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With roughly two months of the 2024 MLB season in the books, there is no shortage of injuries around fantasy baseball. Injuries will continue to complicate lineup decisions, so let's take a look at injured hitters Luis Robert Jr., Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Max Muncy, Nolan Jones, Royce Lewis, Eloy Jimenez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters, as of May 22, 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.
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Luis Robert Jr. Injury Update
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hip) is scheduled to play five innings on Wednesday in a minor-league rehab game in the Arizona Complex League. Robert will then take Thursday and play this weekend in Arizona before going on a rehab assignment with a higher affiliate, according to manager Pedro Grifol. It's likely that the White Sox will let the 26-year-old right-handed slugger play in plenty of rehab games before they consider bringing the oft-injured outfielder back to the majors.
Luis Robert Jr. slated to play five innings Wednesday in Arizona. Off Thurs, then will play this weekend in AZ before going on rehab assignment, per manager Pedro Grifol.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 21, 2024
He's been out since April 6 with a Grade 2 right hip-flexor strain, but Robert should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues because of his power/speed upside when he's healthy. Even without a setback, the best bet is that Robert won't return until early June. The Cuban outfielder was a first-time All-Star in 2023, hitting .264 with a career-high 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) will have a follow-up exam on June 5. Encarnacion-Strand was diagnosed with a fractured right hand back on May 8, which stemmed from being hit by a pitch on April 27, and he was expected to miss somewhere between four and six weeks. The 24-year-old former top prospect should remain stashed in shallow fantasy leagues for his power potential and a possible return sometime in the middle of June, but he was slashing a pitiful .190/.220/.293 with two home runs, six doubles, and 16 RBI over 123 plate appearances (29 games) before requiring a trip to the injured list.
Some updates from David Bell.
-Nick Lodolo has a long bullpen scheduled for the next day or two. The next steps/return plan will move forward after that.
-CES has a follow up on June 5
-TJ Friedl hopes to start swinging off a tee this week.— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 21, 2024
The switch-hitting Jeimer Candelario's playing time at first base should be locked in for the time being, but he's failed to produce much for fantasy purposes while slashing just .216/.284/.379 with four homers, 11 doubles, and 17 RBI in 153 at-bats.
Max Muncy Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (oblique) took ground balls before the game on Monday and is starting up baseball activities after a Grade 1 right-oblique strain landed him on the 10-day injured list last Friday. It's good news that the 33-year-old veteran is already resuming baseball activities, but swinging a bat will be the true test with an oblique injury. It's unclear if the Dodgers will want him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Muncy to be back from the IL when he's eligible to return.
Max Muncy’s taking ground balls right now. Starting up baseball activities after his oblique strain.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 21, 2024
He's currently slashing .223/.323/.475 with nine home runs, 28 RBI and 24 runs scored in his first 139 at-bats on the year. Muncy is going to hurt your fantasy team's batting average, but you can't argue against his pop and RBI opportunities in a loaded Dodgers lineup.
Nolan Jones Injury Update
Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back, knee) has had his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque halted due to right-knee soreness that he sustained on a slide. Jones had an MRI exam come back clean, but he will still rest for a few days before getting back on the field. It's a delay in his rehab assignment, but his knee injury doesn't appear to be too serious.
#Rockies have halted the rehab assignment with Triple-A @abqtopes of OF Nolan Jones (low back strain) because of right knee soreness sustained on a slide. Jones had an MRI that came back clean, but he will rest a few days before getting back on the field.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) May 21, 2024
The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger was originally put on the 10-day injured list on April 30 with a lower back strain. If he only misses a few more days, there's still a chance that he could return to the Rockies' lineup at some point next week. Fantasy managers are hoping the former second-rounder's slow start in 2024 has more to do with his back injury than anything else. Jones is currently hitting .170 (16-for-94) with just one homer and seven RBI after being a 20-20 guy last year.
Royce Lewis Injury Update
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) ran the bases for the first time on Monday after faring well during change-of-direction work, according to athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. It's another big step in Lewis' rehab process, and the Twins should have a better sense of his progress when they return home on Friday. The 24-year-old strained his right quadriceps muscle on Opening Day on March 28 and has been out ever since.
Royce Lewis ran the bases for the first time yesterday, athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said, another big step in his rehab process.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) May 21, 2024
Because of the long layoff, fantasy managers should expect Lewis to be required to go on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Twins reinstate him from the injured list. In a best-case scenario, he's probably not going to make his return until at least early June. Despite his injury, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2017 should continue to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside.
Eloy Jimenez Injury Update
Chicago White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (hamstring) exited Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a strained left hamstring, and he's being further evaluated. Jimenez was seen limping a bit after scoring a run during the fifth inning, going 2-for-3 with a double before departing, and Gavin Sheets hit for him in the DH spot in the seventh.
