Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Monday, August 5, 2024. In today’s edition, Freddie Freeman’s family can breathe a sigh of relief as their son took a major step forward with his recovery. Also, Mookie Betts has a potential ETA, Ky;e Tucker’s diagnosis remains a confusing mess, and both Jared Jones and Merrill Kelly will begin their respective rehab assignments early this week. That and so much more of this weekend’s injuries, in today’s Injury Repor from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Freddie Freeman – 1B Los Angeles Dodgers (personal)
Chelsea Freeman just shared an amazing update regarding the health of her and Freddie Freeman’s son, Maximus.
Such a strong and loving family 💙 pic.twitter.com/ub8Fn8IiMY
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) August 4, 2024
This is one of those times where it’s important to remember that baseball is just a game and that the players playing it are human beings with families. The Freeman family has been struggling with this illness for quite some time, but their son took a big step forward with his progression. They have a long road ahead of them, but for now, they can celebrate this achievement. As for the fantasy baseball element of it all, Freeman is expected to return to the Dodgers soon enough.
Mookie Betts – INF/OF Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts said #Dodgers are targeting Mookie Betts return to the lineup during their next road trip. Milwaukee-STL.
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 4, 2024
This is great news with the hope that Betts can return anytime after that road trip begins, which is August 12. It will be important to ensure that he doesn’t have any setbacks before then, but it’s been smooth sailing as of late for the superstar.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Team Update
Dave Roberts also said things are trending towards Mookie Betts returning at some point early in the next road trip. Tommy Edman and Max Muncy aren’t too far behind him in terms of timelines for return.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 3, 2024
Both Tommy Edman (wrist) and Max Muncy (oblique) have been trending in the right direction, and it’s fair to say that they have at least another week to go before they return. Both players will likely need rehab assignments that they haven’t begun (within the Dodgers’ organization).
Yoshinobu Yamamoto – SP Los Angeles Dodgers (triceps)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a 20-pitch bullpen session today, his first since going on the IL with his shoulder injury
Roberts said the team was “excited about his command and velocity”
He threw fastballs, curveballs and splitters
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) August 3, 2024
This was the biggest progression in quite a while for Yamamoto, as he was able to throw all of his pitches with crispness and efficiency. From the sounds of it, he will look to improve on his volume next time around, and from there could face live batters. It’s fair to assume that we could see him return before September, but a lot still has to happen before then.
Justin Verlander – SP Houston Astros (neck)
Justin Verlander was pleased after his 37-pitch live BP. He touched 94 mph and felt good. Verlander said he’ll need two rehab starts before coming back to the major-league rotation.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 4, 2024
Verlander seems all but ready to go out there and prove that he’s healthy. He’s had many bullpen sessions and the timing seems about right to put his body to the test.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros (shin)
When asked if Tucker could return in August, Espada said: "Would be great. But I'm not going to sit here and say that, you know, it's going to happen. It would be fantastic, but it's kind of day to day and see how he feels and how we build him up. It would be too aggressive for… https://t.co/LU3jdNc9lc
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 3, 2024
It’s to the point now where the Astros may not even know what’s going on with Tucker. The reports daily are that he’s doing things, but that they’re not being done as well as the team would like. He’s been at a standstill for quite some time and it’s hard to imagine anything changing. For now, the best option would be to assume that nothing has changed or will change and then be surprised by the outcome when it does. Any return before September seems like a bonus.
Jared Jones – SP Pittsburgh Pirates (lat)
Ben Cherington anticipates Jared Jones will begin a rehab assignment in Triple-A Indianapolis "soon." Said they will have more clarity on the exact schedule by the end of the day. Sounds like Jones will need multiple outings in Indy before returning to the Pirates.
— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) August 4, 2024
Jones has been trending in the right direction throughout his recovery, clearing hurdles within the projected timelines. From the sounds of it, he will need at least two rehab outings before returning, so he could be back on the Pirates’ mound in just over one week at the earliest.
Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks (shoulder)
BREAKING: Dbacks RHP Merrill Kelly is scheduled to appear in Hillsboro on a rehab assignment for Tuesday, Aug. 6th ‼️
Kelly is the 2021 @Dbacks Pitcher of the Year and just came off of a 3-1, 2.25 ERA postseason performance & World Series start!
