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The 2024 MLB season is under a week old, yet there are flurries of pre-existing and fresh injuries to keep track of for fantasy baseball. That said, let's take a look at the top injured hitters Bo Bichette, Josh Jung, J.T. Realmuto, Lars Nootbaar, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of April 3, 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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Bo Bichette Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (neck) said he's feeling better and was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Houston Astros and left-hander Framber Valdez. The left side of Bichette's neck was tight the last couple of days, limiting his ability to turn and see the pitcher, but his neck has improved, and he was ready to help the team on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old All-Star missed the last two games with a tweaked neck, but now that he's returning, fantasy managers in single-year leagues need to get Bichette back in their lineups moving forward.
Bo Bichette says he’s feeling better and back in Blue Jays’ lineup today. The left side of his neck was tight the last couple of days, limiting his ability to turn and see the pitcher. But his neck has improved and he believes he’s ready to help the team today
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) April 2, 2024
Josh Jung Injury Update
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) had surgery on his broken right wrist on Tuesday in Phoenix, and general manager Chris Young said Jung is expected to be out for six weeks. The surgery was performed by the same surgeon who did Jung's thumb surgery last August.
Josh Jung had surgery on his right wrist today in Phoenix, same surgeon who did his his thumbs surgery last August. Chris Young says he's expected to be out 6 weeks.
— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) April 2, 2024
The Rangers called up infield prospect Justin Foscue from Triple-A on Monday, but Josh Smith is getting the first start at the hot corner for the Rangers on Tuesday against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin. Foscue was the 14th overall pick in 2020 out of Mississippi State and has the ability to play third, first, and second base, but he could operate as a utility man on the infield for the Rangers until Jung is able to return. Jung needs to be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy leagues.
J.T. Realmuto Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto got the day off on Tuesday as the team takes on the visiting Cincinnati Reds. With Realmuto starting on the bench, Garrett Stubbs handled catching duties and hit ninth in the order against Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft.
Rain rain stay away 🤞#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/IvgWTiZO64
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 2, 2024
Lars Nootbaar Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (ribs) began a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday. The 26-year-old is working his way back from two fractures in his ribcage that has sidelined him since early March.
#STLCards OF Lars Nootbaar is playing center field and batting third tonight for the@memphisredbirds in Indianapolis, Ind. He is on a rehab assignment because of the two ribs he fractured on his left side.
Nootbaar is scheduled to play five innings and get 3-4 ABs tonight. https://t.co/VinC5AqIm4
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 2, 2024
The expectation is that Nootbaar is going to need at least a handful of games before returning to the Cardinals lineup. It's uncertain who will get sent down in a corresponding move, but it'll likely be youngster Victor Scott.
Junior Caminero Injury Update
The Tampa Bay Rays placed third baseman Junior Caminero (quadriceps) on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Durham on Monday. A left quad strain is the diagnosis after an MRI for Caminero, who was forced from Sunday's Triple-A game with the injury but could return to action in the minor leagues as soon as he's first eligible next week.
#Rays got what sounds like good news on top prospect Junior Caminero - left quad strain with the potential to return to action next week. Was placed on 7-day IL at AAA @DurhamBulls
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 2, 2024
This shouldn't disrupt the 20-year-old No. 4 prospect's, per MLB Pipeline, journey to the majors very much, as he's still projected to make his 2024 debut during the early stages of the campaign. Although the setback makes him a bit more difficult to stash in redraft leagues, Caminero is slashing .333/.429/.583 with one home run, two RBI, and one stolen base across 14 plate appearances in the minors so far this year and carries loads of fantasy upside as a hitter.
DJ LeMahieu Injury Update
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Monday that second baseman DJ LeMahieu (foot) is progressing and that he will be reimaged on or around April 12. "It does seem like he's doing a lot better over the last five days or so," Boone said. LeMahieu was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture on the top of his right foot following an MRI on March 29. While an April return is possible, LeMahieu's progress will be determined by his pain tolerance after he was able to hit in the batting cages last Friday.
In the veteran infielder's absence, super-utility man Oswaldo Cabrera has taken baseball by storm by hitting 8-for-20 (.400) with a 1.179 OPS, two home runs, one doubles, and seven RBI in his first five games. Cabrera will handle the bulk of the reps at third base until LeMahieu is cleared, and he's pushing for an everyday role. (MLB.com)
Vaughn Grissom Injury Update
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Monday that second baseman Vaughn Grissom (groin, hamstring) will come to Fenway Park on April 9 to be a part of the team's regular-season home opener festivities. Grissom has been ramping up in Fort Myers, and Cora hopes that the infielder can start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after that.
The Red Sox acquired Grissom as the key piece of this past offseason's Chris Sale trade, so he is expected to be Boston's starting second baseman upon his return. While he struggles defensively, the 23-year-old former top Atlanta Braves prospect has slashed an encouraging .287/.339/.407 with 15 extra-base hits, 27 RBI, 29 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 216 career big-league at-bats. Keep Grissom on fantasy watchlists for now. In the meantime, Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes will maintain a platoon at the keystone. (MLB.com)
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