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The 2023 MLB season has already seen flurries of injuries, and more often than not, they'll continue to pile up. Fantasy baseball is all about playing the long game, so staying up to date with the latest injury updates and waiver wire adds is key to competing for a championship. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kyle Schwarber, Aaron Judge, J.D. Martinez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of May 10, 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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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (wrist) returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday, starting at first base and batting second against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola. A sore left wrist caused Guerrero to miss the team's last two games over the weekend, but it was nothing serious.
Needless to say, fantasy managers will want to get the 24-year-old slugger back in their starting lineups for the week and moving forward.
Kyle Schwarber Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber left Tuesday's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays early after fouling a pitch off his foot in the sixth. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, he is dealing with a bruised left foot, but X-rays came back negative. There will be more news to come following the game. Schwarber has gotten off to a slow start, slashing .188/.307/.406 with eight homers, 19 runs, and 16 RBI over 35 games.
The 30-year-old has been one of the most prolific power hitters in the game since debuting in 2015, swatting 207 career dingers in 854 games. If Schwarber needs to miss time, it'll be a big blow for fantasy managers, specifically in the power and counting stats departments.
Aaron Judge Injury Update
The New York Yankees officially reinstated outfielder Aaron Judge (hip) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and the star returned against the Oakland Athletics, logging one run, two RBIs, and drawing one walk.
Judge should return to all fantasy lineups moving forward as he eases back to action and looks to heat up.
J.D. Martinez Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) is just about ready to return from lower back tightness that has kept him out of action for the past couple of weeks. Manager Dave Roberts said that the 35-year-old will face live pitching in the next couple of days before a possible Friday activation from the injured list.
The power was there for Martinez before he was shelved, as he slashed .250/.306/.534 with four long balls, 13 runs, and 15 RBI over 23 games. When the veteran is back with the team, that will likely mean fewer at-bats for David Peralta, who's underperformed so far through 30 games with a .198 batting average.
Mauricio Dubon Injury Update
Houston Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubon (hamstring) exited Tuesday's contest against the Los Angeles Angels with left hamstring discomfort. But after the game, the 28-year-old told reporters that it's nothing serious and he'll avoid a trip to the injured list, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
That's good news for fantasy managers, as Dubon has been a surprisingly productive bat, slashing .287/.306/.357 with no homers, 22 runs, six RBI, and three stolen bases from the top of the Astros lineup. The native of Honduras may need a couple of days off, but fantasy managers should expect him back in the lineup soon.
Michael Brantley Injury Update
Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) has been shut down from hitting, according to manager Dusty Baker. The skipper also said it's unclear when Brantley will return and said it wasn't a setback. When specifically asked if Brantley had suffered a setback, Baker said, "Not really. We decided to just take it easy for a couple days." Baker also said that Brantley is "really close" to returning.
It sounds like the 35-year-old veteran has made progress, but it also sounds like a bit of a setback for a player that has yet to play at all in 2023 while recovering from shoulder surgery last year. We'll keep an eye on when Brantley resumes his rehab progression. At this point in his career, Brantley has little to offer fantasy managers besides a decent average because of his contact-oriented approach at the plate.
Ramon Urias Injury Update
The Baltimore Orioles placed infielder Ramon Urias (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a left-hamstring strain. In corresponding moves, the Orioles recalled left-hander Drew Rom, infielder/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn and infielder Terrin Vavra from Triple-A Norfolk, optioned left-hander Keegan Akin to Norfolk and designated catcher Luis Torrens for assignment.
Urias strained his hamstring in Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays and will now miss some time. The 28-year-old was hitting .278 (27-for-97) with seven doubles, one home run, 16 RBI and two stolen bases in 30 games before his injury. Urias had been sharing time at the hot corner in Baltimore with youngster Gunnar Henderson.
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