Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Monday, August 25, 2025. In today’s report, Zack Wheeler will undergo season-ending surgery, Jacob Lopez could have a serious injury, and Randy Rodriguez might miss some time. However, there’s a ton of good news here regarding the potential returns of some big named wrestlers. Read about this and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Zack Wheeler – SP Philadelphia Phillies
Zack Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.
Timeline is 6-8 months. His season is over. pic.twitter.com/Y9jxZDfacK
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) August 23, 2025
The biggest news of the weekend was also the least surprising, given the developments that have been ongoing over the last little while. Wheeler will undergo thoracic outlet syndrome, which is one of the worst possible diagnoses for a pitcher. This type of injury, despite its six-to-eight-month timeframe for recovery, can be a career-altering injury that requires a ton of recovery.
Jackson Merrill – OF San Diego Padres
We have placed OF Jackson Merrill on the 10-day IL (retro to 8/20) with a left ankle sprain. A corresponding move will be made tomorrow.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 23, 2025
Merrill’s ankle had been healing somewhat throughout the week, but not as well as the team and he would have liked it to. Hence, the decision was made for him to take an extended time off to let it heal with rest and on a slower pace. It’s unclear if he will need more time in the month of September, as the retroactive date here allows for him to be back soon. Stay tuned.
Marcus Semien – 2B Texas Rangers
Marcus Semien will be out 4-6 weeks with a fractured third metatarsal and a Lisfranc sprain. That effectively puts the rest of this season in jeopardy.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) August 24, 2025
It would appear that this would cause Semien to miss the rest of the season, unfortunately. Ezequiel Duran should get a prolonged look at second base in the meantime.
Oneil Cruz – OF Pittsburgh Pirates
Pirates CF Oneil Cruz is nearing a return from injury after recently starting his rehab assignmenthttps://t.co/QWYFgZQDq9
— Pirates On SI (@PiratesOnSI) August 24, 2025
The article in question here states that the Pirates expect Cruz to fly to St. Louis today and be checked out by the team. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should be activated today or tomorrow, as the team bleieves that he is very close to a return.
Brandon Nimmo – OF New York Mets
Brandon Nimmo is available off the bench today for the Mets and there is a "good chance" that he returns to the lineup tomorrow against the Phillies https://t.co/MtpaFlPzti pic.twitter.com/lz7xaJviIu
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 24, 2025
Nimmo did make an appearance late in the game, and while he did go hitless in that at-bat, it would appear that he’s poised to return today, as speculated.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers
Jacob deGrom will start the Rangers’ series opener against the Angels tomorrow, per Bruce Bochy
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) August 24, 2025
This will hopefully alleviate any fears from fantasy baseball managers regarding deGrom’s time away and being potentially injured. Should he perform well here, all fears can be put to rest.
Yordan Alvarez – OF Houston Astros
If Yordan Alvarez comes out of his rehab game today feeling good, there is a “strong possibility” he would rejoin the Astros on their upcoming homestand that opens Tuesday, Joe Espada said.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) August 24, 2025
Potentially fantastic news, as Alvarez has apparently felt good while rehabbing. Fingers crossed that his health continues to skyrocket and that he can return soon.
Jacob Lopez – SP The Athletics
Jacob Lopez was feeling some left forearm tightness, per Kotsay. He’ll be evaluated further tomorrow, but obviously some concern about a long-term injury.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) August 24, 2025
This is potentially disastrous news for Lopez, who was obliterated today in his shortest outing since May. We should find out more regarding this situation in the coming days, but with the Athletics playing for next year, and with Lopez almost at 100 innings pitched, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was his final outing for quite a while, even if things don’t take an incredibly negative turn here.
Randy Rodriguez – RP San Francisco Giants
Randy Rodriguez had some arm soreness after Friday’s outing which is why he didn’t pitch the ninth, Melvin says.
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) August 24, 2025
Interesting development here in San Francisco, as it remains to be seen if Rodriguez will need time on the Injured List. Ryan Walker could present some value here late in the season after all.
Michael King – SP San Diego Padres
Sim game Sunday for Michael King pic.twitter.com/gWKaawl2G5
— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) August 24, 2025
King threw this three-inning sim game on Sunday, and apparently, things went well. Should he feel great in the coming days, he will either need a rehab start, or he could be sent back to the Padres to make a start for them. Great news, regardless of what’s next, as King appears poised to be back for the final month of the season and (possibly) the playoffs.
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