Doug Mann
2 min read • July 31, 2024
Posted in
As the 2024 MLB season unfolds, teams are dealing with numerous injuries that are affecting their rosters and playoff aspirations. Here’s the latest update on significant player injuries throughout the league.
The Los Angeles Angels are dealing with injuries to two of their key players, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.
Mike Trout: Trout is currently sidelined due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. He was shut down from his rehab assignment last week due to soreness in his surgically repaired knee. While there is no structural damage, GM Perry Minasian stated that Trout will be shut down for the time being as the pain persists.
Anthony Rendon: Rendon has been placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Saturday, with low back inflammation. The Angels will be cautious in managing his recovery, hoping to have him back soon.
The Houston Astros received encouraging news as both Justin Verlander and Luis Garcia took the mound for bullpen sessions.
Justin Verlander: Dealing with neck stiffness, Verlander threw approximately 30 pitches, signaling positive strides in his recovery. The Astros are hopeful for his quick return.
Luis Garcia: Also recovering from Tommy John surgery, Garcia's bullpen session was a step forward in his rehabilitation process.
Mason Miller, Athletics: The A's are optimistic about Mason Miller's return, as the pitcher recently threw a 25-pitch bullpen session. Miller is recovering from a fractured left pinky finger on his non-pitching hand. The team hopes he can return shortly after his cast is removed, adding depth to their pitching staff.
Ricky Tiedemann, Blue Jays: In a blow to the Blue Jays, top prospect Ricky Tiedemann will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Tiedemann, MLB Pipeline's No. 43 overall prospect, will focus on recovery and rehabilitation.
The Atlanta Braves are hopeful for the quick return of Reynaldo López and Michael Harris II.
Reynaldo López: López was removed from Sunday's start with right forearm tightness. An MRI came back clean, and the Braves are optimistic he can avoid the injured list.
Michael Harris II: Harris is recovering from a left hamstring strain and has resumed hitting and agility drills. He expects to return when eligible on August 14.
The Milwaukee Brewers are managing injuries to Trevor Megill and Bryan Hudson.
Trevor Megill: Megill was placed on the 15-day injured list with a low back strain. The Brewers will monitor his progress as he works to return to the bullpen.
Bryan Hudson: Hudson landed on the 15-day IL with a left oblique strain, but tests revealed only a low-grade strain. The Brewers are optimistic about his recovery timeline.
Adbert Alzolay, Cubs: Alzolay is dealing with a right forearm strain and has not recovered well since his rehab outing at Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. He is heading back to Chicago for further examination, raising concerns about his immediate future.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are navigating injuries to Christian Walker, Merrill Kelly, and Eduardo Rodriguez.
Christian Walker: Walker exited Monday's game with left oblique tightness and was diagnosed with a low-grade left oblique strain. He hopes to miss only about three weeks, aiming for a swift return to the lineup.
Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez: Both pitchers threw bullpen sessions on Sunday as they work their way back from a right shoulder strain and left lat strain, respectively. Their progress will be monitored closely by the Diamondbacks' medical staff.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are monitoring the recovery of several key players.
Mookie Betts: Betts is making strides in recovering from a fractured left hand. According to manager Dave Roberts, Betts' hand strength continues to get "stronger," which is an encouraging sign for the Dodgers' star.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Yamamoto, recovering from right triceps tightness, has been playing catch, extending it to 200 feet. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday while the Dodgers are in Oakland.
Max Muncy: Muncy is working through a right oblique strain and has been taking ground balls and running the bases. However, his rehab has been described as "stagnant," with no clear timetable for his return.
Brusdar Graterol: Graterol had a strong rehab outing on Saturday, striking out the side in a clean inning for Triple-A Oklahoma City. His return is anticipated soon.
Keaton Winn, Giants: Winn underwent season-ending right elbow surgery on Monday in Los Angeles. Dr. Steven Shin performed an ulnar nerve transposition, a procedure to relieve pressure on the nerve by moving it from the back to the front of the elbow. Winn will focus on recovery and rehabilitation for the foreseeable future.
Edward Cabrera, Marlins: Cabrera left Tuesday night's start against the Rays due to left knee discomfort. The Marlins will evaluate his condition to determine the next steps in his recovery.
The Seattle Mariners are addressing injuries to Jorge Polanco and Bryan Woo.
Jorge Polanco: Polanco, dealing with a knee issue, returned to the starting lineup Monday after leaving Sunday's game. The Mariners are cautiously optimistic about his health moving forward.
Bryan Woo: Woo exited his Saturday start after four innings due to a right hamstring issue. However, the Mariners believe he will be fine for his next scheduled start.
