As weekend MLB action approaches, there are plenty of headliners on the injury report. We have the latest updates on impact players around the league. Let's take a look at injured players Wilyer Abreu, Clayton Kershaw, Josh Jung, Jeffrey Springs, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates as of June 14, 2024. Whether your top ace is out of action, or a valued slugger is banged up, some players on this list are sure to impact fantasy baseball lineup decisions.
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Wilyer Abreu Injury Update
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu (ankle) took batting practice at Fenway Park prior to Thursday's game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. There's no word yet on when Abreu will go on a minor league rehab assignment, but it could be fairly soon. He's been on the 10-day injured list since June 3 with a sprained right ankle, but Abreu is unlikely to require very many at-bats in the minors before the Red Sox reinstate him to the major league roster.
Wilyer Abreu appears on track toward making his return to the Red Sox lineup. https://t.co/AC31VMG8lD
— NESN (@NESN) June 13, 2024
The 24-year-old left-handed slugger has settled in as a mainstay in Boston's lineup this year, slashing a formidable .272/.344/.485 with six home runs, 14 doubles, 22 RBI, and seven stolen bases across 189 plate appearances. With an everyday role awaiting him in right field when he returns, Abreu is worth stashing in the majority of fantasy leagues.
Clayton Kershaw Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) tossed a successful three-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, and pitching coach Mark Prior said Kershaw's velocity was at 88-89 mph -- right where they would expect for a live batting practice session at this point. The future Hall of Famer was also throwing two-seamers and changeups along with his usual mix of pitches.
3-inning sim game for #Dodgers Clayton Kershaw starting now pic.twitter.com/B1Hq6hzZYA
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 13, 2024
After his second simulated game, the 36-year-old veteran southpaw is now expected to embark on a lengthy minor league rehab assignment. The 10-time All-Star isn't going to return to L.A.'s starting rotation until after the All-Star break, but he's certainly getting closer to his 2024 debut. Fantasy managers should know that Kershaw is no longer in his prime, but even an aging ace with injury concerns can have value in mixed leagues after he went 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 22 starts last year before going down with his shoulder injury.
Josh Jung Injury Update
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) is heading to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday to continue taking live batting practice against other rehabbing pitchers before he officially begins a minor league rehab assignment. After facing right-hander Tyler Mahle in live batting practice on Wednesday, Jung will take his rehab to the minors and is slated to get around 30 at-bats there once he's cleared for game action, which should be imminent.
Josh Jung is on the way to rehab (though he won't immediately be active), but he didn't cross the last threshold without a scare: https://t.co/s3JpwRIykA
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) June 13, 2024
He'll likely spend at least one week at Triple-A until he's ready to rejoin the Rangers, positioning Jung for a return in late June. The 26-year-old former No. 8 overall pick went 7-for-17 with two home runs, six RBI, and one stolen base over four games before fracturing his right wrist. He'll resume his role as Texas' everyday third baseman upon his eventual activation from the 60-day injured list.
Corey Seager Injury Update
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (undisclosed) was scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Seager was originally listed as the designated hitter, but he was replaced by Travis Jankowski in a revised lineup. Seager returned from a four-game absence on Wednesday night as he had been dealing with a hamstring injury.
Bruce Bochy said they’re “being cautious” with Corey Seager. He had a bit of tightness while getting ready today and they want him to be a full go in Seattle
Bochy said he’ll likely be back out there tomorrow against the Mariners
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) June 14, 2024
Manager Bruce Bochy said they're "being cautious" with Seager after he had a bit of tightness while getting ready on Thursday. The Rangers want him to be a full-go for the series this weekend in Seattle against the division-rival Mariners, and Bochy said Seager will be back out there on Friday.
Nolan Arenado Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (hand) is day-to-day with a bone bruise after X-rays came back negative on his right hand. The 33-year-old was hit by a pitch on the back of his hand in the eighth inning of Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thankfully, it looks like the eight-time All-Star avoided any significant injury and may only need to recover for a day or two.
