Here is the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Saturday, July 22, 2023.
Below, you’ll see a ton of rehab outing analysis concerning the likes of Max Fried, Yordan Alvarez, Trevor Story, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. There is also some progress in the rehabilitation of Mike Trout, who still has a long way to go before coming back. Finally, Aaron Judge’s timeline should be more defined after he takes like BP today, so that’s something to keep an eye on. All this and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
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
Max Fried – Atlanta Braves
As expected, Braves manager Brian Snitker said the Braves will wait to see how Max Fried comes out of his latest rehab start before deciding whether he might need another.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 21, 2023
Many reports say that Fried was less than impressive during this appearance. He surrendered three runs in 3.1 innings, while also giving up six hits with two of them being home runs. While his velocity was within the mid-90s, he got no whiffs at all. It’s hard to imagine the Braves liked seeing this, but time will tell if he gets called back up to Atlanta.
Kyle Wright – SP Atlanta Braves
Kyle Wright will play catch off the mound on Friday and then throw some shortened bullpens early next week. If all goes well, he could begin throwing normal bullpens by the end of next week. ETA now seems to be early September.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 19, 2023
Very disappointing, as he was cleared to start a throwing program in the middle of March, but has not progressed to mound work since then.
Trevor Story – 2B/SS Boston Red Sox
Trevor Story crushes a 3-run homer over the Monster pic.twitter.com/6vVJAx71if
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) July 21, 2023
This was Story’s first rehab game, and it was one to remember. He also played five innings at the shortstop position, as that will be his spot when he’s up with Boston.
Corey Kluber – SP/RP Boston Red Sox
Corey Kluber:
2.0 IP. 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO
35 pitches/ 22 strikes pic.twitter.com/vENw1ARllF— Portland Sea Dogs (@PortlandSeaDogs) July 21, 2023
Kluber will likely need multiple outings before returning, but this performance was encouraging.
Brayan Bello – SP Boston Red Sox
Brayan Bello to be placed on paternity list.
— Underdog MLB (@Underdog__MLB) July 21, 2023
The best is wished for the Bellow family.
Garrett Crochet – RP Chicago White Sox
Left-hander Garrett Crochet returned from his rehab assignment at Charlotte with a recurrence of the shoulder inflammation that landed him on the injured list on June 21, per White Sox.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 22, 2023
The original plan was for Crochet to return soon, as quickly as next week. Now, that will be pushed back, and, depending on the severity of the injury, could cost him another month.
Andrew Vaughn – 1B/OF Chicago White Sox
Grifol on Andrew Vaughn's bruised foot: "Better but not good enough to play today. It depends on how he progresses throughout the afternoon. Beginning of the game we’ll know if we can use him for a pinch hit. It’s bone bruise. So it’s going to take a little time."
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 21, 2023
The injury doesn’t sound like it will warrant a trip to the Injured List. That said, bone bruises can take time to heal, so he may need yet another day or two.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez singles on the first pitch he's sees. 108 MPH off the bat pic.twitter.com/z2JLlVUwzt
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) July 19, 2023
Alvarez finished with two hits, one of which was a double. He also had a fly out to deep left field for one of his outs. One would guess that he’ll finish the weekend in the minors before joining the Astros next week.
Anthony Rendon – 3B Los Angeles Angels, Brandon Drury – INF Los Angeles Angels
No changes today on Brandon Drury and Anthony Rendon.
Drury is still taking some swings and working out on the field, but not ready for game-speed velo.
Rendon is still not doing baseball stuff on the field.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 21, 2023
An update to inform the public that there is no update. Both Rendon and Drury seem to be at a standstill in their recovery and can’t take their next step forward.
Mike Trout – OF Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout had the stitches removed from his left hand on Wednesday. Said he has to wait for the cut to fully heal before swinging and then he’ll get a better feel for a timeline. But said he feels good.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 21, 2023
While it’s just a small step forward, it’s progress nonetheless. Trout still has a long way to go before he’s back in a lineup producing at the high level we’re accustomed to seeing.
Clayton Kershaw – SP Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw’s bullpen went well, Dave Roberts said. Plan is for him to face hitters next — from there, determination will be for either another sim game or being activated.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 21, 2023
All of this sounds like good news regarding Kershaw. He is expected to throw a three-inning simulated game on Monday to keep this momentum going.
Miami Marlins – Team Update
Some #Marlins injury updates:
-Andrew Nardi threw a 25-pitch bullpen today, with an up down to simulate multiple innings; rehab assignment likely next step
-Jazz is doing plyometric work; not hitting yet
-Trevor Rogers still no-throw
-Sixto Sanchez threw a 19-pitch bullpen today— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) July 21, 2023
Chisholm has not been able to hit yet but is doing everything else for his core to ensure that he is getting better. That said, he has a history of being a slow healer, so patience is warranted here. As for Rogers, he still has not progressed to throwing, despite his efforts to keep his throwing arm loose and up to par. He will need multiple rehab starts once he is ready to throw.
