Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Monday, June 24, 2024. In today’s edition, bullpens take center stage, as David Bednar heads to the Injured List, while Yimi Garcia slowly improves and Jordan Romano awaits his next step after being shut down. All of that so much more from this past weekend in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report for Monday, June 24, 2024.
David Bednar – RP Pittsburgh Pirates (oblique)
David Bednar has been placed on the 15-day injured list (retro to June 20) with a strained left oblique muscle.
Left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl has been recalled— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) June 23, 2024
Bednar was unavailable to pitch on Saturday and then on Sunday was placed on the Injured List. This is his second injury of the season and could keep him out of action for about one month. Obliques are tricky injuries that fluctuate in time missed depending on how the person recovering can manage the situation. For reference, both Jhoan Duran and Paul Sewald both missed significant time to begin the season as well.
Toronto Blue Jays – Team Update
Yimi Garcia (elbow) began playing catch Saturday in Toronto; it went well.
Jordan Romano (elbow) still be evaluated after his throwing progression was halted Friday when he experienced soreness in his right elbow.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) June 23, 2024
Yimi Garcia (elbow) is progressing slowly after being sent to the Injured List. The team hopes that he will return just after the fifteen-day window, but right now it’s anyone’s guess. As for Jordan Romano (elbow), the fact that his evaluation is taking days is almost as concerning as the amount of injections that he’s received in such a short amount of time.
Daulton Varsho – OF Toronto Blue Jays (back)
Daulton Varsho is feeling better than expected today after experiencing lower left back tightness on a swing in the ninth inning Saturday.
Blue Jays believe Varsho's absence will be short-term and that he'll avoid an IL stint.
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) June 23, 2024
Varsho sat out yesterday’s game with this ailment, but the team doesn’t expect it to last very long. The Jays will need his bat in their lineup as they have struggled all season to get anything going offensively.
Miami Marlins – Team Update
Today's roster update presented by: @UMiamiHealth pic.twitter.com/wcr1nbLG8M
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 23, 2024
A lot to unpack here. First, Braxton Garrett (forearm flexor strain) experienced some soreness in his elbow on Saturday and the decision was made to postpone his next start a bit. A day later, the team decided to place him on the Injured List when a forearm strain was discovered. This has the making of an extended absence that could be season-ending after his dead-arm/shoulder injury earlier in the year. As for Jesus Luzardo (back), he was transferred to the 60-day Injured List, and thus the earliest he can return is in mid-August. The team anticipated a 4-6 week absence and decided to make the move to the 60 days now. There is a chance that this is season-ending as well, given how big of a piece he is for the team and how out of it the Marlins are. Finally, Edward Cabrera (shoulder) was progressing through his rehab assignment, but this now gives the team more time and flexibility to exercise patience. It is unknown if this was the result of a setback.
Nolan Arenado – 3B St. Louis Cardinals (forearm)
#STLCards star 3B Nolan Arenado has an irritated nerve in his left forearm and he got a pain-killing injection this morning, manager Oliver Marmol said.
The team is waiting to see if Arenado will be available to pinch-hit today. He was injured on a previous check swing.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 23, 2024
Arenado began experiencing soreness in his forearm on Saturday. A day later he was taking an injection to relieve the pain and did not pinch-hit in yesterday’s game. This isn’t an ideal situation by any means, but we shall see if things progress for the better over time. The Cardinals have a quick turnaround to playing tonight, so there’s a good chance that he will miss another game.
Brandon Lowe – 2B Tampa Bay Rays (toe)
Brandon Lowe has what Cash says is a broken toe. We will chat with him shortly.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) June 22, 2024
It’s curious that Lowe didn’t seem too concerned with this injury, as this is a broken toe. He was half-expecting to play on Sunday, which he did not. The team did not offer much in terms of updates, but chances are that he heads to the Injured List.
