MLB Injury Report – Rooker on the Shelf

Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Friday, July 3, 2026. In today’s edition, the Royals did not have a good day, as it was revealed that Cole Ragans had their worst-case scenario happen, Salvador Perez continues to battle through injuries, and Kris Bubic needed an injection to help mitigate the pain. You can read about all of this and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.

More great Fantasy Baseball Analysis: Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire | Weekly SP Rankings | Pitching Streamers | Two-Start Pitchers | Lineup Analysis | MLB Injury Report | Rookie Report | Advanced Stats | Under the Radar | Overvalued & Undervalued | Bullpen Report

MLB Injury Report

Cole Ragans – SP Kansas City Royals

Cole Ragans underwent a UCL repair on his left elbow yesterday. That was what the #Royals had feared but ultimately expected, and now they’re looking at getting Ragans back midseason next year.

— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) July 2, 2026

This was always the worst-case scenario, as Ragans needed a complete UCL repair on his elbow. As such, his timeline for a return will be at least twelve months, with that being on the quick side of a recovery. The condition of the elbow helps explain the multiple setbacks that he endured since being injured, and, unfortunately, the team had to wait this long to get things right. It’s been announced that Ragans will address this situation with the media tomorrow. He is an obvious drop in redraft leagues, but at age-28, he’s not necessarily one in dynasty leagues.

Salvador Perez – C Kansas City Royals

#Royals are making another roster move pregame:

C Luke Maile selected from Triple-A
OF John Rave optioned to Triple-A

Salvador Perez is dealing with a sore left elbow.

40-man move will have to be made for Maile.

— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) July 2, 2026

Perez hasn’t looked like his old self at all, as his aging body might be giving way here to the end of the road. He’s still one of the best catchers and framers in baseball, but at the plate he’s battled through a hip issue and now an elbow issue. Chances are his best days are in the past, and for fantasy purposes, there are better options.

Kris Bubic – SP Kansas City Royals

Regarding Kris Bubic's shoulder setback… he received a cortisone injection today and will be shut down for the next 7-10 days. Timeline still TBD, they'll have to see how he feels when he starts ramping up again. #Royals https://t.co/MKsmZF3qGV

— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) July 2, 2026

This feels ominous. Not going to lie, Bubic is not in a good place here. Elbow problems. Shoulder problems. Setbacks, even with a smaller ramp up. Redraft managers need to find someone else. Dynasty managers might still be able to buy low for next year, though, we may find out he needs a major surgery here.

Munetaka Murakami – 3B Chicago White Sox

Murakami will go on a Minor League rehab before he returns per Venable. No timetable set yet.

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 2, 2026

Murakami has come a long way in recent days. After hitting batting practice late last week, he had also started running at about 80% capacity. As such, he was viewed as a day-to-day case, but it was revealed yesterday that he will, in fact, need a rehab assignment before returning. All of that makes sense, given the fact that he missed all of June with this injury. That said, this may not be an extensive one once he starts, as he has been doing quite well, as mentioned.

Jorge Polanco – DH New York Mets

Jorge Polanco hit a solo home run in the first inning tonight for Triple-A Syracuse pic.twitter.com/hXR3TNkl5M

— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) July 2, 2026

Polanco began his second rehab assignment last Saturday, after suffering from ankle soreness the first time around. Since then, he has struggled at the plate, with this being his first hit in his second go-around. Whether or not this gets him going, he will need to work on his timing at the plate if he wants any sustained success when he is back with the Mets. Be warned, though, it has been made known that he will need to work through and play through the pain, even when he’s ready to return, and that he will be the team’s primary designated hitter when activated.

Seattle Mariners – Team Update

Julio Rodríguez was indeed going through concussion protocols after exiting tonight’s game and will be re-evaluated again in the morning.

Victor Robles underwent X-rays that came back negative but was still in quite a bit of pain in the right wrist/forearm area.

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) July 3, 2026

The Mariners could be quite shorthanded in the outfield if both Julio Rodriguez and Victor Robles need to miss time here. Concussions are scary, and they can linger. Meanwhile, the X-Rays came back negative for Robles, but that doesn’t mean he won’t miss any time. All in all, this could be a huge void to fill for Seattle.

Texas Rangers – Team Update

A host of injury updates:

• Brandon Nimmo is on track to return this weekend

• Jack Leiter played catch today, an encouraging sign

• Cody Freeman underwent surgery, could be back within a month

• Cody Bradford threw live BP, will throw one more before rehab assignment

— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) July 2, 2026

Of note here, Brandon Nimmo seems poised to return this weekend, which is a great sign that he will avoid the Injured List. After hitting the outfield wall, he was diagnosed with an AC joint injury in his shoulder, but it appears to have alleviated itself. As for Jack Leiter, he has a long way to go before returning from his surgery, but playing catch is a good sign that things are starting to heal.

Minnesota Twins – Team Update

A lot to unpack. First, Mick Abel’s surgery was a success, and, despite the lack of a timetable for a return, pitching again in 2026 has yet to be ruled out. That being said, most operations would leave little to no time to make any impact on this season in fantasy. As for Ryan Jeffers, he seems to be getting close to a rehab assignment, as his ability to hit on consecutive days is increasing. Once he does start that rehab assignment, it’s only a matter of time before he feels comfortable swinging and up to par on his tolerance for pain. He makes for a nice stashing option for those in two-catcher leagues in need. Finally, Bailey Ober looks to be getting closer to a return. His 57 pitches thrown are a nice start, but he could need two more starts before being ready to return.

San Diego Padres – Team Update

Randy Vasquez fainted when he left the game today. They took him to the emergency room. He's OK. They'll evaluate him, and his ankle, going forward. Freddy Fermin will be evaluated for a concussion. #Padres

— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) July 3, 2026

Hopefully, both Randy Vasquez and Freddy Fermin will be okay. Looking into the temperature for last night’s game, it wasn’t an example of extreme heat, so that might need to be ruled out as a cause. Perhaps there’s an underlying issue regarding Vasquez’s health that we just won’t know about until he’s fully examined. All we do know is that he fainted on his way to get his X-Rays done.

Brent Rooker – OF Sacramento Athletics

Brent Rooker will miss the rest of the season. He needs surgery on his knee to repair a cartilage tear.

— Jason Burke (@ByJasonB) July 1, 2026

Rooker will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a tear of the cartilage in his right knee. He hasn’t been himself all season and will finish with just a .200 batting average, which is 62 points lower than last year. Now that we know the issue and that he is having an operation to correct it, he makes for a great buy-low in dynasty formats, even at the age of 31 this year.

Dustin May – SP St. Louis Cardinals

A three-run double in the first inning for Dominic Smith, off Dustin May's right foot pic.twitter.com/JzKpKGotjK

— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) July 2, 2026

May left the game after this play, as he had a giant bruise on his ankle. He had X-Rays done, and the results came back negative, meaning that there is no structural damage or fracture. However, a trip to the Injured List is still quite possible. How he handles the next few days will be a key determinant of whether he can make his next start.