As we head into the MLB All-Star break, many players will get a few free days to rest up some bumps and bruises, and other teams will be eagerly awaiting returns from some key assets. Fantasy baseball managers needing some pitching help should be excited to see that Clayton Kershaw and Robbie Ray are expected to be activated from the IL shortly after the break. Additionally, Kodai Senga might not be too far behind. 

On the other hand, the Minnesota Twins will be without Jose Miranda and possibly Carlos Correa for a little bit, as the two nurse injuries. As you get ready to set your fantasy baseball lineups for the week ahead, be sure to check out the fantasy baseball injury report below, as well as Howard Bender’s article on the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. 

Be sure to catch Matt Selz and me as we analyze more waiver wire pickups and weekend streamers on Caught Stealing later this week! Let's not waste any more time and get into this week's fantasy baseball injuries.

 

 

 

MLB Injury Report: Starting Pitchers

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers - Shoulder

Kershaw logged three innings over the weekend, allowing no runs and firing 38 pitches. He’ll continue his rehab assignment later this week and will likely work up to 4 IP and/or 50 pitches. It sounds like after his next rehab appearance, Kershaw will join the big-league rotation.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers - Shoulder/Triceps

Merely a formality here. Yamamoto was moved to the 60-day IL, though he’s thrown a couple of times recently with no reported pain or soreness. He is unable to return until mid-August.

Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants - Elbow

Ray made another rehab appearance over the weekend, and he was dominant. Across five scoreless innings, the veteran southpaw allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out nine batters. He fired 74 pitches (56 strikes), and his activation from the IL should come shortly after the All-Star break.

 

 

 

Kodai Senga, New York Mets - Shoulder

Senga’s activation from the IL is nearing. It’s possible his next start is with the Mets, but the team didn’t close the door on one more rehab appearance.

Justin Verlander, Houston Astros - Neck

While you’ll see the bullpen session below was far from max effort, Verlander was able to work in all of his pitches, and supposedly came out of this session healthy and feeling good.

Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay Rays - Elbow/Forearm

Rasmussen could be looking at heading out on a rehab assignment after the All-Star break. His last start was May 11, 2023.

Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies - Back

Back spasms will keep Suarez out of the All-Star game, though we likely won’t get information on the status of his next start until later in the week.

MLB Injury Report: Relief Pitchers

Devin Williams, Milwaukee Brewers - Back

Well, we can call Williams’ first rehab appearance a success. He struck out the side on just 14 pitches.

MLB Injury Report: Hitters

Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins - Foot

Plantar fasciitis has returned for Correa, although it’s in his right foot this season. Last year, he was placed on the injured list at the end of the regular season with plantar fasciitis, though the team is saying that this year’s instance is not as severe as it was in 2023.

Josh Jung, Texas Rangers - Wrist

Jung was able to take some swings with no reported soreness. Albeit a positive step, this provides no further clarification on his timeline to return.

Jose Miranda, Minnesota Twins - Back

A low back strain will interrupt an unprecedented hot streak for Miranda, as he’ll head to the IL. In the seven games prior to being placed on the IL, Miranda posted a .577 batting average and .885 SLG.

Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays - Calf

Bichette is dealing with a fascia strain in his calf, and while he hasn’t been placed on the IL, that hasn’t yet been ruled out. He hasn’t played since July 10th.

 

 

 

Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees - Hamstring

Stanton should be activated from the IL shortly after the team returns from the All-Star break. He’s been sidelined since June 22nd with this hamstring strain.

J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies - Knee

Realmuto’s activation from the IL shouldn’t come too long after the team returns to action after the All-Star break.

Heston Kjerstad, Baltimore Orioles - Head

Kjerstad suffered a concussion after being hit by a pitch against the Yankees over the weekend. He was placed on the 7-day concussion IL.