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Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 14, 2024. His medical background helps analyze MLB injuries for hitters and pitchers.
This past week, we saw a lot of marquee names go on the injured list. Big names going down from teams that are in the pennant race are a big deal. The question that fans of these teams always ask is how they will replace these All-Star caliber players. The answer to this is that most of the time, this cannot be done with "internal fixes." A lot of times, these teams resort to making trades to try to get someone who could be an adequate fill-in. We do the same when these players go down on our fantasy teams.
The key to replacing the stats that we are going to miss out on due to injuries could be made up a little bit easier by us than by the real Major League teams. We have a waiver wire that could be used to try to find replacement-level stats. We could make trades in most of our leagues without having to worry about salary cap ramifications. But just like the real teams, as we act as general managers, sometimes the best action is a reaction and not an overreaction. Players get hurt all the time, and it is up to us to navigate these bumps in the road. I will continue to try to help steer you with this navigation by discussing the injured players and when you could expect them back in your lineups.
Here's a little about myself for both new and returning 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 17+ years. Therefore, I have knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same time. This 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
Mookie Betts (SS, LAD)- Wrist: Betts was hit by a pitch on his wrist and has a fracture. He was placed on the IL. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week that the expectation is that Betts will miss six to eight weeks. As of now, no surgery is thought to be needed. Miguel Rojas is expected to be the Dodgers' regular shortstop until Betts returns.
Mookie Betts exited the game after being hit in the hand with a 98mph fastball pic.twitter.com/lmRB3571Tt
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 16, 2024
Kyle Tucker (OF, HOU)- Leg: Tucker is on the IL with a bruised right shin. He fouled a ball off of his leg. Astros manager Joe Espada said this week that he is hopeful that Tucker will be ready to begin baseball activities this weekend. Because of how long Tucker has been out, he may require a rehab assignment before he can be activated from the IL.
Michael Harris II (OF, ATL)- Hamstring: Harris is on the IL with a strained left hamstring. Braves manager Brian Snitker said that Harris has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and is without a timetable for a return. The usual timeline for this type of injury severity is six to eight weeks. Ramon Laureano has been filling in so far in center field for the Braves.
J.T. Realmuto (C, PHI)- Knee: Realmuto was placed on the IL with a torn right meniscus. He had surgery and is expected to miss about a month. Right now, July 19th seems to be around the time Realmuto should return.
Bo Bichette (SS, TOR)- Calf: Bichette was placed on the IL this week with a right calf strain. He had missed a few games before being put on the IL, which meant the Blue Jays did not originally think he needed to go on the IL. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Orelvis Martinez should fill in for Bichette.
NEWS: The #BlueJays have placed Bo Bichette on the IL with a right calf strain and recalled No. 2 prospect Orelvis Martinez.
A big decision on Martinez that adds another young bat to this roster.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 18, 2024
Mike Trout (OF, LAA)- Knee: Trout continues to recover from meniscus surgery. He said this week that his recovery from the surgery has gone slower than expected and that he does not have a timetable for his return yet. Barring a significant improvement, Trout may not return until the end of July or the beginning of August.
Anthony Rizzo (1B, NYY)- Forearm: Rizzo fractured his right forearm after colliding with the Red Sox first baseman and landing on his arm. He is expected to be out for up to eight weeks. He was transferred to the 60-day IL. Ben Rice was called up to take over first base for the Yankees for the time being.
Anthony Rizzo left the game after this collision at first base. pic.twitter.com/ee4gurvVFR
— ESPN (@espn) June 17, 2024
Jasson Dominguez (OF, NYY)- Oblique: Yankees manager Aaron Boone said this week that Dominguez is dealing with a moderate left oblique strain. They did not give a timeline for his return, but this severity of injury usually lands players on the IL for six to eight weeks.
Willson Contreras (C, STL)- Forearm: Contreras is six weeks into a projected ten-week timetable following surgery to repair a fractured left forearm, and he is "eager to push the timetable for his return." Contreras could be activated as early as June 24.
