UPDATED 7/12 @ 9:52am ET

As we continue to move through July, the MLB injury report becomes very prevalent to fantasy managers and General Managers alike. Injuries to key pieces for potential contenders could push them to make a move at the MLB Trade Deadline later this month. 

For example, with neck soreness still lingering for Houston right-hander Justin Verlander, will the Astros be a bit more aggressive in the starting pitching market? We’ve already seen the other side of this happen, when the Miami Marlins had to send Jesus Luzardo the 60-day IL, squandering the opportunity at fielding substantial offers for him. 

Unrelated to the trade deadline, first-half fantasy surprises Jared Jones and Luis Rengifo have recently been placed on the IL, while the Phillies should get Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper back into its lineup this week. As you get ready to set your fantasy baseball lineups for the week ahead, be sure to check out the MLB injuries below, as well as Howard Bender’s article on the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. 

Later this week, Matt Selz and I will break down some more waiver wire pickups and weekend streamers on Caught Stealing, so tune in there, too! Without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s fantasy baseball injury report!

 

 

 

MLB Injury Report: Starting Pitchers

Justin Verlander, Houston Astros - Neck

While there’s still no official timetable on his recovery timeline, the veteran righty has been playing catch every other day.

Blake Snell, San Francisco Giants - Groin

Barring anything crazy, Snell will be activated from the IL and toe the rubber on Tuesday for San Francisco.

Jared Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates - Lat

Jones suffered a lat strain in his last start, and he won’t throw for at least two weeks. This will be a multi-week absence, as the team is going to play it rather slowly.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers - Shoulder

UPDATED 7/11: Kershaw's next rehab appearance is expected to come on July 13th, and he will work up to three innings in that one.

Kershaw will need at least two rehab starts before joining the L.A. rotation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the number is more like three to four rehab appearances. They need him healthy down the stretch, not in the dog days of summer.

Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds - Finger

The hope is that Lodolo can return Tuesday to start against the Rockies. Lodolo has been dealing with a blister on his pitching hand.

Alex Cobb, San Francisco Giants - Hip

Through two rehab starts, Cobb has a 9:1 K/BB ratio with a 2.25 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. He’s only worked up to two innings of work, so he’ll require a few more appearances before they consider adding him to the big-league rotation.

Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona Diamondbacks - Ankle

UPDATED 7/11: Pfaadt made his start and seems to be fine.

Pfaadt took a line drive off his ankle, but he doesn’t expect to miss any time, so long as the swelling doesn’t linger.

Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs - Back

UPDATED 7/11: Hendricks will make his start on Friday.

Some back tightness caused Hendricks to leave his most recent start early. Consider him day-to-day at this juncture.

Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers - Back

UPDATED 7/11: Glasnow will head to the IL due to some lower back tightness. He becomes the latest starter for the Dodgers to hit the injured list.

Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies - Back

UPDATED 7/11: Wheeler exited his last start early with some back tightness, and while an MRI showed no structural damage, it’s a strong possibility that the team skips his start Wednesday to give him a few extra days of rest over the break.

Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners - Hamstring

UPDATED 7/11: Woo will be activated and start on Friday.

MLB Injury Report: Relief Pitchers

David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates - Oblique

Bednar returned to the mound for the first time since injuring his oblique, as he threw a live BP session on Saturday, July 6.

 

 

 

MLB Injury Report: Hitters

Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners - Quad

UPDATE: Rodriguez hasn't skipped a beat and fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned.

While J-Rod is dealing with a quad issue, he was reportedly able to pinch hit on Sunday, providing some optimism that the injury isn’t serious.

Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros - Knee

UPDATED 7/11: Alvarez is dealing with some tightness in his right hip, but the issue is not expected to be serious.

After being hit in the knee, Alvarez admitted he was in a good bit of pain. He didn’t play Sunday and is day-to-day at this juncture.

Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs - Finger

UPDATED 7/11: Bellinger will hit the injured list with a fractured finger that occurred when he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday.

Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays - Calf

UPDATED 7/11: Bichette is dealing with a fascia strain in his right calf, but the team is calling him day-to-day for now. However, an IL stint can’t be ruled out.

Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays - Knee

UPDATED 7/11: Varsho suffered a knee contusion on Wednesday, but the expectation is that the injury isn’t serious.

Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates - Hamstring

UPDATED 7/11: Some hamstring tightness popped up earlier in the week for Cruz, and he’s yet to return to the starting lineup.

Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres - Shoulder

UPDATED 7/11 Xander Bogaerts return is nearing, as he’s with the team, and could be activated at some point during this weekend’s series against Atlanta.

Bogaerts recently began a rehab assignment, but the team is unsure as to when he’ll join the big-league club. Through his first three rehab games, he’s hit just .111 with a .333 OBP.

Luis Rengifo, Los Angeles Angels - Wrist

UPDATED 7/11: Rengifo is still on track to be activated from the IL shortly after the All-Star break.

While additional tests didn’t reveal anything significant with Rengifo’s wrist, the team still felt it was best to send Rengifo to the injured list to let the inflammation in his right wrist subside.

Jason Heyward, Los Angeles Dodgers - Knee

Heyward is dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee, and the team has placed him on the injured list. James Outman will have an opportunity to bounce back after a tumultuous start to the 2024 season that resulted in a demotion to Triple-A.

Tommy Edman, St. Louis Cardinals - Wrist

Edman will head out on a rehab assignment on Tuesday this week. Edman has yet to make his season debut due to his surgically repaired wrist.