Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Monday, July 1, 2024. In today’s edition, we look back on the weekend that was, with updates on Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Mike Trout, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and many more.
MLB Injury Report for Monday, July 1, 2024.
Corey Seager – SS Texas Rangers (wrist)
Here's Corey Seager column from last night. I tweet this again because it references that just because X-ray showed no fracture, didn't mean he's out of woods. He will have an MRI tomorrow. https://t.co/UBVTTpoev6
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) June 30, 2024
The good news on Seager is that the initial X-rays did not show a break or a fracture. The bad news is that an MRI can do a more detailed and in-depth look at his wrist and potentially detect something smaller, including a hairline fracture. Seager’s wrist was still quite sore a day later, so there could be something there. Either way, we should know more hopefully today or tomorrow.
Josh Jung – 3B Texas Rangers (wrist)
Texas Rangers 3B Josh Jung’s return in holding pattern, will be re-evaluated by specialist.
This will be up to the Rangers to start winning games So Jung can heal the right way.💎 from @Evan_P_Grant of the DMNhttps://t.co/1ZrWWZGdtl pic.twitter.com/ofoeS32qB7
— DFW Sports Rapz (@DruskiSelfMade) June 29, 2024
The news came a day after it was decided that the team would not test out his wrist due to constant inflammation. Jung’s planned batting practice was delayed twice because the swelling in his wrist would not subside. As such, the team wanted to play it safe and get a better feel as to why this was happening. We should know more about a plan going forward soon enough.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B Toronto Blue Jays (hand)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said the third and pinky fingers on his right hand were still quite sore after getting hit by this 96.9 mph Gerrit Cole heater, but put his chances at playing Monday at "90 per cent yes."
X-Rays were negative, he hopes there won't be swelling overnight. pic.twitter.com/dfoA5raJR5
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) June 30, 2024
The feelings were very optimistic that Guerrero would be able to play in today’s game, but we will have to see how he feels the next day. The negative X-ray results indicate no breakage or fracture, which is good. Once he arrives at the ballpark, we should get a better picture of where he is going forward. It is fair to expect him to miss a game or two, but he’s been quite durable over his career.
Jordan Romano – RP Toronto Blue Jays (elbow)
Jordan Romano has been shut down after experiencing elbow discomfort while throwing yesterday per manager John Schneider. Romano will visit Dr. Meister with next steps determined from there.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) June 29, 2024
This has a very ominous tone to it. Romano has had two injections in his elbow this season and has been able to throw just 13.2 innings of work. There is a significant chance that he gets shut down for the rest of the season here, and fantasy owners would be wise to start looking for a suitable replacement in their bullpens.
Tommy Edman – 2B/SS/OF St. Louis Cardinals (wrist)
Marmol said this morning that Tommy Edman took grounders yesterday without incident and that his ankle isn’t much of an issue. Assuming all goes well with his work today, they’ll be planning for a rehab assignment to either Memphis or Springfield next week.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) June 29, 2024
This is good news, as the worry was that a setback with a different body part would put a significant dent in his potential debut date. Now it appears that he is all but ready for his rehab assignment for his wrist.
Ivan Herrera – C St. Louis Cardinals (back)
Ivan Herrera took swings in the last couple days, and he said he planned to catch a bullpen session. Could progress to batting practice in coming days. How he responds/recovers from activity will likely determine when he might go on a rehab assignment.
— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) June 29, 2024
The good news here is that Herrera continues to progress, leading one to believe that he will be fully healthy soon enough. The bad news is that there is no guarantee that he will return to the Cardinals now that Contreras is back. The team may opt for him to be optioned so that he can continue to get consistent playing time.
Justin Verlander – SP Houston Astros (neck)
Astros GM Dana Brown told @SportsTalk790 that Justin Verlander has resumed played catch. Said he "felt good." Verlander threw from 60 feet, Brown said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 30, 2024
Verlander was shut down last week with neck pains but has since resumed throwing. He is eligible to return this week, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case. Either way, it’s a good sign for his development here.
Seattle Mariners – Team Update
Servais said xrays on Garver's wrist were negative, they will see how it is after the off day. No word on Raley but he was walking gingerly in the clubhouse. Got hit on the top of the left foot.
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) June 30, 2024
It’s good news here on Mitch Garver (wrist) who was in considerable pain after getting hit by a pitch yesterday. The team has a day off so they’ll be able to reevaluate then. As for Luke Raley (foot), there was no word as to how serious this injury really was. Stay tuned.
San Francisco Giants – Team Update
Kyle Harrison is feeling good, will throw one more bullpen session and then return to rotation on upcoming road trip. Blake Snell isn’t quite ready, will pitch for River Cats on Wednesday and then return to rotation the next homestand.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) June 29, 2024
It would appear that both Kyle Harrison (ankle) and Blake Snell (groin) will rejoin the Giants by this time next week. While anything can happen, fantasy owners should be prepared to activate both of them.
Taylor Ward – OF Los Angeles Angels (head)
Yikes, Taylor Ward gets hit right in the batting helmet by a 93-mph fastball from Detroit's Shelby Miller in the 9th inning. Ward looked like he was saying he's fine, but the Angels are rightly taking him out of the game to check.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) June 30, 2024
This is a potentially serious injury here. Ward was hit in the head last season and missed the remainder of the season. While this doesn’t appear to be as ominous, it’s still a scary situation given his past.
Mike Trout – OF Los Angeles Angels (knee)
Mike Trout said he's basically pain free, aside from occasional soreness.
He has not started running yet, and said he has no timetable to start running or return from the IL.
That said, he said he would be back by the end of July. And it sounded like it'll be quicker than that.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) June 29, 2024
This news came out of the blue and, while it’s great to see, it’s also considerably advantageous as well. There’s a lot that goes into deciding to clear him, including the team’s position, his ability to sustain activity, his injury history, and more. Regardless of all of that, it does appear that he will return this season and that there may be plenty of time to accumulate some numbers before the season’s end.
David Bednar – RP Pittsburgh Pirates (oblique)
GMBC on his weekly 93.7. The Fan radio show said the team hopes to get Ryan Borucki back “relatively soon”
Both David Bednar and Hunter Stratton making progress as well, per Cherington
— Andrew Destin (@AndrewDestin1) June 30, 2024
This is a very vague update for Bednar, but at least it’s something. Obliques are tricky and are typically a slow injury from which to recover. It’s fair to expect him to miss all of July.
Chicago Cubs – Team Update
#Cubs updates:
– Ben Brown throwing a bullpen today
– Mark Leiter Jr. began throwing yesterday, will throw again today.
– Caleb Kilian threw 36 pitches in a sim game yesterday.
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) June 29, 2024
Ben Brown (neck) throwing a bullpen is his first activity on a mound since his injury. How his body responds to this will determine his next steps. As for Mark Leieter Jr. (forearm), he will be ramping up his workload in an attempt to return soon enough. He is eligible to return on July 9, but that date is fluid.