I hope the last few weeks of your season are going as swimmingly as it can with the shuffling on and off the IL. Luckily, most of the injuries coming through are not season ending or if they are season ending, they are not also next season ending.
This week Corey Seager hit the IL with a hip injury. Seager and the Rangers’ staff openly shared that this injury may be season ending to prevent even bigger issues in the off season (and, thus, next season).
Just when the Rangers were starting to see some positives, Corey Seager announces a hip injury and will be put on IL. pic.twitter.com/OdgoHsWc1l
Joining Seager and Fernando Tatís Jr. in this entry is an eclectic set of injuries including elbow, knee, toe, hip, and kidney troubles in this week’s rousing edition of Razzball Ambulance Chasers.
Notable Injuries
AL Central
Max Kepler (OF, MIN), knee: Another Twins outfielder hits the IL. Max Kepler has left patellar tendinitis, which maybe explains his less than stellar performance lately. While there is no specific timeline for Kepler’s return, it can take weeks to heal. Kepler’s injury made room for DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to be called-up. In his 2024 MiLB season, Keirsey Jr. has hit 14 HR, 75 RBIs, and 36 SB.
Mickey Moniak and Seth Brown are both available outfield options in the AL (my hand will be forced to discuss Randal Grichuk later!). In his last 67 AB, Moniak has hit 6 HR and 15 RBIs. Brown has 3 HR and 16 RBIs in his last 70 AB. Both have ROS stats that indicate there will be a course correction, but hey, that’s only, like, three weeks.
Corey Seager (SS, TEX), hip: Silver Bullet Band fan Corey Seager may be gone…for the season! While the Rangers haven’t officially ruled Seager out for the season, they have publicly shared that injury aggravation and avoidance may influence that decision.
If you’re not tied to the AL, I will predictably go to utility fellow Geraldo Perdomo again. He is very likely available to pick up and place in your Corey Seager shaped hole.
NL Central
Justin Steele (SP, CHC), elbow: Justin Steele gets close to ending the season the way he began it: on the IL. Steele goes to the elbow with left elbow flexor tendinitis (pitching arm). He will be out for at least another week and a half. Luckily, an MRI showed no structural damage, and Steele is expected back this season. Will it be in time to assist your roster? Is he capable of helping your roster right now?
#Cubs Justin Steele says they received “good news” from his MRI results this morning. “Good” meaning there’s no structural damage it just looks like inflammation. He expects to pitch again this season.
Lucky for you, it does not matter because there are at least some fish in the sea. Washington’s Patrick Corbin threw 10.8 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in his last 11.7 IP. You could also keep an eye out for the Guardians’ Alex Cobb. He is DTD with a blister, but he is not expected to hit the IL.
Patrick Corbin has recorded 6+ strikeouts, 2 or fewer earned runs, and a win in 3 straight starts.
Austin Hays (OF, PHI), kidney: Hays landed on the IL because of a kidney infection. Yowch! At the time of publication, no timeline for return is available. A kidney infection can heal pretty quickly, but of course, that depends on the person and circumstances.
A potentially available NL replacement for Hayes is the Brewers’ Garrett Mitchell. He has 3 HR and 7 RBIs in his last 78 AB. Maybe that does not sound that impressive, but those numbers are sweetened with 5 SB in the same time frame.
NL West
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (OF, ARI), calf: Hairdo Bastion Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is taking a rest on the IL with a strained left calf. He is not expected to be out more than or much more than the 10-day minimum. In the interim, Randal Grichuk is strongly implying that he is worthy of being added to your roster: 5 HR and 11 RBIs in 48 AB. Considering how he is playing versus how Gurriel Jr. has been playing, it may be a worthy investment.
Lourdes Gurriel goes down? Randal Grichuk more than capable of stepping up. 2nd homer of the night. pic.twitter.com/OUXA7A6alc
Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD), toe: This one is more of a public interest entry. Kershaw goes on the IL with a left big toe bone spur, continuing the unraveling of the Dodgers pitching staff. This is a chronic issue for Kershaw. He will be walking in a boot, but Dave Roberts said he expects Kershaw to return soon after the 15-day IL minimum.
Updates from The Infirmary
Here are your lightning-round injury updates. If a top player is not mentioned below, there are no big or helpful updates. If I missed someone you’re curious about, talk to me in the comments.
Bo Bichette (SS, TOR), hamstring: beginning rehab next Tuesday.
Byron Buxton (OF, MIN), hip: was supposed to be activated but has lingering soreness. Timeline to be determined.
Willson Contreras (C, STL), finger: out for at least two more weeks.
Carlos Correa (SS, MIN), heel: timeline murky but expected to ramp up to play in the playoffs as of now.
Jacob deGrom (SP, TEX), elbow: third rehab start this weekend.
Tyler Glasnow (SP, LAD), elbow: not cleared to throw off the mound yet.
Liam Hendriks (RP, BOS) elbow: minor setback in rehab assignment that is not expected to impact return.
Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN), finger: visiting doctors on Monday.
Micheal Lorenzen (SP, KCR), hamstring: playing catch but no bullpen sessions yet.
Matt McLain (2B/SS, CIN), shoulder: return this season not ruled out as McLain is now pain-free.
Vinnie Pasquantino (1B, KCR), thumb: will miss 6-8 weeks.
Robbie Ray (SP, SFG), hamstring: will be out a “couple of weeks” per Bob Melvin.
