Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Wednesday, August 16, 2023. In today’s edition, Marcus Stroman’s potential return got delayed a bit due to some soreness. Also, Jose Altuve fouled a pitch off of his shin and looks to be DTD for now. Finally, Bo Bichette could be back this Friday, which is great news for the Blue Jays and fantasy owners everywhere. All this and much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Tanner Houck – SP Boston Red Sox
Tanner Houck lined up to start at Houston on Monday.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) August 15, 2023
Be prepared.
Adalberto Mondesi – SS Boston Red Sox
This is the first update on Mondesi in quite some time. He was once considered an Opening Day option, but later on regressed to being completely shut down from all baseball activities by the beginning of the summer. Now, his role upon being recalled is unknown. Later in the referenced piece, the idea of a bench bat or pinch-runner was brought up, so keep in mind that his role might be limited.
Marcus Stroman – SP Chicago Cubs
Marcus Stroman is feeling right rib discomfort and is getting checked out.
He won’t start tomorrow vs. White Sox.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) August 15, 2023
Stroman apparently injured his ribs while throwing a pre-game bullpen session on Sunday. There was no update on his status other than he wouldn’t be activated today. In his place, it’s looking like Javier Assad will be the Cubs’ pitcher of choice.
Tim Anderson – SS Chicago White Sox
Tim Anderson scratched with a stiff neck. Andrus at shortstop leading off, Remillard playing second base.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) August 15, 2023
Consider Anderson DTD until we hear otherwise.
Nick Lodolo – SP Cincinnati Reds
Man. Nasty 2nd frame from Nick Lodolo with his stuff looking like it had at times last year. Command improved from last inning as well.
Hit 94 more times this inning as well. Could be a huge X-factor for the Reds to have him back @Clay_sno @Nicholaspkirby @bryce_spalding https://t.co/nLwyFCy0tx pic.twitter.com/dMqsimBL05
— Elijah Evans (@ElijahEv8) August 16, 2023
Lodolo shifted his rehab assignment over to Double-A Chattanooga and threw three scoreless innings last night. He struck out six batters and walked only two. Interesting that his velocity reached his usual speed, indicating that he could be ready soon. Considering he had a leg injury, his arm could be fresh down the stretch.
Jose Altuve – 2B Houston Astros
#Astros manager Dusty Baker asked about the status of Jose Altuve, who left today's game in the 1st inning after fouling a ball of of his leg:
"Well, he's sore.. We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see if soreness sets in or see if he's playable.. We're willing to wait & just… pic.twitter.com/qx2sGA2r4O
— Tyler Milner (@tmilrealdeal) August 16, 2023
This was the most details regarding Altuve’s injury, and it all boils down to how he feels later today. It’s a bruise, but he did foul it off of his shin. With no structural damage done, he could be back within a day or two. Look for him to possibly miss today’s game as a precaution, but anything is possible.
Michael Brantley – OF Houston Astros
Michael Brantley taters are BACK 😤
In his first game action in over three months, the @astros outfielder swats a two-run homer for the @SLSpaceCowboys: pic.twitter.com/8hqvioi6Tn
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 16, 2023
This is Brantley’s second rehab appearance for Triple-A Sugarland, as he was there for them in May before being shut down. The hope is that this time, he won’t need to be shut down with renewed soreness. Stay tuned.
Logan O’Hoppe – C Los Angeles Angels
Angels #1 Prospect Logan O'Hoppe joins us in Salt Lake tonight pic.twitter.com/8ENKghCMmH
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 15, 2023
After batting .316 over six games for Single-A Inland Empire, he finished 1-for-2 in his Double-A Salt Lake debut on Tuesday. O’Hoppe continues to soar in the minors and looks almost ready to return. Just a reminder that he will likely use close to the allotted twenty days in rehab before returning to the Angels.
Aaron Ashby – SP/RP Milwaukee Brewers
Aaron Ashby is still throwing bullpens. The Brewers are making a decision on when to begin game action with him very soon. Counsell said Ashby will have “hurdles to clear” in terms of being able to operate at “full octane” in important late-September games.
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) August 16, 2023
Ashby was deemed almost ready about two weeks ago but has since remained stagnant in his recovery. The question of if he reached a plateau or setback was asked, and the answer was no, that’s not the case. The team just wants him to be at one hundred percent before they put him in games that will determine their postseason fate.
Rowdy Tellez – 1B Milwaukee Brewers
Rowdy Tellez will remain on rehab assignment through at least the Dodgers series, Craig Counsell said. The idea is to get him going at the plate before he’s activated; he is just 2 for 18 so far with the Sounds.
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) August 16, 2023
Tellez has struggled to get going while in his rehab assignment. There’s been no indication if that is due to his injury or just an inability to get his timing down.