Eloy Jimenez – OF Chicago White Sox (soreness)
Eloy Jimenez, who came off the IL today, said he was experiencing soreness in the hamstring during today's game. It had not been sore in Arizona in the days leading to today, he said.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) June 23, 2024
One game into his return from hamstring soreness, Jimenez seemingly reinjured himself on Sunday. It is unknown if a trip back to the Injured List is upcoming, but knowing his injury history, he just might need some time to heal. Stay tuned.
Devin Williams – RP Milwaukee Brewers (back)
Devin Williams is scheduled to throw off the mound for the first time on Wednesday, per Sophia Minnaert
— Tyler Koerth (@TylerKoerth) June 23, 2024
This is a major development in Williams’ progress. Out all season with stress fractures in his lower back, he can take a big step forward by doing this without any setbacks. That being said, he still has a ways to go to pitch in a Major League game again.
Giancarlo Stanton – OF New York Yankees (hamstring)
Giancarlo Stanton said he expects to be out about 4 weeks. Had a PRP shot during the game #yankees
— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) June 23, 2024
Stanton injured himself this weekend and is likely to miss four weeks. The chances of him returning early seem slim given the fact that he has a long history of injuries. His bat will be missed in a lineup that now puts Aaron Judge in the driver’s seat at times for the designated hitter spot. It’s a shame because this would have been the perfect time to give Jasson Dominguez a shot in the Yankees’ lineup, but he is out with an injury of his own.
Nick Lodolo – SP Cincinnati Reds (blister)
Nick Lodolo's pitching today was impacted by a blister on his index finger. "The feeling for the ball was not the same, but it's not impacting me a ton. Definitely a little bit. I'll work to get it right."
He said it's not nearly as worse as the one he dealt with in 2021.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 23, 2024
The hope is that this is a DTD situation and nothing more. Lodolo could need a trip to the Injured List if the blister gets to the stage of being more of a nuisance than anything else.
Matt McLain – 2B/SS Cincinnati Reds (shoulder)
David Bell on Matt McLain: "His exam with a doctor went really well. Perfect. Exactly where he wants to be. As far as the exact dates, we're still working on what the progression is going to look like between now and August."
McLain hasn't started swinging yet. "He's pretty…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) June 23, 2024
Once McLain starts swinging a bat, specifics on his timeline for a return will be better known. It is interesting that the potential for a return in August was relayed, but again, nothing specific. For now, it’s important to keep him in the back of your mind and stashed away visually, though it is too early to manually stash him in leagues without IL spots.
Max Scherzer – SP Texas Rangers (back)
Max Scherzer says the nerve issue in his throwing arm is still a thing. He doesn't know how his arm is going to respond to this start. Sounds like his situation is still precarious. pic.twitter.com/asONgmCDxV
— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) June 23, 2024
Today will be a big day for Scherzer, as it could be an indication of how his body can respond down the road. That said, even if he comes away from his debut pain-free, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he returns back to the Injured List for the same issue.
David Fry – C Cleveland Guardians (elbow)
David Fry exited today’s game with right elbow inflammation. He’s considered day-to-day, like all of us.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 23, 2024
Fry has been one of the league’s biggest surprises at the plate and will be needed by the Guardians down the road. Here’s hoping that he’s back sooner rather than later.
Robbie Ray – SP San Francisco Giants (elbow)
Robbie Ray threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Sacramento. Fastball was up to 95 mph. It's been smooth sailing in recovery from Tommy John, but it's likely going to be another 3-4 weeks before he's ready. pic.twitter.com/V4vr4Mc85X
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) June 23, 2024
Ray has been slowly ramping up toward a starter’s production rate, but he still has a long way to go. His 2.1 innings and 45 pitches represent the most work he’s done in a start through any of his four prior appearances. Through 9.1 innings of work, he has seventeen strikeouts.
Blake Snell – SP San Francisco Giants (back)
Blake Snell said he anticipates needing at least another rehab appearance. Said he’s been frustrated with his season.
“I want to be healthy and 100%. I haven't been. I've just been fighting to rush back.”
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) June 23, 2024
Snell was ineffective yesterday, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks in just under two innings of work. He did hit 95 mph yesterday, which was surprising to him. Still, both he and the Giants can’t be happy with this output.