Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Wednesday, April 24, 2024. In today’s edition, find out the latest news on Cody Bellinger’s ribs, Lane Thomas’ knee, Triston Casas’ diagnosis, and Nolan Jones’ back, among other things. All that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
Gerrit Cole – SP New York Yankees (elbow)
Boone said Cole might potentially get off a mound sometime next week, but nothing definite. https://t.co/uWUJOW1kn2
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) April 23, 2024
Cole threw from 120 feet yesterday and did so without issue. That was a big hurdle for him to cross, but the bigger one might be yet to come. With news from Aaron Boone that Cole might be able to throw from a mound next week, that would be a major shift in his recovery process. This doesn’t necessarily change his timeline too much, but doing so would put some faith back in the process itself.
DJ LeMahieu – INF New York Yankees (foot)
➡️ DJ LeMahieu Update.
➡️ @BobLorenz & @JackCurryYES with more.#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/FwSZt9IHbF
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 24, 2024
LeMahieu had one at-bat in last night’s rehab outing before leaving the game with an apparent injury setback. There is no indication as to exactly what happened, but he will be examined at some point today. This was his first game back, which was delayed to begin with, and this has the potential to be a big-time setback.
Robert Stephenson – RP Los Angeles Angels (elbow)
Robert Stephenson said he’s going to get Tommy John surgery on April 30. He hopes to be back around the start of next season, but obviously that’s still TBD.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) April 23, 2024
It’s disappointing news for both him and the Angels, who were hoping to capitalize on last season’s breakout. We will have to wait until the start of the 2025 season to see if he can return value on that major contract he signed in the off-season.
Triston Casas – 1B Boston Red Sox (ribs)
"We just have to be patient now. Timetable, there's none. It has to heal on its own."
Alex Cora on Triston Casas' rib fracture diagnosis, noting Casas will be out 'a while.'#RedSox | https://t.co/jyk3EsbxuY pic.twitter.com/OPQ7QbznQc
— NESN (@NESN) April 23, 2024
Casas has been undergoing a lot of testing over the last few days, and it was determined that he has a rib fracture that will keep him out of action for a while. While there is not a timetable for a return, one can expect at least one month of games missed. Bobby Dalbec should be the team’s first baseman in the meantime.
Rafael Devers – 3B Boston Red Sox (knee/shoulder)
⚾️👉🏻Red Sox manager Alex Cora as to why Rafael Devers was not in the starting lineup:
“Just one more day. He’ll benefit from it. He would have DH’d, but I told him that one more day is good for him. Obviously the conditions are going to be tough out there. So he'll benefit."… pic.twitter.com/Ovl371I7q2
— Red Sox Daily (@RedSoxDaily_) April 23, 2024
Devers was expected to return last night, but he missed the game because of the weather and conditions on the field. Hopefully, he returns today, though if he does not, a trip to the Injured List may not be far behind.
Josh Jung – 3B Texas Rangers (wrist)
Josh Jung is headed to Arizona on Friday for a check of his broken arm. If all goes well, he will get a timeline for his return. #Rangers
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) April 23, 2024
Jung had surgery on his wrist at the beginning of this month. An examination should provide us with more details about a potential return. Stay tuned.
Cody Bellinger – OF Chicago Cubs (ribs)
X-rays were negative for Cody Bellinger, who left Tuesday’s Cubs win due to a right rib contusion.
More from Bellinger postgame ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JMFSFC2vPm
— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) April 24, 2024
Bellinger likely injured himself when he hit the wall in Wrigley Field attempting to catch a ball. He says here that he is uncomfortable but that it is nothing serious. Both he and the team decided that this would be the safest and best route to take. He can rotate himself (and did so in the video), but breathing deeply is uncomfortable. It will all depend on how he feels later on today. Consider him DTD until we hear otherwise.
Francisco Alvarez – C New York Mets (thumb)
Mets announce Francisco Alvarez had surgery on his thumb today. Team says eight weeks constitute a usual return to play timeline.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) April 23, 2024
The good news is that the surgery was a success and that he can now begin the recovery process. The hope is that he is back and playing baseball by the beginning of July.
Nolan Jones – OF Colorado Rockies (back stiffness)
#Rockies LF Nolan Jones left tonight's game with a stiff back, per the club.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) April 24, 2024
There wasn’t much news on this other than the injury itself. The team should release some details on his condition at some point before their game later today. Stay tuned.
Kris Bryant – 1B Colorado Rockies (lower back strain)
#Rockies Kris Bryant is eligible to come off the 10-Day IL for a lower back strain on Wednesday, but that will not happen.
Bud Black said he is not doing any baseball activities yet. Bryant has not undergone any tests and there’s been no discussion of surgery.
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) April 23, 2024
Bryant has been a slow healer, and this is more evidence of that fact. The longer that he goes without any baseball activities, the more likely it becomes that he needs a lengthy rehab assignment. Until he gets sent for imaging, consider this a minor issue, though his injury history suggests that it could be upgraded to a severe injury at any point.
Washington Nationals – Team Update
Injury updates:
– Keibert Ruiz will begin a rehab assignment with Class AA Harrisburg tonight.
– Josiah Gray threw from 75 feet.
– Cade Cavalli threw a 60-pitch bullpen, was up to 96 mph.
– Victor Robles will travel on the next road trip, resume baseball activity.— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) April 23, 2024
Keibert Ruiz (influenza) started his rehab assignment last night and got one hit in four at-bats. Josiah Gray (flexor strain) is in the process of ramping his arm back up and will need a rehab assignment once he’s ready to pitch. Cade Cavalli (elbow) threw 60 pitches and was able to reach 96 mph in the process. He should be on tap for a rehab assignment in the near future, but needs to throw to live hitters first. Finally, Victor Robles (hamstring) has just five at-bats to his name this year and will need a rehab assignment soon enough.
Lane Thomas – OF Washington Nationals (knee)
Lane Thomas is getting an MRI on his left knee tomorrow morning.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 24, 2024
Thomas injured himself while trying to avoid a tag at second base. He was replaced later in the game and will now be undergoing tests to determine the severity of the situation. Stay tuned.
Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks (shoulder strain)
This is a massive blow to a team with post-season aspirations. The return date is very vague right now, with the team not knowing if Kelly will return by the All-Star Break. It’s a good thing that the Diamondbacks signed Jordan Montgomery as a suitable replacement for him. Of note, it was determined that Kelly will not need surgery.