Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Friday, September 6, 2024. In today’s edition, Kyle Tucker is hopeful to return today, but you never know with Houston. Also, some big updates happening in Cincinnati, as Hunter Greene, Matt McLain, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand all took big steps forward yesterday. Finally, Jacob deGrom will NOT pitch for the Rangers his next time out there, but this weekend could be his final rehab outing. There’s all of this and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros (shin)
Joe Espada said the hope is Kyle Tucker can be activated tomorrow. The Astros are gauging how Tucker recovers from his pregame work here the last few days.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) September 5, 2024
The hope here is that this ongoing saga will conclude with Tucker returning to the lineup today. Fantasy owners will likely collectively exhale a sigh of relief when that happens.
Cincinnati Reds – Team Update
Some Reds injury updates from David Bell.
Graham Ashcraft will throw off the mound on Sept 17. Live BP scheduled for early October.
Gibaut and Martini have rehab assignments scheduled.
Greene has bullpens today and Sunday.
McLain is pain free, will get back to baseball…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 5, 2024
Massive update here for many key Reds players. Graham Ashcraft (elbow) will hopefully be ready to throw in the next two weeks en route to an offseason of build-up. He is one of many Reds candidates to be headed for winter ball to hopefully ensure that he is ready for Opening Day. As for Hunter Greene (elbow), this is his first time throwing from the mound since his injury. A successful session here would go a long way to helping him return, though he still has other hurdles to clear. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) appears to be ready for a normal offseason after in-season surgery on his wrist. He is looking like a nice bounceback candidate for the 2025 season and continues to be a buy-low in dynasty formats. Finally, Matt McLain (ribs) will also resume baseball activities, though it’s unclear exactly what he needs to do to get back into games in 2024. He is also a bounceback candidate and a buy-low in all dynasty formats.
Jeimer Candelario – 3B Cincinnati Reds (toe)
Time is running out on Candelario being able to return and contribute in 2024.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins (hip)
Byron Buxton will not rejoin the Twins in Kansas City. He felt some more hip soreness before he was ejected on his rehab assignment Wednesday and will be reevaluated.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) September 5, 2024
Buxton was already on the Injured List despite a clean MRI. This recurring soreness is a bit worrisome in that he looked to be nearing the end of his rehab assignment. It’s unclear as to what the next steps are for him, but the hope is that he won’t have to start from scratch here and restart the process of regaining his health.
Max Kepler – OF Minnesota Twins (knee)
The Twins placed Max Kepler on the 10-day IL with a left patellar tendinitis. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was called up and he will make his MLB debut when he enters his first game.
Kody Funderburk was transferred to the 60-day IL to add Keirsey to the 40-man roster. https://t.co/te3Af2YiDl
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) September 5, 2024
Kepler has missed six of the last nine Twins games and will miss the next week or so with patellar tendinitis. It’s unclear if this will be a season-ending injury, but it’s serious enough to warrant missing time during a pennant race.
Reese Olson – SP Detroit Tigers (shoulder)
Reese Olson in his first rehab outing at Toledo:
2 IP
1 H
0 R
1 BB
1 K
39 pitches
24 strikes— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) September 5, 2024
This was Olson’s first time competing on the mound and he was able to throw 39 pitches. Additionally, his fastball averaged 94 miles per hour. The hope is that this can continue over at least two more rehab starts before returning to the Tigers to end the season. Time is running out on him, but there is a small window where he can return for three starts before the season ends.
Boston Red Sox – Team Update
Trevor Story 4 for 5 tonight for Worcester with Liam Hendriks throwing a scoreless frame.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) September 6, 2024
Liam Hendriks (elbow) has yet to give up an earned run over five innings pitched in his rehab assignment. While that’s a great sign, he has still allowed six base runners and struck out only three batters. He was supposed to pitch on back-to-back nights but has yet to do that. This weekend could be the time he returns and he will likely be used in low-leverage situations. As for Trevor Story (shoulder), he has six hits over four games played, though only one of them was for extra bases. He does look ready to return and would be a nice boost to an offense that is struggling.
Austin Hays – OF Philadelphia Phillies (kidney infection)
Prior to tonight’s game against the Miami Marlins, the Phillies placed OF Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list (retro to 9/2) with a kidney infection. To fill his spot on the 28-man roster, the club recalled OF Cal Stevenson from Lehigh Valley (AAA).
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 5, 2024
This is an unfortunate injury for Hays and the Phillies, as there is a chance that this could extend past the ten-day minimum and possibly into the playoffs. Look for updates in the future regarding severity and timelines.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers (elbow)
Jacob deGrom pitches for Frisco on Saturday; Max Scherzer pitches for Round Rock on the same day. Minor leaguers will eat well https://t.co/DLsBflI4JY
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) September 6, 2024
There were rumors that deGrom’s next outing would be for the Rangers, but those plans were quelled last week and finalized here. If all goes well tomorrow, deGrom could make his next start for Texas later next week. All in all, this is good news for those who have been waiting patiently.