It’s week 19 of the 2023 fantasy baseball season and it's time for the latest MLB injury report updates as you set your fantasy baseball lineups. Your fantasy baseball rankings will surely be impacted by some of these notable MLB injuries and baseball news updates from the past week. The Los Angeles Dodgers expanded their lead in the National League West and Clayton Kershaw, who hasn’t pitched since June, is on the cusp of returning. The Cincinnati Reds are fighting for the National League Central division title but Jake Fraley is now dealing with a major toe injury. The Texas Rangers still lead the American League West division, but they got some bad news regarding third baseman Josh Jung. If your team is suffering from MLB injuries, take a look at Dan Malin’s latest piece on the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. If you want more information regarding fantasy baseball risers and fallers, tap into Colby Conway’s latest article on MLB streaks and trends. While figuring out who to start in your fantasy baseball lineups for this week, here are the latest MLB injuries to take into consideration. 

 

2023 Fantasy Baseball MLB Injury Report Week 19

MLB Injury Updates Hitters 

Updated: August 11

Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers (Thumb)

Jung had surgery on his fractured thumb a few days ago and we won't see him back in action until late September. He may only play for the final few weeks of the season. Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith will continue filling in for Jung at third base. 

Josh Naylor, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (Oblique)

Further reports have come out surrounding Naylor’s strained oblique and it’s uncertain whether he’ll make it back before the end of August. Fantasy owners should be prepared to possibly march into September without him. 

Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins (Hamstring)

Buxton is dealing with a strained hamstring and he was put on the injured list a couple of days ago. He hasn’t played since August 1st and he’ll miss at least the next couple of weeks according to newer reports.

Donovan Solano 1B Minnesota Twins (Knee)

Solano sprained his knee a couple of days ago and the Twins are still deciding whether he'll need a stint on the injured list which seems likely since the knee is sprained. Tests showed no further damage to his MCL and it would be surprising to see him play against the Phillies this weekend.

Jonathan India, 2B, Cincinnati Reds (Foot)

Plantar Fasciitis is an injury that lingers and takes a while to heal from and after thinking India would be ready to return to action a few days ago, the Reds still haven't activated him from the injured list. Matt McLain will continue filling in for India at second base until he's ready.

Will Benson OF Cincinnati Reds (Back)

Benson has been battling back issues throughout the week and it has cost him a couple of games. He's not on the injured list yet and there's a chance that if the pain subsides, he could return to the lineup for Cincinnati's series against Pittsburgh.

Jake Fraley, OF, Cincinnati Reds (Toe)

Fraley fractured his toe and the injury seems pretty bad. He hit the injured list over the weekend and we don’t know when we’ll see him retake the field, but it would be surprising to see him return before September. He’s hit .263 with 15 home runs. 

Bryce Harper OF Philadelphia Phillies (Back)

Harper's back was in pain during the Phillies last game against the Nationals and the team decided to take him out. Alec Bohm took his place at first base and we'll have to see if he's healthy enough to play against the Twins on Friday.

Brandon Marsh, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (Knee)

Marsh hurt his knee over the weekend and the Phillies put him on the injured list. He’ll miss the next couple of weeks of action, which is a big loss for Philly and fantasy managers as he’s hit .281 at the dish in 2023.

Danny Jansen, C, Toronto Blue Jays (Wrist)

First, it was pain in Jansen's wrist that was limiting him and then he was hit by a pitch in Toronto's last contest. If Jansen needs a game or two to let the pain in his hand go down, Alejandro Kirk will get more starts behind the plate. 

Kevin Kiermaier, OF, Toronto Blue Jays (Elbow)

The cut that Kiermaier got on his elbow was deep enough and concerning enough for Toronto to put him on the injured list. He'll miss at least another week of action.

Zach Neto, SS, Los Angeles Angels (Back)

Neto will be out for at least one more week as he continues to suffer from soreness in his back. He was put on the injured list a few days ago and while he’s been out, Luis Rengifo has started at shortstop. 

J.D. Martinez UTIL Los Angeles Dodgers (Hamstring)

Martinez has been dealing with multiple lower body issues lately and there was a chance earlier this week that we'd see him be placed on the injured list. Still, it seems his health has switched directions and he's starting to feel better and now we're hearing that he could return to the lineup in the next few days. 

