5 MLB Injury Storylines To Watch This Week

2 min read • August 08, 2022

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MLB
5 MLB Injury Storylines To Watch This Week

Fernando Tatis Jr. Finally Begins Rehab Assignment

The Padres sent star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to AA San Antonio to begin his rehab assignment this weekend. The 23-year has gone 0-5 with two walks in two games so far, one at DH and one at shortstop. 

Manager Bob Melvin said that the goal is for Tatis Jr. to return to the Padres sometime in “mid-August-ish,” which likely puts him back in the lineup – whether that be at shortstop, DH, or centerfield – in one-to-two weeks.

How Long Will Back Injury Shelve Clayton Kershaw?

Clayton Kershaw suffered a low-back injury on Thursday afternoon and subsequently went to the 15-day IL, joining fellow Dodgers’ starters Walker Buehler and Dustin May.

Manager Dave Roberts projected that the 34-year-old will miss 2-to-4 weeks, which would match the stints to rehab his previous back injuries and puts the southpaw back with Los Angeles, 75-33, with about 30 games left to ramp-up for the playoffs.

deGrom Continues Return Tour, Megill To Join Soon

Jacob deGrom worked through a 75-pitch limit on Sunday with 12 strikeouts across 5.2 one-hit innings in his second start back. He is scheduled to take the rubber next Saturday against the surging Phillies as his pitch count will continue to expand. 

It remains to be seen if deGrom will be able to finish the season without right arm issues, but his return is the first of several that will help shore up the Mets’ rotation in the coming weeks, as Tylor Megill is scheduled for his first bullpen session this week and Trevor May is now two appearances into his return from a three-month IL stint.

Kirilloff, Sanó Add To Twins’ Growing Injured List

The Central-leading Twins added three more key hitters – Miguel Sanó, Alex Kirilloff, and Kyle Garlick – to the 10-day IL over the last week.

Sanó, dealing with left knee soreness only four games into his return from a torn meniscus in May, was placed on the 60-day IL while Kirilloff will undergo season-ending right forearm surgery on Tuesday. 

Max Kepler returned from the IL on Saturday and outfielder Trevor Larnach is on his way back from core muscle surgery, but Minnesota has already lost Royce Lewis for the season and continue to work around Byron Buxton’s right knee tendonitis. 

What’s Going On With Michael Brantley’s Shoulder?

Astros’ outfielder and DH Michael Brantley has yet to swing a bat since going on the 10-day IL with right shoulder soreness on June 27 and, according to general manager James Click, there is no certainty that the 35-year-old will return to the team this year.

Follow-up tests haven’t showed any additional damage, Brantley told The Houston Chronicle, but he hasn’t made any progress in his rehab.