Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Monday, April 24, 2023.
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Triston McKenzie – SP Cleveland Guardians
McKenzie has only now begun throwing a baseball, which he did on Friday. He will likely continue to throw from more considerable distances this week before attempting to do so from a mound. The team is taking things very slowly with him.
Javier Baez – SS Detroit Tigers
AJ Hinch said the middle finger on Javier Baez's left hand, the one he bent backwards sliding into second base last night in the first inning, swelled up over night. The expectation is he will be able to play tomorrow
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) April 23, 2023
The issue isn’t expected to keep Baez out of the lineup for long, and he should be ready to play later today. Stay tuned.
Jose Altuve – 2B Houston Astros
Jose Altuve #Astros is "ahead of schedule, great movement and flexible in the thumb and will get an X-Ray in 12 days or so to see how the thumb is healing but appears that it's healing very well" – Dana Brown GM #Astros just told me. FYI.
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) April 23, 2023
Very encouraging news that the thumb is flexible and able to move around. The x-rays in two weeks will be a key factor in deciding a timeline for Altuve to come back. The decision to not have him on the 60-day IL seems like the right one as of now.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Michael Brantley is facing live pitching. Dana Brown says he will begin a rehab assignment with AAA on the 23rd.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) April 18, 2023
Great news which could lead to a return to the Astros within the next two weeks. He began that rehab yesterday going 1-1 with a walk.
Chas McCormick – OF Houston Astros
Chas McCormick will not come off the injured list on Tuesday, Dusty Baker said. McCormick hasn’t resumed hitting yet.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 23, 2023
McCormick will need a few more days to get himself right. The hope is that he will start hitting soon in order to avoid a rehab assignment.
MJ Melendez – C/OF Kansas City Royals
Matt Quatraro told @DHoltzy in the postgame news conference that MJ Melendez’s back tightened not on a specific play but jogging off the field after the bottom of the 3rd. Couldn’t get it loosened up. Doesn’t sound too serious, but should have a further update tomorrow from AZ
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) April 23, 2023
While the injury doesn’t sound too serious, it’s important to note that the team is traveling to Arizona for a series and does play today. He’s likely DTD and is a candidate to miss Monday’s game.
Logan O’Hoppe – C Los Angeles Angels
Logan O’Hoppe has a torn labrum, Nevin said. He’ll likely miss 4-6 months.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) April 23, 2023
The hope is that O’Hoppe plays again this year, but four months from now is the end of August, which is the best-case scenario. There was allegedly some damage in his shoulder when it popped out last Monday, but both he and the team regret nothing that was done. For now, the team has Matt Thais and Chad Wallach to be their catchers. The Angels could either make a trade for an upgrade or push another promising prospect, Edgar Quero, to the big leagues.
Tony Gonsolin – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts confirmed Tony Gonsolin is “here for a purpose.” That purpose would be to start for #Dodgers Wednesday
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 23, 2023
This would be his 2023 debut, as Gonsolin returns from an ankle injury. He has only pitched three innings in the minors while rehabbing, and there are reports of him being capped at four innings of work here.
Yu Darvish – SP San Diego Padres
Right hamstring cramp for Yu Darvish, Bob Melvin says. Darvish is expected to make his next start.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) April 23, 2023
The great news is that manager Bob Melvin predicts Darvish will make his next start. He seems to have avoided anything overly serious for the moment.
Santiago Espinal – INF Toronto Blue Jays
While x-rays were negative, #BlueJays plan further tests for Espinal in Toronto tomorrow per manager John Schneider https://t.co/43itAVPq0e
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) April 23, 2023
Espinal’s wrist got hit by a pitch on Saturday, and he’s been out ever since. While it’s encouraging that the initial x-rays came back negative, the team will undergo further tests to see the extent of the damage done.