X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Baseball Injury News and Updates: Max Scherzer, Reynaldo Lopez, Tyler O'Neill, Max Muncy and much more....

Max Scherzer - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, DFS and Betting Picks

Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 21 of the 2024 season. His medical background helps analyze MLB injuries for hitters and pitchers.

As preseason football kicks off, this is the time of year when fantasy baseball players start to tune out. If a fantasy player is not doing well in his or her league, they may start to turn their full attention to fantasy football. Is this the correct thing to do- just stop actively playing fantasy baseball, a league you drafted four months ago? Is this ethically correct? Whether it is the right thing to do or not, there is a way to be able to take advantage of those fantasy players who have given up and give yourself an edge down the stretch.

Take a look at who has been active on the waiver wire or trading for the last few weeks. Take a look and see who has been setting their lineup and who has an illegal lineup. This will help you know which other teams in your league you will be fighting with for future waiver wire pickups. This would also help you figure out how much of your remaining FAAB you should spend for the next few weeks. Knowing how you should allocate your funds over the next few weeks and into September could be the difference between winning your league or just missing out. I will continue to highlight injured players who may have been dropped a while ago and may be coming back soon. This, along with updates of other injured players, should give you that needed boost to get you across the finish line.

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!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball

Julio Rodriguez (OF, SEA)- Ankle: Rodriguez was placed on the IL with a sprained right ankle. He has begun swinging a bat and doing light running. There is still no timeline for return from the IL, and the soonest he could return is around August 19. 

Michael Harris II (OF, ATL)- Hamstring: Harris continues to recover from his hamstring strain and has been out since June 14. Harris has begun a rehab assignment and could return to the Braves when first eligible on August 14. 

Max Muncy (3B, LAD)- Oblique: Muncy has been on the Il since mid-May with an oblique strain. Muncy is finally beginning a rehab assignment this weekend. Barring any setbacks, Muncy could return by August 19.

Carlos Correa (SS, MIN)- Foot: Correa is on the IL with plantar fasciitis. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said this week, “He's ramping up his running right now…He's not sprinting yet. When he's able to sprint and run the way he needs to, he's going to go on a rehab assignment and go get some at-bats. Then he'll be on his way back at that point. He has not hit that point yet." There is no timetable for his return. 

Tyler O'Neill (OF, BOS)- Illness: O’Neill was placed on the IL this week due to an infection in his lower left leg. If it clears up soon, he could be activated from the IL in the middle of next week. 

Heston Kjerstad (DH, BAL)- Head: Kjerstad was placed on the concussion IL this week. This is the second stint on this IL, the first being from July 13 to July 20. Evidently, Kjerstad is still dealing with lingering symptoms of the concussion nearly a month later and these need to resolve before he starts playing again.

Mookie Betts (2B, LAD)—Hand: Betts is on the IL with a fractured left hand. He is expected to be activated from the IL next week and will now bat second behind Shohei Ohtani.

Starling Marte (OF, NYM)- Knee: Marte is on the IL with a bone bruise on his right knee. Marte has started a rehab assignment and could be activated from the IL as early as August 13. 

Luis Rengifo (2B, LAA)- Wrist: Rengifo was placed on the IL with right wrist inflammation. He ended up needing wrist surgery and is done for the year. 

Tommy Edman (2B, LAD)- Wrist: Edman continues to recover from off-season wrist surgery. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend and is expected to be on the assignment for at least one week.  

Kyle Tucker (OF, HOU)- Shin: Tucker is on the IL with a right shin contusion. Astros manager Joe Espada said this week that Tucker remains unable to sprint but has been jogging without issue. He has been out since early June, and there is no timetable for his return. 

Nick Gonzales (2B, PIT)- Groin: Gonzales was placed on the IL with a groin strain. Gonzales is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week and could be back from the IL by August 22. 

Kerry Carpenter (OF, DET)- Back: Carpenter has been on the IL since late June with lumbar spine stress fractures. Carpenter is on a rehab assignment and could now return as soon as August 13. 

Riley Greene (OF, DET)- Hamstring: Greene is on the IL with a right hamstring strain. He began taking batting practice off of Casey Mize, who is also rehabbing. He still may need a rehab assignment to see how he plays in the outfield before he could return from the IL.  

J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA)- Finger: Crawford is on the IL with a fractured left pinky finger. He continues to wear a protective cast and was able to take infield practice with his one capable hand. He is scheduled for an updated x-ray next week to see how he is progressing. There is no current timetable for his return, but he could be expected back in about three weeks from now. 

