Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Saturday, August 5, 2023. In today’s edition, the Boston rotation and bullpen begin to take shape, as the roles of Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock seem to be taking shape. Also, Josh Naylor will be away from the team for the foreseeable future, with more clarity to be given soon enough. Finally, Byron Buxton, Nathan Eovaldi, and Joe Musgrove have all been shut down for multiple weeks, leaving holes to fill on each of their respective teams. All that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Cedric Mullins – OF Baltimore Orioles
Tyler Wells is scheduled for a short outing at Bowie tomorrow, and Cedric Mullins will play in rehab games there on Saturday and Sunday. #Orioles
— Rich DubroffMLB (@RichDubroffMLB) August 4, 2023
Mullins has apparently turned a corner with his recovery and now will test things out in some rehab games. If all goes well, we could see him back by this time next week.
Boston Red Sox – Team Update
Pre game notes
-Cora said Reyes is more versatile so that led to Arroyo DFA
-Not a final decision yet but Whitlock likely heading to the bullpen after his rehab and Houck will be stretched out
-Story still building up stamina to play every day, either way rehab clock runs out 8/9— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) August 4, 2023
Whitlock to the bullpen is a little bit of a surprise given how adamant the Red Sox have been to turn him into a starter. That said, he does have better historical numbers as a reliever, and his injury history may have impacted this decision. As for Houck, it looks like he’ll be stretched out for a starter’s role, though it’s possible that he could be a long reliever. Finally, with the deadline set for Story’s return, we will either see him back after that day or he will be sent back down for more seasoning and preparation.
Eloy Jimenez – OF Chicago White Sox
Eloy Jimenez has a sore heel, Pedro Grifol said.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) August 4, 2023
Jimenez did enter the game last night as a pinch-hitter, but it’s unclear if he’ll be in the lineup today.
Jake Fraley – OF Cincinnati Reds
Reds manager David Bell said the positive to focus on tonight was the strong outing from Graham Ashcraft.
He confirmed Jake Fraley was unavailable, and they'll have more information Saturday.
He also said it was a difficult spot for Alexis Diaz tonight. pic.twitter.com/XB84gaRoPr— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) August 5, 2023
Normally, on a night off with a talented lineup, nothing would be considered out of the ordinary here. However, the way that this information was presented gives pause. Stay tuned.
Josh Naylor – 1B/OF Cleveland Guardians
Josh Naylor underwent an MRI yesterday which revealed an oblique strain. He’s been given a 3-6 week time table but Francona said that’s “extremely tentative.” He’ll be rechecked weekly.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) August 4, 2023
Obviously, this is terrible news for Naylor and fantasy owners everywhere. There is no word yet on the Grade of this strain, which is likely why this has been labeled as an extremely tentative timeline. We should see more updates soon with more specifics, but the three weeks seems short. Stay tuned.
Zach Neto – SS Los Angeles Angels
Zach Neto is on the IL with the lower back issue. He said it just wasn’t getting better like he hoped. No timetable for how long he’s out. #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 4, 2023
Neto had been in and out of the lineup for weeks with back issues that wouldn’t go away. The hope here is that he gets himself right and is able to return healthy for the stretch run. Luis Rengifo should see an uptick in at-bats.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Some injury news from Dave Roberts:
– J.D. Martinez is available to pinch-hit today. Should be back in the lineup tomorrow.
– Max Muncy is only available to pinch-run the next two nights.
– Clayton Kershaw’s catch session today went well. Next bullpen date TBD.— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 4, 2023
Martinez did end up in the game last night for a pinch-hit appearance. Look for him to return to the lineup today. Muncy, on the other hand, did not enter the game last night but could do so today. As for Kershaw, everyone remains in wait-and-see mode, as it depends on how he feels and if the team thinks he’s ready to return.
Walker Buehler – Los Angeles Dodgers
#Dodgers MGR Dave Roberts said RHP Walker Buehler, who is rehabbing from TJ surgery, is “on the verge” of starting a minor league rehab assignment but wasn’t ready to pinpoint a date. Team hopes to have him back as a starter in Sept.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) August 4, 2023
This came almost out of nowhere but is received as good news nonetheless. A reminder that all rehab assignments are a maximum of twenty days and that Buehler’s will likely be close to that in length.
Byron Buxton – OF/UT Minnesota Twins
Jayce Tingler says the plan is to shut Buxton (right hamstring strain) down for two weeks and see how he responds.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 4, 2023
Buxton will be shut down for two weeks and then re-evaluated at that time. He will likely need time after this to ramp things back up to be ready for a return. This could be a situation that lasts throughout all of August.
Chris Paddack – SP Minnesota Twins
Chris Paddack is about 10-11 days from facing live hitters in batting practice, per #MNTwins trainers.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 4, 2023
Hayes later said in response to another question relating to Paddack that it’s unclear if he will pitch this year.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres
Joe Musgrove has inflammation in his right shoulder capsule, A.J. Preller says. He’ll be shut down at least three weeks. Preller adds, “We’re not ruling him out for this year.”
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) August 4, 2023
The statement about Musgrove not being ruled out for the year comes with a lot of fine print. First of all, best case scenario has him shut down for three weeks, but then he’ll need to ramp back up before working toward a rehab assignment. That sounds like a five-week project, assuming all goes right. If there are any setbacks, then the aforementioned timeline gets delayed by at least a week. He’s someone that owners should be looking to trade away/drop in redraft or trade for/add in dynasty leagues.
Michael Wacha – SP San Diego Padres
#Padres RHP Michael Wacha will start a rehab game on Saturday for @epchihuahuas. Likely in the 50 to 60 pitch range.
— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) August 4, 2023
Wacha hasn’t pitched since July 1 and just completed two simulated innings against live batters earlier in the week. The team will need him to return soon in order to help with the hole left by Joe Musgrove.
Ryan Helsley – RP St. Louis Cardinals
Ryan Helsley will begin a rehab assignment on Sunday , I’m told with Springfield. #STLCards
— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnBallyTV) August 4, 2023
Helsely has been out of action for quite some time, but he’s looking to return soon. He should get some saves when he does.
Nathan Eovaldi – SP Texas Rangers
Nathan Eovaldi (forearm) is 2-3 weeks away from pitching in a game, #Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. Eovaldi was supposed to play catch today.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) August 4, 2023
Eovaldi’s return ultimately gets delayed here. He has been given a lot of rest and leeway to take his time to return. He last pitched on July 18, and may not pitch again in August.
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