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The injuries begin to pile up in the MLB, but as always, the fantasy baseball season will continue to roll along -- with or without your star players. Managing to stay afloat while key players are out is always important for staying on top of your league's standings. Let's take a look at injured hitters including Max Muncy, Giancarlo Stanton, Tyler O'Neill, Alec Bohm, Riley Greene, Harrison Bader, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters as of May 31, 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
As expected, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (hamstring) was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday, playing third base and batting third in the order against the Washington Nationals and right-hander Jake Irvin. Muncy left Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays early on Saturday due to left-hamstring tightness and missed the last two days as a result.
The 32-year-old's hamstring cramp is behind him now, though, and fantasy managers should get him back into their starting lineups. Muncy is hitting only .208 (35-for-168) on the year through 49 games (203 plate appearances), but he's contributed 17 home runs and 38 RBI as well. You'll have to continue to live with the low average, but Muncy's .340 on-base percentage and power are worth it.
Giancarlo Stanton Injury Update
New York Yankees designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset Tuesday, going 0-for-3 with a walk. The 33-year-old has been out since mid-April with a left hamstring strain, but he could potentially return to the Yankees as soon as this weekend at the Dodgers.
Stanton was off to a decent start to the season before landing on the injured list, slashing .269/.296/.558 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 54 plate appearances. He has remained a solid source of power throughout his career when healthy, so fantasy managers will be pleased to see him return.
Tyler O'Neill Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill (back) has been shut down from baseball activities for a third time after experiencing more discomfort in his lower back, according to MLB.com. The slugger has been out since May 4 but hasn't made much progress in his recovery, and manager Oliver Marmol said the team is "at a standstill."
Before the injury, O'Neill was slashing .228/.283/.337 with two bombs, 12 runs, six RBI, and one stolen base over 29 games. There's no timetable for his return, but hopefully, he can come back as the player that went deep 34 times and swiped 15 bags in 2021.
Alec Bohm Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (hamstring) was back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the New York Mets. He sat out of Sunday's contest versus the Atlanta Braves due to hamstring tightness. Luckily, it appears that was only a minor issue.
Fantasy managers should make sure to adjust their lineups with Bohm back.
Riley Greene Injury Update
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (leg) left Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers in the third inning after feeling discomfort in his lower left leg, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Before his exit, the youngster was 0-for-1 with a strikeout, but he's enjoyed a strong campaign thus far with the bat, slashing .296/.362/.443 with five bombs, 29 runs, 18 RBI, and six steals over 52 games.
Fantasy managers should consider Greene day-to-day, and it'll be a tough blow if he's forced to miss time. Stay tuned for more info.
Harrison Bader Injury Update
New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader (hamstring) will take another trip to the injured list, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports. The 28-year-old suffered a right hamstring strain in Monday's game and underwent an MRI earlier on Tuesday. It's unclear how long he'll be out, but that's tough news for fantasy managers who were already without Bader for more than a month to begin the season.
The former St. Louis Cardinal is slashing .267/.295/.511 with six home runs, 14 runs, 19 RBI, and six steals over 26 games in 2023. In a corresponding move, the club recalled Franchy Cordero, who will likely get a solid amount of playing time but owns just a .578 OPS this year over 18 games.
Jesse Winker Injury Update
The Milwaukee Brewers placed outfielder Jesse Winker (neck) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 28) on Tuesday with a cervical strain and recalled infielder Abraham Toro from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move. Winker, who has had a brutal year to this point in his first year in Milwaukee, figures to miss extensive time with this injury.
The 29-year-old left-handed hitter has limped to a .204 average (22-for-108) with three doubles, no home runs, 13 RBI, 11 runs scored, 15 walks and 31 strikeouts in 127 trips to the plate over 39 games. Given how bad he's been this year, Winker has probably already been dropped in the majority of mixed fantasy leagues. Toro should operate as corner infield depth while he's with the Brew Crew.
TJ Friedl Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (hamstring) exited Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Red Sox in the fourth inning with left hamstring tightness. Friedl went 0-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout before being replaced by Jose Barrero. After the game, manager David Bell called the injury "minor", saying, "His goal is to be available off the bench tomorrow.
He likely won't start." The 27-year-old has contributed a bit of everything this season, slashing .326/.377/.496 with three home runs, 20 RBI, and six stolen bases in 158 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for more news tomorrow but may not see Friedl until Thursday.
Wil Myers Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds first baseman/outfielder Wil Myers (shoulder) is no longer dealing with a kidney stone which forced him onto the injured list, but is still dealing with shoulder pain from a left shoulder strain, per manager David Bell. The 32-year-old may undergo an MRI in Cincinnati.
Myers was an intriguing late-round fantasy pick this season after joining the Reds but has slashed just .189/.257/.283 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and two stolen bases in 141 plate appearances.
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