TICKETS: https://t.co/qwLIrnNPb6 pic.twitter.com/Bx5nRVgJcr
— Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops) August 2, 2024
This should be the first of multiple rehab starts for Kelly, who last pitched in the middle of April. That said, there have been murmurs of this also being the only outing needed if he can reach four innings and 65 pitches, which is the plan.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins (undisclosed)
#MNTwins say Byron Buxton was removed entirely for precautionary reasons. He's been fully medically cleared.
Sounds like there was a decent chance he was going to be removed from the game around that point anyway because of the score.https://t.co/mQMXl5bHaL
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 4, 2024
The hope is that everything is going to be alright, but the belief is that his removal was precautionary. The team is adamant that he would have left the game because of the lopsided score, but the fact remains that he has an extensive injury history as well as it being on record that he’s played through injuries as well.
Carlos Correa – SS Minnesota Twins (foot)
Carlos Correa jogged and did fielding drills today and said his heel pain has improved a lot the past 2-3 days.
He said the injury has lingered longer than expected. Next step will be sprinting without pain, likely followed by a brief rehab assignment.
No official timeline yet.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 3, 2024
Correa last played on July 13 and we are about one week away from him being away for a full month. The hope is that he can return before the end of the month and help the Twins make a push for the American Lague Central title. That said, as this is a recurring injury, there is an added risk for setbacks to occur.
Ian Happ – OF Chicago Cubs (shoulder)
Cubs Ian Happ scratched from lineup due to sore shoulder after hitting outfield wall on Saturday .
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) August 4, 2024
Happ missed last night’s game due to shoulder soreness. There was no word on whether more time would be required, but with the team playing today, he may need to miss another game.
Riley Greene – OF Detroit Tigers (hamstring)
Greene being unable to run at full strength might be the final (and most important) obstacle there is for a Riley Greene return to happen.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres (elbow)
RHP Joe Musgrove (elbow) allows 2 runs in 3 1/3 IP with @Storm_Baseball.
Both runs scored in the fourth.
He struck out two, didn't walk a batter, hit one and allowed four hits.
Musgrove threw 35 of 43 pitches for strikes.
He'll join #Padres in PIT to determine next step. https://t.co/8GnsOn87S8
— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) August 5, 2024
There were some reports that his velocity was where it should be, averaging between 92 and 93 miles per hour, but also that it topped off at 95 miles per hour as well. This might just be enough for the Padres to allow him to throw for them at some point next weekend. Stay tuned.
Micahel King – SP San Diego Padres (calf)
Michael King will throw a bullpen today. So will Dylan Cease.
King expected to start in Pittsburgh.
Order TBD.
— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) August 4, 2024
The aforementioned series in Pittsburgh begins tomorrow evening and ends on Thursday afternoon.
Liam Hendriks – RP Boston Red Sox (elbow)
Liam Hendriks has been cleared to throw live BPs. He’s going to throw the first one Tuesday likely in Worcester. He’ll have three live BPs and if all goes well he could go on rehab assignment.
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) August 3, 2024
Hrndriks beginning his live BP this week is a big deal. If all goes well, he might be able to complete all three of these scheduled sessions by this time next week and then venture off on a rehab assignment.
Philadelphia Phillies – Team Update
Ranger Suarez is going to throw either tomorrow or Monday in LA. A return is Arizona is unlikely.
Taijuan Walker will make a second rehab start on Tuesday in Triple-A. There is a chance he rejoins the Phillies rotation on Sunday in Arizona, Rob Thomson said.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) August 4, 2024
Ranger Suarez (back) is eligible to return this Wednesday, but things have progressed slower than originally planned. While it’s not out of the question that he does return soon, chances are that he won’t. As for Taijuan Walker (finger), he will need a second rehab start after working only 2.2 innings in his first rehab start. There is no word on if that will be his final one.
Mason Miller – RP Oakland Athletics (hand)
Mason Miller played catch today without his cast and is set to throw live BP in a sim game on Monday.
Dany Jiménez threw a live BP today and will join Triple-A Las Vegas for a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) August 3, 2024
Today is a big day for Miller, who is looking to return sometime soon. It’s important to remember that his cast is on his non-throwing hand, which means he can keep his arm fresh while his mitten hand recovers.
Yandy Diaz – 1B Tampa Bay Rays (wrist)
Diaz was hit by a line drive clocked in at 109.8 miles per hour off the bat of Yordan Alvarez. Luckily, the x-rays were negative and he has seemingly avoided any serious injuries. Still, this is a pain tolerance sort of situation, so both he and the team won’t know his availability until tomorrow. Stay tuned.