henry on Tuesday and is hitting ninth against Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks.
Salvador Perez Injury Update
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (groin) remained out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The veteran catcher has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left groin strain. Despite that, Perez hasn't been placed on the injured list and is considered as day-to-day. It wouldn't be shocking to see Perez miss a few more games while he recovers from this issue.
Happy Brady Bump Day to all who celebrate! pic.twitter.com/4YcZoW0Zbq
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 16, 2024
Jeimer Candelario Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Jeimer Candelario (illness) was scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Hopefully, this is a minor issue and will only force Candelario to miss one game. For now, fantasy managers should simply monitor his status heading into Wednesday's showdown with Seattle.
Jeimer Candelario was scratched with an illness. Updated #Reds lineup:
2B India
LF Benson
1B Encarnacion-Strand
DH Steer
RF Fraley
SS De La Cruz
CF Fairchild
3B Espinal
C Maile
SP Greene https://t.co/sF5M1VsN4p— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 16, 2024
Patrick Wisdom Injury Update
Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Patrick Wisdom (back) is continuing his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa and started Tuesday's game at right field for the first time this year. It's an interesting development for fantasy managers to keep an eye on, as Chicago's everyday right fielder, Seiya Suzuki (oblique), is expected to miss several weeks. Wisdom is essentially fully recovered from a back strain, but Michael Busch's recent power surge (five home runs in his last five games) is likely the reason why he hasn't been activated from the IL just yet.
Back at home against the Bats! pic.twitter.com/QG03KThNU6
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) April 16, 2024
It looks like the Cubs could be grooming Wisdom for some action in right field, however, so his return appears imminent. The 32-year-old slugger is an all-or-nothing power hitter who smashed nine homers in his final 36 outings of the season in 2023, and he could be a decent source of pop if he lands a sizable role upon his reinstatement.
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