Eloy Jiménez left tonight's game with a left hamstring strain. He is being further evaluated.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 22, 2024
The oft-injured 27-year-old slugger is slashing a career-worst .231/.288/.381 with five home runs, five doubles, and 12 RBI with a career-high three stolen bases through 134 at-bats (36 games) as Chicago's everyday DH. Jimenez will almost certainly be absent for Wednesday's series finale against Toronto, and fantasy managers can only hope he isn't dealing with a severe strain that could send him to the injured list.
Jake Fraley Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (hand) left Tuesday's game against the visiting San Diego Padres after being hit in the right hand by a pitch in the first inning. X-rays were negative for a fracture, but Fraley has swelling and will get looked at on Wednesday. Stuart Fairchild entered the game, and he would be in line for an uptick in at-bats in Cincy's outfield if Fraley needs to miss additional time beyond Tuesday.
X Rays were negative for a fracture on the right hand of Jake Fraley. He has swelling and will get looked at tomorrow.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 22, 2024
The 28-year-old Fraley is slashing a modest .272/.333/.359 with 17 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 103 at-bats in 2024, but he's going through a power outage with just one home run and seven RBI in 36 games. Consider the right fielder day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's meeting with San Diego, but it's fair to expect Fraley to get at least one day off with the injury.
Michael Conforto Injury Update
San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto (hamstring) has been cleared for on-field batting practice and is nearing a return from the injured list. A right hamstring strain put Conforto on the 10-day injured list over a week ago, but he appears to be making good progress. The last hurdle that the 31-year-old probably will have to clear is running the bases at full speed, and it remains to be seen if he'll be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to San Francisco. Conforto is eligible to return next Wednesday.
Giants activated Ryan McKenna and he’s starting in right field tonight. Michael Conforto is cleared for on-field BP, so he’s getting pretty close.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) May 21, 2024
The Giants could really use him back after recently losing rookie Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) for the entire season. The left-handed-hitting Conforto was slashing a strong .280/.331/.490 with a .821 OPS, seven home runs, and 20 RBI in 143 at-bats for the Giants before tweaking his hammy.
Kris Bryant Injury Update
The Colorado Rockies reinstated first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant (back) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Sean Bouchard to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. The Rockies also outrighted infielder Julio Carreras to Albuquerque after he wasn't claimed by another team. Bryant made his return to the lineup on Tuesday, playing first base and batting fifth against Oakland Athletics right-hander Aaron Brooks. The 32-year-old former MVP has been out since being put on the IL on April 17 with a lower back strain.
Rockies have reinstated INF/OF Kris Bryant from the 10-day IL ahead of today's game in Oakland.
OF Sean Bouchard has been optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Additionally, INF Julio Carreras was not claimed by another club and has been outrighted to Triple-A.
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) May 21, 2024
Since signing a big deal with the Rockies before the 2022 campaign, the four-time All-Star has had trouble staying on the field because of injuries. On top of it, he hasn't played well when he's been on the field. Bryant is returning to a .149/.273/.255 slash line with a homer, six RBI, and 18 strikeouts in 13 games in 2024.
Patrick Bailey Injury Update
The San Francisco Giants reinstated catcher Patrick Bailey (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Tuesday and optioned catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol to Double-A Richmond in a corresponding move. The Giants also added outfielder Ryan McKenna to the active roster. Although Bailey was brought back from the IL on Tuesday, it was Curt Casali who got the start behind the plate for the Giants in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with a left-hander on the mound.
Additional #SFGiants roster moves:
· C Patrick Bailey (#14) reinstated from the 7-day concussion Injured List.
· OF Ryan McKenna (#34) added to the 26-man roster.
· C/OF Blake Sabol optioned to Double-A Richmond.— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 21, 2024
Now that he's back, Bailey should return to primary catching duties in San Francisco after opening the year with a strong .280/.340/.451 slash line in 95 plate appearances. The former 13th overall pick in 2020 out of North Carolina State has added three home runs, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored in his 82 at-bats in 2024. Bailey should be back in the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Jasson Dominguez Injury Update
The New York Yankees transferred outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez's (elbow) minor-league rehab assignment from Single-A Tampa to Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. Dominguez played in four games for Tampa and went 5-for-13 with a double and four walks before being moved up to Double-A.
Today, the Yankees transferred the following rehab assignments:
• Transferred the rehab assignment of INF DJ LeMahieu from Double-A Somerset to High-A Hudson Valley.
• Transferred the rehab assignment of INF Jorbit Vivas from Single-A Tampa to High-A Hudson Valley.
•…— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 21, 2024
The 21-year-old they call the Martian is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last year. Manager Aaron Boone recently disclosed that once Dominguez's 30-day rehab assignment is up, the team will option him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to continue his rehab/development. If Dominguez swings the bat like he did in 2023, though, it might not be long before he becomes the starting center fielder in the Bronx. He's worth stashing in most redraft leagues.
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