Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Friday, August 2, 2024. In today’s edition, Mike Trout received some bad news, Max Fried may pitch this weekend, and Tanner Bibee has a setback that could cost him some time. All of that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Mike Trout – OF Los Angeles Angels (knee)
Mike Trout has another meniscus tear and he’s out for the year.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 1, 2024
The news out of Los Angeles yesterday was awful, as it was announced that Mike Trout would miss the rest of this season with a torn meniscus. He had just begun a rehab assignment when he injured and pulled himself out of the game for a re-assessment. He will now finish the year on the Injured List once again, and this is becoming the new norm for him. Since the start of the 2021 season, he has played in just 41% of Angels’ games. He is a talented superstar when on the field and will surely be thought of as one of the all-time greats when it’s all said and done. That said, his inability to remain healthy may be what he’s best remembered for when his career is looked back upon after he retires.
Luis Rengifo – INF/OF Los Angeles Angels (wrist)
Ron Washington says Luis Rengifo “had a little episode last night” but will be available off of the bench today @SportingTrib @TaylorBlakeWard pic.twitter.com/D7rTzEOfFr
— Brandon Deutsch (@brandonsdeutsch) August 1, 2024
Interesting choice of words there to describe Rengifo’s latest injury, and the hope is that this is nothing more than what’s been said. Rengifo has struggled to stay on the field throughout his career, and this year might be the pinnacle of that assessment. From the sounds of what Ron Washington said, he needed a day to himself and should be fine for Friday.
Atlanta Braves – Team Update
Grant Holmes will start Saturday as the #Braves face Miami this weekend.
Max Fried is eligible to come off the IL on Friday and is a candidate for Sunday.
Reynaldo Lopez is still considered day-to-day according to Brian Snitker.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) August 1, 2024
Max Fried (forearm) returning this weekend has been a surprising blessing, as the initial news of his injury made it seem like it was season-ending. Instead, he returns to the mound for his first start since July 11 with the hope of being able to finish his start in a healthy manner. Meanwhile, Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) last pitched on July 28, and a decision to place him on the Injured List might need to come soon.
Julio Rodriguez – OF Seattle Mariners (high ankle sprain)
Rodriguez beginning to participate in some baseball activities is a good thing, but as mentioned, high ankle sprains are difficult to assess. With the term “weeks” being thrown out there, it could lead to a rehab assignment down the road, thus extending his absence. If one were to guess, a September return seems likely here, assuming no setbacks.
Cleveland Guardians – Team Update
Tanner Bibee will be pushed back a few days because of shoulder tightness.
Joey Cantillo will start Saturday instead.
Alex Cobb will make a rehab start Saturday, could be his final tuneup.
Matthew Boyd is making another rehab start tonight.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) August 1, 2024
A lot of information here. First, Tanner Bibee (shoulder) being pushed back a few days is not nothing. He has seen his strikeouts drop recently and has struggled to get outs in the same capacity he did earlier in the season. There was no indication of exactly when that start would be, but there were some murmurs of a Monday opening being the case. As For Alex Cobb (hip), he was just acquired by the Guardians but has yet to pitch at all in the majors. Chances are his new team wants to see where he’s at first-hand before throwing him out there. Finally, Matthew Boyd (elbow) threw 3.2 innings worth of work last night while striking out five batters and surrendering just two runs. He threw 63 pitches, and figures to see another start to increase that workload.
Kerry Carpenter – OF Detroit Tigers (back)
Kerry Carpenter is running bases. That's typically the last step before going on a rehab assignment. That's an encouraging sign
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) August 1, 2024
Great news for Carpenter, who looks to be on the verge of beginning a rehab assignment.
Parker Meadows – OF Detroit Tigers (hamstring)
Parker Meadows, currently on rehab assignment, seems likely to return at some point this weekend. He played for the Mud Hens last night in Indianapolis.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 1, 2024
Since he re-injured himself following a one-game insertion to Detroit, Meadows has gone 2-for-9 over three games, but his performance isn’t necessarily important. He was ready for a return weeks ago before reinjuring himself, and now it’s all about ensuring that he remains healthy.
Walker Buehler – SP Los Angeles Dodgers (hip)
Walker Buehler needed 86 pitches to get thru 3 1/3 innings for OKC. Gave up 4 runs on 7 hits 3 walks and a wild pitch. Struck out 6. #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 2, 2024
This is not the results that you want to see, as using 86 pitches to get ten outs is concerning. While he did strike out six batters, he still was inefficient enough to warrant some concerns. All that being said, he may still get activated at some point simply because the Dodgers need arms.