#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said X-Rays on the right hand of star third baseman Nolan Arenado came back negative. The club is classifying it as a bone bruise.
Arenado said the ball hit him on the back of the hand — as opposed to the fingers — and thinks he should be “fine.”
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 13, 2024
Arenado has been relatively mediocre in 2024. He is slashing .260/.315/.380 with six home runs, 31 RBI, and a 31:46 BB:K. He is also putting up some of the worst batted ball metrics of his career as his average exit velocity of 85.8 mph is in the bottom-eight percent of baseball. It seems like the days of 30+ homers are firmly in the rearview mirror for Arenado.
Jack Flaherty Injury Update
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (back) said he's feeling better after receiving an injection in his back and expects to make his next start on Saturday against the Houston Astros and right-hander Justin Verlander. Flaherty will throw on flat ground on Wednesday and toss a bullpen session on Thursday. The 28-year-old was forced out of his last start early against the Texas Rangers on June 4 with back tightness, but he still managed five scoreless innings with four K's. He hasn't allowed an earned run while striking out 13 in his last two starts.
#Tigers Jack Flaherty made it through 5IP and threw just 60 pitches before coming out of the game
The broadcast showed him stretching on the bench and there is no word on what (if any) injury. He did eventually leave to go in the back.
Velo was down about 1 mph on the night. pic.twitter.com/FpexWW5PyC
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) June 5, 2024
Flaherty shouldn't face any restrictions in his start on Saturday, but it's a tough matchup against an Astros offense that ranks fifth in all of baseball with a .737 OPS. In his first meeting with Houston in Detroit on May 12, Flaherty took a loss but he had a quality start, too, allowing three earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking none and fanning seven in 6 2/3 frames.
Jeffrey Springs Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (elbow) made his first minor league rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, striking out three batters over two innings of work. Springs' velocity looks to be back to his 2023 levels, considering he generated eight whiffs on just 18 pitches on Wednesday.
Jeffrey Spring made a AAA rehab start today, striking out 3 in 2.0 IP
His velocity looks to be back to his 2023 levels as he generated 8 whiffs on just 18 pitches pic.twitter.com/eoXTTEzXab
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) June 12, 2024
Still, with a long way to go to build up his pitch count during his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Springs is likely to return to the Rays sometime in the middle of July. After yielding a lone run with a 24:4 K:BB over 16 innings in Tampa Bay's rotation last season, the 31-year-old left-hander has the upside to eventually be an upper-echelon starter for fantasy managers once he's fully built back up and could significantly help rosters down the stretch of the campaign.
Tyler Mahle Injury Update
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Tyler Mahle (elbow) threw 20 pitches off the mound on Wednesday. Mahle, 29, underwent Tommy John surgery last season as a member of the Minnesota Twins before signing with the Rangers this offseason. Mahle still has a long way to go, but Wednesday was a big step forward for the right-hander in what should be a lengthy recovery.
Tyler Mahle threw off a mound to Josh Jung for about 20 or so pitches here at Dodger Stadium & there was much back-slapping & hugging afterwards. I will ask the hard questions about the back-slapping & hugging when clubhouse opens
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) June 12, 2024
Mahle doesn't have a clear timetable for his eventual return, but he is unlikely to help managers much this season and should be a name for managers to remind themselves of in 2025 drafts.
Edwin Diaz Injury Update
In his first outing since returning from the injured list, New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz earned his second victory of the year. Diaz pitched the top of the ninth inning as the Mets were down 2-1 at the time and recorded a strikeout in what was otherwise a clean frame of work.
Edwin Díaz hits 100 MPH and strikes out Otto López as part of a 1-2-3 9th pic.twitter.com/IgycEPtukU
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 14, 2024
The veteran would be awarded with the victory when outfielder J.D. Martinez hit a walk-off two-run home run off Tanner Scott in the bottom of the ninth inning. Diaz missed the previous 15 games with a shoulder impingement, but looked like his old self on Thursday. Moving forward, Diaz should remain one of the best closer options in the game.
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