As we enter Week 16 of the 2023 fantasy baseball season with the MLB All-star break in our rear-view mirrors, we have multiple MLB injury updates impacting well-known players. The latest MLB injury report features some starting pitchers near the top of fantasy baseball rankings and MLB projections, including Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians and Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Rays starter Shane McClanahan will be returning to fantasy baseball lineups as the Rays sit with a one-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East division. Unfortunately, managers will be scouring the fantasy baseball waiver wire to replace injured Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano. If your fantasy baseball team is banged up, check out Adam Ronis’ latest piece here for fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. Plus, check out Matt Selz's recent MLB top prospects who could emerge as fantasy baseball sleepers this season. For specific player updates regarding MLB streaks and trends, check out Colby Conway’s latest article to identify which players on your fantasy baseball teams are trending in the right and wrong direction lately. While figuring out who to start in your fantasy baseball lineups this week, check out these latest MLB injuries, and let’s kick it into high gear as we start our fantasy baseball playoff and championship pushes.

 

2023 Fantasy Baseball MLB Injury Report Week 16

Updated July 21

MLB Injury Updates Hitters 

Yordan Alvarez, OF, Houston Astros (Oblique)

We haven't seen Alvarez suit up for the Astros in over a month, but his time away from the team seems to be coming to an end soon as his injured oblique has healed. He's been rehabbing and we could see him back in action at some point in the next week. Be prepared for an update regarding his health before you lock in your fantasy baseball weekly lineups on Monday. 

Adolis Garcia, OF, Texas Rangers (Arm)

Garcia got hit by a pitch during the Rangers last outing and tests done on his arm revealed no damage beyond soreness and the Rangers were off on Thursday and there's a chance he can be back in the lineup for the start of Texas' series against the Dodgers. 

Starling Marte, OF, New York Mets (Head)

Marte has been experiencing extreme headaches and the Mets made the decision to put him on the injured list rather than continue taking it day-by-day. He'll miss about another week of action before he has a chance to return to action. 

Tommy Pham, OF, New York Mets (Groin)

Pham has been dealing with a sore groin for the last few weeks and the injury flared up during the Mets last game and they'll take the next few days to monitor the situation before making a decision to give him a couple of weeks off, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him out of the lineup in the short-term. With the Mets injuries in the outfield, they may need Jeff McNeil to step away from the infield a bit more to help fill in. 

Cedric Mullins, OF, Baltimore Orioles (Thigh)

Mullins is suffering from extreme muscle soreness in his thigh and we haven't seen him take the field in almost a week. He's currently sitting on the injured list and it wouldn't be surprising to see him sidelined for an additional week or two if he's healing slowly. Aaron Hicks will continue filling in for him. 

Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Chicago White Sox (Foot)

Vaughn has been out for the last couple of games with a sore foot and the White Sox haven't placed him on the injured list just yet meaning there's a chance we can see him back in the mix in Chicago's series against Minnesota. Gavin Sheets and Jake Burger have filled in for Vaughn at first base while he's been out. 

 

Harrison Bader, OF, New York Yankees (Ribs)

Bader got hit by a pitch a couple of games ago and he's currently suffering from rib-soreness and we'll have to see if the pain is gone by Friday night when the Yankees start their series against the Royals. New York was off on Thursday.

Dansby Swanson, SS, Chicago Cubs (Heel)

Swanson has been on the injured list since shortly before the all-star break and the Cubs coaches have come out and said that he is just about ready to return to the lineup and we could see him back on the field in the next few days. It isn't confirmed, but if you have Swanson, start preparing for activation. 

Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners (Foot)

A freak injury occurred few days ago that made me raise my eyebrows when it crossed the AP wire and that Kelenic not only fractured his foot, but he did it while kicking a water cooler out of frustration and Seattle put him on the injured list and he's looking at the potentially the next month/month and a half out of the lineup. Cade Marlowe filled in for Kelenic in the Mariners previous outing. 

Ryan Noda, 1B, Oakland Athletics (Jaw)

Noda needed to have a procedure done on his jaw after a baseball smacked him in the face and reports are out that he could be sidelined for potentially the next month of action. Seth Brown and Aledmys Diaz have filled in at first base over the last few days. 

Rowdy Tellez, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers (Finger)

Tellez was battling a forearm injury earlier in July and he was on the injured list and just when it seemed like he’d be ready to return to the team this week, he fractured his finger while practicing in the field and he won’t be back in action until August which is just brutal. Owen Miller will be looking at even more starts at first base for potentially the next month.

