The recent surge of injuries across Major League Baseball has created a ripple effect in fantasy baseball leagues, forcing managers to rethink roster construction and strategic pacing.
Injury Updates Shape Fantasy Baseball Landscape
Jose Ramirez is out for more than a month after fracturing his hamate bone, while Aaron Judge contends with a stress fracture in his rib that will be reassessed in four to six weeks.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is sidelined by a strained hamstring that could keep him out for the first half of the season, and Oneil Cruz’s fractured hand is expected to sideline him for a similar four to six week window.
Hunter Brown has already returned from a shoulder strain, rejoining the active roster, while Cal Raleigh, Yiner Diaz, J.P. Crawford, Kodai Senga and Casey Mize have all made successful returns this week.
Elly De La Cruz is testing his legs on the bases to gauge readiness for a rehab assignment, and Max Fried is progressing toward a mound‑throwing session as he works his way back.
Tyler Glasnow remains out until at least the All‑Star break due to back spasms, and Garrett Crochet is targeting a second‑half return after a strained lat.
Munetaka Murakami is three weeks into a four to six week timetable for a strained hamstring, while Corey Seager’s concussion may only require the minimum seven days on the injured list.
Ryan Helsley has looked sharp in two rehab appearances and is expected to be back this week, whereas Edwin Diaz is trending toward a return right around the All‑Star break.
Blake Snell is nearly a month into recovery from loose bodies in his elbow, and Teoscar Hernandez is resuming baseball activities with a possible rehab assignment on the horizon.
Eury Perez is set to begin a rehab assignment after missing only three weeks with an adductor strain, and Brent Rooker hopes a cortisone shot will accelerate his recovery from a knee bone bruise.
Brandon Woodruff is slated for another rehab start and could be back by Sunday, while Kris Bubic resumed throwing after feeling something in his shoulder during a rehab start.
Spencer Strider is on the 60‑day injured list with elbow inflammation and will not return until mid‑August, while Cole Ragans is slated for more testing and his timeline remains uncertain.
Roman Anthony is making progress but is not expected to return before the All‑Star break, and Vinnie Pasquantino has undergone surgery for a fractured hamate, pushing his return to the second half.
Will Smith is dealing with neck inflammation and is losing at‑bats to Dalton Rushing, while Mickey Moniak’s ankle tendinitis keeps him a few weeks away from full health.
Ryan Jeffers has begun taking swings and is likely still a month away from a comeback, and Daniel Palencia’s recent outing showed normal velocity, suggesting his elbow inflammation may be minor.
Emilio Pagan is throwing bullpen sessions and should start facing hitters this week, while Mick Abel impressed in his first rehab outing with five strikeouts over three scoreless innings.
Shane Bieber’s latest rehab start was his best yet and he has one more scheduled before a full return, while Matthew Boyd is set to resume his rehab assignment Saturday and could be back by the end of June.
Logan Henderson is unlikely to return in June due to a strained back, and Kyle Teel is preparing to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday after a knee injury.
Daulton Varsho received a cortisone shot and is back hitting in the cages, while Spencer Schwellenbach has started a throwing program but is probably out until August.
Nick Pivetta is trending toward a second‑half return with a flexor strain, and Justin Steele is scheduled to throw weighted balls this week, potentially opening a path back in August.
Luis Robert is responding to treatment and could rejoin the lineup in the second half, while Trevor Story is expected to miss two to three months and may return later in the season.
Joe Musgrove is back to playing catch and remains hopeful of a second‑half comeback, and Seth Lugo is slated to be back Friday after a concussion.
Brendan Donovan has been cleared to run and is likely to start a rehab assignment before the month’s end, while Chase DeLauter’s fractured rib could keep him out until August.
Trent Grisham’s moderate hamstring strain may sideline him through the All‑Star break, and Giancarlo Stanton’s tweaked calf could set him back several weeks.
Noah Schultz is beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday and it should span multiple starts, while Bailey Ober began playing catch last week and should resume mound work shortly.
Gleyber Torres’ strained oblique will require at least as long to heal as his earlier episode, and Jorge Polanco is expected to resume his rehab assignment this week after setbacks.
Addison Barger is on the verge of a rehab assignment that may be lengthy given his limited appearances this season, and Heliot Ramos is ready to start a rehab assignment Wednesday after building up as a hitter and runner.
Grayson Rodriguez’s back inflammation is not considered serious, leaving his status more optimistic.