Here is the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Friday, May 3, 2024. Inside, you’ll see why this is a big weekend for Gerrit Cole, why Masataka Yoshida may not return anytime soon, and why we could see Nick Pivetta back real soon. All of that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Friday, May 3, 2024.
Gerrit Cole – SP New York Yankees (elbow)
The Yankees were waiting for Cole’s eventual ascension to throwing from a mound, and it looks like they’ll get it this weekend. This is a big step forward for him and could catapult him to return in about six weeks. He is technically eligible to return on May 27, but the team will likely give him extra time to ensure his health.
Gavin Williams – SP Cleveland Guardians (elbow)
Gavin Williams was re-evaluated by doctors yesterday and started throwing today and was pain-free. “On the road back,” said manager Stephen Vogt.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) May 2, 2024
It’s great to see that Wiliams is pain-free and able to throw. His road to being back seems set, though it’s unclear if there will be any bumps in said road. He has quite a few hurdles to clear and will likely need a lengthy rehab appearance before making his 2024. debut.
Jesús Luzardo – SP Miami Marlins (elbow)
Jesús Luzardo threw a bullpen today that went well. He won’t be going on the upcoming road trip; instead, he’ll make a rehab start at some point. #Marlins
— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) May 2, 2024
Luzardo last pitched on April 20 and may start a rehab outing about two weeks later. This seems very quick, but the medical professionals on this team know a lot more than me. Fantasy owners should be ready for an activation in the near future if all goes well.
Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks (teres major strain)
The #Dbacks have acquired RHP Matt Bowman from the Twins and made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/XG5JiKePoy
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 3, 2024
The team originally believed that Kelly would miss one month, but instead, he won’t be eligible to return until the end of June. He has been shut down since the injury and there are no plans for him to do anything baseball related in the near future.
Cristian Javier – SP Houston Astros (neck)
Cristian Javier will go on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend, Joe Espada said. Hunter Brown is the likely starter for Sunday against the Mariners
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 2, 2024
There was some initial hope that Javier would be able to return without a rehab assignment, but ultimately that won’t be the case. Still, chances are that it is not a lengthy one and that he can return soon after this weekend if all goes well.
Masataka Yoshida – OF Boston Red Sox (thumb)
"It does sound like surgery could be a possibility. I don't want to say that that's going to be happening but, it doesn't sound like a short-term thing here"@TheAthletic's @jcmccaffrey on Masataka Yoshida's injury | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/Nnsyu9J0RK
— NESN (@NESN) May 2, 2024
Yoshida didn’t rule out surgery when spoken to here, and the feeling is that it is a long-term situation regarding his thumb. We should know more once the team gathers all of the information needed, which should be shortly.
Vaughn Grissom – 2B Boston Red Sox (hamstring, illness)
"Tomorrow, Vaughn (Grissom) should be with us"
Alex Cora on the 2B situation | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/UKc9QdGvFa
— NESN (@NESN) May 2, 2024
Grissom would have already been with the team had he not fallen ill this past week. He’ll be here soon. Be prepared.
Brayan Bello – SP Boston Red Sox (lat)
There is no word on how long this rehab outing will last, but two appearances would be a safe bet as the minimum. The team is quite encouraged by his progress.
Nick Pivetta – SP Boston Red Sox (flexor strain)
That'll close the book on Nick Pivetta's rehab start.
3+ IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K (62 pitches/36 strikes)
He allowed five straight baserunners to start the game, then retired nine straight and finished with two walks to end his day.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) May 2, 2024
Of note here, afterward, Pivetta said that he feels fine from a health perspective and that his goal is to maintain that health. He said that he needs to be better on the mound by throwing more strikes, though he did blame the ABS system for some of his struggles. From the sound of things, he will likely need at least one more rehab start.
Nathan Eovaldi – SP Texas Rangers (groin)
Nathan Eovaldi says he will have an MRI tomorrow in Kansas City. He didn't seem particularly worried, wanted to try a couple warm-up pitches, but Bruce Bochy chose to play it safe. My hunch is a short IL stint. #Rangers
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) May 2, 2024
It’s a good thing that Eovaldi himself didn’t seem too worried about his current state. Still, as mentioned here, a short IL stint seems to be the likeliest of scenarios. Stay tuned.
Max Scherzer – SP Texas Rangers (back, thumb)
Max Scherzer said that his thumb/forearm thing is improving. He played catch today. However, he will not make a rehab start this weekend. He's going with #Rangers to Kansas City and could pitch in minors next week.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) May 2, 2024
His first rehab start was on April 24, and now he won’t have another one until approximately two weeks after that. His eventual return to the Rangers should happen sometime in May, but only time will tell how late in the month.
TJ Friedl – OF Cincinnati Reds (wrist fracture)
The #Reds today sent OF TJ Friedl (right wrist fracture) and LHP Alex Young (low back disc degeneration) to Triple-A Louisville on a rehab assignment. pic.twitter.com/WLeC25Rx7f
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 2, 2024
Friedl has missed all season with a wrist fracture. He will likely need a lengthy rehab assignment to show that he is ready to return to the Reds, who could use his bat in the outfield.