Michael Massey (2B, KC)- Back: Massey was placed on the IL this week with a low-back ligament sprain. He has begun a rehab assignment and could be back as early as next week.
Max Muncy (3B, LAD)- Oblique: Muncy was placed on the IL with an oblique strain. Muncy has not yet begun swinging a bat and is not close to returning. There is no timetable for his return.
Wilyer Abreu (OF, BOS)- Ankle: Abreu was placed on the IL with a right ankle sprain. Abreu is on a rehab assignment and could be activated this weekend.
Brendan Rodgers (2B, COL)- Hamstring: Rodgers was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Rodgers has begun a rehab assignment and could be back as soon as this weekend.
Alek Thomas (OF, ARI)- Hamstring: Thomas is currently rehabbing a left hamstring strain. Diamondbacks Torey Lovullo said this week that his rehab assignment has been paused due to "general soreness." Lovullo added that he is "very" optimistic Thomas will be able to resume the rehab assignment soon. Thomas may be back closer to July than the end of June.
Mike Tauchman (OF, CHC)- Groin: Tauchman was placed on the IL this week with a groin strain. It is a Grade 2 strain, and it is expected to take four weeks to heal, followed by a rehab assignment. This injury should put him out until after the All-Star break.
Both Walker Buehler and #Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted that it's possible the right-hander could get a blow, which could allow him to get a reset and work on some things without doing it in big league games. They're still talking through it, nothing has been determined.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) June 19, 2024
Joey Gallo (1B, WAS)- Hamstring: Gallo was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that Gallo’s MRI revealed a "significant hamstring strain." Martinez did not give a return timeline for Gallo, but said that Gallo will be out for "a while." Joey Meneses has been acting as the Nats' primary first baseman since Gallo landed on the IL.
Javier Baez (SS, DET)- Back: Baez is on the IL with lumbar spine (low back) inflammation. He has already received an injection, and he does not have a return timeline set. The Tigers are preparing for him to miss more than the minimum time on the IL. Zach McKinstry and Ryan Kreidler have formed a platoon at shortstop since Baez went on the shelf.
Elias Diaz (C, COL)- Calf: Diaz is on the IL with a left calf strain. Diaz has not yet resumed running, and there is no timeline for his return. Jacob Stallings and Hunter Goodman should split time behind the plate for the Rockies.
Kris Bryant (OF, COL)- Oblique: Bryant was placed on the IL with an internal oblique strain in addition to a left rib contusion. The severity is not yet known, but with a player with known back problems, a rib issue is not ideal. Charlie Blackmon has been the Rockies' main designated hitter since Bryant was shut down, while Jake Cave and Michael Toglia have picked up more playing time.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP, LAD)- Shoulder: Yamamoto was placed on the IL with right triceps tightness. He was then diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain following an MRI. Manager Dave Roberts said that while the injury is not "season-ending," Yamamoto Is "not going to throw for a couple of weeks, then we'll see where we go from there." Bobby Miller should fill in for the Dodgers.
Walker Buehler (SP, LAD)- Hip: Buehler has been placed on the IL due to hip discomfort. He was hit in the hip by a comebacker this week, and he was also dealing with a hip issue prior to that incident. There is no timeline for his return.
Both Walker Buehler and #Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted that it's possible the right-hander could get a blow, which could allow him to get a reset and work on some things without doing it in big league games. They're still talking through it, nothing has been determined.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) June 19, 2024
Justin Verlander (SP, HOU)- Neck: Verlander was placed on the IL with neck discomfort. Astros manager Joe Espada said that Verlander was progressing slower than expected from the neck discomfort that scratched him from his previously scheduled start. There is no timeline for his return.
Astros manager Joe Espada tells @SportsMT that Justin Verlander’s progress “is slower than we expected.” Thursday’s starter against the White Sox is still TBA.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 18, 2024
Zac Gallen (SP, ARI)- Hamstring: Gallen was placed on the IL due to a right hamstring strain. Gallen is scheduled to throw another simulated game early next week and could be reinstated from the IL soon after that.
Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD)- Shoulder: Kershaw continues to recover from November 2023 shoulder surgery. He pitched in a rehab start and is trending toward a mid-July return to the Dodgers rotation.
Blake Snell (SP, SF)- Groin: Snell was placed on the IL with a mild left groin strain. Snell has thrown a simulated game, but there is still no definite timetable for his return.
Robbie Ray (SP, SEA)- Elbow: Ray continues to recover from Tommy John surgery last May. He continues his rehab assignment and remains on track to return around the All-Star break.
Edward Cabrera (SP, MIA)- Shoulder: Cabrera continues to recover from right shoulder impingement. He has made a rehab start and should need one more start before being activated from the IL.
Josiah Gray (SP, WAS)- Elbow: Gray continues to rehab his elbow injury. He has made five rehab starts and could be activated from the IL as early as next week.
Hurston Waldrep (SP, ATL)- Elbow: Waldrep was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation. He was scheduled to be shut down for about a week, after which time he could begin a throwing program. There is no timeline for his return.
Kyle Harrison (SP, SF)- Ankle: Harrison was placed on the IL with a right ankle sprain. The severity is not yet known, and there is no timeline for his return.
Dean Kremer (SP, BAL)- Triceps: Kremer is on the IL with a right triceps strain. He is scheduled to make another rehab start this weekend and could return to the Orioles rotation next week.
Clarke Schmidt (SP, NYY)- Lat: Schmidt is on the IL with a right lat strain. He is still in the shutdown phase of his recovery. He was transferred to the 60-day IL. This means his earliest activation time would be August 2.
Martin Perez (SP, PIT)- Groin: Perez is on the IL with a left groin strain. He threw a live batting practice this week but there is no timeline for his return as of yet.
Kyle Bradish (SP, BAL)- Elbow: Bradish was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in mid-February. He then had a PRP injection, rehab, and pitched up until recently. Orioles general manager Mike Elias has recently announced that Bradish had Tommy John surgery with an internal brace this week. He is done for the year and now has next year in doubt as well. This will depend on how his recovery goes.
Ben Brown (SP, CHC)- Neck: Brown was placed on the IL with a left-sided neck strain. This was then termed a stress reaction to his neck. He has already begun playing catch. With Jordan Wicks also on the IL with an oblique issue, Kyle Hendricks has been forced back into the Cubs rotation.
Ryan Weathers (SP, MIA)- Finger: Weathers was placed on the IL with a left index finger strain. Weathers has not yet resumed throwing but no longer has pain in his finger. There is no timeline for his return.
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Jordan Romano (RP, TOR)- Elbow: Romano was placed on the IL with right-elbow inflammation. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Romano threw from 90-to-120 feet this week. There is no timeline for his return and he still may need a rehab assignment before being activated.
Danny Coulombe (RP, BAL)- Elbow: Orioles general manager Mike Elias said this week that Coulombe underwent surgery to remove bone chips in his left elbow. He also said that the Orioles are still hopeful that Coulombe will be able to return to the team's bullpen before the end of the season, likely sometime in September.
Alex Lange (RP, DET)- Lat: Lange was placed on the IL with a right lat injury. The Tigers have called it a "right lat avulsion injury." He is scheduled for surgery, and his season is unfortunately over.
Yimi Garcia (RP, TOR)- Elbow: Garcia was placed on the IL this week with right elbow ulnar neuritis. An MRI showed no structural damage to Garcia's right elbow, but it did reveal ulnar nerve symptoms. There is no timetable for his return. With Jordan Romano also out, Chad Green should be the interim closer for the Blue Jays.
Blue Jays do indeed place Yimi Garcia on IL with right elbow ulnar neuritis. Brandon Eisert is selected to the roster. https://t.co/DTV6xVPU27
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) June 17, 2024
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