Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, April 22, 2025. In today’s edition, the Braves lost Spencer Strider yet again, this time because of a strained hamstring. Also, George Kirby will face live batters soon, but his estimated return date is not as close as everyone first anticipated. Finally, the Blue Jays could be receiving some reinforcements soon, as both Max Scherzer and Daulton Varsho are about to take a step forward in their progression back to health. All of this and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
George Kirby – SP Seattle Mariners
There was big news out of Seattle yesterday, as we got some clarity on the progression of George Kirby. He had recently been throwing bullpen sessions, but he plans on throwing a live batting practice later this week in Seattle. The team indicated that “May or June” is the tentative timeline for him to return, but they also said that they don’t like giving estimates like this because a lot can happen. Regardless of how far away this looks, the good news is that we know that he will take a step forward. His return will be tenderly and cautiously watched, as the team will no doubt be taking things slowly.
Spencer Strider – SP Atlanta Braves
Strider injured his hamstring playing catch within the past hour
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 21, 2025
In some unlucky news, Strider went to the Injured List on Monday because he injured his hamstring while playing catch on the field. After missing a calendar year because of his elbow, he will now miss at least two weeks because of his hamstring. It remains to be seen what the severity of this strain is, but given that he may be shut down from throwing for a bit, he may need one rehab appearance to ensure that he is ready for a return to the Atlanta rotation.
Luis Arraez – 1B San Diego Padres
Luis Arraez will be placed on the 7-day IL.
He is in the concussion protocol.— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) April 21, 2025
After a collision that was as nasty as it was scary, Arraez posted a message on Instagram stating that he was going to be okay. Still, a day later, the light-hitting infielder headed to the 7-Day Concussion-laden Injured List with concussion symptoms. The hope is that he will be back with the Padres within a week, but more importantly than that, it’s great news that he is feeling much better a day later.
Max Scherzer – SP Toronto Blue Jays
As expected Max Scherzer (right thumb) has rejoined the team here in Houston and is out throwing. Scherzer received a second cortisone shot, this time in the knuckle area, hoping to help alleviate the discomfort in his thumb. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/bQ6rFaAWXj
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) April 21, 2025
After receiving his second cortisone shot in his thumb, it looks like Scherzer was able to go out there and effectively throw. He said afterward that it went “OK”, but the fact that he isn’t swollen like he once was is a good sign. The length and severity of this injury were a bit of a concern, given that it was his thumb and not somewhere else on his body. He will undoubtedly need a rehab assignment because he has thrown only a handful of innings thus far this season.
Daulton Varsho – OF Toronto Blue Jays
Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will join the Buffalo Bisons on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment. Hope is he plays five of the remaining six days this week.
An MLB return this weekend in NYC isn’t off the table. Blue Jays will evaluate him on Weds or Thurs and make a call
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) April 21, 2025
Varsho will continue his rehab with Triple-A Buffalo after playing two games with Single-A Dunedin. While he doesn’t have any hits in six at-bats, the bigger picture is that he’s able to throw a baseball, which was the ultimate goal of this assignment. His bat was hot during Spring Training, so there are minimal worries there. It’s hard to know when he will make his 2025 debut with Toronto, but chances are it won’t be long.
Mark Vientos – 3B New York Mets
Mark Vientos (groin) took ground balls and will take batting practice later today. If he clears those hurdles, he could be available off the bench tonight.
— Andrew Tredinnick (@andrew_tred) April 21, 2025
Vientos did not appear in the Mets’ game last night, even though it was a close game. It’s unclear if this was because of his injured groin or because the right situation never presented itself. For now, given that he could have been available last night, it’s fair to assume that he will return to the lineup soon and avoid the Injured List, though anything is possible.
Parker Meadows – OF Detroit Tigers
Kerry Carpenter was out with the trainer and strength coaches testing his hamstring. Jogging from the foul line to the middle of the field, walking back and then stretching. He did it four times. Didn't seem to be favoring it too much, but certainly not drawing any conclusions.
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) April 21, 2025
Carpenter missed yesterday’s game because of this ailment, prompting Javier Baez to make a start in the outfield. There has been no word on whether he will wind up on the Injured List because of this, but the team did go out of their way to state that “for now,” he will remain off of it. He might wind up missing time here, so fantasy owners may want to work on their “Plan B” for this week.
Ben Rice – 1B New York Yankees
Boone said he expects Ben Rice to be back in the starting lineup tomorrow.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) April 22, 2025
Be prepared.
