Fantasy Baseball Injuries - Week 19: Kodai Senga, Mike Trout & More
UPDATED 8/1 @ 9:42pm ET
We have a relatively lengthy MLB injury report here, featuring many prominent, big-name players. The New York Mets were thrilled to get Kodai Senga back in its rotation, but he’ll head back to the injured list and likely miss the rest of the season due to a calf strain.
We’ve already seen some injuries impact the MLB Trade Deadline, and that trend just might continue. On the other hand, the New York Yankees should be getting Giancarlo Stanton back in the beginning of this week, while Jeffrey Springs will make his season debut after missing most of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Before you finalize your fantasy baseball lineups for the week, take a look at the most recent MLB injuries. Also, check out Howard Bender's article on the top waiver wire pickups, plus, stay tuned for more pickups and weekend streamers on Caught Stealing with Matt Selz and me later this week!
Let's get into this week's fantasy baseball injury report!
MLB Injury Report: Starting Pitchers
Kodai Senga, New York Mets - Calf
Fresh off the injured list, Senga made his season debut and had to leave in the sixth inning after suffering a calf strain. The strain is severe enough that the team has already stated that Senga is likely done for the rest of the season.
Justin Verlander, Houston Astros - Neck
Verlander could be nearing a rehab assignment here shortly, as he worked up to 50 pitches in a recent bullpen session.
Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees - Fatigue
ADDED 8/1: Cole is dealing with some general fatigue, so it doesn't seem to be anything serious. Cole could start on Sunday against Toronto.
Tanner Bibee, Cleveland Guardians - Cramps
UPDATED 8/1: Bibee will not make his start this weekend due to a shoulder issue.
Bibee left his last start early due to cramping, and after said start, he mentioned that he dealt with some cramps in the start prior as well. The team expects him to make his next scheduled start, and they better be pumping him with fluids! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies - Back
Suarez will head to the IL with some back soreness that is on the opposite side of an earlier ailment. After an excellent start to the season, the southpaw has struggled of late, posting a 6.61 ERA and 1.53 ERA across three July starts.
Tyler Mahle, Texas Rangers - Elbow
UPDATED 8/1: Mahle's return to the big league rotation is reportedly considered “relatively imminent.” Expect him to return at some point next week.
Mahle has looked solid in his rehab appearances thus far, and his next one will be scheduled for Tuesday. He may only need one more (if even) after this outing before joining the big-league rotation.
Reynaldo Lopez, Atlanta Braves - Forearm
UPDATED 8/1: Lopez's MRI came back clean, and the team hasn't ruled out Lopez taking his next turn in the rotation.
Lopez left his start on Sunday early with forearm tightness. The team stated his removal from the contest was precautionary, but they did send him for an MRI. More information regarding Lopez should be made available in the coming days.
Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners - Elbow
Woo spent some time on the IL this year already for a hamstring issue, and he had to leave his weekend start early due to an issue that is related to his right hamstring. They don’t expect his next start to be impacted.
Ricky Tiedemann, Toronto Blue Jays - Elbow
Tiedemann is one of Matt Selz’s top 45 prospects in baseball, but his left elbow requires Tommy John surgery. He’ll be out the rest of this season and well over the majority of next season as well.
Jon Gray, Texas Rangers - Groin
Gray had some groin discomfort prior to his start and was unable to toe the rubber on Sunday.
Lance Lynn, St. Louis Cardinals - Knee
ADDED 8/1: Lynn was placed on the injured list due to some inflammation in his right knee.
Keaton Winn, San Francisco Giants - Elbow
Winn will undergo season-ending elbow surgery. Win posted a 3-8 record with a 7.16 ERA across 12 starts this season.
MLB Injury Report: Relief Pitchers
Mason Miller, Oakland Athletics - Finger
Miller was placed on the IL with a broken finger after he punched a table.
Kenley Jansen, Boston Red Sox - Back
ADDED 8/1: Jansen avoided major injury after slipping on the mound in a recent appearance.
MLB Injury Report: Hitters
Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers - Back
Season-ending back surgery was on the table for Milwaukee’s star outfielder, but they are going to opt for rest and frequent treatment to see if he can get back on the field for the Brewers this season.
Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox - Rib
Casas could head out on a rehab assignment in early August, if all goes well in the coming days.
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels - Knee
UPDATED 8/1: Trout has another tear in his ailing knee, and his 2024 season will come to an end.
Trout was removed from his first rehab appearance with knee soreness, but the MRI didn’t show anything worrisome. However, he hasn’t resumed running since.
Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers - Hamstring
A right hamstring strain sent Greene to the injured list last Friday.
Michael Harris, Atlanta Braves - Hamstring
Mark down August 14th on your calendars. The expectation is that Harris will be able to return once eligible, which is that aforementioned date.
Brenton Doyle, Colorado Rockies - Finger
UPDATED 8/1: Doyle has returned to action.
Doyle was removed from Sunday’s game, and the thought of Doyle being traded at the MLB Trade Deadline was running wild. Turns out, he suffered a finger contusion while taking a practice swing with a towel.
Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs - Finger
UPDATED 8/1: Bellinger has returned to action.
Bellinger has gotten some swings in against a pitching machine in recent days, and there’s still optimism that he could be activated in the beginning part of the week.
Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees - Hamstring
UPDATED 8/1: Stanton is back!
Fantasy managers rejoice! Stanton is expected to be activated prior to Monday’s contest against the Phillies.
Jose Miranda, Minnesota Twins - Head
UPDATED 8/1: Miranda returned to game action.
Miranda left Sunday’s game after being hit the head by a pitch. He didn’t suffer a concussion but should be considered day-to-day.
Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks - Oblique
ADDED 8/1: Walker was placed on the IL with a left oblique strain that will likely keep him out for a couple of weeks.
Thairo Estrada, San Francisco Giants - Wrist
Estrada’s left hand has taken a bit of a beating the last two seasons. A left wrist sprain and a fracture in his left hand were the culprits for two IL stints last season, and this is now the second time he’s hit the IL this season with a left wrist sprain. Upon his return from the IL earlier in July, he was hitting just .088 with a .261 OPS in July.
Jorge Polanco, Seattle Mariners - Knee
UPDATED 8/1: Polanco has appeared in some games, but his knee is still clearly an issue. This will be something the team looks to manage moving forward.
Polanco has reportedly been dealing with a minor knee issue, but it was enough to cause him to leave Sunday’s game a few innings early. Consider him day-to-day.
Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles - Hand
ADDED 8/1: Westburg took a pitch off his hand, and further testing revealed a fracture. He was placed on the injured list.