Brian Anderson – 3B/OF Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers 3B Brian Anderson (back strain) took grounders in spikes today and said he's pushing to start swinging the bat again. But Craig Counsell said Anderson isn't expected to come off the IL until the next road trip.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) July 21, 2023
Anderson isn’t expected back until at least this Friday, but that’s quite the optimistic outlook.
Jorge Polanco – 2B Minnesota Twins
Jorge Polanco, on a rehab assignment, will begin playing more third base and that’s where he will likely play once he returns to the Twins. A vote of confidence for Edouard Julien.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) July 21, 2023
This is quite promising news for the fantasy value of Polanco, who will gain 3B and CI eligibility. All that being said, learning a new position mid-season can take a toll on the offensive output of a player. He does have some reps at that spot from years ago (2016), but will definitely need a refresher. This is quite the vote of confidence for Julien, who has been nothing short of incredible with any chance he’s gotten. It also means that Royce Lewis is far from returning, as he has been playing catch and taking swings, but nothing more.
Joey Gallo – OF Minnesota Twins, Willi Castro – INF/OF Minnesota Twins
Joey Gallo has also been scratched from the #MNTwins lineup with pink eye.
Michael A. Taylor replaces him in center field.https://t.co/LIbJF9ubnc
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 22, 2023
Both Gallo and Castro may miss this weekend because of pink eye.
Tommy Pham – OF New York Mets
Tommy Pham's groin MRI came back "good," per Buck Showalter. He won't be going on the injured list, but the Mets will be careful with him over the next few days.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 21, 2023
Consider Pham DTD with the distinct possibility that he doesn’t play this weekend.
Harrison Bader – OF New York Yankees
Aaron Boone said Harrison Bader is doing well. Boone said Bader told him he’s available. May use him off the bench
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) July 21, 2023
Bader did not play last night, but it looks like he is close to returning sooner rather than later.
Aaron Judge – OF New York Yankees
Aaron Judge will face Jonathan Loáisiga in a live session on Sunday.
The #Yankees could have a timeline for his return after that, Aaron Boone says.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) July 21, 2023
This is a big day for the development of Judge’s rehab. The hope is that the timeline will be a clear and concise one so that fantasy owners can plan the rest of their season. Stay tuned.
Michael Wacha – SP San Diego Padres
Padres manager Bob Melvin says that Michael Wacha played catch today and felt good. He'll do that a few more times before getting on a mound.
Melvin on Wacha: "Is July likely? Maybe not. Probably extend out a little bit, make sure we get a healthy Michael Wacha."
— Sammy Levitt | Padres Radio Host (@SammyLev) July 19, 2023
Wacha has not pitched since July 1 and has yet to progress to mound work. He will also need a lengthy rehab assignment before he’s back.
Corey Seager – SS Texas Rangers
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Corey Seager has a sprained right thumb. X-rays were negative. He’ll be “day-to-day”
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) July 22, 2023
There was a lot of fear that this could have been something more than it was. However, for now, it looks like he will be DTD with a sprained right thumb. However, the X-rays only revealed that there is no structural damage. There’s a chance that this affects his performance, or that he has swelling and that he may still need to go to the Injured List.
Hyun-Jin Ryu – SP Toronto Blue Jays
Hyun Jin Ryu tonight with AAA Buffalo:
6 IP • 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K
• 85 pitches
• Fastball averaged 88.4 mph (T90.8)The #BlueJays want to see how he recovers physically, but this entire recovery has gone as well as it possibly could for Ryu. Decision time.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) July 22, 2023
Ryu's velocity is the big "thing" going forward. The #BlueJays expect the momentum of an MLB stadium to help a bit, but ideally, that velo is 1-2mph higher.
That said, Ryu's changeup got 7 whiffs on 15 swings tonight in AAA, so his feel for his most important pitch is back.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) July 22, 2023
This is a very complicated situation here. On the one hand, Ryu just had surgery thirteen months ago and is one of the older pitchers in baseball. The body should not be able to heal this quickly and perform at such a high level so soon. However, he has proved the naysayers wrong thus far and looks primed and ready to do it again. Ultimately, given the current state of the Jays and their inherent desire to win this year, chances are that he is activated to start next week.
⚾️ Home Run Derby Champion Signed Jersey Giveaway
Like and Comment below your Fantrax Username for a chance to win a Signed Vladimir Guerrero Jersey! pic.twitter.com/v4HHvwK0uO— Fantrax (@Fantrax) July 13, 2023