Here is the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Inside, you’ll see some developments on Framber Valdez’s elbow, Tommy Edman’s diagnosis, and Luis Robert’s newest timeline for a return. All that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Framber Valdez – SP Houston Astros
Both Joe Espada and Dana Brown downplayed any concern over Framber Valdez’s elbow soreness, noting that the team did not put him on the IL. Still, they won’t hear what the doctors say until tomorrow, at the earliest.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 8, 2024
Valdez said that his elbow was hurting a bit after playing catch on Sunday. He described it as a “little less than medium” for the level of pain that he was feeling. The team has yet to address it as anything but minor, but more will be known when he sees medical professionals. It’s interesting to note that they chose not to place him on the Injured List before yesterday’s game and instead DFA Miguel Diaz.
Justin Verlander – SP Houston Astros
Justin Verlander will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and make another minor-league rehab start this weekend, Joe Espada said. It's unclear for which affiliate Verlander will start.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 8, 2024
Verlander continues to progress and get closer and closer to making his 2024 debut.
Chase Silseth – SP Los Angeles Angels
Chase Silseth said he underwent an MRI exam on his elbow but is still waiting on the results. Said he felt something when he threw breaking pitches last night and his elbow didn’t recover the way it usually does after a game.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 8, 2024
Silseth is awaiting the results of this MRI and has already been placed on the 15-day Injured List. This one seems more ominous concerning how quickly he was diagnosed and how poorly he pitched on Sunday.
CJ Abrams – SS Washington Nationals
Dave Martinez said shortstop CJ Abrams will participate in all baseball activity today. He’s hopeful that Abrams will be in the lineup tomorrow.
The biggest area of concern is hitting. Still some discomfort with his top hand when he swings.
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) April 8, 2024
Abrams has not played since April 5 because of a bruised finger. The team has seemingly downplayed his situation, but this is the first real update where the exact problems are specified. While it doesn’t seem likely that he will head to the Injured List, the team will need to make a decision one way or another, as we are approaching five days missed already.
Jameson Taillon – SP Chicago Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong – OF Chicago Cubs
Injury updates from the Cubs:
-Jameson Taillon came out of his rehab start well and will be joining Triple-A Iowa to continue his rehab assignment
-PCA left yesterday’s I-Cubs game early as a precaution. Had some elbow soreness from a dive in the outfield in a previous game.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) April 8, 2024
Taillon has been sidelined with a back injury for quite some time. He threw 52 pitches in a rehab outing over the weekend and will take his talents to Triple-A Iowa to hopefully complete his recovery. As for Crow-Armstrong, he has yet to return to Chicago, and this injury could delay that even further. We should have more updates shortly.
Nathaniel Lowe – 1B Texas Rangers
Also on injury rehab front, Nathaniel Lowe will take live BP Tuesday & Wednesday. Wouldn’t surprise me if he went on rehab shortly thereafter
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 8, 2024
Lowe taking batting practice is a good sign for him and where he’s at physically. It would likely need to be somewhat of a lengthy rehab assignment for him to ensure that he’s healthy and to get his timing down pact.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers
Jacob deGrom has extended his throwing program out to 90 feet which is a new step in his recovery
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) April 8, 2024
This was a big step for deGrom, who cleared another hurdler on his road to recovery. This doesn’t change the fact that he is expected back in August sometime, and that is a best-case scenario situation.
Justin Foscue – 2B Texas Rangers, Josh Jung – 3B Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers today announced the following roster moves:
– INF Justin Foscue placed on 10-day Injured List (left oblique strain)
– INF Davis Wendzel (#38) contract selected from Round Rock (AAA)
– 3B Josh Jung transferred to 60-day Injured List (right wrist fracture)— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) April 8, 2024
Foscue getting injured already is a disappointment, given that he made his debut just days ago. There is no word on the severity of his injury, but we should get word on that later this week. As for Jung, this is not a setback, but more a formality to open up a roster spot. He is still on the right path to returning.
Tommy Edman – 2B/SS/OF St. Louis Cardinals, Dylan Carlson – OF St. Louis Cardinals
Tommy Edman was cleared by the doctor today to start baseball activity, and that will be in a pattern similar to what was started and aborted early in spring. So, still a while to go.
Dylan Carlson has *not* been cleared for baseball activity. Still strengthening.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) April 8, 2024
Regarding Edman, the news has been slower than anticipated, but it’s still positive nonetheless. He will now begin a long road back to the Cardinals, as he will begin swinging. A long rehab assignment is in store also. As for Carlson, he is still recovering from an early-season injury, and there is no timetable for a return.
Lars Nootbaar – OF St. Louis Cardinals
Lars Nootbaar on how he's feeling as he gets closer to his return to the #STLCards: "Ribs feel good. Played down in Indy this past week and no problems there so, I'm happy with that. … We've progressed pretty well." pic.twitter.com/RX73Jcp0qU
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) April 8, 2024
There was a chance for Nootbaar to be activated for last night’s Cardinals game, but alas, after taking BP, it was determined that he would need more time. It’s worth noting that he wore a piece of protective equipment around his midsection while doing so.
Willson Contreras – C St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said he had three lineups made up for tonight’s game vs. the #Phillies — one with catcher Willson Contreras (sore left hand) in and two with him out.
Marmol feels Contreras will be ready to catch by Tuesday.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 8, 2024
Tuesday will mark the fifth day of Contreras’ absence from the Cardinals lineup. Let’s hope that Marmol is correct and that he can get back into the lineup.
Miami Marlins – Team Update
#Marlins injury updates:
Eury Perez’s TJ surgery was successful
Cabrera 5 innings/80 pitches Wed with Jax
Garrett 5 innings/80 pitches Fri with Jax
Chargois threw 20 pitch bullpen today
Still no baseball activities for Edwards— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) April 8, 2024
This is good news regarding both Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett. Both could be activated shortly after these rehab appearances as 80 pitches would be close to game-ready for each. As for Eury Perez, the journey to returning begins and it’s great to see that his surgery was a success.
Michael Conforto – OF San Francisco Giants
Melvin says Conforto has a very slight side issue. He’s likely to be back in tomorrow.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 8, 2024
Fingers crossed that this is nothing major. Conforto is no stranger to being injured for quite some time.
Luis Robert – OF Chicago White Sox
The 1-8 White Sox’ expectation for Luis Robert Jr on IL is 6-8 weeks👇 https://t.co/HISdtKkGgH
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) April 8, 2024
This timeline is a lot sooner than the one that was proposed over the weekend of three to four months. Either way, expect a significant amount of time away from Robert.