MLB Injury Report – Huge Wheeler Update!

Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, March 24, 2026. In today’s edition, Jeremy Pena could be back sooner than expected, Zack Wheeler’s 30-day window is about to start, and the Yankees have some surprising news on the development of Anthony Volpe’s progression. Read about all of that and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.

MLB Injury Report

Jeremy Pena – SS Houston Astros

Jeremy Peña will play shortstop for the Astros in tomorrow’s exhibition, Joe Espada said postgame. https://t.co/R7uALjeQFb

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 24, 2026

Pena underwent some tests after a batting session, and the team has decided that he is cleared for in-game action later today. He has continued to show progress day-by-day, and there is a significant chance that he makes the Opening Day roster. Stay tuned.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Team Update

Dave Roberts put a rough timeline on Blake Snell and Tommy Edman’s returns to action today, saying the Dodgers are hoping to get both back sometime around the end of May

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 23, 2026

This indicates that Blake Snell’s shoulder must be more serious than originally reported. The best-case scenario for him and Tommy Edman is late May, and that’s assuming that there are no setbacks. While Snell has been throwing from a mound, Edman has yet to resume baseball activities. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both players hit the 60-Day Injured List later this week.

Seiya Suzuki – OF Chicago Cubs

Seiya Suzuki will start the season on the IL, and Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A, Craig Counsell announced today. pic.twitter.com/JTfCan9RQd

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 23, 2026

As expected, Suzuki will begin the season on the Injured List. Both he and the team don’t foresee this being an extended absence, but it’s quite possible that if they rush things, more damage could be done. The Cubs would be wise to take the patient route here.

Zack Wheeler – SP Philadelphia Phillies

Zack Wheeler will make a three-inning rehab appearance at Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Phillies will start the 30-day clock to return this weekend.

— Ty Daubert (@TyDaubert) March 23, 2026

Wheeler continues to blow the roof off of any limitations or restrictions he’s supposed to have here. His 30-day window starting this weekend is huge, meaning that he could be back by April 27. That would beat any projections we’ve seen throughout the offseason. That said, we still need to see him survive the rigors of a five-day schedule, throwing extended starts, and pitching without the ten pounds he lost. A late-April debut is not a foregone conclusion.

Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks

Merrill Kelly said he’ll eventually get a rehab start with AAA Reno before being eligible to come off the IL when Dbacks are in New York next month.

— José M. Romero (@RomeroJoseM) March 24, 2026

This news shouldn’t be too surprising, as Kelly missing the start of the season is because he’s run out of time to ramp himself up. Knowing this, he will likely need a handful of starts in order to be ready by later April….assuming all goes well.

Grayson Rodriguez – SP Los Angeles Angels

Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson will be the 4th and 5th starters for the Angels.

Grayson Rodriguez will start the year on the IL.

— Erica Weston (@EricaLWeston) March 22, 2026

An absolute bummer here, as Rodriguez’s season will begin on the Injured List due to dead arm. It’s unclear what the timeline involved here is, as this could be due to the fact that he hasn’t thrown any innings in quite some time, and he needs to get his body readjusted. Either way, the redemption story will have to wait.

Gavin Lux – 2B Tampa Bay Rays

#Rays news: 2B Gavin Lux is going on the IL due to right shoulder impingement, Richie Palacios will make the opening day roster.

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 23, 2026

The Rays have had their fair share of injuries to start the season, and Lux is one of those issues. He had been fighting to return healthy, battling back from early-camp shoulder problems, but his return-to-game action was too much. He has reaggravated his ailing shoulder and will need extra time to be ready to play.

Nick Lodolo – SP Cincinnati Reds

Still waiting on status of Reds’ LHP Nick Lodolo (blister). Is to play catch tomorrow. Francona says three options are: Stay on 3/28 schedule (longest shot), push him to back of rotation, or IL (and lose at least first 12 days of season).

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) March 23, 2026

If Lodolo is playing catch later on today, it must mean that the team caught the blister on time before it was able to pop. At least that’s what I’m thinking, but I’m not a doctor. That said, he’s throwing, and things must be better than they could be with a blister. If he does, in fact, go on the Injured List, then chances are that it won’t be for a long time.

Hunter Greene – SP Cincinnati Reds

The #Reds today selected the contract of IF Nathaniel Lowe from Triple-A Louisville and placed RHP Hunter Greene (right elbow surgery) on the 60-day injured list.

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 23, 2026

As expected. If he is somehow available, he is someone to stash on your team’s Injured List until his rumored return later this summer.

Anthony Volpe – SS New York Yankees

Aaron Boone said Anthony Volpe could start a rehab assignment around the second week of April. He’s gonna need what amounts to a full spring training. #Yankees

— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) March 22, 2026

Volpe wasn’t cleared for defensive drills last week, so this news is a bit of a surprise. It remains to be seen if this is a legitimate belief or if Aaron Boone is painting this rose the brightest shade of red that he can.

Quinn Priester – SP Milwaukee Brewers

Pat Murphy said Quinn Priester will throw a couple more bullpens and then head back to Arizona during the team's first road trip to start building back up.

If all goes well, they're targeting an early May return.

— Jack Stern (@ByJackStern) March 23, 2026

Again, I’m not a doctor, but for someone who had thoracic syndrome-like symptoms, a return this soon feels advantageous and bound for a setback. Too many red flags for me here.