Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Friday, August 11, 2023. In today’s edition, I take a deeper look into Walker Buehler’s recovery and what that means for him and the Dodgers going forward. Also, Bryce Harper’s mysterious back spasms took him out of last night’s game, but his status will depend on how he feels today. Finally, Joe Musgrove may not be back for a while, and the reasons for that are discussed below. All that and much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Garrett Whitlock – SP/RP Boston Red Sox, Chris Sale – SP Boston Red Sox
Cora says they expect Sale will start tomorrow and go four innings, Whitlock should return on Sunday.
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) August 10, 2023
Sale looks to be back today, as expected, but will only go four innings. Be prepared for that. As for Whitlock, all must have been good after his rehab appearance, and he seems poised to return in two days.
Hunter Greene – SP Cincinnati Reds
Since beginning his rehab assignment, Greene has sported a 5.68 ERA with three strikeouts and four walks over 6.1 innings pitched. He looks like a candidate to return on August 20, as has been rumored.
Brendan Rodgers – 2B Colorado Rockies
It’s been a long week for Rodgers and for fantasy owners everywhere. He has missed three games in a row but doesn’t appear bound for the Injured List. Time will tell if that proclamation comes true.
Charlie Blackmon – OF Colorado Rockies
Blackmon will begin a rehab assignment today and likely play through the weekend before being re-evaluated.
Jose Abreu – 1B Houston Astros
José Abreu’s lower back is “acting up,” Baker said. He said Abreu brought it to the training staff’s attention last night and will be evaluated when the Astros are back home.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) August 10, 2023
The hope here is that Abreu’s back is fine and that he can return to the Astros’ lineup soon.
Chas McCormick – OF Houston Astros
Dusty Baker said McCormick was scratched because of a bruised knee from diving for Adley Rutschman’s first-inning triple last night. He said McCormick is “day to day.”
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) August 10, 2023
Consider McCormick DTD with the hopes of returning at some point this weekend.
Walker Buehler – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Buehler hitting 93 mph is very encouraging, given the status of where he is in his rehab. He also stated that a September 1 return is no longer a realistic goal, given where is right now. He acknowledged that he needs more simulated games before heading out on a rehab assignment. He said too that if he returns this season, he will have blown himself away on the overall progress that he’s made given the typical timeframe for Tommy John Surgery recovery. All that being said, it doesn’t look like he will be much of a redraft option, but he is definitely a consideration in dynasty leagues.
Carlos Rodon – SP New York Yankees
Carlos Rodon is throwing on flat ground here in Chicago, as the Yankees hoped he would be able to while on the IL.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) August 9, 2023
The team continues to hope that Rodon will not miss more than the fifteen-day minimum for this injury. If that’s the case, he is eligible to return on August 22.
Bryce Harper – 1B/UT Philadelphia Phillies
Rob Thomson said Bryce Harper is day to day @KYWNewsradio #Phillies pic.twitter.com/lVOwSA9FFB
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) August 11, 2023
The team and Harper are unsure about how and when he got injured. Consider him DTD with some expected updates later today after the team checks him out.
Oneil Cruz – SS Pittsburgh Pirates
Oneil Cruz initiated a formal running program earlier this week, per Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk
— Andrew Destin (@AndrewDestin1) August 10, 2023
This is great news as Cruz fights his way back from his surgically-repaired ankle. It all depends now on how his body responds to the added pressures of running. If things go okay, he could be back soon, after a rehab assignment.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres
We may not see Musgrove for a while. From the sounds of it, he doesn’t want to rush anything that could cause further damage. He understands what’s at stake here and he doesn’t want to risk even more damage to an already injured shoulder. He will likely be taking every precaution available to ensure that he can come back and stay healthy, whenever that is.
Danny Jansen – C Toronto Blue Jays
X-rays on Danny Jansen’s right hand returned negative, per Blue Jays manager John Schneider
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) August 10, 2023
Jansen was originally diagnosed with a hand contusion after being hit by a pitch yesterday. The good news is that it appears to be just that and nothing more. Consider him DTD until we hear otherwise.
Bo Bichette – SS Toronto Blue Jays
Bo Bichette has been hitting in the cage in Toronto and jogging, but not running full-tilt yet.
Still difficult to put a timeline on this until Bichette is running the bases, but Schneider says he’s encouraged and that Bo is feeling better each day. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 10, 2023
Bichette has been improving daily, but he may be at a peak here. Until he can run at full speed, he won’t be able to either begin a rehab assignment or possibly jump right back into game action for the Jays.