Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates for MLB Hitters and Pitchers – July 22, 2024

The MLB All-Star festivities are over and it’s time to get back to action. Unfortunately, the list of key injured players is still long as we enter the second half of the 2024 fantasy baseball season. With that said, let’s take a look at the top injured players, including Zack Wheeler, Julio Rodriguez, Ozzie Albies, Royce Lewis, TJ Friedl, Jose Miranda, Joe Musgrove, and more.

This is the next edition of this year Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates for Batters and Pitchers starting July 22, 2024. Some players on this list will have more of an impact on fantasy baseball than others, but with leagues of all shapes and sizes, all players should be kept an eye on leading up to the start of the week.

To stay up to date on all the news in the MLB, be sure to bookmark or favorite the fantasy baseball player news page, and download the free RotoBaller fantasy baseball mobile app for push notifications on all the latest news. Let’s take a look at injury updates for the top fantasy baseball players.

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

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (back) is listed as the team’s probable starter for Tuesday’s game in Minnesota against the Twins. As a precaution, Wheeler was skipped in his final start of the first half last Sunday against the Oakland Athletics due to back spasms. However, the issue is considered minor and the 34-year-old veteran All-Star is set to make his first start of the second half on Tuesday.

It’s not the best matchup on the road, but fantasy managers should feel comfortable putting Wheeler out there against a Twins team that will be without star shortstop Carlos Correa (foot). Wheeler has been as consistent as fantasy managers can get in the first half of 2024, going 10-4 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 126 strikeouts and 35 walks in 116 2/3 innings in his 19 starts. Roll him out there next week in Minnesota. (MLB.com)

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (ankle) was removed early in Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros. The 23-year-old suffered an ankle injury when he hit a wall during an impressive catch. The Mariners took a cautious approach and immediately removed Rodriguez from the game.

Scott Servais says X-rays on Julio Rodriguez’s ankle are negative. Says he’s day-to-day now. Calls it “a little bit of an ankle sprain.”

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) July 21, 2024

The x-rays came back negative for fractures, which is good news for fantasy managers. For now, fantasy managers should consider Rodriguez a day-to-day player with an ankle sprain. Victor Robles came in to replace Rodriguez and he will likely see more time in center field, assuming Rodriguez misses time.

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (wrist) has been placed on the injured list after suffering a broken left wrist during Sunday’s game. The 27-year-old suffered the injury when he slid into second base while attempting to steal a base in the ninth inning. It’s a crushing blow to an already battered Braves roster.

#Brave Second baseman Ozzie Albies has a fracture in his left wrist and is expected to be out for about eight weeks.

— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 21, 2024

The organization said Albies will be out for eight weeks following the injury. Zack Short should get more opportunities at shortstop, while Nelson Alvarez will be an interesting call-up option for Atlanta. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues have a tough decision to make, as Albies is likely to be out until late September.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (groin), who has been out since July 2 with a right groin strain, resumed running and hitting during the All-Star break this week and took pregame batting practice for Saturday’s series opener against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Lewis is scheduled to begin a brief minor-league rehab assignment next week. “If it was the playoffs, or if they let me play, I would definitely be there,” Lewis said. “I feel so good. I’m ready to go whenever I want. I’m just waiting for clearance and I think they’ll do what’s best.”

The oft-injured 25-year-old could be taken off the 10-day injured list by the end of next week, barring any setbacks, and should be listed everywhere. The former first overall pick in 2017 is hitting nearly .300 in 24 games for the Twins this year and has 10 home runs in just 99 plate appearances. (The Athletic)

Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (hamstring) is headed to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment. The 28-year-old has been sidelined since June 24 with a hamstring injury. Friedl has appeared in just 26 games this season due to a variety of nagging injuries and has a mediocre .216/.315/.361 line with four home runs, 16 RBI and six stolen bases.

The #Red today sent OF TJ Friedl (right hamstring injury) to Triple-A Louisville for a rehab assignment. photo.twitter.com/mJicJ7GaGw

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 21, 2024

Friedl showed himself to be a strong five-category contributor this past summer, posting a .279 AVG, 18 home runs and 27 stolen bases. The outfielder could return as early as next weekend, depending on how well he does in Triple-A. Friedl is likely to see most of his starts in center field in Cincinnati during the second half.

Minnesota Twins infielder Jose Miranda (back) will not be removed from the injured list on Sunday. The organization had hoped that Miranda would be on the IL for a minimal period, but that is not the case. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Miranda has shown good improvement, but that Miranda is not quite ready to play yet.

There is a chance that Miranda could return to the lineup without needing a rehab assignment. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see how Miranda feels in the coming days. (The Athletic)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) threw a successful 30-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. This is the second bullpen session Musgrove has thrown since going on the injured list in early June. Padres manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that Musgrove is getting closer to a return. The team has not yet given a timetable for his return, but it appears Musgrove is making solid progress. (ESPN)

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (forearm) is reportedly making slow progress, according to manager Aaron Boone. The left-handed slugger has been limited to weight training since his mid-June withdrawal. He suffered a fracture in his right forearm, so it will take time to recover.

Rizzo says he’s making progress, but he still has soreness in his forearm. It doesn’t appear he’ll make an impact in the Yankees lineup anytime soon. Ben Rice has gotten a bigger look at first base while Rizzo is sidelined. (MLB.com)

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay (forearm) retired all three batters he faced in his first rehab game in the Arizona Complex League on July 19. Alzolay was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 13 after being diagnosed with a right forearm sprain. He was eventually transferred to the 60-day injured list.

The 29-year-old began the season as the primary ninth-inning option on the Northside, but struggled with a 4.67 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 6.13 BB:K ratio over 17 innings. Alzolay will likely need multiple rehab appearances before returning, given his significant time on the sidelines, and could reclaim a high-leverage role when he returns to the major leagues. (MLB.com)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (lat) threw a 20-pitch session from the bullpen mound on Saturday and had no setbacks, manager Aaron Boone said. It was the 28-year-old’s first time on the mound since going on the injured list in late May. Boone said “everything went well for him” during the session.

This is a great sign, as this was a major step in the recovery process. Schmidt has a solid 2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 20:67 BB:K ratio in 60 ⅔ innings this season. The right-handed pitcher will likely have to throw a few more bullpen sessions before he begins a rehab assignment. Fantasy managers can expect Schmidt to return to the big leagues sometime in August if he continues to develop well. (MLB.com)

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