Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Monday, May 19, 2025. In today’s edition, the Pittsburgh Pirates are seemingly on their way to losing one of their prized pitchers in Jared Jones, for an extended period. Also, Yordan Alvarez has a mysterious injury, Spencer Strider has a potential return date, and Brandon Woodruff has a new rehab assignment. All of that and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Jared Jones – SP Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Jared Jones is going to meet with Dr. Keith Meister Tuesday. Nothing has been decided, but surgery is an option for the Pirates right-hander. Jones suffered a right UCL sprain in Spring Training.
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) May 18, 2025
Jones has been injured with a UCL sprain for the entire 2025 season, and it looks like now it will be recommended that he have Tommy John Surgery. This is a devastating blow to the Pirates, as Jones is set to miss all of this season and likely most (if not all) of next season. While this is all but official, it appears that some sort of surgery is on tap for this up-and-coming pitcher who will now be forced to reset his career due to a major injury.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Is this going slower than anticipated?
Joe Espada: "I just want to make sure it's completely goes away. We don't want to go back to where, if he feels something again, we have to re-start the whole process again."
Still feeling it?
"It's there, but every day feels better." https://t.co/K3EncbZPj9
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 18, 2025
he wasn't swinging a bat at full speed during that whole offseason
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 18, 2025
These are two separate quotes from beat writer Chandler Rome listed within the same post about his injury, and they’re both quite interesting. First, the update from manager Joe Espada goes on both sides of the fence, stating that the team wants this hand injury to go away before they bring Alvarez back, because they don’t want to restart the entire healing process. This makes sense, given that any wrong move could mean that the injury magnifies in intensity, costing extra time. While it’s encouraging that it is getting better every day, he has said this for days now, and it’s hard to imagine it getting better and better without feeling perfect. The second quote is an interesting nugget, noting that Alvarez didn’t swing a bat at full speed during the entire offseason. Could this mean that he was hurt, or is this common practice? Just food for thought.
Hayden Wesneski – SP Houston Astros
Hayden Wesneski will have Tommy John surgery, Joe Espada said. The Astros will expect him back in 2026.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) May 18, 2025
Wesneski is the latest Astros pitcher to have major surgery, joining the likes of Cristian Javier, J.P. France, and Luis Garcia. It’s an unfortunate situation for everyone involved.
Xavier Edwards – SS Miami Marlins
Today’s roster update presented by@NeauWater : pic.twitter.com/Rafa4YxKcy
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) May 18, 2025
Edwards had missed this weekend’s games before the injury designation, due to his back not feeling great. He had gone through baseball activities on Saturday and was allegedly feeling better. There wasn’t much news on the progression of this injury, and that includes any hope that this would be a minimum stay on the Injured List. Stay tuned.
Spencer Strider – SP Atlanta Braves
Nats-Braves pitching probables
TUE: Parker (LHP) vs TBA (aka Spencer Strider)
WED: Williams (RHP) vs Smith-Shawver (RHP)
THU: Gore (LHP) vs Sale (LHP)— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) May 18, 2025
Be prepared!
Ronald Acuna – OF Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuña Jr. slugs his second home run of his rehab stint 👀 pic.twitter.com/hgQbhx7KKc
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2025
Acuna has looked every bit the part this past week, hitting home runs, taking walks, and playing in the outfield. There were rumblings of him making his 2025 debut this Friday, but it was speculation. Stay tuned throughout the week, as we should get clarity soon. His return is close.
Justin Martinez – RP Arizona Diamondbacks
Justin Martinez will go to Reno to pitch an inning Tuesday.
— Jody Jackson (@Jody_Jackson) May 18, 2025
This is news for many reasons. First, there were rumors that Martinez could skip this rehab assignment and go right back to the Diamondbacks. Chances are that Arizona is playing it safe and wants to see him pitch healthily first. Second, it looks like the Diamondbacks are about to get their closer back, as relief rehab assignments are usually shorter. It’s unclear if he’ll be back this week, but, barring any setbacks, he should be back next week.
Brandon Woodruff – SP Milwaukee Brewers
Brandon Woodruff simulated multiple innings in a bullpen session this morning and then tested his ankle in some PFP. All good, he said.
He’s ticketed to start a new rehab assignment on Wednesday with 3-4 innings.
More Woodruff from @rrovito ⬇️ https://t.co/Jk8goFooeX
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) May 18, 2025
Woodruff was all but ready to return to the Brewers and make his 2025 debut when he got sidelined by an ankle injury sustained during his last rehab assignment. Now, he must start all over again, trying to pitch through this ailment as well as adapt to his new shoulder. Manager Pat Murphy suggested that he would need at least two rehab starts, so expecting him back this week is out of the question.
George Kirby – SP Seattle Mariners
George Kirby said nothing has been decided about his next step — whether it’s another rehab start with Tacoma or back with the Mariners — but he said he’s ready to rejoin the big-league staff. “I can’t wait.”
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) May 18, 2025
Kirby struggled mightily in his last outing, though his command and control were on with pinpoint precision, as he didn’t allow a walk. Still, while it’s always common for players to push for their return, the medical staff and team make the final call.
Yu Darvish – SP San Diego Padres
Mike Shildt confirms Yu Darvish will not be pitching in Toronto.
"What I can tell you is he's going to continue to work on throwing and getting some other things taken care of, and he will not be pitching in Toronto."#Padres
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) May 18, 2025
Darvish recently had a successful rehab outing where he threw four innings worth of work. It’s unclear if that is enough for both him and the Padres as they move along. It’s also unclear what those other things are that he needs to take care of, meaning, possible personal situations? Regardless, the team doesn’t seem worried, and the way they are talking makes it sound like he is close to a return either way.
Chandler Simpson – OF Tampa Bay Rays
Cash on Chandler Simpson’s sore right hand: “He just woke up sore. I don’t have any other update than that. I think he would be available in a pinch if we needed him to go in and run, but we’ll continue to monitor him throughout the game and see if that soreness subsides.” https://t.co/KqinnmLgSa
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) May 18, 2025
Simpsons woke up sore after his collision at home plate on Saturday. The team said that we should know more today regarding his future, so stay tuned.
Tyler O’Neill – OF Baltimore Orioles
Tyler O’Neill has left shoulder impingement, interim manager Tony Mansolino said https://t.co/n44dYUQInj
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) May 18, 2025
It shouldn’t be surprising that O’Neill needs extended time away to manage a physical issue here. He has been on the Injured List almost twenty times over his career. As for this injury in particular, it doesn’t appear to be a major setback, but one that requires some time off to recover. Chances are that he is back early in June if all goes well.
