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When Will Bryce Harper, Jackson Merrill, Matt Chapman Return? Will Harper, Merrill, and Chapman be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 12 of the 2025 MLB season.
The 2025 MLB season has been a rollercoaster for fantasy baseball managers dealing with injuries to key players. Three major fantasy assets currently sidelined include Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (wrist inflammation), San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (concussion), and San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (hand sprain). Each player brings unique challenges and timelines for fantasy managers to navigate.
What makes these injuries especially frustrating is their timing and circumstances. Harper's wrist inflammation represents a chronic issue that plagued him throughout 2024, while Merrill's concussion came just weeks after signing a massive $135 million extension and returning from a separate hamstring injury. Chapman's hand sprain occurred during what was shaping up to be one of his best offensive seasons, with the five-time Gold Glover posting career-high metrics, before diving back to first base changed everything.
Successfully managing these injuries requires understanding not just the current situation, but each player's injury history and the realistic timelines for their returns. Let's dive into the latest updates on these three fantasy cornerstones.
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Bryce Harper Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Harper was placed on the 10-day injury list on June 7, 2025 (retroactive to June 6) with right wrist inflammation. Wrist issues aren't new for the two-time MVP, as Harper acknowledged he played through pain in his right wrist from May 2024 through the end of that season, and now the same issue has popped up again in 2025.
The concerning aspect is that "It's been long enough to where it's gotten to the point where I can't really function on a baseball field or hit a baseball or anything like that," Harper said. He was feeling pain on every swing before finally going on the IL.
Harper's injury history reveals a troubling pattern with his right side. He had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow following the 2022 World Series, making one of the fastest recoveries in MLB history by returning just 160 days later. However, he's dealt with recurring wrist and elbow issues since then, playing through wrist problems since May 2024 and coping with elbow irritation that isn't related to his previous UCL surgery.
Bryce Harper is out taking some grounders with a brace on his right wrist. No throwing or hitting yet. pic.twitter.com/7DHCzk5NoJ
— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) June 13, 2025
Most recently, Harper was hit by a 95-mph Spencer Strider fastball on his surgically repaired right elbow on May 27, missing five games with an elbow contusion. While X-rays were negative, this latest hit-by-pitch may have exacerbated his ongoing wrist issues.
Manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Harper has improved strength and range of motion and is "getting close" to throwing. However, as of June 18, he has yet to be cleared to throw a ball or swing a bat.
Harper won't be eligible to return until June 16 at the earliest due to the retroactive IL placement. Given the chronic nature of this wrist issue and his need to be pain-free while swinging, fantasy managers should prepare for a potentially more prolonged absence. Harper is confident it will clear up independently with rest and treatment, avoiding the need for surgery.
If you drafted Harper early, you're likely holding him unless there's a significant setback. Otto Kemp was called up to take Harper's roster spot and could provide solid production if the absence extends.
Jackson Merrill Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Merrill was placed on the 7-day injured list on June 15, 2025, after suffering a concussion during Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The injury occurred when he attempted to steal second base and was tagged by Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte. According to manager Mike Shildt, the tag landed "right in his forehead," which he called a "completely clean play" but noted the unfortunate collision.
Shildt provided encouraging updates on Merrill's recovery this week. After initially noting on Sunday that Merrill was "able to keep some food down" and had "some appetite," on Monday, he reported that the center fielder is "(doing) better, (has an) appetite, headache gone." However, he's "still a little woozy" and dealing with neck soreness.
Scary injury by Jackson Merrill
Look his neck 😔 pic.twitter.com/dbAXbqpTcL
— San Diego Strong (@PadresStrong) June 15, 2025
Merrill is eligible to return from the injured list on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, precisely one week after being placed on the 7-day concussion IL. Merrill's appetite returning and headaches subsiding suggest he's moving through concussion protocols as expected. "It's going to be a day-to-day thing," Shildt said, emphasizing the cautious approach.
This injury adds to an injury-plagued sophomore season for the 22-year-old All-Star. Earlier this year, Merrill missed 24 games with a right hamstring strain between April 7 and May 7. Before the concussion, he was riding a five-game hitting streak and batting .304 with a .823 OPS, performing at a level comparable to his 2024 All-Star and Silver Slugger campaign.
The timing couldn't be worse for the Padres, who face a six-game homestand without their young star. The team called up Trenton Brooks, who hit .311/.411/.590 with 14 homers in 60 Triple-A games.
Fantasy managers should monitor daily updates, but the positive trajectory suggests a return this weekend is realistic if Merrill continues progressing through concussion protocols without setbacks.
Matt Chapman Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Chapman was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 11, 2025, with right-hand inflammation after jamming his throwing hand while diving back to first base against the Atlanta Braves on June 8. Chapman told reporters he will miss more than 10 games after an MRI showed sprained ligaments in multiple fingers.
Chapman indicated he's suffering from sprains in three fingers on his right hand (index, middle, and ring), with each finger also having a bone bruise. X-rays came back negative, but Chapman said his hand started to feel stiff after the game and feared he might have damaged the ligaments.
Chapman met with hand specialist Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles on June 13 and received encouraging news. "He was pleasantly surprised with how fast I was healing and said usually somebody that had the injury I had would probably be in more pain at this point, so it was good news," Chapman said. The specialist told him he could begin rehabbing his hand in about a week and must wear his splint until then.
Chapman hopes to return before the All-Star break (July 14), though hand injuries typically take 2-4 weeks to recover. "It's really hard to put a timeline on it, but I'm going to do everything I can to come back as fast as I can," he said. "I want to be smart so that when I do come back, I'm able to be productive for the team."
IT. IS. OUTTA HERE!
Matt Chapman walks it off for the @SFGiants! pic.twitter.com/0RvTse5s8K
— MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2025
Adding another layer to Chapman's injury situation, trade rumors have emerged linking him to the New York Yankees. MLB analyst Esteban Quinones has proposed a deal that would send Chapman to the Yankees for a package that includes prospects Jasson Dominguez, Everson Pereira, and Ian Hamilton. The speculation comes after the Giants acquired Rafael Devers from Boston, potentially creating a logjam at third base.
However, such a trade would be counterproductive given Chapman's status as "one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball history" and his current offensive surge. Chapman batted .243/.360/.452 with a 134 wRC+ while generating 2.5 fWAR (Fangraphs Wins Above Replacement) in 65 games. More importantly, he was hitting .322/.429/.610 with a 194 wRC+ over his past 17 games before the injury.
The Giants have insurance at third base with Devers, giving them time to properly rehab Chapman without rushing his return. Casey Schmitt has taken over at third base but is hitting just .180/.281/.240, making Chapman's eventual return even more valuable for the Giants and fantasy managers.
Chapman's injury comes at an unfortunate time, given his career-year performance and the Giants sitting just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. For fantasy managers, the positive medical feedback suggests patience will be rewarded, especially given the Giants' incentive to have him healthy for a potential playoff push.
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