Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, September 18, 2024. In today’s edition, the Orioles will seemingly get some much-needed reinforcements headed their way in the near future. It looks like Grayson Rodriguez might be back soon as a reliever, while Jordan Westburg could return after the weekend. Additionally, outside of Baltimore, Hunter Greene looks to be returning soon, while the Guardians lost a key piece in Kwan for the next little while. This and so much more are in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Steven Kwan – OF Cleveland Guardians (back)
The Guardians have called up Myles Straw.
Steven Kwan is going on the 10-day IL. Carlos Carrasco has been designated for assignment.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) September 17, 2024
This move may cost Kwan the rest of the season, though he is eligible to return before the team plays in Game 162. Still, it’s a big blow to a team trying to win the AL Central. That being said,m their biggest focus right now should be to get him healthy for the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Rays – Team Update
Significant Rays injury updates:
– Pete Fairbanks is improving but not making the progress that he's going to need to get back this year. But will be ready for February.
– Richie Palacios is starting a rehab assignment tonight in Durham. Likely back on the next roadtrip.
-…
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) September 17, 2024
Both Pete Fairbanks (lat) and Jeffrey Springs (elbow) will likely have normal offseasons and be ready to make an impact in 2025. It’s amazing how competitive this team has been despite being decimated by injuries this year, specifically on the mound.
Hunter Greene – SP Cincinnati Reds (elbow)
Greene threw three simulated “innings” of 20, 20 and 10 pitches. Said he felt great. https://t.co/xC5J1vtTTl
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) September 17, 2024
The rumored plan is for Greene to be ready to pitch for the Reds this Sunday, though nothing has been officially put in place just yet. That said, he seems close to returning regardless of when he pitches again.
Grayson Rodriguez – SP Baltimore Orioles (lat)
Mike Elias just addressed the media to provide injury updates:
Grayson Rodriguez is “moving in the right direction” but “time is not our friend.”
Elias left open the possibility of Rodriguez temporarily pitching out of the bullpen when he returns.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) September 17, 2024
Rodriguez coming back as a reliever would give him not only the innings needed to get back into form for the postseason, but it would also mean that he can return without a normal starter’s ramp-up. It’s a novel idea to get back arguably their best pitcher, though it remains to be seen if and how it will impact him when games matter most.
Baltimore Orioles – Team Update
Also from Elias:
• Ryan Mountcastle expected to go out on a rehab assignment this week, hoping returns by end of reg season.
• Jordan Westburg taking BP on field today and is “getting really close to returning by end of reg season.
• Ramón Urías on similar timeline as them https://t.co/oF2H6kQ5i8— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) September 17, 2024
Big update here on some key pieces to the team’s success. Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) is about to start a rehab assignment, intending to be ready to play before the season’s end. His contributions should be considered minimal at best, and his return is based more on what he can do for them in the playoffs. As for Jordan Westburg (hand), he took BP today and is further along than Mountcastle as mentioned earlier. He will likely be back early next week after he gets some at-bats with Triple-A Norfolk before their season ends this weekend. Finally, Ramon Urias (ankle) looks to be returning too. Overall, the Orioles should have their reinforcements ready for the playoffs.
Justin Steele – SP Chicago Cubs (elbow)
Justin Steele will start for the Cubs tomorrow, per manager Craig Counsell.
— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) September 17, 2024
Be prepared.
Daulton Varsho – OF Toronto Blue Jays (shoulder)
Daulton Varsho (IL- right shoulder) saw Dr. Keith Meister here in Texas yesterday. Varsho told me he's going to have surgery as soon as he can in order to be ready for spring training 2025.
"There's a rotator cuff issue at the front of my shoulder that's been bugging me."
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) September 17, 2024
This is not a minor surgery, as evidenced by the urgency of having the procedure done to be ready for the season. The hope here is that all goes well soon, but his progress this offseason will be one to monitor.
Nick Lodolo – SP Cincinnati Reds (finger)
Nick Lodolo has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season.#Reds pic.twitter.com/THGbw2fOOx
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) September 17, 2024
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lodolo should still have a normal offseason in which to recover and prepare for a bounce-back season in 2025.
Tony Gonsolin – SP Los Angeles Dodgers (elbow)
Tony Gonsolin will throw another outing with OKC (four innings), but could be an option for the Dodgers after that, Dave Roberts said. Whether that’s starting or relieving is TBD. Not a guarantee he’s a postseason option, but they’re keeping the door open.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 17, 2024
Given how banged up and thin the pitching is for the Dodgers, there is a significant chance that he pitches some important innings for them down the stretch. Whether that be as a starter or reliever, and whether that be in the postseason remains to be seen, but his arm will be needed at some point in the future.
Luis Garcia Jr. – 2B Washington Nationals (wrist)
Luis García Jr said his right wrist was bothering him after his last swing. Dave Martinez took him out as a precaution.
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) September 18, 2024
Garcia has had a breakout season for the Nationals, so any and all precautions should be taken here.
Colt Keith – INF Detroit Tigers (shoulder)
Colt Keith hurt his right shoulder on a diving attempt. Stayed in the game for an extra inning and a half, he said. Didn’t feel he could throw at full strength and took himself out.
He will get more testing, but Tigers are hopeful he will be OK
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) September 18, 2024
The Tigers are just 1.5 games behind the Twins for the final Wild Card spot after winning three in a row against the Royals. Keith will need to be ready for any and all challenges going forward in the home stretch. There will surely be details to follow on this throughout the day.