Seriously? All the pitching injuries weren’t enough? Now we could have baseball’s best hitter on the shelf? Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Friday, April 28, 2023.
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Raisel Iglesias – RP Atlanta Braves
Raisel Iglesias' final line:
1.0 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 1 SO pic.twitter.com/IS63vTomjk
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) April 27, 2023
Iglesias looked solid in his first rehab outing, as the line was crisp and clean. No word on velocity, but he’ll likely need a few more of these before returning.
Austin Hays – OF Baltimore Orioles
Austin Hays on his bruised right middle finger: “I did not dodge the ball, but I feel like I dodged a bullet.”
He said he’s available to run, if needed, but remains a couple days away from returning as a hitter.
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) April 27, 2023
It seems unlikely that Hays will be able to play this weekend. That said, he’s probably in the lineups for next week’s action.
Tim Anderson – SS Chicago White Sox, Yoan Moncada – 3B Chicago White Sox
Yoán Moncada has a disc issue in his back. He’s not expected to start a rehab assignment during this homestand, but Hahn said it’s calming down and improving. Hahn said generally, about 80% of these types of injuries don’t require an offseason surgery.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) April 27, 2023
Anderson was finally able to practice symptom-free and perform a wide range of activities. His rehab will be somewhat lengthy though, given his time away. As for Moncada, it’s discouraging news as he was considered close to a return. The good news is that offseason surgery seems to be off the table, but in the short term, consider him gone for the next little while.
Wil Myers – OF Cincinnati Reds, Graham Ashcraft – SP Cincinnati Reds
The #Reds today recalled RHP Casey Legumina from Triple-A Louisville, placed RHP Graham Ashcraft on the bereavement list and placed IF/OF Wil Myers on the injured list (retro to Wednesday).
IF Jason Vosler, who was designated for assignment on Monday to make room on the roster… pic.twitter.com/vpXAP9ew4H
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 27, 2023
Myers started the week with neck spasms but later became ill. This ailment will cost him the next week and a bit. As for Ashcraft, he and his family are wished the best.
Javier Baez – SS Detroit Tigers
Javier Báez has been scratched from today’s lineup. Hand is still sore
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) April 27, 2023
Consider Baez DTD until we’re told that this hand injury is a more significant one.
Salvador Perez – C Kansas City Royals
Salvador Perez is out of the lineup after getting hit by a 95 mph pitch right on the back on Tuesday night. Stayed away from baseball activity yesterday but will hit today to see if he’s available off the bench. Salvy said he’ll be ready for tomorrow. #Royals
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) April 27, 2023
Great news for the Royals and fantasy owners who can get one of the best catchers in baseball back in their lineups.
Jhoan Duran – RP Minnesota Twins
Jhoan Duran pitching tonight was planned in advance because his availability Friday is in question due to an immigration-related appointment requiring travel.
Duran told the Twins about the appointment two weeks ago so they'd be prepared. He closed out a 7-1 win.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 28, 2023
Here’s hoping that whatever happens, it’s a quick and easy solution for Duran and the Twins.
Kenta Maeda – SP Minnesota Twins
Nothing official yet on Kenta Maeda's elbow, but Rocco Baldelli said he'll "likely" go on the injured list.
MRI showed a muscle strain but no structural damage.
Maeda described it as general arm fatigue, which can sometimes occur for pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 27, 2023
It would appear that what Maeda is experiencing is something very common for pitchers in his state. That said, it’s the second time this season that he has felt arm fatigue. One has to wonder if ten days would be enough for him, or if a change in role would help. The team has capable arms in the minors to help things out.
Tyler Mahle – SP Minnesota Twins
The overall feeling here is that Mahle’s removal from the game prevented anything serious from happening. There was a possibility of further damage being done, had he remained in the game. That being said, the team will do its due diligence with him to ensure that all is okay before putting him out on the mound again. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the Injured List as the team has solid replacements.
Francisco Alvarez – C New York Mets
Showalter said "everything checked out fine" with Francisco Álvarez, who took a pair of Jeimer Candelario swings off the back of his head. Mets took him out for the ninth as a precaution and think he may be available tomorrow.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) April 28, 2023
Ouch. The good news is that he seems to be fine.
Aaron Judge – OF New York Yankees
Judge said he expects to miss the “next couple of days.” Said he isn’t concerned. Felt the hip this morning when he got up. A result of the awkward head first slide from yesterday In Minneapolis
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) April 28, 2023
Judge himself said that he felt something on his right side after an awkward slide the other day. When he woke up, he felt it more than he had earlier. He also said that he’ll need a couple of days to reset and take it from there. The injury itself felt its worst on the second-to-last swing of his final at-bat. Consider him DTD as both he and the team don’t think this is a serious issue.
Taijuan Walker – SP Philadelphia Phillies
Taijuan Walker played catch, saw the doctor, and it was determined that an MRI wasn’t necessary. #Phillies believe he’ll make his next start Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) April 27, 2023
Encouraging news, but the final decision will need to be made this Monday to see if it comes true. Still, this is a positive step in the right direction.
Oneil Cruz – SS Pittsburgh Pirates
Oneil Cruz, using his scooter with a boot on broken left ankle, greets his teammates at the top of the tunnel out of the dugout after Pirates 6-2 win v Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/sPlGCpGhCT
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) April 27, 2023
Cruz was in good spirits all day. He just had his staples removed from the doctor and was also given clearance to begin upper-body conditioning workouts. It’ll be a long road to recovery, and this is the first step, but it’s a positive one nonetheless.
Josh Jung – 3B Texas Rangers
Josh Jung took BP today. He wore padded guard on his left hand (first time he's ever worn one). Said he will wear it at least until no more discomfort there.
He sprayed ball around park pretty well. Put it this way: Looked like he could give you a competitive AB if heed be.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 27, 2023
There was a scare after Jung got HBP on his hand on Wednesday. The fact that he was able to do what he did in BP is a very encouraging development. Stay tuned.