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With the weekend fast approaching, a ton of stud fantasy baseball hitters could be out of action. That said, let's take a look at injured hitters Rafael Devers, Ozzie Albies, Christian Yelich, Zack Gelof, Nolan Jones, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of April 26, 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.
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Rafael Devers Injury Update
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) isn't comfortable playing the field just yet after his knee injury, according to manager Alex. Cora. However, the skipper said that Devers will likely return to the hot corner on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. Devers missed some time recently with a left knee injury, but he's been the team's designated hitter the last few days. Once the 27-year-old heads back to third base, it will allow outfielder Masataka Yoshida to return to the DH spot for Boston.
Devers isn’t comfortable yet at 3B, per Cora. Will likely get back there Saturday.
Unlikely Grissom is active this weekend but getting close. Pivetta will throw at least one rehab game before returning.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 25, 2024
The left-handed hitter has sat each of the last three games against a right-hander with Devers serving as the DH. Devers has battled a few nagging injuries already in 2024 and is hitting an uncharacteristic .231 (12-for-52) in the early going with three home runs and seven RBI. It's too early to be concerned with Devers.
Ozzie Albies Injury Update
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (toe) ran the bases as part of his workout on Wednesday. He appears to still be moving around well and is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Friday. Albies is recovering from a fractured right big toe that he suffered on April 16 and continues to make good progress. There's a chance the 27-year-old is activated when eligible on Friday to rejoin the lineup for the start of a series against the Cleveland Guardians without going on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Today's Ozzie Albies workout included running the bases. He appears to still be moving around well.
He's eligible to come off the injured list on Friday.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) April 24, 2024
Albies has already been fielding ground balls and swinging a bat. Luis Guillorme and David Fletcher have been splitting time at the keystone for the Braves with Albies out. Fantasy managers will want to get Albies back into their starting lineups right away if he returns this weekend, as he was hitting .317 (20-for-63) with two homers, 14 RBI, and two steals before his injury.
Christian Yelich Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) ran on the field on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his back. Yelich hasn't swung or played catch yet, however, as he's progressed slower than anticipated from a strained lower back. Considering Yelich battled back issues in the early part of his career with the Miami Marlins, expect the Brew Crew to take a cautious approach with the 32-year-old star left fielder. Yelich was returning first-round fantasy value before hitting the shelf, slashing .333/.422/.744 with five home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs scored, and two stolen bases across 39 at-bats (11 games).
Christian Yelich is running on the field for the first time since injuring his back this afternoon. He hasn’t swung or played catch yet. It’s been a bit of a slower progression than he had hoped for but that’s often just the nature of back injuries.
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) April 24, 2024
The switch-hitting Blake Perkins has received everyday ABs in Milwaukee's outfield since Yelich went on the injured list, slashing .309/.387/.473 with two homers, six RBI, 13 runs scored, and two swipes through 55 ABs overall, and he's worth a look for those in NL-only or deep mixed leagues who need a stopgap solution.
Zack Gelof Injury Update
The Oakland Athletics placed second baseman Zack Gelof (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 24) on Thursday with a strained left oblique and recalled infielder Darell Hernaiz from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Gelof was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday with an oblique injury and will now miss at least the next 10 days. Given the nature of the 24-year-old's injury, fantasy managers should be prepared to be without him for longer than 10 days.
The Oakland A’s have placed second baseman Zack Gelof on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 24 with a strained left oblique and recalled infielder Darell Hernaiz from Triple-A Las Vegas.
— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) April 25, 2024
Despite playing every day for the A's in 2024 in his second big-league season, Gelof has disappointed to this point, slashing .196/.260/.337 with three home runs, seven RBI, and four stolen bases in 92 at-bats. Hernaiz is getting the start at third and batting ninth on Thursday against left-hander Nestor Cortes and the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
Nolan Jones Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back) remained out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Randy Vasquez. Jones was lifted from Tuesday's win due to back stiffness and did not appear in Wednesday's 5-2 loss.
