Here is the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Here, you’ll read about the latest on Christian Yelich, Seiya Suzuki, and Max Scherzer. Plus, there’s news on a slew of relievers who are on their way back to being healthy. All that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Tyler O’Neill – OF Boston Red Sox
Alex Cora says Tyler O’Neill got eight stitches above his left eye and he’s going through concussion protocol. They’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow and go from there, but hopeful he won’t need to go on the IL.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) April 15, 2024
O’Neill and Devers collided in the most brutal of ways, which looked incredibly scary. While Devers seemed okay afterward, it was O’Neill who took the brunt of the hit, needing stitches. While it’s not initially believed that he will miss much time, it’s still a rather serious situation that can hopefully be resolved with a day or two off.
Jake Burger – 3B Miami Marlins
All the #Marlins moves from today are official:
-Edward Cabrera activated
-Max Meyer optioned
-Jake Burger to IL (left intercostal muscle strain)
-Otto Lopez recalled— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) April 15, 2024
The Marlins made news for many reasons on Monday, and Burger’s designation to the Injured List was one of them. What was originally diagnosed as an oblique strain is now classified as a left intercostal muscle strain. There’s no indication just yet how much longer than the 10 days he will need.
Salvador Perez – C Kansas City Royals
Just talked to Salvador Perez. MRI this morning revealed a grade one groin strain. He says there’s no pain. Just a little tightness/pinch. He hopes to play tomorrow. He went straight to Matt Quatraro’s office when he arrived and lobbied to play tonight. He lost that battle.
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) April 15, 2024
A day after the home plate collision, Perez said that he was not in pain anymore. While it’s encouraging to note that he likely won’t require a trip to the Injured List, the team would be wise to play things safely and give him at least a day to rest and heal. He did not play in Monday’s game and it remains to be seen if he will return on Tuesday.
Michael Massey – 2B Kansas City Royals
Michael Massey (lower back) is going on the road with Triple-A Omaha this week as part of his rehab assignment, Quatraro said. Royals want him to get a few more games and at-bats in, make sure he feels 100% healthy before returning to Kansas City.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) April 15, 2024
Massey has been a part of a rehab assignment for the better part of a week. The team wants to give him some more time to refine his approach at the plate and ensure 100% health. The team worked with him this offseason to maximize his plate appearances by utilizing the strike zone and being more patient.
Max Kepler – OF Minnesota Twins, Jhoan Duran – RP Minnesota Twins
Plan is for Max Kepler (knee) to run the bases at Target Field in the next day or two, with a rehab assignment maybe to come after.
Jhoan Duran (oblique) is still scheduled to throw a 'pen here tomorrow, with lives potentially the next step.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 15, 2024
Kepler has been out of action for about a week with a knee contusion but appears close to a return to action. Meanwhile, Duran looks ready to throw to live batters soon, which could signify a step toward a rehab outing right after.
Christian Yelich – OF Milwaukee Brewers
Pat Murphy says Christian Yelich is “about the same” today with his back issue.
Is taking some medication that they hope will help.
Decision day will be tomorrow as far as a possible IL placement.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) April 15, 2024
Today might be the day when we discover that Yelich is either bound for the Injured List or returning to the lineup. As someone who has been plagued with back injuries throughout his career, the team would be wise to place him on the Injured List, just to be safe.
John Means – SP Baltimore Orioles
John Means will pitch another rehab game next week. He’s expected back later this month or early May, Mike Elias said
— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) April 13, 2024
Means is getting closer to making his debut with the Orioles. There has been no indication as to whether or not his next rehab game will be his last. Over his last six innings of work, he has struck out seven batters and surrendered only three runs. It would appear he would need at least two more appearances.
Kyle Bradish – SP Baltimore Orioles
Big time name on the bump in Bowie tomorrow
Orioles' right-handed pitcher Kyle Bradish will get the ball for the Baysox in our series opener against the Altoona Curve
🔗 https://t.co/Bs148Tif90
🎟️ https://t.co/C3RLIDdgMQ pic.twitter.com/K2HqTUan0Q— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) April 15, 2024
Start spreading the news. Bradish will make his rehab debut and is slated to throw 40-50 pitches over two or three innings of work.
