Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Thursday, July 25, 2024. In today’s edition, Christian Yelich will see a spine specialist to help him decide on what comes next with his back. Also, Kyle Tucker has an ETA, but it’s nowhere near what was expected. Finally, Julio Rodriguez will likely miss time that goes past the ten-day minimum, but there has not been an estimate given. All of that and so much more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Christian Yelich – OF Milwaukee Brewers (back)
Christian Yelich will see a spine specialist tomorrow to discuss next steps, including the possibility of season-ending back surgery. pic.twitter.com/crZq6A9KTi
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) July 24, 2024
This is a very ominous statement and tone throughout this quote, as the situation with Yelich’s back has been described as not great. It’s obvious how tired he is of having to deal with this type of injury. He’s a talented ballplayer, but he can’t overcome this hurdle. At this point, he needs to think about his future, and season-ending surgery might just be that for him, though the specialist will undoubtedly clarify that. Here’s hoping that whatever happens happens, he will be able to move on with his life and his career.
Kyle Tucker – OF Houston Astros (shin)
"I'd be really disappointed if it was September but we're optimistic that it'll be before September." -Astros GM Dana Brown with a timeline on Kyle Tucker @SeanUnfiltered @SportsTalk790
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) July 24, 2024
The most bizarre injury of the year just took a random turn around the corner into this. As of now, Tucker still has a bone bruise on his shin, but there must be something more that is either unknown or that the team has yet to reveal. The word optimistic doesn’t guarantee that it will happen, though the team seems poised to believe that it will. Still, even if this timeline holds true, it could mean yet another month of inactivity and rehab while the team and fantasy owners wait for something in return.
Seattle Mariners – Team Update
JP Crawford is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. Julio will be re-evaluated at the 10 day mark. Neither expected to travel with the team on the roadtrip. Canzone expected back mid August.
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) July 24, 2024
JP Crawford (finger) will miss what is projected to be the rest of the summer. Chances are that we see him in September, though if he struggles through any setbacks, he could miss additional time. As for Julio Rodriguez (high ankle sprain), more than ten days is expected, given that this is not a normal sprain of the ankle. There have not been many instances of high ankle sprains in baseball, but in the recent past, of the five times it has happened, four of them have taken anywhere between three and five weeks to return. The fifth, and rarest case, would make this a season-ending injury to Rodriguez. All of that is to say that here’s hoping we see Rodriguez return by the end of August.
Bryan Reynolds – OF Pittsburgh Pirates (back)
Quick update from Shelton on Reynolds:
Said he is fine. Was moving around like he normally would by the end of the game. His back “locked up on him,” while he was getting out of the car this morning. Said there was simply not enough time to get him warmed up because of today…
— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) July 24, 2024
Great news on Reynolds after a brief scare earlier in the day. Now and then it’s nice to have a reminder that these players are human after all.
Mike Trout – OF Los Angeles Angels (knee)
Medical Update: Mike Trout will not be in tonight's lineup for the Salt Lake Bees and will return to Southern California to be reevaluated.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) July 24, 2024
It was originally announced that Trout would play in last night’s rehab game as the team’s DH, but later that news was debunked. He will head home and the team will re-evaluate their situation going forward. Look for updates in the coming days.
Byron Buxton – OF Minnesota Twins (forearm contusion)
Rocco Baldelli said postgame x-rays came back negative on Byron Buxton's forearm contusion.
Buxton's hand went numb after being hit by the pitch, which is why he had to be removed from the game after initially staying in to run the bases.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 24, 2024
Great news here, after Buxton was forced to leave the game after getting hit by a pitch. He was seen using his hand as he normally would in the clubhouse after the game and also said that he plans to play in the team’s next game. While that latter fact remains to be seen, for now, consider this great news.
Royce Lewis – 3B Minnesota Twins (right abductor strain), Jose Miranda – 3B Minnesota Twins (back)
Great news here for both players and fantasy owners everywhere. Be prepared.
Cody Bellinger – OF Chicago Cubs (finger)
Cody Bellinger was set to hit and throw on the field today. Craig Counsell said he could be activated as soon as this coming road trip.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) July 24, 2024
This comes across as somewhat of a surprise, as a few days earlier he had trouble gripping a ball and a bat. Now that he’s accomplished that feat, it looks like he is ready to return, though the word “could” is more of a borderline-type word that could lean the pendulum either way. Just because he could return, it doesn’t mean that he will. A reminder that today is two weeks from when he was placed on the Injured List, and it seems like a quick return.
Tanner Bibee – SP Cleveland Guardians (cramping)
We've been told it's "lower extremity cramping" for Bibee. https://t.co/k6Pz5aTevK
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) July 25, 2024
This is good news, as it was originally believed that Bobee had suffered a major injury to his knee. It turns out that he was just cramping, and things look to be okay. He could still make his next start, but the team will likely be cautious over the next few days to be certain.
Josh Jung – 3B Texas Rangers (wrist)
Rangers third baseman Josh Jung will start a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Friday
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) July 24, 2024
This will be his second time trying to work through a rehab outing, as his first one lasted a few days before he was pulled. Now, it would appear that the inflammation in his wrist has subsided, which was the final piece of the puzzle for him to overcome before moving forward. He’s not out of the clear just yet, as we could see a repeat of what happened yet again.
Evan Carter – OF Texas Rangers (back)
Bruce Bochy said Evan Carter is “about a week behind” Josh Jung in terms of his rehab timeline
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) July 24, 2024
Good news, as all had been quiet on the Carter front, who last played at the end of May. With him about a week behind Jung, we could see him start a rehab assignment next week.
Christian Scott – SP New York Mets (UCL)
The current plan for Christian Scott (elbow) is to rest and then rehab with the hope of returning before the end of the season
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 24, 2024
It would appear that the team doesn’t feel the need to shut Scott down for the season or opt for any type of surgery. As such, he will rest for a bit and then ramp himself back up toward a return later in the season. It was also reported that he dealt with this same injury in the minors last year, and was shut down for 21 days before returning. While that’s an optimistic view, it also needs to be stated that every time things like this happen, the wear and tear on the body part makes the damage that much more impactful. Still, for now, consider him an option to return down the line, but there is also a chance that he won’t pitch the same if and when he returns.