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

NHL

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
DET

James van Riemsdyk Joins Red Wings on One-Year Contract
Viktor Arvidsson

Traded to Boston
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Josh Jung

Sent to Triple-A
Jurickson Profar

Officially Reinstated and Hitting in Five-Hole on Wednesday
Spencer Schwellenbach

Going on Injured List With Fractured Elbow
Maxwell Hairston

Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Tai Felton

Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
LeQuint Allen Jr.

to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
Justin Walley

Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
Jamari Thrash

Establishing Himself as Reliable Option
Grayson Murphy

Could Provide Rotational Pass-Rush Depth
Joe Andreessen

in a Good Position to Compete for Backup Job
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Bhayshul Tuten

Needs to Improve Pass Protection
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Brandon Woodruff

Likely to Pitch on Sunday in Miami
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
PHI

Dan Vladar Links Up With Flyers on Two-Year Deal
EDM

Andrew Mangiapane Signs Two-Year Pact With Oilers
SEA

Ryan Lindgren Joins Kraken on Four-Year Contract
PHI

Christian Dvorak Heads to Philadelphia
Logan Stankoven

Signs Long-Term Extension with Hurricanes
NYI

Jonathan Drouin Joins Islanders on Two-Year Contract
NJ

Devils Hand Connor Brown a Four-Year Contract
SJ

John Klingberg Lands in San Jose
William Eklund

Signs Three-Year Extension with Sharks
Will Cuylle

Agrees to Two-Year Contract with Rangers
NYR

Vladislav Gavrikov Inks Seven-Year Deal with Rangers
BOS

Tanner Jeannot Moves to Boston
LA

Corey Perry Joins Kings on One-Year Deal
K'Andre Miller

Hurricanes Pick Up K'Andre Miller
Zac Gallen

Fans 10 in Tuesday's Win
Hunter Goodman

Hits Two More Homers Tuesday
Josh Hader

Stays Perfect In Save Conversion On Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Shane Baz

Fans 11 Against Athletics
Grant Holmes

Strikes Out 10 in Scoreless Outing
Jeff Green

Signs One-Year Deal to Remain in Houston
T.J. Watt

Trying to Become Highest-Paid Non-QB?
Willson Contreras

Doubtful for Wednesday
George Springer

Clubs Two Homers in Seven-RBI Day
Joshua Palmer

Could be a Sleeper
Los Angeles Lakers

Jake LaRavia Lands with Lakers
Laviska Shenault Jr.

on the Bubble
Orlando Magic

Tyus Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Magic
Raheem Blackshear

to Work Mostly As Special-Teamer
Golden State Warriors

Kevon Looney Heads to New Orleans
Rico Dowdle

Trevor Etienne to Split Carries?
Chuba Hubbard

Should See Majority of Touches in 2025
Milwaukee Bucks

Jericho Sims Staying in Milwaukee
Denver Nuggets

Tim Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets
Willson Contreras

Avoids Structural Damage on Hand After HBP
Detroit Pistons

Duncan Robinson Lands With Detroit
Charlotte Hornets

Tre Mann Remaining in Charlotte
Josh Naylor

Scratched From Tuesday's Lineup Against Giants
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
San Francisco Giants

Giants Exercise Bob Melvin's 2026 Option
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Josh Naylor

Back in Action on Tuesday
Yordan Alvarez

Suffers Setback
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
ANA

Mikael Granlund Moves to Anaheim on Three-Year Deal
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
MLB

Brewers-Mets Postponed on Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schroder Set to Join Sacramento
Boston Celtics

Luke Kornet Agrees to Contract With San Antonio
Jonas Valančiūnas

Nuggets Trade for Center Jonas Valanciunas
NFL

Negotiations on 18-Game Season Not Expected Until Next Year
Tyler Boyd

Steelers Have Talked With Tyler Boyd
Darren Waller

Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Dolphins
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF