X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

When Will Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider Return? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

Spencer Strider - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

When will Freeman, Acuna Jr., and Strider return and play? Will Freeman, Acuna Jr., and Strider be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 2 of the 2025 MLB season.

The MLB regular season is over a week old, but some stars are still conspicuously absent from the lineup for their fantasy baseball teams and their MLB teams. If you're anxiously awaiting the return of Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers or  Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves, you'll want to stay up on the latest on these stars' recoveries.

As all fantasy baseball players are very aware, injuries can radically impact your team's season. Keeping up on the latest news about your players' injuries and navigating the absence of key contributors is critical to success. Knowing the latest info can help you correctly value players for redraft or dynasty leagues and plan for fill-in measures if needed.

All three of the National League stars covered in this update are currently on the injured list but are working their way back to the lineup. All three will be critical to their team's playoff aspirations and give their fantasy owners a big boost when they are back in the lineup. Let's take a look at the latest news and how toy approach each situation.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Freddie Freeman Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Freeman was scratched on Opening Day with left ribcage soreness and missed both of the games in the Tokyo Series. He played the three games in the series against the Tigers, going 3-for-12 (.250) with two home runs, four RBI, and a .453 wOBA.

However, during that weekend, he had what manager Dave Roberts described as a "mishap" in the shower and tweaked his surgically repaired right ankle. The team hoped to get him back in the lineup right away, but ultimately, he missed the whole series against the Braves and was not expected to be available for Friday's series opener against the Phillies.

Even though X-rays were negative, the team opted to play it safe and place him on the 10-day injured list on Friday, retroactive to March 31.

In good news, there hasn't been any indication that Freeman is headed for a long-term absence, and he is currently expected to return after the minimum days on the IL or shortly after that. However, the issue was also expected to be minor when the mishap happened, but it has lingered longer than the Dodgers or Freeman's fantasy owners would like.

Hopefully, he will be able to return in mid-April and keep producing as he did in his limited availability. He already showed that he can still be an elite producer when he's on the field, but the lingering injuries are starting to be a cause for concern. So far, there isn't anything major, but multiple minor things could start to add up for the 35-year-old lefty.

While he is out, the Dodgers have been starting Kike Hernandez at 1B. In his first five games of the season, Hernandez went 2-for-19 (.105), but both of those hits were home runs. He does have a little power potential but is not a great long-term option at the position. He'll return to his utility role as soon as Freeman is ready to return, so he is unlikely to retain fantasy value.

 

Ronald Acuna Jr. Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

The Braves continue to bide their time while waiting for Acuna to be cleared for work in the outfield and to be able to cut on his surgically repaired ACL. The last update from manager Brian Snitker came early this week when he said that the star outfielder still hasn't been cleared for those activities.

Acuna is still on the long road back from his torn left ACL suffered last May against the Pirates. He sustained the dreaded "non-contact injury" while running the bases. It is the second torn ACL he has suffered in his time with the Braves. Acuna tore the ACL in his right knee in 2021 and was able to return to win the NL MVP in 2023 with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases.

Initially, the team was hopeful that he would return in time for Opening Day, but they have moved his timeline back to early May. However, they did only place him on the 10-day injured list, not the 60-day injured list, which means they still think he'll be back before the end of May.

The last time he returned from the IL after an ACL injury, he had a little bit of a down year, hitting .266 with 15 homers, 29 stolen bases, and a .332 wOBA in 2022. The team seems to be trying to take a more conservative route this time so that he can return closer to full strength.

Since he's still not doing cutting or fielding drills, he has a long way to go before he's ready to play the outfield on a regular basis. He will likely need an extended minor league rehab stint since he did not see any spring training action.

The Braves initially plugged the huge hole left by Acuna with Jurickson Profar, who was leading off every day before getting hit with an 80-game suspension for PED use. Without Profar now, the Braves have gone with Michael Harris II in the leadoff spot against lefties and Ozzie Alibes against righties.

They'll likely continue to split time at the top of the lineup while Bryan De La Cruz starts on one side of the outfield with Jarred Kelenic and Stuart Fairchild platooning in the other corner outfield spot.

 

Spencer Strider Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Strider is much closer to a return for the Braves and is currently on his rehab assignment in Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers. He got in four innings in two spring training starts, totaling 10 strikeouts in four innings, but he wasn't quite ready to break camp with the MLB club.

In those two Grapefruit League outings, he shook off some rust, but he also showed that his elite strikeout potential was back with 10 strikeouts in the 17 batters he faced against the Orioles and Red Sox.

In Triple-A, Strider threw 60 pitches in his first start for the Stripers, getting through three innings with just two hits and one earned run while racking up six strikeouts. He was even sharper in his second rehab start on Friday, working up to 75 pitches and not allowing a hit or a run in 5 1/3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Strider was limited to just two starts before his injury last season and only totaled nine innings before requiring a procedure on his elbow.

However, instead of full-blown Tommy John surgery, which typically requires an 18-month recovery, Strider had an internal brace procedure to stabilize his damaged ulnar collateral ligament that only requires a nine to 12-month recovery, enabling him to come back just a year after the initial injury.

After his strong rehab outings, he may be ready to return in his next start, although the initial plan was for him to get in at least one more start in Gwinnett. Throwing so effectively, Strider will obviously be a huge boost for the rotation with his elite ceiling.

