Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report. In today’s report, Roki Sasaki gets mixed results on his status, Blake Snell takes incremental steps forward, and Jackson Merrill heads to the Injured List with a concussion. All of that and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Roki Sasaki – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts sang a much different tune postgame here on Roki Sasaki.
"He's pain-free. When we start that build-up, it should be soon. He's already moving around. We all feel encouraged where he's at right now, as far as the pain." https://t.co/8ff6V4H0V4
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 16, 2025
The Dodgers could be without one of their prized offseason acquisitions for a while, as they’ve already begun talking about life without Sasaki. While the postgame comments seemed to retract some of the previous sentiments, it’s clear that he won’t be ready for a long time. He is pain-free, which is encouraging, but he becomes uncomfortable while throwing, which is a different and somewhat confusing experience. After all, wouldn’t the pain be the reason for feeling uncomfortable? Perhaps we can get some clarification on that, and with some further testing, things can be better explained. For now, the main thing is to note that he isn’t throwing and won’t be throwing.
Blake Snell – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Snell has now thrown two bullpen sessions, which is good news. His second bullpen featured more pitches, though it’s unclear the intensity and velocity of those pitches. He will need to begin sprinkling in secondary pitches to ensure that all aspects of his arm are progressively better as he works toward facing live batters. It’s hard for the team; however, slowly but surely, he is improving.
Jackson Merrill – OF San Diego Padres
Trenton Brooks will take Jackson Merrill’s spot on active roster.
Merrill is headed to the concussion IL. https://t.co/i9r0LxZKc3— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) June 15, 2025
Merrill slid into second base this weekend and was slow to rise and slow to take/keep his base. It was obvious that something wasn’t right, and a day later, he was assessed with a concussion, leading to his designation to the concussion-injured Injured List. It wasn’t clear regarding the severity here, nor were there any indications that he should be fine in seven days. The hope here is that he can return within a week, but concussions are tricky, and they can linger.
Royce Lewis – 3B Minnesota Twins
Royce Lewis is heading to the IL with a left hamstring strain, per Rocco Baldelli.
When asked if the #MNTwins will be more cautious this time with the same hamstring injury, Baldelli said no.
Make it make sense. pic.twitter.com/iJMaqF9Hiu— Talkin' Twins (@TalkinTwins) June 14, 2025
Lewis just went back on the Injured List for an ailing hamstring strain, his second of that nature this season. The comment above from manager Rocco Baldelli is rare, in that most teams are extra cautious when a player reinjures himself in the same spot. It’s almost as if they’re as frustrated as Lewis is himself. Of note, this is a mild strain, so a shorter absence could be in the works.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins
Buxton was scratched from yesterday’s lineup, understandably so, but that was the extent of news regarding his absence. The hope is that this is just a contusion and nothing more. Perhaps the lack of news yesterday is a good sign that he is legitimately a day-to-day case and nothing more. Stay tuned.
Bryce Harper – 1B Philadelphia Phillies
Harper being pain-free is his next step of progression, once he’s able to regain a full range of motion in his wrist. These injuries can be tricky because the inflammation can return even when gone if he begins to swing too soon. Swinging a bat is such a violent act that any wrong motion could cause setbacks. That being said, it would appear that he is progressing here without any setbacks, and the timing of his return depends on him and how painful everything is. It’s tough to predict a return date, but a week from now feels like a safe bet.
Shota Imanaga – SP Chicago Cubs
#Cubs Shota Imanaga will throw a bullpen this week and then start for the Iowa Cubs on Friday.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) June 15, 2025
This is great news, as Imanaga has but one more hurdle to clear before heading out on a rehab assignment. The good news here, too, is that he has completed bullpen sessions before, so it’s more about doing what he’s already been doing.
Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox
Luis Robert Jr. said his thumb feels good. He said he hurt it on a base hit to center field on Saturday, but should be good to go for Tuesday.
— Kyle W (@K_Williamsmedia) June 15, 2025
Robert missed yesterday’s game with a thumb contusion, and with today’s day off, he can hopefully return after two days of rest. Time will tell, as he has an extensive injury history.
Hunter Greene – SP Cincinnati Reds
A reminder that Greene will be out for longer than he was the first time he was injured with his ailing groin, as indicated by his manager earlier last week. The good news is that he can receive treatment and get the process moving.
Nathan Eovaldi – SP Texas Rangers
Rangers POBO Chris Young said that Nathan Eovaldi is "trending in the right direction" after yesterday's bullpen.
Next step will most likely by a live bullpen, then they'll evaluate whether he needs another, a rehab start or if he can return to big league team.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) June 15, 2025
From the sounds of it, Eovaldi could be back by this time next week, if all goes well with him clearing these hurdles. He will need to recover smoothly and then do so again after a successful live bullpen. Stay tuned.
Logan Gilbert – SP Seattle Mariners
Logan Gilbert will indeed be activated from the IL tomorrow and start vs. the Red Sox, Dan Wilson just said.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 15, 2025
Be prepared!
Giancarlo Stanton – OF New York Yankees
Giancarlo Stanton is working out at Yankee Stadium today, facing the Angels’ pitching staff on the Trajekt machine. Aaron Boone said he expects Stanton to be in the lineup on Monday or Tuesday.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 15, 2025
Be prepared!
