Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, July 23, 2024. In today’s edition, the Braves can’t catch a break as newly signed Whit Merrifield goes down before he even steps in the batter’s box. Also, the Mariners’ injuries begin to mount, as J.P. Crawford will miss time with a fractured pinky finger. Finally, some good news, Mookie Betts and Mike Trout seem to be on their way back and on track in their respective journies to recovery. All that and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
Fantrax MLB Injury Report
Julio Rodriguez – OF Seattle Mariners (ankle)
Julio Rodriguez has a mild ankle sprain and is day to day https://t.co/zQC0OeG4ax
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) July 23, 2024
It would appear that Julio has avoided a serious injury as we all await his return in a few days, hopefully. There were some reports that he could in fact play in today’s game, but until he’s checked out at the ballpark, that’s just pure speculation.
J.P. Crawford – SS Seattle Mariners (pinky)
JP Crawford has a hairline fracture in his pinky. He’s headed to the IL
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) July 23, 2024
Crawford will miss some time with a hairline fracture of his pinky finger. Manager Scott Servais said that trainers and specialists will have a better look at it today, giving us a better idea of exactly what both he and the team are dealing with. Unfortunate, nonetheless.
Michael Harris II – OF Atlanta Braves (hamstring)
#Braves CF Michael Harris II continues to run but has not graduated to a full sprint yet.
He told me the left hamstring feels good and he's just trusting the process and team's timing to ramp back up. Obviously, wants to avoid any and all potential setbacks.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 22, 2024
Both Harris and the team are taking things slowly because of how important a piece he is to their future success, especially with Ronald Acuna Jr. out with an injury. McAuley speculates in a letter post that he believes Harris will return early to mid-August, but again, it’s an educated guess.
Whit Merrifield – 2B/OF Atlanta Braves (finger)
Whit Merrifield is considered day-to-day. No fracture.
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) July 22, 2024
Merrifield was signed to a major-league contract yesterday and injured himself while taking part in some defensive drills. Luckily for everyone involved, it seems like it is a bruise and nothing more.
Carlos Correa – SS Minnesota Twins (foot)
Carlos Correa was in the clubhouse in his boot today. Said it'll stay on for a few more days, but wasn't yet sure if he'd resume baseball activity immediately after that. He's saying he hopes not to be out longer than another week or two, but will have to see.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) July 22, 2024
Correa wearing a boot shows just how serious an issue this really is. The hope is that he is correct in his own assessment and ready to return in a couple of weeks.
Royce Lewis – 3B Minnesota Twins (right abductor strain)
Royce Lewis says he’s been told he’ll start a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul tomorrow.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) July 22, 2024
Lewis has been vocal in his self-promoting of his own health, saying how good he already feels. Now is the time for him to prove it and hopefully return within a week’s time.
Los Angeles Angels – Team Update
Mike Trout (knee) is headed to Salt Lake City today to start his rehab assignment tomorrow. He’s scheduled to play in at least two games. Luis Rengifo (wrist) said he thinks he could be ready to return tomorrow. Griffin Canning (elbow) on track to start Wednesday.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 22, 2024
A very positive report all around. Mike Trout (knee) will play at least two rehab games, but it would seem wise to have him play more, given the amount of time he has missed thus far this season. That being said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back so soon or re-injure himself. That’s how polarizing a player he is with his health. As for Luis Rengifo (wrist), a return without a rehab assignment is a welcome sight for a lineup that could use his speed. Finally, Griffin Canning (elbow) had a minor elbow issue over the weekend but appears to be fine now, which is great news.
Mookie Betts – INF/OF Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts said Mookie Betts has started swinging a bat. https://t.co/mRVST8KdzJ
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 22, 2024
A day after a good update, we get another one on Betts, who continues to progress. He was seen taking back-handed groundballs with his broken left hand and then started swinging a bat, as per the report from manager Dave Roberts. It was also relayed that Roberts is happy with the progress that the All-Star is making, leading one to believe that he is on the right path.
Walker Buehler – SP Los Angeles Dodgers (hip)
#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he had a good conversation with Walker Buehler and believes the time away did him good. He’ll throw a bullpen today and will need a couple rehab starts depending on how everything keeps progressing.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) July 22, 2024
It’s good to see that Buehler’s head might be in the same place as his hip. They’re both in a good place. Part of the reasoning behind this placement on the Injured List was to give him a mental break to refocus and get himself ready for the stretch run. That being said, it will all come down to how he performs on that rehab assignment.
Jacob deGrom – SP Texas Rangers (Tommy John Surgery)
Jacob deGrom is "getting close" to facing hitters, per Bruce Bochy.
He'll throw about 40 pitches in a regular bullpen tomorrow and again on Friday. Bochy estimated he'll throw three live BP sessions before a rehab assignment.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) July 22, 2024
Good news regarding deGrom, though it’s important to note that his getting “close” just means that he still has another week of regular batting practice before facing live hitters. Given the timeline outlined above, if all goes right, we could see him on a rehab assignment just after the first week of August, with the potential of making his 2024 debut at the beginning of September.
Tyler Mahle – SP Texas Rangers (Tommy John Surgery)
Tyler Mahle will make another rehab start on Thursday at Double-A Frisco. He said they’re taking it day-by-day with his progression, but feels good about where he’s at.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) July 22, 2024
Mahle has steadily been working hard in his rehab assignments, though he has yet to throw at least three innings in any game pitched. One has to wonder if he will be used as a bulk reliever upon his return.
Jared Jones – SP Pittsburgh Pirates (lat)
Here’s Jared Jones (grade 2 right lat strain) throwing out to roughly 90-120 feet pic.twitter.com/ULZmvFzHa1
— Andrew Destin (@AndrewDestin1) July 22, 2024
Jones was seen here working through the rain and throwing long distances to a partner. That’s a good sign that he’s physically progressing, though he will need to do much more than this before returning.
Triston Casas – 1B Boston Red Sox (ribs)
Triston Casas could be close to turning a corner in the recovery process, one of the trainers told Alex Cora.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) July 22, 2024
It’s hard to know what’s real and what isn’t when dealing with Casas and his recovery process. Whether he’s taking swings in his head instead of on the field or he’s not close to a rehab outing despite the rumors, all we know is that this injury is a significant one. Stay tuned.
Cody Bellinger – OF Chicago Cubs (finger)
Cubs Cody Bellinger hitting without much discomfort. Gripping ball still behind hitting. Team encouraged with progress.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) July 22, 2024
Bellinger hitting pain-free is a great sign that he’s healing properly. He will continue to work on gripping and throwing a ball, but for now, this seems to be a sign pointed in the right direction.
Robbie Ray – San Francisco Giants (elbow)
Robbie Ray will make his Giants debut Wednesday. Logan Webb will start Thursday. Bob Melvin said there’s “an excellent chance” that Hayden Birdsong returns for the doubleheader Saturday.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) July 23, 2024
Be prepared.