MLB Injury Report: Updates for Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Gerrit Cole, more for fantasy baseball early in April

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The MLB season is a grind and as a result, injuries happen. It’s a part of life in fantasy baseball and it’s something every manager is going to have to navigate throughout the year. As we head toward the middle of April, there are already plenty of impactful players missing time — both injured early in the season or having started off the campaign on the injured list.

Below, we’re going to update you on the latest for some of the top players on the mend.

Batters

Juan Soto, OF, Mets (calf): The All-Star outfielder was placed on the 10-day IL on Monday and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a calf strain. So far, the Mets aren’t missing Soto. New York has won five in a row (all four games without Soto so far). The Mets are using a platoon of Carson Benge, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor and Jared Young in the corner OF slots. Baty has some mild fantasy value batting in the heart of the order.

Brice Turang, 2B, Brewers (ankle): Turang has been out of the lineup the past two games while battling ankle tendinitis. The second baseman has stated he’ll be fine this Friday and just needs a few days off. This is definitely a situation fantasy managers should keep an eye on. David Hamilton has been filling in for the Brew Crew at 2B for now. He doesn’t offer much fantasy value but if you need a 2B contingency plan, A’s infielder Max Muncy (43% rostered on Yahoo) isn’t a bad add.

Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers (hand): Chourio hasn’t played this season after sustaining a fractured hand in an unfortunate accident prior to Opening Day. We’re awaiting the results of recent follow-up imaging of the hand to find out a more concrete timeline. So be on the lookout for that update if you’re a Chourio manager. Brandon Lockridge has been the biggest benefactor so far in the OF rotation for Milwaukee.

Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers (oblique): Betts exited the Dodgers’ win over the Nationals on April 4 and was placed on the IL with a right oblique strain. Manager Dave Roberts is hopeful Betts will return prior to the 4-6 week timeline this injury usually carries. This isn’t a great start to 2026 for Betts fantasy managers as the 33-year-old regressed big time last season and isn’t getting any younger. L.A. should continue to platoon Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas at short.

Seiya Suzuki, OF, Cubs (knee): Suzuki has yet to debut in 2026 but he should be close to returning. He went 3-for-5 in a rehab start in the minors on Tuesday and could return Friday when the Cubs begin a three-game home series versus the Pirates. That would be good news for managers who rolled the dice on Suzuki, likely as an ADP value.

Pitchers

Cole Ragans, SP, Royals (hand): Ragans was yanked Wednesday after allowing three ER on two hits with two strikeouts, recording two outs against the Guardians and throwing just 18 pitches before leaving the start. Ragans was hit on his throwing hand by a José Ramírez comebacker but was cleared to stay in before being pulled. He was diagnosed with a left thumb contusion and is expected to make his next start Tuesday versus the Tigers.

Hunter Brown, SP, Astros (shoulder): The Astros’ ace was placed on the 15-day IL with a Grade 2 shoulder strain and is expected to miss a few weeks. He isn’t dealing with any ligament damage but this is still a concerning injury this early in the season. The timeline is for a reevaluation, so expect Brown to take longer to return. If you’re looking for an SP off the waiver wire, Parker Messick, Noah Cameron and Casey Mize aren’t bad options in shallow formats at sub-50% rostered on Yahoo.

Zack Wheeler, SP, Phillies (shoulder): Wheeler started the season on the IL and is making rehab starts in the minors. He struck out six batters over 4.1 innings on Wednesday in a rehab start, which is encouraging. His fastball velocity was down around 92 mph, but he’s also still ramping up, so we’ll see if that rebounds.

Blake Snell, SP, Dodgers (shoulder): Like Wheeler, Snell started 2026 on the IL but appears close to facing live batters, which is a good sign. The latest is that Snell threw a few bullpen sessions this past weekend. Look out for Snell to do some live pitching, the next step in his trek to a return.

Trey Yesavage, SP, Blue Jays (shoulder): Pitchers and shoulder injuries, amirite?! Yesavage is set for his second rehab start on Thursday. He’ll continue to ramp up in each rehab start as he eyes a return. The Blue Jays desperately need his help in the rotation with Shane Bieber, José Berríos and now Cody Ponce sidelined.

Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees (elbow): Cole continues his rehab in a return from Tommy John surgery he underwent prior to last season. He’s scheduled to face hitters in a live BP session this weekend and is trending toward returning to the rotation some time in May. Things can change so keep an eye on the situation if you have Cole stashed in one of your IL slots.

Josh Hader, RP, Astros (biceps): We didn’t want to forget relief pitchers in this story. Hader is another hurler who started the season on the IL. Manager Joe Espada told reporters on Tuesday that Hader could face hitters next week. So the Astros closer is still a ways away from making a return. Houston continues to use a closer-by-committee approach with Bryan King, Bryan Abreu and Cody Bolton — frustrating for fantasy managers.

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