Week six has arrived in Major League Baseball and the season so far has given fans everything we could ask for! However, there are more than a few players who have found their way to the injured list. Some are among the biggest stars of the game. Fantasy managers need to be mindful of these player’s current status, and most important, when they are expected to return to the field. Of course, once that happens, these players will also be activated to their manager’s active fantasy roster. To find out when that will happen, look no further than this fantasy baseball injury update week six edition.

Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

To be sure, Clayton Kershaw has begun this season like he was seven years younger. His first start saw him pitch seven innings of perfect baseball against Minnesota. The magical ride didn’t stop there, either, as Kershaw is currently 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA and a miniscule 0.73 WHIP. Best of all, he has 116 fantasy points in ESPN leagues, one of the highest point totals in all of fantasy. Unfortunately, the feel-good story has hit a snag as Kershaw landed on the injured list this past week with a pelvis problem.

Specifically, the injury is to Kershaw’s right SI joint, which links the pelvis and the spine. Inflammation in this area can cause pain into the legs. In recent years, Kershaw has had injury concerns, including missing the Dodgers’ entire postseason in 2021. He underwent an MRI on Friday, which showed no structural damage. That is certainly good news for baseball, the fans and fantasy managers alike. Kershaw will pitch a bullpen session Wednesday. At that point, a firm timetable should be known, though the Dodgers certainly won’t push Kershaw. In the meantime, place him on the IL and keep tabs on his progress.

Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

Without question, seeing Bryce Harper in the batter’s box is one of the great spectacles in baseball. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear as if a small UCL tear in his right elbow will impact Harper when he takes his swings at the plate. However, he will be restricted from throwing for at least four weeks. Since the designated hitter is being used in the National League, Harper should be in the Phillies’ lineup on a daily basis going forward while he rehabs and rests his elbow.

As Harper has been a delight at the plate the entire season, and especially lately, that is the best-case scenario for his fantasy managers. Before sitting out Sunday’s game to get an injection in the elbow, Harper was on a hitting streak like few others in baseball, having hits in eight of his last nine games. Not only that, but in seven of those games, Harper had at least two hits. Further, he has three straight games with a home run. For the season, he is hitting .305/.361/.631 and has 119 fantasy points. As long as the elbow doesn’t impact his swing, and it clearly looks as that is the case, keeping Harper on a fantasy roster is the best possible news that could be read in this fantasy baseball injury update week six edition.

Lance Lynn, SP, Chicago White Sox

One of the pitchers that fantasy managers were expecting big things from this season was Lance Lynn. Unfortunately, Lynn didn’t make it out of the starting gate, winding up on the IL with a knee injury. The good news is that according to manager Tony LaRussa, Lynn should be closing in on facing live hitters soon. The knee surgery went well before the season began and Lynn is ahead of schedule. Lynn needs a few more bullpen sessions and then live hitters will step into the box.

Fantasy managers must continue to stash him, barring any kind of major setback. Lynn comes off an impressive 2021 season in which he went 11-6 with a 2.69 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and a 176:45 K:BB rate across 157 innings. He has been one of baseball’s best pitchers the last three seasons. It might be difficult to place all of a manager’s injured players on the I.L. at the moment, but Lynn definitely must remain there until activated. He is that good a pitcher.

Kris Bryant, 1B/3B/OF, Colorado Rockies

Without doubt, quite a few managers in the fantasy community were excited to see what Kris Bryant could accomplish when he signed with Colorado. It is truly unfortunate that it is the middle of May, and we still don’t know what he can do because of injury. Bryant suffered a back injury nearly three weeks ago and has been on the injured list since then. However, there is good news on the horizon.

Bryant took swings in a batting cage Friday, received a cortisone injection on Monday and looks to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. According to manager Bud Black, the assignment should be a brief one before Bryant returns to the Rockies lineup. Before the injury, Bryant had 57 at-bats and hit .281 with no homers and four RBIs. He hit 25 homers in 2021 and his power should translate well to Mile High. If he hits as well as he has in the past, his multi position eligibility will make him a valuable fantasy asset. His I.L. stint will be over soon and then, by all means, get him into your daily lineup.

Fernando Tatis, SS/OF, San Diego Padres

It is safe to say that everything that could be brought up regarding the injury to Fernando Tatis has already been said. None of that will be repeated here. This fantasy baseball injury update will simply provide what Tatis’ current physical status is. To be truthful, finding information about that status is kind of like determining what the nuclear launch codes are. There isn’t a lot of new information out there.

However, according to Roto Baller, Tatis is uncertain when he will receive clearance to swing a bat. Tatis has been on the field taking grounders and doing some running, although he can’t even catch a baseball at this point. The bottom line is that his return date is completely unknown and is at least several weeks away, at best. Any fantasy manager that drafted him knew that he wouldn’t see any game action for months. That timeline hasn’t changed and Tatis must be left on the injured list for however long it takes for him to get into the Padres’ lineup.

Stephen Strasburg, SP, Washington Nationals

In recent years, Stephen Strasburg has had so many issues with his health it is a wonder that anyone would take a chance and take him in preseason drafts. Yet, he is owned in 41 percent of ESPN leagues, so a lot of managers did just that. As of this writing, Strasburg is still battling his way back from thoracic outlet surgery. He did, however, pitch two innings in a simulated game Friday in extended spring training in Florida.

That is a huge step in his recovery, but Strasburg is several weeks away at best until there will be any talk of activating him from the injured list. He will require a full spring training type buildup and then a rehab assignment. Strasburg hasn’t pitched regularly since 2019, in which he went 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA in a league high 209 innings. It is possible that we may never see Strasburg anywhere close to those numbers again. If a manager has room on his injured list, keep Strasburg there. At this point, though, how many are fortunate to be able to say that? If you find yourself in that second camp, it is advisable to cut Strasburg from the roster and find someone that can help the team, both now and in the future.

Eloy Jimenez, OF/DH, Chicago White Sox

When it comes to the progress of Eloy Jimenez and his situation regarding his hamstring injury, perhaps no news is good news. An internet search revealed no updates on Jimenez newer than six days ago. However, in that update, it is reported that Jimenez‘ progress is coming faster than expected. When he had the surgery, Jimenez was expected to be out six to eight weeks. There is nothing from the White Sox that backs up the report’s account, so take Jimenez’ words as you will.

When he is healthy and swinging the bat well, there are few players that can match Jimenez’ results. When he returned to the field in 2021, Jimenez had hits in 39 of the 55 games he appeared in. He had multiple hits in nine games. Additionally, he had 10 homers and 37 RBIs. In a full season, that comes right around to 30 homers and a 100 RBIs. He can get hot like few hitters can. It would certainly benefit a manager to hold Jimenez until he returns and see if he can get hot at the plate. That is a less than bold recommendation on this fantasy baseball injury update week six edition.

Other Player Updates

Boston right-hander Michael Wacha pitched a simulated game Monday. If all goes well, he could be activated from the injured list this weekend without having to make a rehab start.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto began his rehab assignment in Louisville, Cincinatti’s AAA affiliate, Saturday. Manager David Bell hopes Votto can join the club on the road this weekend in Toronto.

Seattle outfielder Mitch Haniger remains without a return date from his grade two ankle strain. It is expected his absence will be a long one, so his stay on the I.L. has no end in sight.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball injury update week six edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Have players to add to the list? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and all the latest sports news! Go to the website In The Clutch for exciting officially licensed sports apparel and use the code word bellyupfantasy to save 10% on the entire order!