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There are always plenty of key fantasy hitters in the injury headlines, but this week's list of players has no shortage of star power. That said, fantasy managers will need to be ready to pivot. Let's take a look at injured hitters Mookie Betts, Bo Bichette, J.T. Realmuto, Starling Marte, and Josh Naylor.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of August 2, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. 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 force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.
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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Mookie Betts Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts (ankle) was back in right field and batting in his customary leadoff spot on Tuesday against the visiting Oakland Athletics. Fantasy managers will want to get the 30-year-old superstar back in their starting lineups as well after he missed the last few games with right-ankle soreness.
Betts is setting the table for one of the best teams in baseball and is slashing .277/.383/.560 with a .942 OPS, 27 home runs, 68 RBI, seven stolen bases and 81 runs scored in 386 at-bats prior to Tuesday's game. He's coming off a strong month in July, too, as he went 25-for-82 (.305) with five home runs, eight doubles, 13 RBI and 17 runs scored in 101 trips to the plate over 21 games played.
Bo Bichette Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) underwent an MRI exam on Monday night that showed no significant structural damage, just inflammation. Bichette is considered day-to-day for now.
There's a good chance that Bichette won't play on Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles after leaving early on Monday, but he appears to be able to avoid the injured list. Toronto acquired shortstop Paul DeJong from the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday as insurance for Bichette. Whenever the All-Star shortstop returns to the Jays' lineup, fantasy managers need to reinsert him into their starting lineups.
J.T. Realmuto Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (hand) was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the Miami Marlins due to a right-hand laceration that he suffered during a slide recently. It sounds like Realmuto's injury isn't very serious, but he's day-to-day right now and could miss another game or two this week.
The 32-year-old veteran catcher hasn't had a phenomenal year by any means, but he continues to produce for fantasy managers at a weak position. Realmuto is currently slashing .243/.308/.447 with 12 home runs, 22 doubles, five triples, 42 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 44 runs scored in 93 games.
Starling Marte Injury Update
New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (head) is taking full batting practice in Kansas City on Tuesday. His return is imminent, but his activation from the injured list won't happen on Tuesday, according to manager Buck Showalter. Marte is likely to return to the Mets on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old veteran hasn't played since the middle of July due to migraine headaches, but he's been feeling better and could be back in New York's starting lineup as early as Wednesday against the Royals. He will be returning to a starting role in the Mets outfield and should be rostered in all fantasy formats for his speed. Marte will be returning to a .254/.308/.332 slash line with five home runs, 28 RBI, 24 stolen bases and 38 runs scored in 307 at-bats in 2023.
Brandon Nimmo Injury Update
New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (quadriceps) was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the Kansas City Royals with quadriceps tightness, according to manager Buck Showalter. Nimmo was held out of the lineup for the first time since early June after his quadriceps muscle tightened up on him during batting practice before the game. It sounds like a day-to-day injury, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the 30-year-old is held out of Wednesday's game as a precaution.
Nimmo will be looking to turn the page in August after hitting just .161 (14-for-87) with four home runs, four doubles, eight RBI and 15 runs scored in 23 games in July. Even if he doesn't run much or have a ton of power, Nimmo remains valuable in most fantasy leagues for his on-base percentage (.353) and as a source of runs (61) as an everyday player when healthy.
Josh Naylor Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor (side) was scratched ahead of Tuesday's game against the Houston Astros. The left-handed slugger was pulled from the lineup due to right-side tightness.
The hope is that it's only a minor issue and isn't a something like an oblique injury. For the moment, fantasy managers should consider Naylor as day-to-day. Cam Gallagher will do the catching and bat ninth versus left-hander Framber Valdez on Tuesday.
Justin Turner Injury Update
Boston Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner (heel) was not in Tuesday's starting lineup against the Seattle Mariners and rookie right-hander Bryce Miller. Turner left Monday's game early with a left-heel contusion, so it wasn't a huge surprise that he did not play on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old should be considered day-to-day this week. Despite being almost 40, Turner continues to produce for fantasy managers in all league sizes. He's been a must-start while slashing .286/.356/.481 with an .837 OPS, 17 long balls, 71 RBI, four stolen bases and 66 runs scored in 391 at-bats. Hopefully, he'll be back in there on Wednesday. (MLB.com)
Ke'Bryan Hayes Injury Update
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated infielder Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and also recalled catcher Jason Delay from Triple-A Indianapolis and selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Vinny Capra from Indianapolis. Hayes wasn't immediately be back in Pittsburgh's starting lineup on Tuesday night, but he should be back in there on Wednesday. The 26-year-old landed on the injured list on July 7.
He should return to regular playing time given all of the Pirates' recent trades at the deadline. Rookie Jared Triolo has impressed at the hot corner with Hayes injured, so it will be interesting to see how the Bucs try to keep both Triolo's and Hayes' bats in the lineup on most days.
Nolan Gorman Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman (back) remained out of Tuesday's starting lineup against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Gorman had to leave Sunday's game early against the Chicago Cubs and still isn't feeling right after an off day on Monday.
Consider the 23-year-old to be day-to-day for now. In just his second major-league season, Gorman is displaying quite the power stroke with 22 home runs in 366 plate appearances. He's also hitting .241/.325/.495 with an .820 OPS, 16 doubles, 65 RBI, six stolen bases and 45 runs scored in 366 plate appearances. Gorman has been relevant in all fantasy leagues. (MLB.com)
Charlie Blackmon Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (hand) took part in pre-game activities on Monday and didn't feel that his right hand, which he fractured in June, was ready for game action in the minor leagues just yet on a rehab assignment. Blackmon was originally scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque this week, but those plans have temporarily been pushed back.
It means that the 37-year-old veteran outfielder will have his return to the big leagues pushed back also, and there's no specific timetable for his return. When he does make it back to the Rockies lineup, he'll return to a .265/.347/.422 slash line with only five home runs, 26 RBI and 34 runs scored in 211 at-bats. Blackmon has been reaching base often, but outside of that he hasn't provided much for fantasy managers.
Brendan Donovan Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (arm) will have season-ending surgery on Wednesday to fix a flexor strain in his right arm. The injury has been the reason why Donovan hasn't been able to play defense for the Cardinals since late June.
As long as Donovan doesn't have any setbacks, he should be good to go for spring training in 2024. The 26-year-old will finish his 2023 campaign with a .281/.362/.419 slash line, 11 home runs, 10 doubles, a triple, 34 RBI, five stolen bases and 48 runs scored in 371 plate appearances over 95 games. Donovan can do a little bit of everything, and his greatest asset to fantasy managers is his eligibility at a handful of positions all over the field.
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