The New York Mets are grappling with injuries to key players Kodai Senga and Francisco Alvarez.
Kodai Senga: After being activated off the 60-day IL for his season debut against the Braves, Senga exited with a left calf strain in the sixth inning. Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Senga is likely done for the regular season, as he was placed back on the 60-day IL on Sunday.
Francisco Alvarez: The Mets catcher aggravated a left shoulder issue during Sunday's game. Though available off the bench in an emergency on Monday, Alvarez remained out of the lineup on Tuesday.
James McCann, Orioles: In a surprising turn, McCann was hit in the face by a 94.6 mph fastball on Monday but has been cleared to continue playing despite nose fractures. The Orioles' catcher is expected to manage the injury carefully.
Joe Musgrove, Padres: Musgrove is dealing with right elbow inflammation and is working his way back. He reported to the Padres' complex in Peoria, Arizona, where he faced Mariners hitters over two innings on Tuesday. His progress is a positive sign for the Padres' rotation.
The Philadelphia Phillies are managing the recoveries of Taijuan Walker and Spencer Turnbull.
Taijuan Walker: Walker is dealing with right index finger inflammation and is set to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday with Double-A Reading. He is expected to pitch three or four innings.
Spencer Turnbull: Turnbull, recovering from a right lat strain, threw approximately 10 pitches in a bullpen session on Monday. If all goes well, he will continue his rehab in Clearwater, Florida.
The Texas Rangers have been dealing with a string of injuries, affecting key players like Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Tyler Mahle, Jon Gray, and Evan Carter.
Jacob deGrom: Recovering from right UCL repair surgery, deGrom recently threw a 45-pitch bullpen session in St. Louis. He reported feeling good and successfully mixed in all his pitches. Rangers GM Chris Young indicated that deGrom is progressing well and could make his return in August, which would be a significant boost for the team's rotation.
Max Scherzer: Scherzer experienced right arm fatigue during his Tuesday night start against the Cardinals, throwing 68 pitches before exiting. This marks the second instance of fatigue in his last three starts, but Scherzer expressed confidence that he would not require a stint on the injured list.
Tyler Mahle: Another pitcher recovering from right UCL repair surgery, Mahle is set to appear in Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. GM Chris Young described Mahle's return to the Major League rotation as "relatively imminent," providing hope for a swift comeback.
Jon Gray: Gray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain after leaving Sunday's start in Toronto before throwing a pitch. The Rangers will monitor his recovery closely.
Evan Carter: Young outfielder Evan Carter, dealing with a lumbar sprain, was transferred to the 60-day IL. The Rangers are not optimistic about his return during the regular season, highlighting the challenges the team faces with injuries.
Shane McClanahan, Rays: McClanahan, who underwent Tommy John surgery last August, made significant progress by throwing off a mound on Tuesday. He reported feeling good and is expected to progress to full bullpen sessions with multiple pitches soon. The Rays are eagerly anticipating his return to bolster their rotation.
The Boston Red Sox have several players working their way back from injuries.
Triston Casas: Casas, who suffered torn cartilage in his left rib cage, began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, aiming for a return to the big leagues soon.
Liam Hendriks: Hendriks, recovering from right UCL surgery, will travel with the Red Sox to Texas on August 2 for an examination by Dr. Keith Meister. He continues to throw bullpen sessions and hopes to return this season.
Justin Slaten: Slaten is dealing with right elbow inflammation but is expected to be cleared to throw off the mound soon as he continues to play catch.
The Kansas City Royals are managing injuries to John Schreiber and Hunter Harvey.
John Schreiber: Schreiber was placed on the 15-day IL with a patellar tendon injury in his right knee, impacting the Royals' bullpen depth.
Hunter Harvey: Harvey exited Sunday's game with a left lower back spasm. The Royals are hopeful for a quick recovery.
Casey Mize, Tigers: Mize, dealing with a left hamstring strain, was transferred to the 60-day injured list. He is eligible for activation on September 1, and the Tigers will be cautious in managing his recovery.
Carlos Correa, Twins: Correa continues his rehabilitation from right plantar fasciitis, working on the treadmill and performing foot and ankle exercises without complaints.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to track the health and recovery of these key players throughout the MLB season. He is expected to progress to hitting and throwing drills soon.
Gerrit Cole, Yankees: Yankees fans were surprised when ace Gerrit Cole was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday due to general body fatigue. The decision to rest Cole is precautionary, and he is not expected to undergo any testing. The Yankees hope to have him back in the rotation this weekend against the Blue Jays, ensuring that their star pitcher is in peak condition for the stretch run.
Written by Doug Mann