Jake Cronenworth – 1B San Diego Padres
Not all is entirely swell after another comeback victory for Padres.
Jake Cronenworth felt tightness in his calf while trying to beat out a grounder in the 8th inning. He played first in 8th before being replaced by Brett Sullivan in 9th.
“Too early to tell,” Mike Shildt said.— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) April 16, 2024
We should know more about his status later today. The hope is that it’s nothing serious after having made some nice gains to begin the season.
Framber Valdez – SP Houston Astros
Must've been a change in plans because Framber Valdez is now playing light catch, too. https://t.co/p5bhnE0diM
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 15, 2024
Valdez played light catch yesterday, a day earlier than was planned. While this is encouraging news, it’s important to remember that light catch is not the same as catch. Furthermore, while both he and the team are anticipating a return when he’s first eligible on April 23, he will have to accelerate the progress that he makes until that point to be a candidate to return. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done.
Seiya Suzuki – OF Chicago Cubs
Cubs have placed Seiya Suzuki on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain.
OF Alexander Canario recalled from Triple-A Iowa.
A big blow to the Cubs.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) April 15, 2024
Suzuki will miss some time with an oblique strain. As a reminder, he missed six weeks because of this injury in 2023. It’s unfortunate because he has been one of the team’s best players to start the season, and will now be sidelined for the time being.
Erik Swanson – RP Toronto Blue Jays, Jordan Romano – RP Toronto Blue Jays
Blue Jays manager John Schneider says Jordan Romano & Erik Swanson will be activated “soon” at which point Romano will close again. Sounds like the plan may be for tomorrow.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) April 15, 2024
Be prepared.
Tommy Edman – 2B/SS/OF St. Louis Cardinals, Dylan Carlson – OF St. Louis Cardinals
Hi from the bay.
Here are some #STLCards injury updates, courtesy of today’s game notes pic.twitter.com/0AViYu6F7z
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) April 15, 2024
Edman seems to be one step behind Carlson, in terms of where they are in their recovery process. Edman will take dry swings today and then hit off a tee, while Carlson will begin with the tee hitting. There is no real ETA for either of them, as that will depend on how their bodies respond to the rigors of playing baseball.
Max Scherzer – SP Texas Rangers
Scherzer has been healing at a much faster rate than what was expected. He has said all along that he can only do what his body allows him to do, and apparently, it’s telling him to push it forward. What was originally slated as a summer return, we could see him return months before in what would be an incredible comeback story. Stay tuned.
Paul Sewald – RP Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Sewald is scheduled to throw another bullpen on Tuesday, manager Torey Lovullo said.
Still to be determined what his next steps are after that.
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) April 15, 2024
Sewald threw eighteen pitches in his last bullpen, and figures to do at least that in this one. We should know about their plan for him afterward.
Keibert Ruiz – C Washington Nationals
Nats roster moves in advance of tonight's game:
Mitchell Parker called up from AAA
Nick Senzel activated off 10-day IL
Drew Millas called up from AAA
Keibert Ruiz placed on 10-day IL (influenza)
Trey Lipscomb optioned to AAA
Amos Willingham optioned to AAA— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 15, 2024
The Nationals made a ton of moves yesterday, one of which was the designation of Ruiz to the Injured List due to influenza. The good news is that it is retroactive to April 8, meaning he could likely return later this week.
Walker Buehler – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
#Dodgers MGR Dave Roberts said if RHP Walker Buehler’s rehab start goes well Thursday night and he gets to 80-90 pitch range he will be a strong candidate to return to rotation next week. RF (back tightness) will need a rehab stint before returning.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) April 15, 2024
That’s fantastic news. All eyes will be on Buehler with his next rehab start to see that he gets to his pitch range without any setbacks.