Brian Anderson, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (Back)

Anderson has a strained back and he was put on the injured list over the weekend, and we don’t know when we’ll see him take the field again. He’s been rotating between playing in the outfield and at third base throughout the season and now we can see Andruw Monasterio play more third base while Anderson recovers. 

Eddie Rosario, OF, Atlanta Braves (Hamstring)

Rosario is dealing with a sore hamstring that he hurt over the weekend and he hasn’t been placed on the injured list just yet so he remains day-to-day and the Braves continue their homestand on Tuesday when they start their series against the Diamondbacks. We’ll have to see if he’s ready to return after another day of rest. 

Anthony Rendon, 3B, Los Angeles Angels (Leg)

Rendon will miss at least another few games with an injured shin. We’ve seen both Mike Moustakas and Luis Rengifo fill in at third base over the last couple of days.

 

MLB Injury Updates Pitchers 

Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland Guardians (Elbow)

The good news is, unlike a lot of elbow injuries reported in this piece throughout the season, Bieber’s season isn’t over because of the swelling in his elbow, but the Guardians are going to be careful, and we have an unclear timetable regarding Bieber’s return. He’s looking at an August return, but we can’t predict when he’ll be back in August and that all depends on how he responds to rest and treatment over the next few weeks. Be prepared to be without him for potentially the next month, but he should make it back in time for your fantasy baseball playoff push. 

Jordan Romano, RP, Toronto Blue Jays (Back)

UPDATE: Romano has returned from his back injury and pitched on Thursday for the Blue Jays. 

It always stinks when a player gets injured during the all-star game and Romano is still dealing with a sore back. He got some tests done and they revealed no damage or anything major. He just may need a few more days to rest. The Blue Jays don’t play again until Tuesday and Romano isn’t on the injured list. We saw both Erik Swanson and Yimi Garcia record saves over the weekend. Make sure to keep tabs on Fantasy Alarm’s closer grid which you can view here.

Framber Valdez, SP, Houston Astros (Calf)

UPDATE: Valdez is slated to start on Friday night. Keep an eye on that calf injury and if it affects him or flares up again. 

Valdez was taken out of his last start because of calf soreness and we’re unsure whether he’ll need to be placed on the injured list. Valdez isn’t expected to pitch again for another few days and hopefully, the pain goes away before his next slated start against the Athletics. We don’t know how bad the injury is, and he could be placed on the injured list over the next few days if he’s dealing with a strain. 

Jon Gray, SP, Texas Rangers (Leg)

During his last start, Gray got smacked in the leg by a ball and was taken out of his start. After tests were done revealing no major damage, there's a chance he can make it back to the mound for his next start slated to be early next next week. 

Wade Miley, SP, Milwaukee Brewers (Elbow)

Miley was put on the injured list earlier this week as he continues to experience elbow soreness. He hasn't pitched in almost two weeks and we'll have to see if the pain subsides by the time he's eligible to return right at the end of the month. He's not looking at surgery at this time. 

Daniel Lynch, SP, Kansas City Royals (Shoulder)

Lynch has had shoulder issues throughout the season and he's back on the injured list and we won't see him pitch for at least the next few weeks. 

Ryan Yarbrough, P, Kansas City Royals (Hamstring)

Yarbrough left his last start with pain in his hamstring and we don't know at this point whether he's dealing with a strain or just general soreness but they haven't put him on the injured list yet. 

 

A.J. Minter, RP, Atlanta Braves (Shoulder)

The Braves put Minter on the injured list over the weekend as he continues to experience swelling in his shoulder and it’s uncertain whether he’ll be able to make it back to the Braves bullpen before the end of July.

Kolby Allard, P, Atlanta Braves (Shoulder)

We were given an update a few days ago that Allard won't be back on the mound for Atlanta for most of the rest of the season after the Braves put him on the 60-day injured list with nerve damage in his shoulder. 

Chris Devenski, RP, Los Angeles Angels (Hamstring)

The Angels decided earlier this week to put Devenski on the injured list after all with a hamstring strain and it will be a couple of weeks until we see him pitch again. 

Hunter Harvey, RP, Washington Nationals (Forearm)

Harvey is dealing with pain in multiple areas in his arm and while he’s still listed as day-to-day, that could very well change over the next couple of days if the Nationals decide to place him on the injured list. He’s getting more tests done on his arm this week and we should know more information by the end of the week.

Josh Sborz, RP, Texas Rangers (Arm)

Sborz is dealing with pain in his arm that just won’t go away, and the Rangers decided to put him on the injured list over the weekend and he’ll miss at least the next few weeks of action. 

 

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