Right now, the Braves are using a rotation of Chris Sale, Bryce Elder,  Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes. With Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) on the 60-day IL, the Braves could opt to send either the 25-year-old Elder or the 22-year-old Smith-Shawver to the minors or to the bullpen when Strider is ready to take over his spot in the rotation.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ross Chastain

Trackhouse Racing's Mexico Focus Makes Ross Chastain a Leading Contender for the Win
Kyle Busch

One of Two Past Mexico City Winners in Field
Ryan Preece

Earns Surprising Front Row Start, but Probably Won't Sustain It
Austin Cindric

Not as Strong a Road Racer as People Think
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Stronger on Infield Road Courses Than Purpose-Built Ones
Joey Logano

Seemingly Alternating Between Good and Mediocre Races
Brad Keselowski

One of the Few Drivers with Mexico City Experience, but It Probably Won't Help
Denny Hamlin

Ryan Truex Makes First Cup Series Start Since 2014 Subbing for Denny Hamlin
Erik Jones

Despite Increased Intermediate Speed, Mexico City Will Likely Be a Struggle for Erik Jones
Noah Gragson

Front Row Motorsports's Speed May Make Noah Gragson a Decent DFS Option
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Road Courses Are Ricky Stenhouse Jr's Worst Track Type
Riley Herbst

Surprisingly Outqualified 23XI Racing Teammates at Mexico City
Cody Ware

a Very Experienced Road Racer, but Still a Longshot
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite to Win in Mexico City
Christopher Bell

the Chalk DFS Play in Mexico City
Tyler Reddick

Has a Lot of Work To Do To Be Competitive in Mexico
AJ Allmendinger

Struggling to Find Speed in Mexico City
Chris Buescher

Says Car is "Bad Fast" Heading into Mexico City Race
Michael McDowell

Confident Heading into Viva Mexico 250
Ryan Blaney

Finds Speed in Second Practice at Mexico City
Alex Bowman

Still Sore After Wreck at Michigan
Giancarlo Stanton

Likely Returning Early Next Week
Spencer Strider

Registers 13 Strikeouts
Hunter Brown

s Records 12 Strikeouts
Emeka Egbuka

"the Talk" of Bucs Minicamp
Royce Lewis

to be Placed on Injured List
Byron Buxton

Exits Early on Saturday
Evander Kane

Drops to Fourth Line Saturday
Kasperi Kapanen

Won't Play on Saturday
Calvin Pickard

Starts Game 5 for Oilers
Jaxson Dart

Working as No. 2 QB During Offseason Workouts
Xavier Gipson

Roster Spot Could be in Jeopardy
Josh Reynolds

the Front-Runner for WR2 Duties
Garrett Wilson

Stock Up This Offseason
Breece Hall

Motivated Going into 2025 Season
Brandon Aiyuk

Making Good Progress From Knee Injury
Keon Coleman

Inconsistent at Minicamp
Mitchell Trubisky

Not a Lock for Backup Job
Dalton Kincaid

Adds Strength and Bulk
James Cook

a Full Participant in Mandatory Minicamp
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Jacob Misiorowski

Expected to Make Next Start
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Charlie Morton

Continues Good Work With 10 Strikeouts
James Wood

Homers, Drives in Four
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice to Snap Skid
Isaac Paredes

Astros Hopeful Isaac Paredes Can Avoid the Injured List
Royce Lewis

Dealing With Hamstring Strain
Kodai Senga

Diagnosed With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Gleyber Torres

Goes Deep Twice on Friday
Jonathan India

Leaves With Apparent Shoulder Injury
Evan Carter

Leaves Early With Wrist Soreness
Anthony Richardson

Should be Fine for Training Camp
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
A.J. Puk

Pauses Throwing Program
Matt Chapman

Can Begin Rehabbing in a Week
Logan Gilbert

Next Start Could Come in the Big Leagues
Cam Akers

Joining Saints
Yordan Alvarez

Still Not Hitting
Michael Mayer

to Get More Involved
Aaron Rodgers

DK Metcalf Building Chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Colston Loveland

Likely to be Primary Tight End
Jacob Wilson

Returns on Friday
Justin Martinez

Out 12-13 Months With UCL Sprain
Will Johnson

Returns to Practice
Harold Fannin Jr.

Could Have Big Role in Rookie Season
Quentin Johnston

Still Running With Starters
Rashawn Slater

Takes Part in Minicamp
Jack Bech

Mostly Working With Second-Team Offense
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Cody Brundage

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alonzo Menifield

Opens Up UFC Atlanta Main Card
Oumar Sy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Chris Kreider

Ducks Acquire Chris Kreider From Rangers
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Cale Makar

Wins His Second Norris Trophy
Lane Hutson

Voted NHL's Best Rookie
CGY

Adam Klapka Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Considered a Game-Time Call Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Undergoes Successful Knee Procedure
Kevin Porter Jr.

Likely to Decline Player Option
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Kevin Durant

Knicks Not Looking to Trade for Kevin Durant
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
Jordan Spieth

Can Contend at Oakmont
Shane Lowry

a Strong Value Play at U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka

Seeks Another Major Win at Oakmont
Viktor Hovland

Still Can Improve at U.S. Open
Michael Kim

a Boom-or-Bust Value Play at U.S. Open
Russell Henley

Looking to Play the Weekend at Oakmont
Tyrrell Hatton

a Safe Option at U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Eyeing Third U.S. Open Title
Darius Garland

Kings Targeting Darius Garland
Kevin Durant

Expected to Be Moved Soon
Corey Perry

Nets Power-Play Goal in Monday's Loss
Sean O'Malley

Submitted For The First Time In His Career
Merab Dvalishvili

Defends Bantamweight Belt At UFC 316
Julianna Peña

Julianna Pena No Longer A Champion
Kayla Harrison

Is The New Champion
Joe Pyfer

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum

Drops Decision
Patchy Mix

Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
Mario Bautista

Extends His Win Streak
Vicente Luque

Submitted At UFC 316
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF