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Fantasy baseball injury updates and injury reports for MLB hitters as of 6/28/2023, including Max Muncy, Jose Altuve, Byron Buxton, Kris Bryant, Brandon Lowe, and more.
Some fantasy superstar hitters are beginning to get back to action, while others are entering the injury headlines for the first time. The middle of the MLB season can be a drag for fantasy managers, but staying in the know with updates on key players should help you remain competitive in your league. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Max Muncy, Jose Altuve, Byron Buxton, Kris Bryant, Brandon Lowe, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of June 28, 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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Max Muncy Injury Update
The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated infielder Max Muncy (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned infielder Michael Busch to the minors in a corresponding move. Muncy immediately returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday against Colorado Rockies right-hander Connor Seabold, starting at third base and batting cleanup. The 32-year-old left-handed slugger had been out since landing on the injured list on June 16 with a left-hamstring strain.
Although Muncy has hit just .191 (40-for-209) on the season, he's managed to post 18 home runs and a .323 on-base percentage in 60 games played. He had gone just 3-for-32 (.094) with a homer, five RBI and nine strikeouts in nine games in June before his injury, so fantasy managers will be hoping the time off did him some good.
Jose Altuve Injury Update
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (heel) remained out of the starting lineup on Tuesday for the start of a series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Altuve did not play in Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a heel injury that he suffered on Saturday night.
Even with an off day on Monday, the 33-year-old wasn't quite ready to return, but hopefully it doesn't turn into a situation that will require an injured-list stint. Altuve got a late start in 2023 due to a fractured wrist, and he's currently hitting .263 (26-for-99) with three homers, seven doubles, 11 RBI, five steals and 18 runs in just 26 contests.
Byron Buxton Injury Update
Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (back) returned to designated-hitter duties and batted cleanup against the Atlanta Braves and right-hander Bryce Elder on Tuesday. Buxton has been dealing with back spasms of late and served in a pinch-hitting role in each of the last two games.
He's back in the starting lineup now, though, and fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups. The 29-year-old is also managing knee issues that have kept him from playing center field all year to this point. He's hitting barely over the Mendoza Line in 219 at-bats in 2023, but he does still have 13 home runs and six stolen bases for fantasy managers.
Kris Bryant Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant (heel) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. The four-time All-Star, 2015 Rookie of the Year and 2016 National League MVP is attempting to return from a left-heel bruise that has kept him out for all of June to this point. The 31-year-old veteran also continues to battle through plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
But barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could return to the Rockies' everyday lineup by this weekend or early next week. Whenever he's back, Bryant will return to a .263/.346/.374 slash line with five home runs, six doubles, 17 RBI and 21 runs scored in 214 plate appearances and 50 games. He can still be a useful source of power and on-base percentage in fantasy leagues when he's healthy at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Masataka Yoshida Injury Update
Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida was out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins. Manager Alex Cora mentioned that Yoshida is being held out of this contest due to general soreness.
He continued by saying that Yoshida is available off the bench and should return to the lineup on Wednesday. That being said, fantasy managers don't need to worry about an extended absence here.
Brandon Lowe Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (back) was put on the 10-day injured list on June 5 with a stiff back, but he's dealing with a different back injury than the one that sidelined him for much of 2022. He resumed baseball activities on June 20 and felt "great" before getting some at-bats in a live batting practice session on June 23.
Lowe could begin a minor-league rehab assignment this week in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League before progressing to Triple-A Durham for some at-bats. Barring a setback, the 28-year-old could return to the team during their final homestand before the All-Star break. Lowe does have nine home runs in 50 games this year, but he's hitting a disappointing .205 (36-for-176) and continues to have trouble staying on the field. (MLB.com)
Anthony Rendon Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (wrist) began on-field workouts on Monday, according to MLB.com. The 33-year-old veteran suffered a left wrist contusion on June 15 before hitting the injured list on June 19. There's still no timetable for Rendon's return, but manager Phil Nevin is still hopeful it'll be a quick stint. The former MVP candidate has slashed .248/.366/.316 this season with one bomb, 22 runs, 21 RBI, and two steals over 38 games.
Fantasy managers have to be disappointed with his power production, but there's still a chance Rendon can provide a solid batting average, considering he's striking out just 13.4% of the time. (MLB.com)
Riley Greene Injury Update
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch hinted that outfielders Riley Greene (leg) and Akil Baddoo (quadriceps) could be nearing minor-league rehab assignments this week. "They might not be on this road trip the entire time," Hinch said. Both Greene and Baddoo have intensified their daily workouts and could join Triple-A Toledo this weekend. Greene, 22, is recovering from a stress fracture in his left fibula and has been out for all of June, so he'll need at least a handful of rehab games before the Tigers deem him ready to return to action in the big leagues.
Barring a setback, he should be back for fantasy managers in early July. Greene is a lineup regular for Detroit when healthy, and he was slashing a strong .296/.362/.443 with an .805 OPS, five home runs and six RBI at the time of his injury.
Jorge Polanco Injury Update
Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco (hamstring) has started doing baseball activities, according to head trainer Nick Paparesta. Polanco is hitting in the batting cage and is taking ground balls while also being in the midst of a running progression.
It's the second left-hamstring strain that the 29-year-old has dealt with this year, and the Twins consider it a moderate strain, so he certainly won't be rushed back from the injured list. He is trending in the right direction, but there's no timetable for him to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back until after the All-Star break. Polanco has played in only 30 games this year, but he does have nine doubles and five home runs.
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