Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for July 3, 2023. Inside, you’ll see the latest on the scary situation regarding Garrett Whitlock, who looks destined for the Injured List. Also, Yordan Alvarez took a step forward in that he participated in batting practice for the first time since going to the Injured List. There’s also some concern in Miami as Jazz Chisholm Jr. looks to be heading back to the Injured List yet again. This and a whole lot more are in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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Fantrax MLB Injury Report
Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks
One other thing from @Dbacks mgr Torey Lovullo: Merrill Kelly threw a 31-pitch bullpen session at Salt River Fields on Saturday and felt good afterwards.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) July 2, 2023
This was the first time that Kelly was on the mound following his diagnosis of a blood clot in his leg. The fact that he felt good after 31 pitches is a good sign of where he might be headed in the future. He will be out of action until the All-Star Break with a chance to return immediately afterward.
Austin Hays – SP Baltimore Orioles, Jordan Westburg – SS Baltimore Orioles
#Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Austin Hays is day to day and Jordan Westburg will get imaging done on his left hand, where he was hit by pitch in 8th.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) July 2, 2023
Hays ran into Donovan Solano on the basepaths and was able to stay in the game for a bit before exiting. As for Westburg, he took a pitch to the hand and was in good spirits after the game, saying that he wanted to do anything he could to get on base. The hope is that he is DTD as well, but there should be more information soon enough.
Garrett Whitlock – SP Boston Red Sox
Whitlock lasted just one inning against the Blue Jays yesterday. He mentioned that the way that he feels now is not the same way that he felt earlier in the season when he got injured. He described this feeling as not being “nervy” which suggests that it’s not a nerve issue. More should be known later today or tomorrow after being checked out in Boston. Regardless, it would appear that a trip to the Injured List is on the horizon.
Trevor Story – SS Boston Red Sox
Asked Alex Cora today if the Red Sox have established any sort of timeline for Trevor Story now that it's the second half. He said no. But Story will face John Schreiber in a live BP on Tuesday.
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) July 2, 2023
While it’s a bit disappointing that the team doesn’t have an established timeline for Story, it’s encouraging that he’ll face live pitching. It has been noted recently that he may also come back sooner as the team’s designated hitter, so that’s something to anticipate. For now, it’s fair to assume that he won’t return until August, regardless of his role.
Masataka Yoshida – OF Boston Red Sox
Alex Cora on Red Sox LF Masataka Yoshida's leg: “Sore, sore, very sore. So hopefully we don’t have to use him.
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) July 2, 2023
The team did not use Yoshida and he will get today off as well because the team doesn’t play a game. It’s possible that he returns to the lineup on Tuesday.
Yoan Moncada – 3B Chicago White Sox
Moncada (low back) under watchful eye of training staff, ran at least one full sprint on the outfield grass. https://t.co/kGLQWgorVr
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 2, 2023
It is a good sign that Moncada was not only fielding ground balls but also running sprints. The hope is that he ran more than one, leading everyone to believe that the first one went okay. There is no timetable for him to return, but it seems likely that he’ll be ready after the All-Star Break.
Michael Kopech – SP Chicago White Sox
Grifol said Michael Kopech (shoulder inflammation) will return in the first spin through the rotation after the All-Star break, probably toward front end of it.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 2, 2023
Kopech was set to make a start yesterday, but this move means he won’t start for a while. Given the comments made by the manager, this could be a move to give him some extra time off for something that aches.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez took batting practice in the batting cage today for the first time since injuring his oblique. He said he swung at 60 percent intensity, but feels good about his progress.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 2, 2023
Slowly, but surely, Alvarez is getting himself healthy. This was the first time that he had taken batting practice, so that’s a hurdle that has been cleared. Still, he has a ways to go and may need a rehab assignment too.
Jeremy Pena – SS Houston Astros
Jeremy Peña said he’s day to day and getting treatment on his neck. It doesn’t sound like he’s doing much — if any — baseball activities. Dusty Baker said the team hasn’t discussed an IL stint.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 2, 2023
Consider Pena DTD while he continues to get better.
Brandon Drury – INF Los Angeles Angels
Brandon Drury said his shoulder has improved a bit the last few days. He said that he’ll be ready for the first day following the break.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 2, 2023
Good news for Drury as it seems he’ll be good to go in a couple of weeks.
Clayton Kershaw – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts said #Dodgers may recall Michael Grove tomorrow and put Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day injured list.
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) July 2, 2023
Kershaw has been a candidate to head to the Injured List since experiencing shoulder pain for a while. Despite making the All-Star Game, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him needing time off to recover.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 2B/OF Miami Marlins
Left oblique soreness for Jazz Chisholm Jr., per the #Marlins
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) July 2, 2023
This is concerning. Chisholm grabbed his left side after a swing and looked to be in considerable pain. He will likely be sent for some tests to determine the severity of the injury. At the end of the day, he is probably headed for the Injured List and is known for being a slow healer.
Royce Lewis – 3B Minnesota Twins
Jose Miranda is back in the big leagues, called up to replace Royce Lewis (10-day IL, oblique strain).
Miranda hit .311 in his last 25 games at AAA with six doubles, three homers and 18 RBI. https://t.co/solsWr3DRA
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) July 2, 2023
There’s been no word on if this injury will last longer than the ten-day minimum. Stay tuned.
Carlos Rodon – SP New York Yankees
Got a lot of tweets about this so I'll just repost – 7/5 is not Carlos Rodon. He's going 7/7 vs. Cubs.
7/5 could be Randy Vasquez. https://t.co/ZDOQlSFt8i
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) July 2, 2023
Be prepared.
Nestor Cortes – SP New York Yankees
Nestor Cortes threw his first bullpen since being placed on IL today. 20 pitches (mostly FB/cutter). Will throw another one Monday #yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) June 30, 2023
The good news is that Cortes felt good after Friday’s bullpen session. Hopefully, he feels the same way following his next session later today, which could give a better picture of when he will return.
Brandon Crawford – SS San Francisco Giants, Thairo Estrada – 2B San Francisco Giants
Kapler confirms Crawford felt a bit of a side thing on that diving play. He and Estrada will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 3, 2023
Crawford may miss a game or two, depending on how feels today. More information to follow. As for Estrada, consider him DTD for now until we know more. The team is traveling, so information might be delayed.
Bryce Miller – SP Seattle Mariners
Whenever the manager voices concerns and doesn’t shed optimism, it feels more dire than anything. It looks like he will miss his next scheduled start as this blister seems to have a mind of its own. Stay tuned.
Isaac Paredes – INF Tampa Bay Rays
#Rays Cash said Paredes appears to be ok, that initial x-rays showed no fractures to his ribs
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 2, 2023
Consider Paredes DTD until he’s all healed. There’s a slight chance that he gets sent to the Injured List as we’re very close to the All-Star Break.