Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Wednesday, August 23, 2023. In today’s edition, Nick Lodolo had a setback and will miss the foreseeable future with yet another leg injury. Also, Josh Naylor’s recovery is going slowly and cautiously, as the team wants to take their time. Finally, Joe Musgrove is progressing, but has a long way to go, as per his manager Bob Melvin. All this and much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Drey Jameson – SP/RP Arizona Diamondbacks
Torey Lovullo said there is hope Drey Jameson can pitch again this year.
Jameson is up to 60-90 feet in his throwing program.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) August 22, 2023
While it’s encouraging that Jameson is throwing right now, any return would likely be minimal, if at all.
John Means – SP Baltimore Orioles
Had a chance to chat a little with John Means today. Said his arm feels great. His next rehab appearance will be for Norfolk, probably Friday. The goal is 5 innings. After that, it could be another rehab outing or maybe he could join the Orioles. Said that's not his call.
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) August 22, 2023
It’s looking like a return from Means is in the works and could be achieved within a week or two.
Anthony Santander – OF Baltimore Orioles
Anthony Santander’s back is better. Not starting but could be available off the bench. #Orioles
— Rich DubroffMLB (@RichDubroffMLB) August 22, 2023
While he didn’t play in last night’s game, this report indicates that he’s close to returning and could be back today.
Jarren Duran – OF Boston Red Sox
Red Sox announce Tanner Houck has been activated from the IL and Chris Murphy optioned to Worcester. Also Jarren Duran is headed to the IL with a left toe sprain and Wilyer Abreu has been recalled.
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) August 22, 2023
Duran already has an MRI scheduled to determine the severity of the injury, but he’s been placed on the Injured List regardless. Stay tuned.
Nick Lodolo – SP Cincinnati Reds
Lodolo had a setback in his last rehab start at Louisville. MRI revealed another stress reaction in his left tibia. He’s going for a second opinion, Bell said.
— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) August 22, 2023
This is an unfortunate development, as Lodolo was supposed to be returning this week. He will receive a second opinion, but it could end up being a season-ending injury. With only six weeks remaining, there may not be enough time for him to recover, rehab, and re-debut. We should know more later this week.
Triston McKenzie = SP Cleveland Guardians
McKenzie is now throwing from long distances, but he’s still not throwing from the mound. Once that happens, there will be a better handle on his timeline. He is hoping to return in late September.
Shane Bieber – SP Cleveland Guardians
Bieber seems to be ahead of McKenzie, albeit slightly, in his development. Once he gets onto the mound, he will be closer to a return, as it’s been speculated that he could be back in mid-September.
Josh Naylor – 1B Cleveland Guardians
Naylor seems close to hitting pitches, but the team is being extra-cautious with him and his return. Once he is able to hit live pitching, we could see an accelerated rehab. That said, obliques are tricky to overcome.
Jose Abreu – 1B Houston Astros
Dusty Baker said they hope to get Jose Abreu back during this homestand, which ends Thursday.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 22, 2023
This came out of nowhere, as Abreu wasn’t swinging a bat over the weekend, but he was fielding groundballs. While he may not play today, chances are he’s back tomorrow.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez is being scratched from the Astros lineup. He hurt his left index finger in a door at home today. Dusty Baker said he hopes he’ll be back tomorrow.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 22, 2023
Manager Dusty Baker did say that he’s hopeful that Alvarez returns today.
Anthony Rendon – 3B Los Angeles Angels
There's nothing new with Anthony Rendon, Phil Nevin said.
As for if he's improving:
"It depends on which day you ask him. It comes and goes each day."
He hasn't done any on-field work, and it's unclear if he's progressed in off-field work at all.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) August 23, 2023
Rendon continues to be a frustrating fantasy option to roster. He is eligible to return to the Angels on September 9, but his history suggests that he won’t play again this season.
J.D. Martinez – UT Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts said JD Martinez will be on IL for at least 2-3 weeks. No activity planned for the next 7 days. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 22, 2023
Martinez will be shut down for up to three weeks, which would leave him with three weeks of the season remaining. This doesn’t include a possible rehab assignment or any setbacks. For fantasy purposes, he may be someone to drop. The Dodgers seem poised to make the playoffs and their goal right now will be to ensure that Martinez is healthy for that.
