Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Thursday, August 15, 2024. In today’s report, Julio Rodriguez, Ronel Blanco, and Jorge Soler all had to leave their respective games early yesterday. Additionally, there was a lot of news on the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox. All of that and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Julio Rodriguez – OF Seattle Mariners (high ankle sprain)
Julio Rodríguez’s early departure was indeed related to right ankle, Scott Servais just said, specifically due to scar tissue in the area. But he and the Mariners don’t think it’s serious.
“All good,” Rodríguez just said in passing, preferring not to speak further.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) August 15, 2024
Rodriguez appeared to be in a lot of pain in his final at-bat, struggling to get enough wood on it for a check-swing single. He was immediately lifted for a pinch-runner, with word coming that he had re-aggravated his ankle. From this report, it is somewhat encouraging that it was because of scar tissue around the area in question. That said, he did return to the lineup relatively quickly, and there is an outside shot of him needing some time off to ensure that he is well. We should know more today as the team finishes their Detroit series. It remains to be seen if he will be in the lineup.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros (shin)
With regard to Kyle Tucker….. pic.twitter.com/VxUEwr9qeB
— Dave L Funnell (@sportz_nutt51) August 14, 2024
Yes, I am quoting myself here, but it felt like an important conversation to quote. The update on Tucker yesterday was filled with him being able to do a few more activities, some strenuous. However, I did ask Brian a question about when he would begin a rehab assignment, and he replied by informing me that it would be when he could start running the bases, which may not be for a while. A reminder that today is August 15 and that there are less than 50 days left in the regular season.
Texas Rangers – Team Update
Bruce Bochy on assorted injuries:
– Eovaldi: Threw a bullpen today, "feels good" and is set to start on Saturday.
– Scherzer: Had a "nerve injection" and is feeling "really good."
– Latz: Will throw bullpen tomorrow.
– Gray: Threw a bullpen today.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) August 14, 2024
Big update here from Texas. First, it’s good news on Nathan Eovaldi (oblique) as he will get the nod on Saturday and return to the Rangers’ rotation, avoiding a trip to the Injured List. As for Max Scherzer (shoulder fatigue), his injection could signal a chance for him to return at some point before the end of the season. He will likely need some time for the medicine to settle in and do its thing, though how long that takes will help define if he will require a rehab assignment or not. Finally, Jon Gray (groin) threw for the first time since being placed on the Injured List almost one month ago. He will need to rebuild his arm before returning to the team’s rotation.
Boston Red Sox – Team Update
Injury updates from Aoex Cora:
– Liam Hendriks could start a rehab assignment this weekend
– Nick Pivetta is set to start Thursday in Baltimore
– Tyler O’Neill probably won’t play in Baltimore
– “as of now, no” on Triston Casas joining the Red Sox tomorrow
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) August 14, 2024
A lot to unpack here. Firstly, Liam Hendriks (elbow) beginning a rehab assignment this weekend could signify a return to the team by Labor Day, though that is under the belief that he will need up to two weeks to get himself right for in-game action. Predicting bullpen rehab assignment length is tricky because while they don’t need to build up arm strength, they do need to get into a rhythm. Meanwhile, Nick Pivetta (rest) looks ready to return to the mound today for the first time since August 4. The hope is that he can return to his effective ways, and if he doesn’t, perhaps there’s an underlying injury there. Also, Tyler O’Neill still needs time to build his body back up to game-playing form. It sounds like this was a major lower-leg infection that hit him hard. Finally, Triston Casas (internal) will miss the start of their series at Baltimore, but he is still expected to rejoin the team any day now.
A.J. Minter – RP Atlanta Braves (hip)
A.J. Minter saw the specialist. He needs surgery on his hip. The Braves won’t know the severity until Minter is operated on, Brian Snitker said. The manager couldn’t say for sure whether Minter would miss the rest of the year.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 14, 2024
Just another injury-laden hurdle for the Braves to clear this season, as Minter’s departure from the bullpen is a big deal. While he may in fact return before the end of the season, he may not be around long enough to return any fantasy dividends.
Jorge Sole – OF Atlanta Braves (hamstring)
Jorge Soler won’t play tomorrow. Brian Snitker didn’t sound too concerned, though.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 15, 2024
Soler was removed in what was called a precautionary exit, though his not playing today doesn’t sound overly promising. He will also have an MRI today to ensure that everything will be okay going forward. Stay tuned.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins (hip)
Rocco Baldelli didn't rule out a potential IL stint for Byron Buxton, who left Monday's game with right hip discomfort: "There was some good news on the MRI actually. Symptomatically, though, I'd say he could feel better."
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 14, 2024
This is a bit confusing, as Buxton’s MRI came back clean with no internal damage having been done. Yet still, here he is, sore enough to potentially need ten days off to recover. It’s hard to imagine that he has an injury so significant that he is sore and cannot play, but also be so insignificant that it doesn’t show up on an MRI, yet here we are.
Ronel Blanco – SP Houston Astros (finger)
Ronel Blanco’s index finger was sore after the comebacker grazed him. Joe Espada pulled him then. X-rays were negative.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) August 15, 2024
The good news is that the X-rays came back negative, so he seems to have avoided anything overly serious. Still, it is a painful thing to take a comebacker like he did, so he will need some time for the pain to dissipate.