Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Friday, July 12, 2024. In today’s edition, Cody Bellinger could be gone for quite a while, Devin Wiliams will be starting his rehab assignment soon, and Kyle Tucker took a step forward in his recovery. All of that and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Friday, July 12, 2o24.
Cody Bellinger – OF Chicago Cubs
Cody Bellinger (fractured left middle finger) is shut down through All-Star break & then begin range of motion rehab.
He could be back late July but too soon for Cubs to know how long it’ll take for fracture to heal as it varies.
Bellinger: “Extremely disappointed, frustrated.”
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 11, 2024
This is disappointing for the Cubs for many reasons. First, he is still a big part of their offense despite his struggles this year. Second, he was involved in some recent trade rumors, and this might eliminate him from a lot of movement discussion as we approach the deadline. As mentioned, his return will all depend on how quickly he can heal.
Chicago Cubs – Team Update
Two Cubs injury notes:
*Jordan Wicks (oblique) not progressing great & is still little symptomatic so he's going slower & remains in catch phase. Wicks now unlikely back before Aug.
*Ben Brown (neck) still playing catch as symptoms have prevented him from advancing progression.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 11, 2024
Jordan Wicks (oblique) last pitched in the middle of June and his injury is taking longer which to heal. These are the difficulties of an oblique strain, as they differ from player to player. While anything can happen, it still seems likely that he misses extended time. As for Ben Brown (neck), once his symptoms go away, he should be able to progress to long-distance throwing and higher-intensity tossing.
Devin Williams – RP Milwaukee Brewers (back)
Closer Devin Williams will begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment on Saturday with the @TimberRattlers, the Brewers announced.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) July 11, 2024
Fantastic news here, as Devin Williams will throw in a competitive game for the first time all year. Chances are he will need many appearances, but this is a giant step forward.
Toronto Blue Jays – Team Update
MRI revealed a right calf fascia strain for Bo Bichette, said John Schneider.
He’s day to day for now, Blue Jays hoping to avoid IL. But likely they’ll have a player in Arizona on taxi.
Daulton Varsho day to day too. He said he landed with full weight on left knee.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 11, 2024
It’s an unfortunate development for the Jays, as Bo Bichette (calf) could be out for a significant amount of time, depending on the severity of the injury. It seems for now that the team hopes that he can do one of two things: play through this injury in a few days or make it to the All-Star Break without having to make a decision on a replacement. Regardless, it would appear that he won’t play this weekend. As for Daulton Varsho (knee), consider him DTD for now until we’re told otherwise.
Zack Wheeler – SP Philadelphia Phillies (back)
Zack Wheeler will not start Sunday as previously scheduled. Rob Thomson said Wheeler will start in his first turn coming out of the break. Not sure which day yet.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 11, 2024
This was expected, as the team was said to have been very cautious about his return and didn’t want to risk anything. It’s unclear if he will pitch again in this scoring week, mind you, with only three games to go after the All-Star Break.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros (knee)
Yordan Alvarez could be available to pinch hit tonight, Joe Espada said. Espada said that Alvarez does plan on participating in the All-Star Game.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 11, 2024
While Alvarez did not play in yesterday’s game at all, it’s important to note that he must be close to returning to in-game action if he was available and if he does in fact plan to play in the All-Star Game.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros (shin)
Kyle Tucker is playing catch on the field at Minute Maid Park. First time he's done any on-field baseball activities since fouling a ball off his shin on June 3.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 11, 2024
Good news here for the Astros, as Tucker took the next step in his stalled progression.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Team Update
D-backs pitchers Jordan Montgomery, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez and Drey Jameson will all throw bullpens tomorrow.
Torey Lovullo said Montgomery could "potentially" be ready for Arizona's road trip out of the All-Star break.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) July 11, 2024
Similar to what the team did a few days ago, all of their injured pitchers will take turns throwing their respective workloads on Friday. Jordan Montgomery (knee) is the first of the bunch to likely return just after the All-Star Break. The remaining pitchers are all on different and much longer timelines.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – OF Arizona Diamondbacks (bumps and bruises)
Torey Lovullo said they're just managing some bumps and bruises with Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Lovullo said he is available off the bench tonight.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) July 11, 2024
It sounds like Gurriel was in need of a day off to let his body rest. The hope is that after one day he can return and finish the weekend series before getting a few days off.
Lamonte Wade Jr. – OF San Francisco Giants (hamstring)
Melvin says that Wade has a little hamstring tightness. Team knew they’d have to be a little cautious with him – the feeling is that the All Star break will help get him to 100 percent.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 11, 2024
One has to wonder if Wade will play again before the All-Star Break or if this was a day off for maintenance. Either way, both he and the team feel that the break has come at the right time to get him healthy.
Vaughn Grissom – INF Boston Red Sox
Alex Cora said they met with Vaughn Grissom today. No set timetable but he’s “staying the course” and trending towards a rehab assignment.
Cora also noted that he wasn’t exactly 100% after playing in Puerto Rico during the offseason:
“I don’t think what we saw is the real…
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) July 11, 2024
Interesting to note that Grissom wasn’t necessarily 100% after his offseason in Puerto Rico. That said, looking forward, he could begin what is likely a lengthy rehab assignment this week, which is great news. The hope is that he can return to the Red Sox by the end of July.