Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Tuesday, September 10, 2024. In today’s report, we learn more about the Phillies’ plans with J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm, and Austin Hays. Plus, the futures of Teoscar Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow are discussed. Finally, it would appear that the Blue Jays dodged a bullet with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but more will be known today. All of this and so much more is in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
J.T. Realmuto – C Philadelphia Phillies (knee)
Realmuto is expected to return sometime this week, possibly during this weekend’s series against the Mets. However, until we get to that point, the veteran catcher needs to ensure that his knee is fluid-free and that he can catch a bullpen. Once that happens, he is likely ready to return to the lineup. Until then, he remains DTD.
Alec Bohm – 3B Philadelphia Phillies (hand)
Bohm still has a lot of work to do before returning, such as swinging without any pain on back-to-back days. While he did field groundballs on Monday, he has yet to clear the hurdle of swinging. Once that is accomplished, he may be able to return shortly afterward. It is encouraging that the team believes he will be ready for the postseason, however, the calendar may not allow for enough time to be a solid contributor in the fantasy season.
Austin Hays – OF Philadelphia Phillies (kidney infection)
This sounds like it could be a season-ending injury for Hays and could ultimately lead to him missing out on the playoffs. Fingers crossed that this is not the case.
Carlos Correa – SS Minnesota Twins (foot)
Carlos Correa:
"I was waiting to get to this point so I could push the envelope. … Today's a good day. We've come to the right time, I feel like. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I'm very encouraged about the way I've been feeling the last few days."
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 9, 2024
From the sounds of things here, Correa has turned a corner with how his recovery has been going. Correa was always expected to return at some point this season, but this update makes one believe that the time is coming up soon. While players have been wrong before in their assessments, it’s worth noting that this is the first real self-narrated positive update that we’ve had on Correa thus far.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins (hip)
Byron Buxton said even after his exit from his Triple-A game on Wednesday, he's been running fine for the last few days and got out to do some defense today.
Taking it day by day, but he's just trying to get the pain in the hip to the point where he can play through it.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 9, 2024
The longer his absence grows in days missed, the more it feels like this could be season-ending. While his MRI came back clean with no real long-term effects, Buxton still needed time to recover and also experienced a setback with recurring pain. It’s hard to imagine the team pushing him for a return, though they have a cushion for the final Wild Card spot.
Teoscar Hernandez – OF Los Angeles Dodgers (foot)
Teoscar Hernández’s left foot is still “a little sore,” he said. But is going through his normal routine today, and if all goes well, will be available tomorrow night. https://t.co/QoI0hAh1cq
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 9, 2024
From the sounds of it, Hernandez may have just needed one more night off before returning today or tomorrow.
Clayton Kershaw – S Los Angeles Dodgers (foot)
Clayton Kershaw is throwing off a makeshift mound right now in the outfield. pic.twitter.com/mhisoVwr2O
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 9, 2024
It’s important to note that Kershaw did this without wearing a shoe to determine how much pressure he could place on the foot itself. He is still a ways away from returning, but this is at least a step in the right direction.
Tyler Glasnow – SP Los Angeles Dodgers (elbow)
Tyler Glasnow throws another bullpen session tomorrow, Dave Roberts said. If all goes well, next step is a simulated game Friday in Atlanta.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 9, 2024
Yet another step in the right direction here for Glasnow, who continues to progress. He seems poised to return at some point during the season, but it remains to be seen how much he can contribute.
Jordan Westburg – INF Baltimore Orioles (hand)
#Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (right hand fracture) fielding grounders. Not wearing anything on his right hand. pic.twitter.com/8QERk2RHpO
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) September 9, 2024
This is a promising development here, as Westburg fielded groundballs for the first time without a protective cast. He is traveling with the team, and the hope is that he can return in time to get some games in before the playoffs begin. There’s been no word yet on if and when a rehab assignment or something similar would take place.
Grayson Rodriguez – SP Baltimore Orioles (lat)
Grayson Rodriguez (right lat/teres strain) could face live hitters at some point during this #Orioles road trip through Boston & Detroit, per manager Brandon Hyde.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) September 9, 2024
This is great news, showing that Rodriguez is progressing well. After the live BP session, he will likely need at least one rehab start before returning to the Orioles’ rotation. That said, there has been nothing regarding a timeline for any of this just yet.
Ryan Mountcastle – 1B Baltimore Orioles (wrist)
#Orioles manager Brandon Hyde on first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (left wrist sprain): “I think he’s going to come back by the end of the regular season, I just don’t know when.”
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) September 9, 2024
This is a very vague timeline, meaning that he could very well be back for a handful of games before the playoffs. Any sort of setback officially ends his season, but as it stands, he doesn’t line up to offer much value in redraft leagues.
Justin Steele – SP Chicago Cubs (elbow)
Craig Counsell said catch play has gone well for Justin Steele. "As long as it keeps going well, we hope to get to a bullpen on this road trip."
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) September 10, 2024
The Cubs will continue to tread lightly here, to not push Steele ahead too much too soon. That being said, all seems to be going well for now. If he does not throw the aforementioned bullpen then the doubt and worry may creep in.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B Toronto Blue Jays (foot)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a mid-game X-ray (negative) after fouling a ball of his toes on his left foot.
The #BlueJays will see how he feels tomorrow, but it sounds like he dodged anything serious.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 10, 2024
Guerrero ended up staying in the game after a mid-game x-ray, which is quite an incredible feat. The hope and belief here is that it is nothing too serious and that he can remain in the lineup today moving forward. All in all, the Jays dodged a bullet here.