Here is the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Inside, you’ll see the latest injury updates on Rafael Devers, who injured himself yet again, this time in his knee. There is also a timeline for Seiya Suzuki’s oblique issue. Finally, Ozzie Albies will miss time with a fractured toe, but how long will he be gone? All that and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Rafael Devers – 3B Boston Red Sox
"I've never had any issues with my legs. That happened today. I don't know what's going on….I don't know what to think about it I've never been the kind of player that's been injured obviously it's frustrating to feel with another pain."
-A dejected Rafael Devers after the game— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) April 17, 2024
Devers felt the pain in the seventh inning when he played, according to Alex Cora, and the team is deciding on whether they will take imaging just to make sure. This is worrisome in that they’re already considering the next step. We should know more today, but chances are that he misses some time here on the Injured List.
Garrett Whitlock – SP Boston Red Sox
Garrett Whitlock said he was removed for precautionary reasons. He felt it during the third inning and doesn’t see it as something that will hold him back from his next start
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) April 17, 2024
Good news regarding Whitlock, though we won’t know for sure until we get closer to his projected next start on Sunday. For now, consider the bullet dodged.
Tyler O’Neill – OF Boston Red Sox
Alex Cora says Tyler O'Neill cleared concussion protocol and is doing better. He'll sit today and tomorrow but the hope is he'll be back in the lineup on Thursday.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) April 16, 2024
Great news here, as both O’Neill and the Red Sox have seemingly avoided what could have been a disaster for their lineup. Here’s hoping that he can come back as strong as ever.
Ozzie Albies – 2B Atlanta Braves
Snit said Albies won’t need surgery. He didn’t give a timetable. But it sounds like there’s a chance he could be back in two weeks, which means three weeks might be the safer bet, especially this early in the season.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 16, 2024
Albies went on the Injured List with a fractured toe. The good news is that he won’t require surgery, and thus, his time away will be significantly reduced. Already in a walking boot, time will tell how fast he can heal and get back out there. A rehab assignment might still be necessary. Stay tuned.
Salvador Perez – C Kansas City Royals
Salvador Perez gets another day off tonight but is available off the bench. Manager Matt Quatraro said he wanted to give Perez another day to help the soreness subside and make sure he’s ready to go.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) April 16, 2024
The game was rained out, but Perez was available off the bench if needed. The hope is that he will play in at least one of the two games slated today as the Royals have a double-header on tap.
Tyler Wells – SP Baltimore Orioles
#Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he’s optimistic Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation) might only miss a couple of weeks, called it precautionary after Wells felt some soreness coming out of his last start.
Wednesday starter is TBD.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) April 17, 2024
Elbow inflammation is seldom a good thing, and this has an ominous tone to it. That said, the optimism here is a welcomed sign that perhaps this injury isn’t as bad as first believed.
J.D. Martinez – UT New York Mets
It's now "very unlikely" that J.D. Martinez will join the Mets on their upcoming West Coast trip, per Carlos Mendoza. That trip runs through April 24.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 16, 2024
There was some belief that he would join the team on their road trip, but a second report clarified the situation. Martinez is expected to resume playing in Minor League games this week.
Brett Baty – 3B New York Mets
Brett Baty was asked how frustrating it was to tweak his hamstring while swinging a hot bat at the plate:
"I'm just glad I caught it early. I don't think it's much right now" pic.twitter.com/53dCsQ9I9U
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 17, 2024
Consider Baty DTD while he works through this (hopefully) minor issue.
Josh Lowe – OF Tampa Bay Rays
#Rays Josh Lowe set to join Triple-A @DurhamBulls later this week for rehab assignment, plus notes on Aranda's progress, Civale facing #Angels again, Jackie Robinson Day, more https://t.co/biWLK8JPP6
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 16, 2024
Fantastic news here, as Lowe’s rehab will begin later this week. Manager Kevin Cash indicated that the length of this rehab might not be too long because of how well Lowe has been feeling as of late. He will be welcomed back with open arms as he should inject some much-needed offense into the Rays.
Christian Yelich – OF Milwaukee Brewers
OF Christian Yelich placed on the 10-day injured list with a low back strain, retroactive to April 13.
INF/OF Owen Miller recalled from Triple-A Nashville. pic.twitter.com/XNzjTEaE9Q
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 16, 2024
The good news is that Yelich’s condition has improved since he first injured himself. That said, his career has been plagued by back injuries so this had to have been expected. Fingers crossed that this is not a long-term absence.
Jhoan Duran – RP Minnesota Twins
Jhoan Duran felt great throwing 25 pitches in a 'pen today. He's throwing a live session against hitters on Friday at Target Field, he says.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 16, 2024
Duran continues to progress here, as his live session against hitters will go a long way in determining how ready he is for a rehab assignment. Stay tuned.
Brandon Drury – 2B Los Angeles Angels
Brandon Drury doing a little jogging test. pic.twitter.com/5JxPQCzMH6
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 16, 2024
Drury was available off the bench last night but didn’t play. He should be back any day now. Be prepared.
Seiya Suzuki – OF Chicago Cubs
Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain) is sidelined “in the four-week range” but Cubs will have a better timeline for his return once he’s symptom free, Craig Counsell said.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) April 16, 2024
Suzuki is projected to miss approximately one month of action here, which is less than what he missed with the same injury last year. Time will tell how accurate this estimation really is. The bottom line is that his bat will be missed in the Cubs’ lineup.
Gerrit Cole – SP New York Yankees
Back in New York, Gerrit Cole tossed at a distance of 75 feet this afternoon. All good so far.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) April 16, 2024
Cole continues to slowly progress. He will likely increase the distance thrown in the near future.
Gabriel Moreno – C Arizona Diamondbacks
Gabriel Moreno scratched today for a right thumb contusion from the wild pitch last night, per Torey Lovullo. Day-to-day.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) April 16, 2024
Moreno was available off the bench last night, which is a good sign for his status going forward.
José Urquidy – SP Houston Astros
José Urquidy threw off the slope today — halfway up the mound. He said it went well.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 16, 2024
Urquidy is almost ready to begin facing live hitters but will need to progress to be on the entire mound. When that happens all depends on how he feels after yesterday’s half-slope session.
Luis Garcia – SP Houston Astros
Good news here from Garcia, as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John Surgery. He has yet to throw from a mound, and thus, has many hurdles to clear before that. The hope is that he returns mid-season to a team that needs pitching help.
Lance McCullers Jr. – SP Houston Astros
McCullers still has a lot of work to do before returning, as he has yet to fully make it on the mound.