Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Thursday, June 15, 2023.
More great fantasy baseball advice and analysis: Waiver Wire & FAAB Recommendations | Daily MLB Injury Report | MLB DFS Picks | Line-up Analysis | Dynasty Rankings and Strategy | MLB Bullpen Updates | MLB Player Props | Prospect Rankings & Analysis | Fantasy Baseball Risers and Fallers
MLB Injury Report
Adalberto Mondesi – SS Boston Red Sox
Chaim Bloom on Adalberto Mondesi: “It's not that he's had a re-injury or anything like that. It's more that we haven't really been able to get him past that plateau to where we can progress him into game activity. We've been working hard to get strength back in that leg." cont'd
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) June 14, 2023
“But there's been this recurrent soreness that we haven't really been able to completely knock out. So we've eased off the activity to be able to do that, and hopefully we'll be able to progress it. It's really just getting through that plateau."
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) June 14, 2023
This looks like an injury that will last even longer than it already has. For some reason, Mondesi just can’t regain strength in his injured leg because of the renewed soreness that won’t go away. He is a candidate at this moment to miss the entire season and should be dropped in most formats.
Mike Clevinger – SP Chicago White Sox
Mike Clevinger postgame. pic.twitter.com/0xX0ygy0hy
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) June 15, 2023
Clevinger left the game last night with bicep soreness. Here, he himself said that it felt like someone grabbed at his forearm. He didn’t want to speculate but didn’t answer no when asked if it was just a cramp. He mentioned that he had finally found his groove back so this is a major blow if it will mean significant time lost.
Nick Lodolo – SP Cincinnati Reds
#Reds starter Nick Lodolo had MRI today on left leg (stress reaction). “Progressing well.” But has 2 more weeks to go in the boot. And 4-6 weeks after that for a probable return. #August
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) June 14, 2023
The exact results haven’t really been stated, but all reports say this was encouraging. The plan for Lodolo to remain in a walking boot for four-to-six weeks seems to be better than anticipated. This gives hope that it’s not a long-term injury with rest-of-season ramifications.
Jeremy Pena – SS Houston Astros
Astros manager Dusty Baker SS Jeremy Peña will play tomorrow after being held out a few days for sickness. Peña has been working out as normal with the team the last two days.
"I know what to do and I know how to take care of the guys…because I've been there," he said.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 14, 2023
Pena has missed all of this week but looks poised to return today.
Lance McCullers Jr. – SP Houston Astros
Lance McCullers Jr. had surgery yesterday to repair the flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. He is out for the 2023 season, but "is expected to return to pitching during the 2024 season," according to the Astros.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 14, 2023
McCullers Jr. had been trending in the wrong direction with recent setbacks, and this just seals his fate. The expectation to return in 2024 is vague and not as reassuring as it would seem. This is a major blow to the team due to other injuries. Look for the Astros to possibly make a trade before the deadline.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Astros GM Dana Brown w/ us on @SportsTalk790 talking Yordan: "Oblique injuries are tricky. It'll take 2 weeks to see how he's healing, then 1 week to see if he's doing baseball activities. That's 3 weeks right there. We don't want to rush or put a timeline on it" @SeanUnfiltered
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) June 14, 2023
The team has always wanted to take their time with Alvarez, and this would be another example. Add another week to their expected timeline and here we have four weeks. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him miss time until just after the All-Star Break.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Astros GM Dana Brown asked about Brantley: "We're really excited about Michael. He has no pain and people will start to see more of him, doing more. We could use him in a big way. He's feeling no pain, he's actually throwing, hitting and running." @SportsTalk790 @SeanUnfiltered
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) June 14, 2023
Brantle has been down this road before, so fantasy owners need not get too attached to these claims. That said, it’s an encouraging development for an often-injured player.
Salvador Perez – C Kansas City Royals
#Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Salvador Perez's initial X-rays on his left hand came back negative, which is good news. He'll be reevaluated Friday.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) June 15, 2023
There was a scare that this would be a significant injury, but it’s looking like that has been avoided. We’ll know more after he’s evaluated on Friday following the team’s day off today.
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B Kansas City Royals
Royals expect Vinnie Pasquantino to be fully ready for spring training. Surgery date not set yet. Nick Pratto will get the bulk of time at 1B. Matt Quatraro said Matt Duffy gives them coverage & he called Salvy Perez a secret weapon. Salvy was taking balls at 1st today. pic.twitter.com/TBZCZD1tX6
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) June 14, 2023
Pasquantino will need surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The news is obviously devastating in that he will miss most of the season without really shining in the way many thought he would. As for where the team goes next, Nick Pratto will obviously be the biggest beneficiary of this situation, with Matt Duffy getting some opportunities. Perez gaining 1B eligibility in some leagues would be a very interesting development.
Zach Neto – SS Los Angeles Angels
Zach Neto is getting an MRI in the morning. They hope it’s just a cramp. He hurt himself making a throw in the first inning.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) June 15, 2023
The hope here is that it is just a cramp and that Neto will be back soon. Consider him DTD until we find out anything different.
Max Muncy – INF Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts said an MRI revealed Max Muncy has a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.#Dodgers aren’t making an IL move for now and hope he is back by Saturday.
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) June 15, 2023
This is quite a perplexing decision, as a trip to the Injured List seems to be the likeliest outcome here. A Grade 2 strain is a partial tear of the hamstring tendon, which needs time to heal. All that being said, Moreno also tweets later stating that Muncy’s injury is lower on the body from where his cramping was earlier this season. He also states that manager Dave Roberts thinks that putting him on the Injured List now would be an overreaction, considering how much the hamstring has improved recently. Stay tuned.
J.D. Davis – 3B San Francisco Giants
Grade 1 ankle sprain for Davis. He says he will miss 3-10 days. Best case scenario for him.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) June 14, 2023
The team has yet to place Davis on the Injured List, as they are looking for an improvement before the weekend. It will be then that they make an official decision as to if he will need to go on the Injured List.
Mitch Haniger – OF San Francisco Giants
Mitch Haniger will undergo surgery tomorrow in Los Angeles to fix his right forearm fracture. Dr. Steve Shin will perform the procedure. More updates will be provided Friday following the surgery.
— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) June 14, 2023
This has escalated quickly and Haniger may miss the remainder of the season because of this. Obviously not ideal and a brutal blow for the Giants.
Lars Nootbar – St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said outfielder Lars Nootbaar will join the @memphisredbirds in Jacksonville and is soon expected to play in MILB games. The club is hopeful he is ready to rejoin the Cardinals prior to the trip to London to face the #Cubs.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 14, 2023
The team is off as of this upcoming Wednesday before flying out to London for two-weekend games. They will then return home for a series versus the Astros on the following Tuesday. Expect Nootbar back for one of those two series.