Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, May 13, 2025. In this edition, the Braves got some great news regarding the progress of Ronald Acuna and Spencer Strider, both of whom are taking steps forward. The Mariners also received news on both of their best pitchers, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, as they attempt to return from their respective injuries. All of that and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Spencer Strider – SP Atlanta Braves
Strider will throw five innings or 70-75 pitches in a sim game on Wednesday. The Braves will then decide if he needs to make a rehab start before being activated
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 12, 2025
Tomorrow’s sim game will go a long way in determining whether or not Strider will need to go on a rehab assignment. The size of this session, 70 – 75 pitches, is quite a substantial number, meaning that regardless of the decision made here, he likely won’t be pitching until the weekend in some capacity. If he returns to the Braves or makes a start in the minor leagues, chances are that it will have to be by the end of the week.
Ronald Acuna – OF Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuña will begin a rehab assignment in Florida complex league tomorrow. He’ll be playing outfield, Braves will monitor and see when he’s ready for next steps (which would be rehab in Gwinnett).
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) May 12, 2025
This is fantastic news, as the baseball world has been waiting for one of its best players to return to the game. His Florida Complex League assignment will be more about testing his durability, flexibility, and mechanics. Once he is with Gwinnett, then he can concentrate on timing and decision-making. Regardless of when he is back, it is great news to know that he is ready to take the next step forward in his return.
George Kirby – SP Seattle Mariners
George Kirby said he’ll start again for Triple-A Tacoma on Friday at Albuquerque, putting him potentially in line to return to the Mariners’ rotation next Thursday in Houston.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) May 12, 2025
It’s encouraging that the Mariners feel that Kirby could be ready for his 2025 debut after his next start. It is concerning that this seemingly goes against their initial word that he would be given a full Spring Training worth of time in his Minor League rehab assignment. It’s difficult to believe that to be true after his next outing, but if he’s ready, then he’s ready. He has looked good thus far with only a few minor hiccups.
Logan Gilbert – SP Seattle Mariners
Logan Gilbert said he’ll throw his first bullpen session tomorrow. He threw off the mound to a standing catcher yesterday.
He’s still TBD on when a possible rehab assignment will start, but reiterated that everything has felt good at every step.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) May 12, 2025
This is a big step forward for Gilbert, who hasn’t done much since being placed on the Injured List. If he completes this and has no setbacks or lingering issues, then he could be on the fast track back to the Mariners. Stay tuned.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Team Update
Justin Martinez will throw to live hitters on Wednesday, somewhere in the 15-18-pitch range, manager Torey Lovullo said.
A.J. Puk is expected to pick up a baseball later this week or early next week.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) May 12, 2025
Justin Martinez seems almost ready for a rehab assignment, as throwing to live hitters is the last step before that happens. Chances are, if this session is a success, he may be thrust right into the Minor Leagues. As for A.J. Puk, his readiness to pick up a baseball either this week or next still indicates the fragility of his status. In fact, picking up a baseball is the first step many need before returning. Needless to say, he still has a long way to go.
Ian Happ – OF Chicago Cubs
Breaking News – The Cubs will call up C/ DH Moises Ballesterous from Triple A Iowa. He will likely be in the starting lineup tomorrow. Ian Happ to go on IL with oblique issue.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) May 13, 2025
This was, unfortunately, the expected outcome for Happ, considering he injured his oblique. These are some of the trickiest injuries to overcome because they linger and can intensify without warning or cause. Depending on the severity of the situation, Happ may be out for weeks here, though nothing has been announced. Because there was a chance that he could have returned, it wouldn’t be surprising if it was a mild ailment. Regardless, he will miss time here. The promotion of Moises Ballesteros is a unique one, in that it’s hard to project when and where he will play.
Ezequiel Tovar – SS Colorado Rockies
Victoire (6-3) de nos Isotopes ⚛️
– Ezequiel Tovar (SS): 1/3, 1BB
– Tyler Freeman (RF): 0/2, 1BB, 2R
– Aaron Schunk (2B): 1/4, 1R, 2RBI pic.twitter.com/GbC82ZN2hY— France Rockies (Off Season) (@FranceRockies) May 12, 2025
This was Tovar’s second rehab game, and he is now one-for-seven with one walk. It remains to be seen how much longer he will be rehabbing, but the fact that he is playing is a great sign.
Mike Trout – OF Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout will be running on the Alter G (zero gravity) treadmill today. Wash says if all goes well, we’ll see where he goes from there.
— Erica Weston (@EricaLWeston) May 12, 2025
It’s difficult to know what this step means for his recovery, though this sort of machine reduces the impact on the runner’s knees. Essentially, it’s a modified version of running, which will hopefully help increase the speed at which he can start running at full impact. That said, I am by no means an expert on ant-gravity machines. However, the fact that he is progressing in some capacity is better than no progress at all.
Giancarlo Stanton – OF New York Yankees
Giancarlo Stanton could head to Tampa this week to take live at-bats, but that hasn't been finalized yet, Boone said.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) May 13, 2025
Whether or not Stanton goes down to Tampa and takes some live at-bats, it should be noted that he is improving, and that’s something that the Yankees can be happy with.
Oswaldo Cabrera – 3B New York Yankees
Oswaldo Cabrera was taken to nearby Harborview Medical Center. Yankees trainer Tim Lentych went with him. His left ankle was braced before he was put onto the stretcher and taken away via ambulance.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) May 13, 2025
Cabrera suffered the injury while attempting to score on a relay to home, avoiding the tag of the catcher but hurting his leg in the process. He was later stretchered off and into an ambulance and taken to a local medical facility for examination. The Yankees players seemed devastated by the injury, as the players and coaching staff all had nice things to say about the character of this man. We should know more today, but chances are that this is about as devastating an injury as it looked.
