Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Monday, July 10, 2023. Inside today’s report, you’ll see the latest on Max Fried’s status following a pretty positive rehab game yesterday. There is also news on why all three of Yordan Alvarez, Jose Urquidy, and Jose Altuve are trending upward with positive news for the trio. Finally, the final stages for Jorge Polanco’s recovery seem ready to start, but can we rely on him anytime soon? Read about that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers
MLB Injury Report
Drey Jameson – SP/RP Arizona Diamondbacks
Drey Jameson is getting second opinions on his elbow this week. No determination yet but the UCL is “the area we’re looking at,” per Torey.
— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) July 8, 2023
This likely means that the first opinion was a long and ominous one, but that’s pure speculation. Either way, this will be a long-term injury with some rest-of-season ramifications.
Max Fried – SP Atlanta Braves
Max Fried in his first rehab start: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K, 35 pitches (18 strikes)
Fried averaged 94 mph with his four-seam fastball. He touched 96 mph. He threw 35 pitches after estimating he threw around 30 in his second live batting practice session (on Tuesday).
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 9, 2023
All of this is fantastic news, as the velocity looks similar to what he produced prior to his trip to the Injured List. He will likely need at least two more starts before returning.
Andrew Benintendi – OF Chicago White Sox
Andrew Benintendi out last two games as Sox try to address wrist issue that’s bothered him much of season with extended recovery time including All-Star break. Pedro Grifol said Benintendi has played through pain most of year, is expected to play when second half starts Friday.
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) July 9, 2023
The hope is that Benintendi returns in less than a week, but time will tell if that’s possible.
Kyle Freeland – SP Colorado Rockies
#Rockies Kyle Freeland on his right shoulder injury. Not a lot of athletes would talk in this situation. He’s a class act. pic.twitter.com/ZiVbP5VIAK
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) July 9, 2023
This was his non-throwing shoulder that was popped back into place. The examination here was to see if there was any structural damage or broken bones, and everything came back negative. There is no timetable for his return.
Houston Astros – Team Update
Speaking to @raford3 on the team's pregame radio show, Astros GM Dana Brown said José Urquidy and Yordan Alvarez will "for sure" be on a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. He said Jose Altuve is about a week behind them, but is healing faster than they anticipated
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 9, 2023
All of this is great news for the Astros, given their situation. Urquidy and Alvarez worked with each other and both will be ready to start a rehab assignment in about a week. Urquidy’s will likely be the longer one of the two, but both players will need to show that they’re healthy enough to return. As for Altuve, while his time away after the Break will be substantial, the fact that he is healing faster than anticipated is a positive sign for his return.
Edward Olivares – OF Kansas City Royals
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/Bb7cyV89YX
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 9, 2023
Olivares’ injury is mild in nature, so he may be able to return around the time he is first eligible to do so on July 18. That being said, oblique injuries are tricky, so he may also miss the rest of July. Stay tuned.
Brandon Woodruff – SP Milwaukee Brewers
Good report from Brandon Woodruff’s bullpen this morning – 25 pitches and velocity between 91-93 mph. Next one scheduled for Thursday before the second half.
— Sophia Minnaert (@SophiaMinnaert) July 9, 2023
This bullpen came after a delay earlier in the week when Woodruff wasn’t healing as well as the team would have liked. Now, his velocity is lower than what it normally would have been were he healthy. He will likely need more sessions such as this, as well as a velocity uptick, before heading out to a rehab assignment.
Jorge Polanco – 2B Minnesota Twins
Derek Falvey said Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is progressing in his running and will continue to do so throughout this week.
He said their hope and expectation is that he can get out for a rehab assignment with the Saints "maybe around next weekend."
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) July 9, 2023
That’s fantastic news, as Polanco is nearing a return. He will likely need a lengthy rehab assignment to ensure that his knee problems are finally behind him.
Tommy Pham – OF New York Mets
Tommy Pham was removed from today’s game with right groin soreness. He will undergo imaging tomorrow in New York. Additional updates will be provided when appropriate.
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 9, 2023
We should have more updates after the results of the imaging are released.
Nestor Cortes – SP New York Yankees
Nestor Cortes said he was "totally pain free" during his 20-pitch sim game this morning. Will next face hitters Thursday in Tampa and then will throw again the following Monday in Anaheim. Isn't eligible to come off of the 60-day until the first week of August
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) July 9, 2023
Cortes is seemingly trending upward with every update. The fact that he was pain-free is a good thing. Keep in mind, his latest transfer to the 60-day Injured List means that he cannot return until August 3.
Bryce Harper – DH Philadelphia Phillies
Rob Thomson thinks Bryce Harper will be fine by Friday when the Phillies resume their season. Would not have used Harper today even in a close game, elbow was still sore.
— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) July 9, 2023
This is comforting, but a lot can happen this week before the Phillies’ next game.
Jose Alvarado – RP Philadelphia Phillies
Prior to today’s game, the Phillies placed left-handed pitcher José Alvarado on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 7/7) with left elbow inflammation. To take his spot on the 26-man roster, right-handed pitcher Andrew Bellatti was recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 9, 2023
This is the second time that Alvarado has been on the Injured List this season due to an elbow injury. While he is eligible to return on July 23, chances are that the team takes things extra slowly with him.