Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, August 27, 2024. In today’s edition, Cole Ragans cramped up opening the door for some concerning trends. Also, the Rockies may be without two key offensive figures for a while in Brenton Doyle and Ezequiel Tovar, while the Pirates will welcome back a big part of their rotation in Jared Jones. That and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Cole Ragans – SP Kansas City Royals (cramps)
Matt Quatraro said Cole Ragans is “fine” after he cramped up in the fifth inning. Was about time to get him out of the game anyway after working as hard as he did. No concern at least health-wise about Ragans.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) August 26, 2024
Ragans was pulled during yesterday’s game in the fifth inning. It was clear that something was off, as he wasn’t hitting his spots as well as he’s used to. It turns out afterward that he was cramping, thus explaining his loss of command and control. While the situation was downplayed significantly yesterday, it is important to note that his velocity has been down as of late and he is likely exhausted from the strenuousness of the full season. He has more than doubled last season’s inning output, around 60 innings higher than his career-high from his time in the minor leagues. If the Royals make the playoffs, he will be needed for their success.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins (hip)
Rocco said that Byron Buxton is "getting closer" to a rehab assignment but "not there yet." Doesn't expect it to be a long rehab assignment, but yes, the expectation is they'll send Buxton on one.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 26, 2024
Thus goes the way of Byron Buxton in any given season. Even though his MRI came back clean with no concerns, he will seemingly miss approximately three weeks of action with a trip to the Injured List and a rehab assignment, which has yet to be announced. It is always a frustrating venture when rostering the talented, yet fragile, star.
Colorado Rockies – Team Update
#Rockies Bud Black said Brenton Doyle may need another day or two off after being a late scratch on Monday.
Ezequiel Tovar, who was also given the day off, is battling through a sports hernia, but is likely to play on Tuesday.
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) August 27, 2024
Both injuries here to Brenton Doyle (foot) and Ezequiel Tovar (sports hernia) came seemingly out of nowhere. It’s unfortunate timing for both as the Rockies just began a four-game series at home and a home stretch that will last a while. There is a chance that one or both could make their way onto the Injured List as well, though that might be getting ahead of ourselves at this point.
Ryan Mountcastle – 1B Baltimore Orioles (wrist)
The Orioles have placed Ryan Mountcastle on the 10-day IL with a sprained left wrist. Retroactive to Aug. 23, meaning the earliest he can return is Sept. 2.
Livan Soto has been recalled from Triple-A.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) August 26, 2024
Mountcastle had been receiving treatment with the team ever since he injured himself late last week. However, nothing that was done was seemingly enough, and thus a trip to the Injured List was warranted. It’s unclear if ten days will be enough, and the Orioles are now officially in panic mode with all of their injuries.
Devin Williams – RP Milwaukee Brewers (shoulder)
"He got up this morning and his left shoulder, he didn't feel right."
Pat Murphy talks Devin Williams injury. #ThisIsMyCrew #Brewers pic.twitter.com/35il61whHU
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) August 25, 2024
The only good news here is that he felt the shoulder injury on his non-throwing shoulder and thus, the worry here is lessened. It remains to be seen if there are any ramifications of this ailment going forward, or if he can just shake it off with a few days of rest before going back on the mound. That being said, if it does linger, the team may opt to put him back on the Injured List to help prepare for the playoffs. They have a big lead in the division, they can afford to take precautions like this.
Luis Gil – SP New York Yankees (back)
Luis Gil threw a bullpen yesterday. Yankees are deciding whether to go live BP or rehab game next. Boone said it’s possible it could just be the minimum stay on 15-day IL.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) August 26, 2024
The good news here is that Gil is not just throwing, but that the team may skip the entire process of tossing a live bullpen session. He may be a candidate to return after a minimum stay on the Injured List. Both he and Clarke Schmidt may return around the same time, prompting the Yankees to determine both hurler’s roles going forward.
Willson Contreras – C St. Louis Cardinals (finger)
Willson Contreras will not require surgery on his broken finger, Oli Marmol said tonight. He’ll be no impact for three weeks. Cardinals have five weeks left in the season. Door to a return is open, for now.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) August 27, 2024
Although surgery is off the table, this being a season-ending injury is still in play with just over one month to go.
Jacob Wilson – SS Oakland Athletics (hamstring)
Great news here, as Wilson is on the verge of returning. Since beginning his rehab assignment, Wilson is batting .391 over 23 at-bats and has four multi-hit games. He looks primed and ready to continue his Major League career soon and show the A’s what they have to look forward to for years to come.
Xavier Edwards – INF Miami Marlins (back)
Today's roster update presented by: @UMiamiHealth pic.twitter.com/AheXd3gGHX
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 26, 2024
The most disappointing part of this injury is the fact that he will miss a four-game series in Colorado, where his amazing contact skills would have flourished. That said, the team rightfully decided to not take any chances here and give him time off to rest since he has a chance to be something special for the Marlins.
Jared Jones – SP Pittsburgh Pirates (lat)
Big week ahead at PNC Park 👀 pic.twitter.com/AzHMc4dk3L
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 26, 2024
Be prepared.
Joey Bart – C Pittsburgh Pirates (hamstring)
GM Ben Cherington said the hope is that Joey Bart’s left hamstring injury is “minor”
Doesn’t sound like it’s season-ending
— Andrew Destin (@AndrewDestin1) August 26, 2024
The catcher position in Pittsburgh will be one of the biggest off-season decisions within the franchise. Both Bart and Henry Davis will likely be vying for a chance to play there. While there is a chance that Bart keeps the job and Davis plays the outfield, the team will want to take a good look at their options here, especially in the next little while. The good news is that it would appear that Bart will play again this season, but in the meantime, Davis needs to prove that he’s capable of keeping a roster spot.
Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B Pittsburgh Pirates (back)
This is good news for Hayes and in fantasy, as a healthy Hayes produces and elevates the ball. We may get to see that one more time before the season ends. That being said, in the past, his time on the Injrued List was usually a very quiet one with very little progress reported. His offseason will be interesting, as this is a chronically reoccurring injury that rest doesn’t necessarily fix. One has to wonder if surgery will be an option.