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Each week of the MLB season always sees plenty of players in the injury headlines, but this week seems to be extra loaded. That said, the majority of fantasy managers will likely be affected by a key member of their fantasy roster dealing with bumps and bruises. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Ronald Acuna Jr., J.D. Martinez, Bo Bichette, Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of August 9, 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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Ronald Acuna Jr. Injury Update
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (elbow) left Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early after he was hit by a pitch on his left elbow, according to the team. He's undergone X-rays, which came back negative, but fantasy owners should still consider the superstar day-to-day. Acuna Jr. is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season, slashing .339/.422/.587 with 26 homers, 100 runs, 68 RBI, and 53 stolen bases.
Those are historic numbers, so hopefully, he can return without a trip to the injured list. While he's on the sidelines, expect Kevin Pillar to take over in the outfield. The former Toronto Blue Jay is batting .264 against left-handers with four home runs and a .770 OPS, making him a decent streaming option in the right matchups.
J.D. Martinez Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (hamstring) was scratched from the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to the same issue that caused him to miss time recently. This is a concerning development for the 35-year-old slugger, and it could require an injured-list stint if it doesn't improve soon.
Despite the injury, Martinez has been solid since the All-Star break with a .283 average (15-for-53) with three home runs, two doubles, 14 RBI and five runs scored in 15 games (14 starts). He's been an excellent run-producer all year for fantasy managers as well, clubbing 25 home runs and driving in 76 in LA's explosive offense.
Bo Bichette Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) had a good day while working out on Monday. "Great day for him (Monday) where he was moving around with very few symptoms, almost not at all," general manager Ross Atkins said about Bichette. The 25-year-old All-Star shortstop is attempting to return from patellar tendinitis in his right knee that landed him on the injured list.
He's ramping up baseball activities and appears to be in a good place, so hopefully fantasy managers will have him back sooner than later. For what it's worth, Bichette is eligible to return from the injured list this Friday. When healthy, he's a must-start in everyday fantasy lineups, as he's currently slashing .321/.352/.494 with an .847 OPS, 17 home runs, 59 RBI, three steals and 50 runs scored in 449 at-bats.
Mike Trout Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (wrist) did some "really light, dry swings" with a fungo bat on July 26, and manager Phil Nevin said it was "very encouraging." Trout took dry swings with a regular bat for the first time on July 31, and Nevin said that Trout progressed to swings off soft toss on Monday. The All-Star outfielder's ramp-up shouldn't take long, so the 32-year-old's return might not be far off after he had surgery to remove his left hamate bone on July 5.
The Halos, losers of seven straight games going into Tuesday's contest, could really use Trout back in their lineup down the stretch. It doesn't look like fantasy managers will have to wait too much longer to get him back. Trout will be returning to a .263/.369/.493 slash line with an .862 OPS, 18 home runs, 44 RBI and 54 runs scored in 81 games. (MLB.com)
Taylor Ward Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (face) suffered facial fractures on July 29 when he was hit in the face by a pitch, and he underwent surgery on Aug. 4 to reconstruct his left orbital bone and have internal splints placed in his nose. The Angles moved him to the 60-day injured list on July 30, indicating that his regular season is over. Ward's injury was a tough blow for the Angels with Mike Trout (wrist) already on the injured list since early July.
If you haven't already, the 29-year-old Ward can be dropped in single-year fantasy leagues. In his 356 at-bats, Ward hit .253 (90 hits) with 14 home runs, 47 RBI, four stolen bases and 60 runs scored in 97 games. Until Trout returns, Randal Grichuk will continue to play regularly in the Angels' starting outfield. (MLB.com)
Cedric Mullins Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins (groin) is playing in another minor-league rehab game on Tuesday night with Double-A Bowie and is "getting really close" to a return from the injured list, according to manager Brandon Hyde. There's a chance that this could be Mullins' third and final rehab game before he returns to Baltimore. The 28-year-old starting center fielder has been out since July 19 due to a right-groin strain, but his return is right around the corner.
He should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues because of his combination of power and speed for the first-place O's. Mullins is batting .259/.347/.454 with an .801 OPS, nine home runs, 47 RBI, 14 stolen bases and 33 runs scored for fantasy managers in 251 at-bats this year.
Starling Marte Injury Update
New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (groin) received an injection in his right groin on Tuesday, according to the team. Marte will be cleared for "light activity in the next few days." The 34-year-old is limping to the finish line in 2023 and was also recently on the injured list due to migraine headaches.
The Mets put him on the IL again on Monday with a right-groin strain, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect New York to rush him back into action while they are out of contention. Aside from some speed (24 stolen bases), the veteran Dominican outfielder has mostly been a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2023. He's batting .248 (78-for-315) with only five home runs, 28 RBI and 38 runs scored.
Jonah Heim Injury Update
Texas Rangers backstop Jonah Heim (wrist) caught a side session and began hitting off a tee on Monday, according to MLB.com. The 28-year-old hit the injured list in late July after sustaining a left wrist tendon sprain. Heim is expected to be out until at least mid-August.
Over 90 games before the injury, the 2023 All-Star slashed .280/.337/.479 with 14 homers, 49 runs, 70 RBI, and two stolen bases. That kind of production is rare from the catching position, so fantasy managers should want Heim back as soon as possible. (MLB.com)
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