Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Thursday, September 12, 2024. In today’s edition, Jose Altuve may miss some time with an injury to his side, the Diamondbacks vow that Merrill Kelly will be okay, and Bo Bichette begins his long-awaited rehab assignment. All of that and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Jose Altuve – 2B Houston Astros (side)
Jose Altuve said he "felt a little something" in his side on the swing. He said it is not comparable to his oblique issues last year. "I’m not really worried. Maybe I just wake up tomorrow and I’m good to go … Sometimes you have to wait until the next day and see how you feel."
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) September 12, 2024
After swinging on a pitch and feeling something in his side, Altuve left last night’s game early. The good news is that he and manager Joe Espada both think this is a minor setback and that he can return shortly. That being said, we have seen many instances where players say they feel great and then the next day they are headed for the Injured List. It is worth noting that if it is an oblique injury, it could cost him the remainder of the season as those injury types typically take multiple weeks to heal. Stay tuned.
Chas McCormick – OF Houston Astros (hand)
Chas McCormick has a fracture in his right hand and is going on the IL, Joe Espada said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 12, 2024
McCormick injured his hand after crashing into the wall during Tuesday’s game. He will head to the Injured List without a timetable for a return which is an indication that the rest of the season is in serious jeopardy here. We should know more when the team officially places him on the Injured List.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros (shin)
Joe Espada said Kyle Tucker will DH tomorrow afternoon and then play the outfield in Anaheim this weekend
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) September 11, 2024
Tucker’s final hurdle looks to be on the precipice of being cleared this weekend, as he will play in the outfield. It’s a long time coming but good to see nonetheless.
Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks (cramps)
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo with an update on starter Merrill Kelly, who was removed in the fifth inning against the Rangers on Wednesday due to "cramping." pic.twitter.com/Mm5HWN6S92
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 11, 2024
There was concern early on that Kelly’s removal was something more serious than this. Ultimately, both Kelly and Lovullo believe that he will make his next start because the team caught it at the right time.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins (hip)
Big news: Byron Buxton will be active on Friday, coming off the IL to rejoin the Twins’ lineup.
Austin Martin optioned in the corresponding move.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 12, 2024
Be prepared.
Justin Steele – SP Chicago Cubs (elbow)
Justin Steele (left elbow tendinitis) threw a bullpen today and will have another ‘pen this weekend in Denver.
Counsell: “This is a true day-to-day thing and so we had a really good day today. This is like five days of straight good news, which is encouraging.”
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) September 12, 2024
Manager Craig Counsell claims that this is truly a day-to-day thing here and that he is encouraged by where they are at with Steele. With the team five games back of the last Wild Card spot and another team in their way, the Cubs have a very small chance of advancing here, and would be wise to keep that in mind and not push things. By doing so, they risk losing a very big piece of their 2025 rotation here. That being said, he will continue to move through various stages of build and the post-bullpen news will be telling if he will play again this season.
Bo Bichette – SS Toronto Blue Jays (calf)
Bo Bichette finishes his first rehab game 1-for-3 with a single to left and two ground balls to second — the last of which came at 100.9 mph. He saw 13 pitches, took five swings and didn't swing and miss. https://t.co/q0erDqnGvO
— Zach Worden (@Worden_Zach) September 11, 2024
This game was more about getting Bichette back on the field and working through a long-standing injury. The hard-hit ball is encouraging, as is the fact that he didn’t miss any swings that he took. He will likely need at least another week’s worth of games without any setbacks before returning to the Jays.
Braxton Garrett – SP Miami Marlins (forearm)
Braxton Garrett's 2nd minor league rehab start:
3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K (59 pitches/33 strikes)
Still on track to rejoin the Marlins before the season ends. pic.twitter.com/nzZGekmfPB
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) September 11, 2024
Garrett has thrown two almost identical starts in his rehab and has built his way up to 59 pitches. As stated, he is on track to rejoin the Marlins at some point and could be in line for three starts before the end of the season.
Heston Kjerstad – OF Baltimore Orioles (concussion)
Heston Kjerstad’s four plate appearances last night with AA Bowie:
101 mph lineout to left
96 mph flyout to deep right-center
HBP
opposite-field RBI doubleO’s outfielder is settling in well to the second leg of his Major League Rehab Assignment #Birdland
— Andre Magaro (@andre_magaro) September 11, 2024
Overall, since beginning his rehab assignment over the weekend, Kjerstad is 5-for-13 with just one strikeout. He’s hitting the ball hard and could be the life at the plate that the Orioles need down the stretch. He looks ready to return within the next week.
Trevor Williams – SP Washington Nationals (elbow)
Williams also threw a 59-pitch bullpen session the day before this outing. He is on track to be an option for the Nationals down the stretch, though he will likely be concerned with proving that he is healthy toward an offseason where he is a free agent.