It's been a disastrous start at the plate for the 25-year-old who is hitting just .148 with one homer, two steals, and a .469 OPS across 96 trips to the plate. Following a 20/20 season that included a .297 batting average and a hefty .931 OPS in 106 games in 2023, Jones' early-season production has been wildly frustrating for fantasy managers who utilized a high pick on the promising youngster. (MLB.com)
Sean Murphy Injury Update
The Atlanta Braves are increasing the activity of catcher Sean Murphy (oblique). Murphy has caught a bullpen session in each of the past two days, but he's still not swinging a bat yet and may be at least a week away from being cleared to do so. Working his way back from tightness in his left oblique, Murphy is probably not going to be available to the Braves or fantasy managers before the end of April based on the current progress in his recovery.
The Braves have increased the activity of Sean Murphy (strained oblique). He has caught a bullpen each of the past two days. He’s not swinging yet, though.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) April 24, 2024
The 29-year-old All-Star backstop will need a rehab assignment before he's reinstated to Atlanta's major-league roster as well, but an early May return is still in the cards. Former All-Star Travis d'Arnaud is surging after a slow start to the 2024 regular season, going 8-for-13 with five home runs and 11 RBI over his past five games, and he should be rostered in two-catcher leagues while he's hot.
Keibert Ruiz Injury Update
The Washington Nationals reinstated catcher Keibert Ruiz (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned catcher Drew Millas to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move, according to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo. The 25-year-old Ruiz will return to the Nats after missing 11 games with influenza and he'll be back behind the dish while hitting fifth against Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Ruiz appeared in two minor-league rehab games with Double-A Harrisburg this week. Before going on the injured list, he was hitting just .194 with a home run and three RBI in eight games. Ruiz will return as Washington's primary catcher, but fantasy managers may want to keep him benched until he can get going. (Nationals Communications)
J.P. Crawford Injury Update
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique) said he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 right-oblique strain after undergoing an MRI exam and was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 24) on Thursday. In corresponding moves, infielder Leo Rivas' contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma and right-hander Gregory Santos (lat) was moved to the 60-day injured list. Crawford was scratched from Wednesday's lineup and will now miss at least the next 10 days.
Roster moves:
🔹 Leo Rivas (#76), INF, selected from Triple-A Tacoma.
🔹 J.P. Crawford, INF, placed on 10-day Injured List (retro. April 24).
🔹 Gregory Santos, RHP, transferred to 60-day Injured List.— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) April 25, 2024
The 29-year-old's strain isn't very serious, but it could easily keep him out beyond 10 days. Dylan Moore is making his second straight start at the 6 on Thursday in place of Crawford and is likely to see most of the playing time there as long as Crawford is out. Crawford has had a rough start to 2024, hitting under .200 with two home runs and nine RBI in 22 games.
Jackson Merrill Injury Update
San Diego Padres rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill (groin) was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Colorado Rockies in the series finale with right-groin tightness. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 21-year-old youngster as day-to-day and check back on Friday to see if he's able to play in the series opener at Petco Park against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
Jackson Merrill has been scratched from today’s game with right groin tightness. Tyler Wade will play left field, José Azocar will play center field, and Eguy Rosario will play third.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) April 25, 2024
Merrill was considered the Padres' shortstop of the future while coming up through the minors, but he's been serving as the club's regular center fielder in his first year in the big leagues. He's handled himself well at the plate so far, hitting .318 (28-for-88) with a homer, 12 RBI, four stolen bases, and 12 runs scored in his first 27 games at the big-league level.
Vaughn Grissom Injury Update
It's unlikely that Boston Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) will return from the injured list this weekend, but he's getting close. Grissom continues to rehab in the minor leagues at Triple-Worcester and has played in six games to this point, going 4-for-18 (.222) with no homers or RBI and two stolen bases in 22 plate appearances.
Devers isn’t comfortable yet at 3B, per Cora. Will likely get back there Saturday.
Unlikely Grissom is active this weekend but getting close. Pivetta will throw at least one rehab game before returning.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 25, 2024
The 23-year-old has split time between shortstop and second base on his rehab assignment, but he's expected to operate as Boston's primary second baseman once he's ready to make his debut for the Red Sox. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks over the weekend, Grissom could be reinstated to make his 2024 debut next Tuesday at home against the San Francisco Giants. In deep-mixed leagues, he's absolutely worth a pickup if you need middle-infield help.
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