Luis Robert Jr. OF Chicago White Sox (Finger)

Robert has hit the ball in seven straight contests, but he hurt his finger and had to be removed from the White Sox previous game. He wasn't put on the injured list yet and he could make it back to the lineup for the start of Chicago's series against Milwaukee. 

Starling Marte OF New York Mets (Groin)

It hasn't been the easiest summer for Marte who just missed time due to lingering headaches he was suffering from and now he is out for the next couple of weeks with a strained groin. 

Cedric Mullins OF Baltimore Orioles (Groin)

Mullins hasn't taken the field with the Orioles in nearly a month, but he hasn't had any setbacks in rehab and he's just about ready to return to the team. Mullins has been out with a groin injury. 

Jose Abreu 1B Houston Astros (Back)

Abreu is experiencing back pain this week and he sat for the Astros last outing. He hasn't been put on the injured list yet and Jon Singleton started in his place at first base last time out.

Chas McCormick OF Houston Astros (Knee)

McCormick banged up his knee in the field and sat out for the Astros last game and we'll have to see if the pain has gone down enough for him to return to the outfield against the Angels on Friday. 

J.P. Crawford SS Seattle Mariners (Concussion)

Crawford might need to be put on the injured list on Friday as the Mariners continue to check and see if he has a concussion. If Crawford needs time off the field, Dylan Moore can fill in for him at shortstop. 

DJ LeMahieu 2B, 3B New York Yankees (Calf)

LeMahieu has a sore calf and he had to sit out the Yankees last game, but the good news is that he had an extra day to rest due to New York being off on Thursday. There's a chance he could return to action for the start of the Yankees weekend series against the Marlins.

 

MLB Injury Updates Pitchers 

Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Shoulder)

Back in action.

Michael Grove, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Back)

Grove is dealing with a sore back and the Dodgers put him on the injured list over the weekend. He’ll miss at least the next two weeks of action. 

Shane McClanahan SP Tampa Bay Rays (Forearm)

If you have McClanahan on your fantasy baseball re-draft leagues, it's time to really consider freeing up that spot on your injured list because from what we're hearing, McClanahan's forearm is damaged and it isn't looking like he'll make it back to the mound this year. Keep watching for news updates, but unless you have a ton of IL spots, you can drop him. 

Tyler Glasnow, SP, Tampa Bay Rays (Back)

Glasnow missed his last start due to back issues, but he's still slated to start this weekend. We're awaiting final confirmation and we should have it within the next 24 hours, but clearly, the pain has gone down.

Joe Musgrove, SP, San Diego Padres (Shoulder)

Musgrove’s experiencing swelling in his shoulder and we won’t see him pitch again until late-August. If the swelling goes down slowly, it could back up his timetable into September. 

Carlos Rodon, SP, New York Yankees (Hamstring)

After missing nearly three months to start the season, Rodon has made just six starts since being activated. He now had to leave his last start because of pain in his hamstring. Rodon will be getting further tests done on the hamstring over the next few days before the Yankees determine how to handle his situation. 

Merrill Kelly SP Arizona Diamondbacks (Leg)

Kelly left his last start due to cramping in his leg. The Diamondbacks want to be careful and didn't want cramps to turn into a lower-body strain. As of now, he should make his next start early next week. 

Chris Sale SP Boston Red Sox (Shoulder)

After being out for over two months with an injured shoulder, Sale will start on Friday against the Tigers, but his pitch count will be monitored throughout the start according to the Red Sox coaches. 

Garrett Whitlock P Boston Red Sox (Elbow)

Whitlock hasn't pitched since the beginning of July, but new reports are out that he's just about ready to return to action and we could see him activated from the injured list in the next few days. 

Bryan Woo SP Seattle Mariners (Forearm)

Woo has been experiencing swelling in his forearm and the Mariners decided to put him on the shelf for at least the next few weeks to let the swelling go down. 

Zack Greinke SP Kansas City Royals (Elbow)

The Royals put Greinke on the injured list with a sore elbow and we won't see him pitch for a couple of weeks as he heals up. 

Dylan Lee RP Atlanta Braves (Shoulder)

Lee hasn't pitched in nearly three months due to a badly injured shoulder, but new reports indicate that he's just about ready to return to the Braves bullpen. 

Danny Coulombe RP Baltimore Orioles (Arm)

Coulombe has pain in the bicep area of his arm and the Orioles put him on the injured list and he'll miss at least the next two weeks of action. 

 

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