Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Thursday, August 25, 2023. In today’s edition, both Kyle Wright and Mason Miller had outstanding rehab appearances yesterday. Also, Ozzie Albies may not be back this weekend as what was once believed. Finally, Shohei Ohtani will continue to hit as the team’s designated hitter until he figures out a plan for his ailing elbow. All of that and more are examined below in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks
Merrill Kelly on exiting tonight’s game: pic.twitter.com/NfnrQwa8yP
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) August 25, 2023
Kelly left last night’s game after the seventh inning with a cramp in his right hamstring. As he said here, it’s minor and isn’t considered to be a big deal going forward. It’s unfortunate because he was pitching a gem of a game too.
Kyle Wright – SP Atlanta Braves
Kyle Wright’s rehab assignment began with three scoreless innings for High-A Rome. He allowed one hit and struck out four batters. He threw 26 pitches — 23 for strikes.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 25, 2023
Wright looked sharp and efficient in his first rehab game. Throwing that many pitches in three innings is almost unheard of.
Ozzie Albies – 2B Atlanta Braves
#Braves say they’re still going day-to-day with Ozzie Albies (hamstring) and haven’t decided yet if he’ll be activated for the weekend series at San Francisco.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 24, 2023
This goes against the report from earlier in the week that suggested he would be back today. Keep this in mind when building rosters this weekend.
Kenley Jansen – RP Boston Red Sox
Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen said he feels good today and he’ll see how the hamstring feels in the coming days. He sounded confident he’d be able to avoid the IL. He talked about this being a crucial time and wanting to be out there
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) August 24, 2023
While it’s encouraging to hear Jansen himself talk about returning to the mound, this is nothing near official. As he stated, we need to see how he feels in the coming days. For now, this message fills us with hope and optimism.
Joey Votto – 1B Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati #Reds 1B Joey Votto, who was placed on the IL with shoulder discomfort, is expected to return in early September, manager David Bell says.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 24, 2023
Votto has recorded seven hits and zero home runs since the beginning of August, and it could be the shoulder that’s the reason why.
Jonathan India – 2B Cincinnati Reds
India had his MRI yesterday, but there is no word on those results. He received positive news from the foot specialist a few days ago and is now going to resume his running program. Things seem to be trending toward a return in the middle of September.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Dusty Baker said Michael Brantley came into his office today and he's headed back to Sugar Land and will play Friday/Saturday. Baker said "he's not physically there yet."
"He's not ready and I told him, 'let us know' when he's ready because he's champing at the bit, but at the…
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 24, 2023
This is interesting. While it’s Dusty Baker reminding Brantley about “father time” it’s Brantley himself who has said that he’s not ready to rejoin the team. This seems destined to go in one of the following ways: 1) Brantley comes back too soon and re-injures himself, 2) Branltey returns and struggles 3) Brantley retires. Hopefully, if and when he does return, he’ll be able to get back to his old productive ways.
Shohei Ohtani – SP/UT Los Angeles Angels
Source confirms that Shohei Ohtani will continue to DH while exploring options for treatment of his arm, as @Alden_Gonzalez reported.
The Angels still have made no further announcement about the plans for him.
Angels open a series against the Mets in NY tomorrow.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 24, 2023
Ohtani will continue to hit while he figures out the best way to attend to his elbow. He truly is one of a kind.
Alex Kirilloff – 1B Minnesota Twins
Alex Kirilloff (right shoulder) says he's back to his normal pregame work volume, including hitting velocity off the machine. Pretty much doing everything except hitting live pitching. He's still waiting to hear about a rehab assignment.
"Hopefully we'll talk about that soon."
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 24, 2023
This is encouraging news, though his value to the Twins is now based more on what he can do for them come the playoffs. Time is running out for any and all regular season impact.
Mason Miller – SP Oakland Athletics
Mason Miller touches triple digits SEVEN TIMES in his third rehab start 🔥
The No. 3 @Athletics prospect strikes out five over three scoreless innings for the @AviatorsLV: pic.twitter.com/jhxDlDZlRv
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 25, 2023
This is everything that you’d want to see out of a pitcher in a rehab outing. Miller averaged 99.1 mph on his fastball and induced 10 whiffs overall on his 45 pitches thrown. Outstanding stuff. He’ll look to stretch things out even more over his next one or two appearances before likely pitching again for Oakland.
Luis Medina – SP Oakland Athletics
Luis Medina will throw a touch and feel bullpen tomorrow in Tacoma with Triple-A Vegas.
“The plan would be that if [the blister] responds well to the touch and feel, align him with the bullpen and then possibly get him in a game,” manager Mark Kotsay said.
— Joey Pollizze (@joeypollizze) August 24, 2023
Medina is already going to throw some pitches and it looks like he could be ready to return when first eligible. Stay tuned.
Stephen Strasburg – SP Washington Nationals
Stephen Strasburg is planning to retire, per @dougherty_jesse pic.twitter.com/IdaFtaIl40
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 24, 2023
Congratulations on one heck of a career.