Avisail Garcia – OF Miami Marlins
Left hamstring strain for Avisail García, per #Marlins.
— Daniel Álvarez-Montes (@DanielAlvarezEE) August 23, 2023
No word yet on the severity of the situation, but we could see him land on the Injured List. Stay tuned.
Garrett Mitchell – OF Milwaukee Brewers
Garrett Mitchell was smiling when he walked through the clubhouse doors today. Here’s the latest on his hopes to play for the Brewers this season, including the importance of being game-ready in time for a stint with Nashville. pic.twitter.com/rV72XAV6S3
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 22, 2023
Mitchell will begin a rehab assignment in the middle of September. Given that timeline, he may have about one week worth’s of games left in him. It’s great to see him return, but be mindful that he is more of a 2024 option at this point.
Sal Frelick – OF Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have scratched Sal Frelick from the starting lineup with the same issue that sidelined him for the finale in Texas: Right hamstring soreness.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 22, 2023
This has been a lingering issue for Frelick, and we may see him head to the Injured List if things don’t improve. For now, consider him DTD, and remember that he needs his legs to be as valuable as he can be.
Aaron Ashby – SP/RP Milwaukee Brewers
Aaron Ashby will throw a light bullpen tomorrow and then a more intense session over the weekend before returning to AZ. He still wants to pitch this season, but said his delivery is still a work in progress. That’s why the velo hasn’t fully returned, and why he needs more time.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 22, 2023
Ashby’s delayed return doesn’t seem to be injury-related, which is definitely good news. Fantasy owners can be patient as they’ve waited all year for him.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres
This will be the first time that Musgrove will have thrown, and that’s definitely a step in the right direction. However, later in this article, manager Bob Melvin said that the team would pump the brakes on this and that he would need many sessions like this before they consider placing him on the mound. In fact, he himself said that they are a ways away from it.
Julio Rodriguez – OF Seattle Mariners
Julio Rodríguez has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to a stomach illness.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) August 22, 2023
Consider Rodriguez DTD while he recovers from this illness.
Emerson Hancock – SP Seattle Mariners
Additional roster moves:
🔹 Bryan Woo, reinstated from 15-day Injured List
🔹 Eduard Bazardo, optioned to Triple-A Tacoma (post-game, 8/21)
🔹 Darren McCaughan, optioned to Triple-A Tacoma (post-game, 8/21)
🔹 Emerson Hancock, transferred to 60-day Injured List https://t.co/30Fnpe75rH— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) August 22, 2023
This really escalated quickly, as Hancock will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder strain.
Dylan Carlson – OF St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards outfielder Dylan Carlson will have an injection in his left ankle & his progress will be monitored as he picks up the intensity of drills over the next 10 days, manager Oli Marmol said.
Carlson, who also has a Grade II oblique strain, hopes to play again this season.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) August 22, 2023
Given the multifaceted magnitude of both of his injuries, it would be surprising to see Carlson return this season. His ankle could require surgery and his oblique strain is of the second-grade variety.
Ryan Helsley – RP St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards closer Ryan Helsley had the painful flexor tendon and UCL in his right arm analyzed with another MRI and he came through it clean.
Helsely, who has been out since June 10, will throw another bullpen in St. Louis & then restart his rehab assignment – likely in Memphis.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) August 22, 2023
This isn’t the first time that Helsley has faced a setback and been told that he has everything on par with where it should be. Time will tell, but he will redo his bullpen before heading out on a rehab assignment.
Matthew Liberatore – SP St. Louis Cardinals
Cardinals have placed Matt Liberatote on the IL, retroactive to August 19, with low back tightness. Clearly he won’t make his scheduled start tomorrow.
Jacob Barnes selected from Memphis to fill the roster spot. 40-man is now full.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) August 22, 2023
Liberatore will miss three times through the rotation while he recovers from this injury. It remains to be seen if he’ll be ready after those fifteen days.
Nathan Eovaldi – SP Texas Rangers
Yet more: It sounds like Nathan Eovaldi might be the next Ranger to return without a rehab assignment. https://t.co/kadtL1125w
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 22, 2023
Eovaldi could be back sooner than expected, as his latest live batting session seemed encouraging, to say the least.