Here is the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Monday, August 28, 2023. In today’s edition, the situation regarding Byron Buxton is examined, as it could cause a fantasy ripple effect for this season and the next. Also, what’s the latest on Rafael Devers and Bo Bichette as both are working through their respective injuries? Finally, Michael Brantley looks to be close to a return for the Astros. All that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Rafael Devers – 3B Boston Red Sox
Devers’ x-rays were negative. Cora hopes he can play tomorrow but they’ll see how he feels tomorrow
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) August 27, 2023
Devers was hit in the wrist on Saturday, and it turns out that his absence on Sunday was precautionary. The hope is to return to the lineup today.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Astros GM Dana Brown told @raford3 on his pregame show the next step for Michael Brantley is to join the team in Boston and that “hopefully we can see him maybe potentially in the lineup by Tuesday.”
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) August 27, 2023
Brantley will meet with the team in Boston and get evaluated by the Astros’ training staff. If he is successfully able to check all of the boxes, then yes, he will likely make his 2023 debut on Tuesday. In his second round of minor league rehabbing, he has gone 8-for-23 (.348) with one home run and no strikeouts.
Chase Silseth – SP Los Angeles Angels
The Angels will continue to monitor Chase Silseth, but for now he seems to just have a headache. He was released from the hospital last night.
"I think we avoided something serious but with head injuries you always want to be cautious," Nevin said.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 27, 2023
Great news that Silseth has been released from the hospital and can now work on getting himself better from the comfort of his own home and the Angels’ training facilities. He’s also avoided any concussions here and has a headache. There is no timetable for a return though.
Zach Neto – SS Los Angeles Angels
Neto will likely need a lengthy rehab assignment before returning, as he hasn’t played in a game since August 3. Time is running out on him to make any impactful contributions down the stretch.
Nolan Schanuel – 1B Los Angeles Angels
Wake up!!!!
Schanuel still out. Silseth is not on the IL. He is not talking to the media today, but he’s OK. pic.twitter.com/DJV3ooyDPR
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 27, 2023
Schanuel was out with an illness and can be considered DTD while he gets better.
Tony Gonsolin – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers claimed old friend Tyson Miller off waivers from the Mets
Tony Gonsolin was moved to the 60-day IL
Miller has already been optioned 5 times this season, but the Dodgers also need RHP in the bullpen and Joe Kelly and Yency Almonte are a ways away
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) August 27, 2023
This officially ends Gonsolin’s 2023 season. His future is unclear due to the fact that his forearm injury could require surgery at some point, causing him to be out for an extended amount of time.
Aaron Ashby – SP/RP Milwaukee Brewers
Good progress for Brewers LHP Aaron Ashby: He will throw a live BP this week and then, if that goes well, he will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 27, 2023
Ashby’s rehab assignment got delayed a few weeks ago due to mechanical issues and adjustments that he was making. It’s encouraging that he will begin pitching at High-A Wisconsin next week, but he still has the hurdle of this week’s BP to overcome.
Adrian Houser – SP/RP Milwaukee Brewers
Adrian Houser left the game because of what the Brewers call "minor right forearm tightness."
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 27, 2023
While Houser is currently listed as DTD, it wouldn’t be surprising if he went on the Injured List, as these injuries in pitchers can linger and get increasingly serious.
Alex Kirilloff – 1B Minnesota Twins
Alex Kirilloff will also be part of Tuesday's hitting group against Jorge Alcalá. He could head out on a rehab assignment later this week. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 27, 2023
Kirilloff has been out of action since the end of July and is only now getting onto the field for a rehab assignment. It will likely be a long one and he will have to prove his health. He could be the team’s everyday first-baseman come the postseason.
Byron Buxton – UT/OF Minnesota Twins
Byron Buxton is nearing a rehab assignment as long as he continues to progress. He'll run the bases Monday, hit against Jorge Alcalá on Tuesday. And yes, while they're going day by day, the plan would include rehab time in center field. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 27, 2023
Buxton will get some time in center field during his rehab assignment. This will be telling as to whether or not he can handle that workload physically once he returns. It remains to be seen if he will qualify for that position next season as time is running out. This also brings up an interesting dilemma in dynasty. Buxton may have outfield eligibility on some platforms and not others. Furthermore, we don’t know if this trend of him playing in the outfield will carry over into next season, which will make off-season rankings very difficult to interpret.
