Here is the MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Inside, you’ll see what’s happening with Josh Jung after his surgery, Gerrit Cole while he’s shutdown, and two closers in Jordan Romano and Paul Sewald. All that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Josh Jung – 3B Texas Rangers
Josh Jung had surgery on his right wrist today in Phoenix, same surgeon who did his his thumbs surgery last August. Chris Young says he's expected to be out 6 weeks.
— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) April 2, 2024
This piece of news is important because it gives us a rough estimation as to when we could see Jung returning. While anything can happen from now until then, fantasy owners should feel somewhat relieved that they could have their starting third baseman back by the end of May. In his absence, Josh Smith started last night, but Ezequiel Duran and prospect Justin Foscue should see an uptick in playing time.
Jordan Romano – RP Toronto Blue Jays
Jordan Romano had successful side session in Fla. today, an important step toward return to majors
Meanwhile Yariel Rodriguez’s first AAA outing went “about as good as it could go” per mgr John Schneider. “He’s definitely a big-leaguer.” Just a matter of building comfort & reps
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) April 2, 2024
As stated, this was an important step forward for Romano. Yesterday represented the first time that he pitched from a mound since his diagnosis and hopefully proved that he is just about ready to make his 2024 debut. A lot will now depend on how he feels today and tomorrow and if he’s ready to do it all over again before facing live batters.
Paul Sewald – RP Arizona Diamondbacks
Today, not yesterday. Lovullo called it a good sign in Sewald’s progression.
— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) April 2, 2024
This was a key first hurdle on the road to recovery for Sewald. He will need to throw from longer distances before hopefully returning to do some mound work. It is expected that he miss all of April with the hope of debuting sometime in May.
Gavin Williams – SP Cleveland Guardians
He's supposed to throw a bullpen session while the team is in Seattle. https://t.co/6B5O0dvg3B
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) April 2, 2024
This is the first real update that we’ve had on Williams, as the team has been very quiet about his return. That said, if all goes well with this bullpen session, he may slide into a rehab session right away. He will need to ramp himself up after missing a lot of Spring Training.
Gerrit Cole – SP New York Yankees
Aaron Boone said that he thinks Gerrit Cole is close to throwing again. He didn't have a day for the #Yankees ace but added things have gone well so far.
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) April 2, 2024
In addition to this report, Phillips also posted that Cole reported no pain in his elbow whatsoever. While it’s important to remember to take players’ words with a grain of salt, we can take note of the fact that Cole feels better and is improving. None of this changes his timeline of a potential mid-season return, but even that best-case scenario shouldn’t be overly reliable. This just reinstates the fact that Cole has been progressing.
Sonny Gray – SP St. Louis Cardinals
Sonny Gray will shift his rehab start scheduled for tomorrow to a sim game at Springfield (Mo.). Re: weather.
Earliest he will be available to start for #Cardinals is series at AZ. Will attend opening day festivities in St. Louis. He’s set for a rehab start w/ Memphis next week.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 2, 2024
It’s important to note that the reason for this shift is due to the weather. This is not a setback at all, though it may alter his timeline for a 2024 debut. That being said, if you were invested in Gray before this news broke, you should still be invested now.
Justin Verlander – SP Houston Astros
Espada said Justin Verlander will throw a bullpen in Houston on Thursday and then pitch in a Minor League rehab game a few days after that.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 2, 2024
After throwing a 52-pitch simulated game on Monday, Verlander appears ready to advance to the next stage of his buildup, which is a rehab game this weekend.
Vaughn Grissom – 2B/SS Boston Red Sox
Grissom’s highly anticipated Red Sox debut could be coming soon. Now is your last chance to stash him away before the price goes up (if it already hasn’t).
Eloy Jimenez – UT Chicago White Sox
Eloy Jimenez, sweat on his brow, said he was doing “better” before heading to cage to hit. Is receiving treatment for the sore adductor, and getting work in.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) April 2, 2024
Jimenez continues to say the right things, but today will have been four days since the injury occurred. Time is running out before it becomes almost necessary to place him on the Injured List.
Shane Baz – SP Tampa Bay Rays
Rehab for Rays’ Shane Baz sidetracked by oblique issue https://t.co/8CkulpDIji
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) April 2, 2024
The injury to his oblique continues to delay any chance of an earlier debut for Baz. He will be re-evaluated this week with the hope that he can continue to work on his post Tommy John Surgery rehab. This definitely puts a wrench in any plans of having him debut earlier in the season.