MLB Injury Report – Outfield and Designated Hitter

Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, July 16, 2025. With the pause of the All-Star Break, we’ll take some time to examine the current injuries in baseball, position by position. In today’s edition, the outfield and designated hitter spots will be examined, as all of the major fantasy-relevant injuries at various positions will be listed for your reference. Keep in mind that injuries change and get updated rapidly, though during the All-Star Break, news tends to slow down. Let’s do this.

MLB Injury Report

Cleveland Guardians

Lane Thomas – outfield

Will Wilson recalled from Columbus. Lane Thomas to the 10-day IL (retroactive to Saturday) with right foot plantar fasciitis.

— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) July 6, 2025

This is the third time that Lane Thomas has been on the Injured List in 2025, and his .160 batting average is a testament to how poorly his year has been. If we use other players’ injury histories as a basis for this absence, there is a significant chance that we won’t see Thomas play again this season.

Colorado Rockies

Kris Bryant – designated hitter

#Rockies    DH Kris Bryant said his back still isn't responding to running, but he is able to work out and do light hitting. He plans a phone consult with a New York doctor tomorrow and will visit another doctor in Dallas as he considers "experimental treatment" shy of surgery

— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) July 6, 2025

… With his back disk issue, #Rockies    DH Kris Bryant says a surgery would be fusion, which would make returning as a pro athlete difficult. After a strengthening program and an ablation procedure this year, he is seeking something that will get him on the field this year.

— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) July 6, 2025

From the look and sound of it, Bryant is trying to do anything and everything possible before succumbing to surgery. Unfortunately, it feels like that is the inevitable path that needs to be taken, as it appears that his body can no longer handle being a professional athlete. His return to baseball in a healthy manner would be the biggest feel-good story in baseball, but also the most unlikely.

Detroit Tigers

Kerry Carpenter – outfield

Tigers medical report: pic.twitter.com/xumYu1Ah0z

— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) July 11, 2025

The medical report released by the Tigers here gives hope that Carpenter will be able to return shortly after the All-Star Break. He seems to be pretty active in what he’s able to do, not limited by his injury. There was some belief that he could have returned last Friday when he was first eligible, but the Tigers seemingly played it safe. All this being said, it doesn’t appear that he has suffered anything more than a minor strain.

Houston Astros

Yordan Alvarez – outfield

On @sportstalk790, GM Dana Brown said, Alvarez will be re-evaluated Thursday. “I think once that’s over, the doctor could potentially clear him to start swinging the bat. As long as Yordan feels good, we’re going to try to expedite his return.” Yordan has “absolutely no pain in…

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 13, 2025

To anyone who has been reading these injury reports of mine, first of all, thank you. Secondly, you know how I feel about the travesty that is the Houston Astros’ medical team. This is the second year in a row where they have bungled a major injury to their best player. Now here we are in July, and we’re no further now than we were when he originally got injured. That said, we should find out more tomorrow when he is re-evaluated. Stay tuned, though it’s anyone’s guess as to when he returns this season, if at all.

Jake Meyers – outfield

On the team's pregame radio show, Astros GM Dana Brown said Jake Meyers will miss "at the very minimum, three-plus weeks" with his right calf strain.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 13, 2025

The way that the Astros handled Meyers’ injury summarizes everyone’s frustration with the organization. Yet again, another player came back sooner than he should, and as such, he has re-aggravated an injury that will result in extensive time away.

New York Mets

Starling Marte – outfield

MRI on Starling Marte's knee was "very encouraging," Carlos Mendoza said. They expect him back after the break.

— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) July 11, 2025

Marte’s days of being a five-category contributor are long gone, but he’s been able to provide some sort of semblance in fantasy when he’s on the field. Unfortunately, he cannot consistently stay healthy, and as such, his absences become extended each and every time. The hope here is that he will be back shortly after the break.

Seattle Mariners

Victor Robles – outfield

A September return would be a best-case scenario, as there is a chance that he doesn’t play again this season. That being said, he is worth stashing on your roster just in case he does return, as he should help with some speed and possibly a batting average boost.

St. Louis Cardinals

Lars Nootbaar – outfield

#STLCards LF Lars Nootbaar was removed from the game with "left side discomfort," per the club. Nootbaar has struggled with rib pain and an intercostal strain for several weeks.

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) July 12, 2025

Nootbaar’s inability to stay healthy has plagued him for his entire career. As such, these two injuries may cost him extended time on the Injured List. While there hasn’t been a mention of it being that serious, pairing these injuries together, alongside the fact that he had broken ribs last season, makes for his future to be somber.

Texas Rangers

Joc Pederson – designated hitter

Injury notes from Bruce Bochy:

• Jon Gray next rehab start Sunday
• Tyler Mahle will start throwing in a week
• Joc Pederson 2-3 weeks from BP
• Sborz’ next step is being discussed

— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) July 11, 2025

It was originally believed that Pederson would be back just after the All-Star Break. Instead, he may not even start hitting until a full week after that. It’s just another thing to tack onto what has been a disastrous season for Pederson.

Toronto Blue Jays

Anthony Santander – outfield

Blue Jays injury updates from manager John Schneider:

▪️Daulton Varsho ran the bases today, will do it again Wednesday.
▪️Status quo on Anthony Santander, "not hitting yet, hopefully soon."
▪️Alek Manoah throws two-up live tomorrow, might be one more or rehab games after

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 7, 2025

This was the last update on Santander, and that was over a week ago. The words “hopefully soon” are very misleading. Hopeful means that the person speaking wishes for the best-case scenario, which can’t always take place. As for soon, it’s such a vague and roundabout way of not answering a question. He was transferred over to the 60-day Injured List, so he won’t be back until at least the end of July. He will need an extensive rehab assignment, too. Hopefully, he’s back soon. 😉

Daulton Varsho – outfield

No Daulton Varsho again today with FCL #BlueJays.

The wait continues…

— Thomas Hall (@Hall_Thomas_) July 15, 2025

This was the second day in a row where Varsho did not begin his rehab assignment. And, for both days, there was no explanation why. We should find out soon enough, but for now, it’s frustrating nonetheless.

Washington Nationals

Dylan Crews – outfield

It’s a very peculiar situation here, as Crews’ return has been delayed because of a slow recovery process. Now that he is back to baseball activities, it’s expected that he ramps things up soon and emerges as ready for a rehab assignment shortly after the Break. That said, with so many new non-player changes happening within the organizations, it will be interesting to see where he fits within their vision for the future.