Josh Donaldson – 3B New York Yankees
Donaldson could return to the Yankees at some point in September, but his role on the team seems undetermined. He could be a bench bat at this point in his career.
Anthony Rizzo – 1B New York Yankees
Rizzo seems to be progressing day by day, but his overall status doesn’t seem to be improving too much. He is inching closer to a rehab assignment, but his recent diagnosis of cognitive impairment makes it difficult to do too much too fast. Given the state of the Yankees in the standings, perhaps waiting until next season is best.
Luis Medina – SP Oakland Athletics
It looks like Medina is getting closer to a return, and this upcoming full bullpen will help determine his availability going forward.
Ranger Suarez – SP Philadelphia Phillies
Ranger Suárez (hamstring) will throw to hitters Monday afternoon and the Phillies believe he’ll be ready to go at some point during the next road trip. Won’t go on a minor-league rehab.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) August 27, 2023
It’s looking like Suarez is ready to return within the next week or so. The Phillies begin the aforementioned road trip this Friday.
Mitch Haniger – OF San Francisco Giants, Mike Yastraemski – OF San Francisco Giants
Giants update: Haniger and Yastrzemski could come off IL and play in upcoming Reds series, Kapler says.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) August 27, 2023
Be prepared.
Lars Nootbar – OF St. Louis Cardinals
OF Lars Nootbaar has responded well to increased activity during pregame in recent days. He could be active sometime during the next home stand
— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) August 27, 2023
Be prepared. For what it’s worth, the Cardinals play at home today, so it’s looking like any day now.
Tyler O’Neill – OF St. Louis Cardinals
Lineup change as Tyler O'Neill is now out with left knee discomfort. Palacios now in CF pic.twitter.com/EsS8bVOpFD
— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) August 27, 2023
O’Neill hasn’t missed a game in almost an entire month because of injury. Here’s hoping he is back in the lineup soon.
Yandy Diaz – 3B Tampa Bay Rays
#Rays Diaz out again with left forearm still sore from Friday HBP, said CT scan showed no damage, expected to be available today off bench and back in lineup Tuesday at #Marlins
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 27, 2023
The hope is that Diaz can return on Tuesday, though nothing has yet to be confirmed. After a major scare this weekend, caution is likely the best path here.
Matt Chapman – 3B Toronto Blue Jays
#Bluejays tell us that Matt Chapman came out of the game with inflammation in the middle finger of his right hand.
Two weeks ago, he pinched that finger between a dumbbell and a rack in the weight room and missed three games.
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) August 27, 2023
There was no word on what caused this inflammation, so the hope it was just through the wear and tear of playing in a game. A trip to the Injured List should not be ruled out, as recurring injuries can be troublesome.
Bo Bichette – SS Toronto Blue Jays
Bo Bichette has been “feeling it” in his quad and playing through it.
John Schneider called it a precautionary move and “separate” from his right patellar tendinitis. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 27, 2023
There is no word on if Bichette will need a trip to the Injured List. The fact that he has been feeling this way for a while is far from encouraging. He still managed eight hits over his first seven games back from injury prior to yesterday’s game.
Erik Swanson – RP Toronto Blue Jays
ROSTER MOVES:
🔹 RHP Erik Swanson placed on 15-day IL (thoracic spine inflammation)
🔹 RHP Jay Jackson recalled from Triple-A and will be active today pic.twitter.com/OP9tKWxn4E
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 27, 2023
Swanson will miss at least two weeks of action.
Keibert Ruiz – C Toronto Blue Jays
Davey Martinez says he expects Keibert Ruiz to play tomorrow in Toronto. Nats are still keeping an eye on him, but he says he feels better.
— Bobby Blanco (@Bobby_Blanco) August 27, 2023
Good news for Ruiz who has started one game since last Wednesday.