Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Sunday, August 20, 2023. In today’s edition, the news of Byron Buxton changing positions has some ripple effects that are examined down below. Also, it would appear that Tony Gonsolin has thrown his last pitch of the 2023 season, with speculation being that he needs extended time away. Finally, George Springer is injured, but he could be back later today as the injury doesn’t seem to be too serious. All this and much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Anthony Santander – OF Baltimore Orioles, Aaron Hicks – OF Baltimore Orioles
#Orioles injury updates, per Brandon Hyde:
– Aaron Hicks (low back strain) is shut down for now, will be out for a couple of weeks
– Anthony Santander (back soreness) still feeling some discomfort today, has been getting treatment— Sonja Chen 陈星雅 (@SonjaMChen) August 19, 2023
Hicks will be shut down for a while with the hope that he can return in two weeks. As for Santander, there was no reason given for his exodus on Friday, but now we know that he is getting treatment done for a sore back. There is no word on his status going forward other than he is DTD.
Triston Casas – 1B Boston Red Sox
Casas has a tooth infection.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 19, 2023
Consider Casas DTD while gets his tooth figured out.
Jake Fraley – OF Cincinnati Reds
Jake Fraley said that he eventually needs surgery on his toe. The doctors told him he could try to play through it and get surgery later, and that’s what he’s going to do. Fraley said he’s doing it “because this team is special.”
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) August 19, 2023
It’s looking like offseason toe surgery is in the works for Fraley.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros
Kyle Tucker (illness) is not at Minute Maid Park today, Dusty Baker said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 19, 2023
Tucker became sick yesterday and will likely need some more time to get better. It would be surprising to see him in the lineup today.
Maikel Garcia – INF Kansas City Royals
Maikel Garcia is day to day. The upper body soreness is the same that he experienced last week. The official term for the condition is costochondritis. It’s an inflammation near the ribs. Not believed to be anything serious. He’s already feeling better today
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) August 19, 2023
The good news is that Garcia is already feeling better and that it is not believed to be anything serious. That said, he could miss another game or two while he gets back to 100% health, or close to it.
Tony Gonsolin – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
When pressed further, Dave Roberts said it’s “unlikely” Tony Gonsolin returns this season.
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) August 19, 2023
Gonslin was placed on the 15-day Injured List with inflammation in his right forearm. There is a scheduled MRI for next week which will help decipher exactly what the damage is, but it doesn’t look good as it stands right now.
Byron Buxton – UT Minnesota Twins
Rocco Baldelli said they have been having conversations about Byron Buxton playing some CF upon his return.
"If it's going to happen this season, it's going to be after recovering and building himself up. And it's going to be now. This is going to be his best opportunity."
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) August 19, 2023
This is big news. Buxton has been the team’s Designated Hitter all season, which has been the catalyst for him being healthier than normal. That said, he’s still missed time on the Injured List with various injuries, the latest of which has kept him out since August 3. There are many reasons why this is big news, the first of which is Buxton retaining outfield eligibility for next season. That said, the injury risk is now higher, which could lead to more time away from the team. However, if Buxton plays the outfield, this gives other players a chance to get into the game more often. They have an influx of infielders in Royce Lewis, Jorge Polanco, Edouard Julien, and Jorge Polanco. Having the Designated Hitter slot open gives Minnesota the flexibility to utilize all of those players daily and give them some additional rest.
Matt Wallner – OF Minnesota Twins
Matt Wallner was originally in the lineup but was scratched because the hand was still limiting him from doing a few things. But the fact that he was in the original lineup at all seems like a good indication of where he’s at.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 19, 2023
Do-Hyoung said it best right there. Wallner could return shortly to the Twins’ lineup.
Anthony Rizzo – 1B New York Yankees
"Shutting down, for me, is not an option, and it hasn’t been discussed," said Anthony Rizzo, who continues to progress.
The latest on the #Yankees 1B + notes on Austin Wells and Everson Pereira and the team's pitching plans vs. the #Nationals @NYDNSports: https://t.co/KacmMmMufO
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) August 18, 2023
From the sounds of things, Rizzo is feeling better. His reaction times in the batting cage have improved, which is great to read. He seems confident that he won’t need to shut things down for the season and that he can return at some point, even if the Yankees aren’t competing for a playoff spot. This would be a feel-good story if it happened.
Ranger Suárez – SP Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have placed left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez on the 15-day injured list with a right hamstring strain (retroactive to 8/16). To fill his spot on the 26-man roster, the club recalled right-handed pitcher Andrew Bellatti from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 19, 2023
Suárez recently had his start pushed back because of this injury, and his move to the Injured List solidified it. He won’t be eligible to return until the beginning of September, and there is no assurance that will even happen. That said, the team doesn’t feel it will be a major issue so he could face just the minimum time away.
J.P. Crawford – SS Seattle Mariners
J.P. Crawford has cleared concussion protocol and will begin a rehab assignment with the @EverettAquaSox tonight.
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) August 19, 2023
Fantastic news here as Crawford will get a chance to return soon enough.
George Springer – OF Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer “jammed his left ankle pretty good” on Wednesday in Toronto.
John Schneider says he’s available today off the bench and the #BlueJays don’t expect an IL stint…
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 19, 2023
Springer’s availability makes it sound very promising that he will return to the lineup in the near future. Stay tuned.