Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, August 20, 2024. In today’s edition, the news on Austin Riley is awful, the update on Ha-Seong Kim was vague, and Ketel Marte needs rest before a potential return in ten days. All of this and so much more is in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Austin Riley – 3B Atlanta Braves (hand)
Breaking: Braves 3B Austin Riley underwent an MRI that revealed a right hand fracture, the team announced.
He is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks. pic.twitter.com/CIzFMSsmJo
— ESPN (@espn) August 19, 2024
It’s the worst possible news for the Braves and fantasy owners everywhere. With only six weeks remaining in the regular season, Riley has all but played his last game for the Braves in 2024, barring some miraculous comeback by him or the team to make it into the playoffs and advance for a few rounds. Still, despite the team owning the final Wild Card spot, it will be tough to maintain that lead without the help of one of their primary assets. As for fantasy purposes, he can safely be dropped in all redraft leagues.
Ketel Marte – 2B Arizona Diamondbacks (ankle)
Ketel Marte is not going to undergo any new imaging @Dbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. Team thinks he just needs more rest and are confident that it's just a low-grade ankle sprain. He is back in Arizona working with team's rehab staff.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) August 19, 2024
Marte was placed on the Injured List yesterday, but the intent will be for rest and rehab with no further investigation needed. The team feels good about their chances of getting the NL MVP candidate back in their lineup after these ten days, but nothing has yet been set in stone, and the team would be wise to take the cautious route here, especially with playoff implications at stake.
Bo Bichette – SS Toronto Blue Jays (calf)
The #BlueJays expect Bo Bichette (calf) to start running in the next 2-3 days, John Schneider says. He’s already doing some hitting and defensive drills in Dunedin.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 19, 2024
Bichette continues to increase his workload and get into game action. It remains to be seen exactly when and how that will happen, but he is running out of time to be able to continue for fantasy purposes.
Brandon Nimmo – OF New York Mets (shoulder)
Brandon Nimmo’s MRI came back clean, Carlos Mendoza said. So he said it’s a day to day thing.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) August 19, 2024
It would appear that both Nimmo and the Mets have avoided anything major here, but he’s not in the clear just yet. There is no word on when he will be back in the lineup.
Ha-Seong Kim – INF San Diego Padres (shoulder)
Mike Shildt said Ha-Seong Kim has had an MRI. Still getting the results evaluated. Said it is somewhat favorable initially, but is cautious about too much optimism. More imaging may be needed. No timetable. Still evaluating whether IL stint needed. #Padres
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) August 19, 2024
This was an update that wasn’t an update. All that we know now is that the results, that are being evaluated, are somewhat favorable. Even when asked if Xander Bogaerts would see some reps at shortstop in Kim’s absence, manager Mike Shidt said that there were multiple options for that spot. It’s unclear if this vagueness has anything to do with the team still analyzing results, but what it does mean is that the situation remains cloudy for fantasy purposes. Stay tuned.
Pete Fairbanks – RP Tampa Bay Rays (lat)
#Rays’ closer Pete Fairbanks diagnosed with right lat strain, seems likely to miss rest of season. Also Rortvedt placed on paternity list, Brantly activated https://t.co/lILOFiCpPx
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 19, 2024
While it hasn’t been officially announced, it seems likely that Fairbanks will miss the rest of the season. Lat strains make it difficult to project a recovery timeline, but with only six weeks left in the season, it might be pushing the issue to have him return and provide any semblance of stability at the backend of the bullpen. It’s unclear who will replace him as the team’s closer, and we didn’t get any hints during last night’s 3-0 loss.
Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B Pittsburgh Pirates (back)
Hayes went on the Injured List yesterday with what is believed to be a herniated disc. It’s unclear if he will return this year, as it’s an issue that has caused him to have a down season offensively. Back injuries have plagued his career, and there might be no solution for him other than surgery, though it’s unclear if even that will allow him to unlock his potential.
Alex Cobb – SP Cleveland Guardians (nail)
We have some news on this Monday off day
*Cobb has a fractured nail on his right hand pic.twitter.com/kR5WiUeDQc
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) August 19, 2024
This is a big blow for the Guardians, as they need starting pitching more than anything. Cobb will now miss the next two weeks with an injury that could cost him more time than that.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers (elbow)
DeGrom will make a rehab start on Thursday or Friday at Frisco. It would be first of four. Bochy said he could be activated around Sept 10ish
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 19, 2024
This is fantastic news, as it looks like deGrom could be ready to return sometime after Labor Day if all goes well.
Freddie Freeman – 1B Los Angeles Dodgers (finger)
Dave Roberts said Freddie Freeman will play through a hairline fracture in his right middle finger. Will be about pain tolerance, per Roberts.
He’s in there tonight.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 19, 2024
It remains to be seen if this injury will affect his swing and the power that comes from it. While it’s a small sample, he was hitless in four at-bats last night.
Boston Red Sox – Team Update
Not much in the way of injury updates.
* Hendriks feels good after his first outing and will head to Portland for the next few outings.
* Slaten threw an up-and-down today, rehab could come next.
* Story continues to ramp up in Boston.— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 19, 2024
For fantasy purposes, it would appear that Liam Hendrik(elbow) continues to inch closer to a return and a debut for the Red Sox. There’s been no official timetable for a return, but an early September date seems doable. As for Trevor Story (shoulder), he is still aiming for a 2024 return but remains a better option for a 2025 sleeper option.