Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Friday, August 9, 2024. In today’s edition, Anthony Volpe and Joshua Lowe both got contusions off of foul balls last night. Also, the Diamondbacks will miss Gabriel Moreno for quite a while and Ranger Suarez still has a ways to go before returning. All of that and more in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
MLB Injury Report
Anthony Volpe – SS New York Yankees (foot)
Aaron Boone said Anthony Volpe's x rays came back clean. Just a contusion as of now. Boone's not sure if he'll play tomorrow. #Yankees https://t.co/OVtFDT8dDI
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) August 9, 2024
Volpe fouled a ball off of his foot early in last night’s game. He was forced to exit early as a result, but his X-rays came back clean and he was diagnosed with a contusion. He is likely DTD, but there is a chance that he will miss tonight’s game.
Joshua Lowe – OF Tampa Bay Rays (knee)
Josh Lowe left the game with a right knee contusion after fouling a pitch off his knee.
X-rays were negative.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) August 9, 2024
Lowe was forced to leave the game early after fouling a ball off of his knee. After receiving X-rays, it was determined that it was a contusion and nothing more. Consider him DTD until we’re told otherwise.
Gabriel Moreno – C Arizona Diamondbacks (groin)
Gabriel Moreno is going to be out “weeks,” manager Torey Lovullo said. More to come as they await more details from imaging.
Lovullo said he’s going to remain optimistic that Moreno can return before the end of the season.
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) August 8, 2024
Not that there’s ever a good time for an injury, but this was a devastating blow to the Diamondbacks so late in the season. They have been seemingly behind the eight-ball all season with injuries and can’t ever seem to catch up. This will hurt their offense and their pitching down the stretch as they attempt to try another playoff run. The only blessing is that Moreno is expected to play again before the end of the season.
Merrill Kelly – SP Arizona Diamondbacks (shoulder)
Torey Lovullo said Merrill Kelly will throw a bullpen on Friday at Chase Field. He lines up to potentially return from the injured list on Sunday.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) August 8, 2024
Kelly did have a successful rehab start earlier in the week where he struggled against High-A betters. Perhaps the team wants to see him pitch again in person before admitting him back to the Diamondbacks team. All that being said, he is close to a return.
Joe Ryan – SP Minnesota Twins (triceps)
Ryan went through a series of tests yesterday, including an examination, an MRI, and a magnetic resistance imaging test, all of which to figure out the root of Ryan’s pain. There seems to be optimism that the diagnosis won’t be as bad as they once believed it to be because his tricep was just tight and not tender. Still, with no official diagnosis, all we can do is speculate. There should be more clearer answers shortly.
Justin Verlander – SP Houston Astros (neck)
Justin Verlander will make a minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday at Constellation Field.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 8, 2024
It’s unclear how many starts the Astros anticipate Verlander making, but more than one shouldn’t be out of the question.
Ranger Suarez – SP Philadelphia Phillies (back)
Ranger Suárez threw a 36-pitch bullpen today that Rob Thomson said went "extremely well."
The next step is live batting practice, and a rehab assignment is also on the table. Thomson doesn't think Suárez will be ready to return during the Phillies' next homestand.— Lochlahn March (@lochlahn) August 9, 2024
Good news from the Phillies as Suarez took the first step toward a return. With a live BP and a rehab assignment likely happening, it’s fair to expect him to need another two weeks or so before returning to the Phillies’ rotation.
Matt Vierling – INF/OF Detroit Tigers (back)
Matt Vierling left tonight's game with low back spasms.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) August 9, 2024
It was unclear as to the severity of the situation postgame, but the team should provide some clarity later today. Consider him DTD until we know more.
Joe Musgrove – SP San Diego Padres (elbow)
Based on everything Mike Shildt said this afternoon, including that Dylan Cease will pitch in Miami, it is all but certain that Joe Musgrove’s return will be pushed back to Monday at Petco Park against the Pirates. https://t.co/STzeLR3Glc
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) August 7, 2024
This may have something to do with the weird rained-out one-inning start by Dylan Cease and the team’s insistence on getting him back into the rotation on normal rest. There has been no talk of this being a setback, so for now, consider Musgrove still ready to go whenever the manager will let him pitch.
Starling Marte – OF New York Mets (knee)
Starling Marte home run alert! 🚨 That was wayyy up there! 46 degree launch angle. 😮 pic.twitter.com/l5l5Ls2uxU
— St. Lucie Mets (@stluciemets) August 8, 2024
In two games, Marte has gotten on base, hit for power, and run along the base paths. It’s everything you’d want to see from him as he closes in on a return to the Mets.