Christian Walker's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) has begun hitting off a tee. It's not the most significant update for Walker, who has not yet made serious advancement in his hitting progression. There is no definitive timeline for Walker's return to the D-backs at the moment, as it remains fluid based on how his strained oblique improves on a daily basis. For the time being, fantasy managers can expect him back sometime in late August. The 33-year-old All-Star slugger went on the injured list while slashing .254/.338/.476 with 23 home runs, 20 doubles, and 71 RBI through 401 at-bats. While Walker recovers, veteran switch-hitter Josh Bell should continue to function as the everyday first baseman in the desert and occupy a spot in the heart of Arizona's batting order.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly placing first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) on the injured list. Walker left Monday's win over the Washington Nationals and was replaced in the lineup by Kevin Newman. He is hitting .254/.338/.476 with 23 homers, 71 RBI, and 62 runs scored in 107 games. The Diamondbacks added first baseman Josh Bell from the Miami Marlins for cash considerations on Tuesday as a replacement for Walker, whose return status is currently unknown. Fantasy managers will have to dig deep to find a source of power while Walker is sidelined.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) was taken out of Monday's game early in the fourth inning against the visiting Washington Nationals with left-oblique tightness. Before being replaced at first base by infielder Kevin Newman, Walker struck out in his only at-bat. Oblique injuries typically require injured-list stints, so fantasy managers should begin preparing for the worst-case scenario for the 33-year-old power hitter. Walker is on pace to reach the 30-homer mark for the third straight season and is a must-start fantasy first baseman when healthy, so losing him for any amount of time would be a tough blow. He entered Monday's contest with a .255/.339/.478 slash line with an .817 OPS, 23 bombs and 71 RBI in a league-high 106 games played. If Walker is forced to the IL, Newman should benefit from more frequent playing time in Arizona.

If the Arizona Diamondbacks decide that they are sellers at this year's trade deadline after making it to the World Series last fall, they could trade first baseman Christian Walker for prospects and then try to sign him in free agency this winter. Several contending teams such as the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners would love to acquire Walker, even though he'd be a rental for the second half of the season and a potential playoff run. The Athletic's Jim Bowden guesses that they D-backs will stay in the National League wild-card race and add around the edges at the deadline without making a big move like trading Walker. The 33-year-old Walker is on pace for his third straight 30-homer season in the desert and is one of the more underrated fantasy first basemen out there.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker swatted another pair of homers on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading the D-Backs to a 9-3 win. Walker went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs, and three RBI on top of the two homers. After his second homer of the game in the third inning, the Dodgers had clearly seen enough, walking him twice in his last three plate appearances. The veteran had clobbered the ball against LA this season, smashing five longballs in this three-game series and seven overall on the season. The next time these two teams meet expect Walker to receive a heavy dose of pitches outside the zone.