As injuries continue to impact contenders across Major League Baseball, several stars are dealing with setbacks that could affect division races, fantasy baseball lineups and return timelines entering the week of June 1st. Here is the latest on some of the league’s biggest injuries, including key updates, expected absences and Pro Football Doc analysis.
Friday, June 5th
Aaron Judge - New York Yankees
Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right first rib, a significant injury that is expected to sideline him for an extended period. The Yankees announced that he will undergo repeat imaging in four to six weeks to assess healing before determining the next phase of his recovery. While surgery is not currently planned, Judge is expected to miss substantial time and will likely remain out until follow-up scans confirm sufficient healing.
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Byron Buxton - Minnesota Twins
Buxton exited Friday's game against the Royals in the third inning after crashing into the outfield wall while making a running catch in center field. The Twins have not yet provided a detailed update on the severity of the injury, and his status will likely be determined after further evaluation.
Tarik Skubal - Detroit Tigers
Skubal is set to make a rehab start for High-A West Michigan on Sunday as he continues his recovery from elbow surgery to remove a loose body. If the outing goes well, the reigning AL Cy Young winner is expected to rejoin the Tigers' rotation next weekend, making this potentially the final step in his rehab process.
Ramon Laureano - San Diego Padres
Laureano is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. The veteran outfielder had been managing hip issues for several years, but the condition worsened recently and ultimately required a surgical solution.
Max Muncy - Los Angeles Dodgers
Muncy appears to have avoided a serious injury after a hard collision with Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas forced him to leave Thursday's game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism that Muncy will be available at some point during the weekend series against the Angels. While Muncy is not expected to play Friday, that absence was already part of the team's plan and is not believed to be related to the collision.
Corey Seager - Texas Rangers
Seager returned to the Rangers' lineup Friday after missing 19 games with lower back inflammation and hit two home runs. Seager was 0-29 prior to his IL stint.
Wednesday, June 4th
Aaron Judge - New York Yankees
Judge was held out of the Yankees' lineup Tuesday because of a bone bruise in his upper right rib that is causing soreness in his right shoulder. Manager Aaron Boone said the injury could sideline Judge for a few days, and the star slugger is scheduled to see a specialist for further evaluation.
Cal Raleigh - Seattle Mariners
Raleigh is expected to begin a Minor League rehab assignment this Sunday with High-A Everett before moving to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday. The Mariners plan to have him play the remainder of the week in Tacoma before reassessing his status and determining the next step in his return to the Major League roster.
Garrett Crochet - Boston Red Sox
Crochet remains sidelined with shoulder inflammation and has also been diagnosed with a low-grade lat strain after experiencing tightness following a recent batting practice session. An MRI confirmed the additional issue, but interim manager Chad Tracy indicated Crochet can resume throwing as soon as he is symptom-free. The Red Sox believe he is already trending in that direction as he continues his recovery.
Ramon Laureano - San Diego Padres
Laureano was placed on the 10-day injured list with right hip inflammation, retroactive to May 31. The Padres promoted Jase Bowen from Triple-A El Paso to take his roster spot as Laureano begins his recovery.
Tuesday, June 3rd
Aaron Judge - New York Yankees
Judge was held out of Tuesday’s lineup after an MRI revealed a bone bruise near his upper right rib that has been causing soreness in his right shoulder. Manager Aaron Boone said the injury has been affecting Judge’s swing but expressed optimism that it will not result in a long-term absence.
Josh Hader - Houston Astros
Hader was activated from the injured list after missing nearly 10 months of Major League action. Hader opened the season on the IL with biceps tendinitis after also missing the final two months of last year because of a left shoulder capsule strain.
Josh Naylor - Arizona Diamondbacks
Naylor exited Monday night's win over the Mets with back spasms, according to manager Dan Wilson. Naylor's back reportedly tightened up after he rounded the bases following a game-tying home run in the seventh inning. He was not in the lineup on Tuesday.
Monday, June 2nd
Munetaka Murakami - Chicago White Sox
Murakami was placed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Murakami entered Saturday tied for the AL lead with 20 home runs.
Elly De La Cruz - Cincinnati Reds
De La Cruz was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain after exiting Sunday’s game against the Braves. An MRI confirmed the injury, and the initial recovery timeline is expected to be 2-4 weeks.
J.T. Realmuto - Philadelphia Phillies
Realmuto exited Sunday’s loss to the Dodgers with a left wrist contusion after being hit by a pitch. X-rays were negative, but manager Don Mattingly said Realmuto was too sore to remain in the game.
Luis Severino - Athletics
The A’s placed Severino on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain after he experienced arm tightness following a May 21 start against the Angels. Manager Mark Kotsay said Severino is undergoing further testing to determine the full severity of the injury.
Craig Kimbrel - Tampa Bay Rays
Kimbrel was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right wrist strain after making just one appearance for his new team. The move was made retroactive to Thursday.