Edouard Julien – 2B Minnesota Twins
Rocco noted during his session that Edouard Julien is out of tonight's lineup with a hamstring issue. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 15, 2023
Julien has been struggling at the plate, and a day or two off to get his body right may be the answer.
Byron Buxton – UT Minnesota Twins
#MNTwins manager Rocco Baldelli on Byron Buxton (hamstring):
"He’s getting better but his return is not imminent, and I’m fairly certain that he’s gonna go on a rehab assignment when he is ready to come back."
— John Shipley: Tier 3 (@ShipleyMN) August 15, 2023
It’s good to see that Buxton is improving, but fantasy owners will need to wait before he returns as a rehab assignment will be necessary.
Joe Ryan – SP Minnesota Twins
Joe Ryan threw a bullpen session today. It went well. If he comes out of it feeling good tomorrow, next step would be a rehab outing. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 15, 2023
Ryan has been improving daily, and today will be a big day. If he feels good after yesterday’s bullpen, then he can start a rehab assignment soon. There’s no word on how long it might be, but one or two outings seem logical.
Brandon Marsh – OF Philadelphia Phillies
Brandon Marsh testing his injured left knee hours ahead of @IronPigs game. @Phillies OF slated to play here this week pic.twitter.com/61M2J344C8
— Tom Housenick (@TomHousenick) August 15, 2023
Marsh seems likely to rejoin the Phillies within the week if all goes well.
J.P. Crawford – SS Seattle Mariners
J.P. Crawford is trending in a positive direction, Scott Servais said this afternoon, but it's still unclear if he'll join the Mariners when he's eligible to be activated from the 7-day concussion IL on Thursday.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) August 15, 2023
While it’s good to see Crawford trending in the right direction, he’s nowhere near one hundred percent, meaning he likely won’t return on Thursday. Concussions are serious and tricky to diagnose.
Ryan Helsley – RP St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards RHP Ryan Helsley’s next rehab outing has been pushed back from Wednesday because of soreness, manager Oli Marmol said. Helsley has been out since early June with forearm pain.
RHP Jake Woodford will pitch three innings or 45 pitches on Thursday with Triple-A Memphis.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) August 15, 2023
This should be considered a setback and will likely push back any return by days. Stay tuned as there should be more information soon enough.
Dylan Carlson – OF St. Louis Cardinals
No real update on Dylan Carlson, who’s dealing with some recurring soreness in the ankle he sprained in May as well as his oblique. At this point, not clear which is the more pressing concern, and both will likely have to improve before he returns.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) August 15, 2023
With Carlson hurting in multiple areas and the team out of contention, there is no need to rush him back.
Nolan Gorman – INF St. Louis Cardinals, Willson Contreras – C St. Louis Cardinals
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said the team will try to stay away from playing lefty slugger Nolan Gorman (low back pain) and catcher Willson Contreras (right hip tightness) tonight against the #Athletics because of lingering soreness.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) August 15, 2023
Both Gorman and Contreras were inactive yesterday and weren’t used off the bench either. Both situations seem to be DTD cases. Stay tuned.
Shane McClanahan – SP Tampa Bay Rays
BREAKING: #Rays McClanahan will have Tommy John surgery on Monday, likely miss all of 2024
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 15, 2023
McClanahan is the fourth Rays starter from their Opening Day roster to miss extended time this season and the third to have season-ending surgery. He will unfortunately not be a fantasy option for the rest of this season and likely the 2024 season as well.
Manuel Margot – OF Tampa Bay Rays
Rays have placed OF Manuel Margot on the 10-Day IL with right elbow loose bodies and recalled INF Jonathan Aranda.⁰⁰Margot will have surgery to remove right elbow loose bodies. Surgery will be tomorrow.⁰⁰Anticipated timeline is 3-4 weeks recovery
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) August 15, 2023
Margot will miss the next month or so while he recovers from this procedure. It’s unclear when the injury first surfaced, but he has only four hits in just 22 plate appearances in the month of August.
Nathan Eovaldi – SP Texas Rangers
Nathan Eovaldi threw another encouraging bullpen today, pitched equivalent of two innings.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) August 15, 2023
This is the second consecutive bullpen for Eovaldi, with this one being longer than his last. No word on what the next steps are or if this will happen again.
Toronto Blue Jays – Team Update
#BlueJays injury updates:
– Bichette is DHing in Buffalo tonight
– Richards is throwing an inning in Buffalo tonight
– Chad Green is out of concussion protocol, will also pitch tonight in Buffalo
– If all goes well, Bichette, Richards and Kiermaier are on track to return Friday— Kaitlyn McGrath (@kaitlyncmcgrath) August 15, 2023
The Blue Jays could have themselves a big day of returns Friday with Bichette, Richards, and Green all potentially coming back.