Jacob Wilson (SS, OAK)- Hamstring: Wilson was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Wilson took batting practice this week for the first time since his injury. He is not expected back until the end of August. 

Wilmer Flores (1B, SF)- Knee: Flores is on the IL with right knee tendonitis. He had a Tenex procedure on his right knee/quad and is done for the year.

 

Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball

Max Scherzer (SP, TEX)- Arm: Scherzer was placed on the IL due to right shoulder fatigue. The severity is not yet known. The Rangers are playing it cautious with Scherzer and will rest him until he feels ready.  Walter Pennington was called up.  

Grayson Rodriguez (SP, BAL)- Lat: Rodriguez was placed on the IL with a mild right lat strain. This was confirmed by an MRI. There is no timetable for his return, but this sort of injury could sideline a pitcher for about four weeks. Albert Suarez will fill in for the Orioles as a starter. 

Justin Verlander (SP, HOU)- Neck: Verlander was placed on the IL with neck discomfort. Verlander is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend if he passes one more bullpen session. Verlander may require multiple rehab starts before he could be activated from the IL. 

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, ATL)- Forearm: Lopez was placed on the IL with right forearm inflammation after having his start pushed off. An MRI of the forearm revealed no structural damage. Lopez, however,  was not progressing as quickly as expected and has not thrown off of a mound since his last start on July 28. Bryce Elder was called up to take his spot in the rotation. 

Ranger Suarez (SP, PHI)- Back: Suarez is on the IL with a low back strain. Suarez threw a side session this week and needs to face live hitters before he is activated. It is not yet known if he will require a rehab assignment. He is not likely to return when first eligible. 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP, LAD)- Shoulder: Yamamoto is on the IL with a right rotator cuff strain. Yamamoto threw a 30-pitch bullpen session this week and now hopes to return either late August or early September. 

Luis Garcia (SP, HOU)- Elbow: Garcia continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery in May 2023. Astros manager Joe Espada said that Garcia will not make a minor-league rehab start this weekend due to right elbow soreness. This is a pause in his rehab, but the Astros remain hopeful that he will return this year.

Jared Jones (SP, PIT)- Lat: Jones is on the IL with a lat strain. He was sent out on a rehab assignment and hopes to return to the Pirates rotation by the end of August. 

Ryan Pepiot (SP, TB)- Knee: Pepiot is on the IL with a right knee infection. He continues to ramp up and has thrown bullpen sessions and is scheduled to throw a sim game. Pepiot may still require a rehab assignment before he is activated from the IL. 

Jesus Luzardo (SP, MIA)- Back: Luzardo is on the IL with a stress reaction in his lower back. He will remain shut down from throwing for at least six more weeks. This will more than likely end his season. 

Ryan Weathers (SP, MIA)- Finger: Weathers has been on the IL since June 8 with a left index finger strain. He has done flat-ground throwing this week and is hopeful to resume throwing bullpen sessions in two weeks. September looks to be when he will be able to return, and maybe only out of the bullpen, as he may not have enough time to stretch out to start.  

Drew Thorpe (SP, CHW)- Forearm: Thorpe was placed on the IL with a right flexor strain. The severity is not yet known. Based on how the White Sox are doing and how young Thorpe is, he may not return this year. 

DL Hall (SP, MIL)- Knee/Forearm: Hall is on the IL for knee issues as well as a bruised forearm, which occurred during his rehab. Hall continues to pitch on a rehab assignment and could return as early as August 11. 

Jacob deGrom (SP, TEX)- Elbow: deGrom continues to rehab following his second Tommy John surgery performed last year. He is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session, after which he should play a sim game and then be sent out on a rehab assignment. If all goes well, deGrom could be the Rangers September call-up. 

Joe Musgrove (SP, HOU)- Elbow: Musgrove was diagnosed with a bone spur in his pitching elbow. He has finished his rehab assignment and could be activated from the IL this weekend. 

 

Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball

Liam Hendriks (RP, BOS)- Elbow: Hendriks continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery. He has been cleared to face hitters and could return by the end of August, barring any setbacks. 

Brusdar Graterol (RP, LAD)- Hamstring: In his first game of the season coming back from a shoulder injury, Graterol injured his right hamstring. He has a Grade 1 strain in his right hamstring. There is no timetable for his return at this time.

Adbert Alzolay (RP, CHC)- Forearm: Alzolay has been on the IL with a forearm strain since May. He was ramping up but then had a setback. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said this week that Alzolay will undergo Tommy John surgery on his injured right elbow. He is done for the year and most of next year as well. 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP