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.
Thursday, June 11th
Shohei Ohtani - Knee
Ohtani was removed from Thursday night's win over the Pirates because of inflammation in his left knee, but the Dodgers do not appear overly concerned at this point.Manager Dave Roberts described his level of concern as "not high." Los Angeles is optimistic Ohtani could return to the lineup as soon as Friday against the White Sox.
Tarik Skubal - Elbow
Skubal is set to return to the Tigers' rotation on Saturday against the Guardians after successfully completing his rehab assignment following surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow. A.J. Hinch confirmed Thursday that Skubal will make his long-awaited return this weekend.
Seth Lugo - Head
Lugo exited Wednesday night's game against the Rangers after being struck in the head by a 106.6 mph line drive off the bat of Brandon Nimmo. The scary incident immediately brought the Royals' medical staff onto the field, and Lugo was unable to continue. Kansas City later reported that the veteran right-hander was doing well and would undergo the league's concussion protocol and additional testing.
Adolis Garcia - Shoulder
García exited Wednesday night's win over the Blue Jays after experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder following back-to-back throws to home plate on sacrifice flies. Initial evaluations identified the issue as a pulled muscle in the shoulder, though the Phillies plan to conduct additional imaging to determine the full extent of the injury.
Garrett Crochet - Lat
Crochet's recovery from the lat strain that landed him on the injured list on April 29 has taken a concerning turn. Initially diagnosed as a very low-grade strain, the injury appears more significant than originally believed, with Crochet admitting Wednesday that it is "a lot worse than we thought." Crochet is now uncertain about his return timeline. Manager Chad Tracy said additional testing is scheduled later this week.
Wednesday, June 10th
Ronald Acuña Jr. - Hamstring
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. The injury marks Acuña's second stint on the injured list this season due to a left hamstring issue. He previously missed approximately two weeks in May after suffering a Grade 1 strain in the same hamstring.
Oneil Cruz - Fractured Hand
Cruz has been placed on the 10-day injured list after additional testing revealed non-displaced fractures in his left hand between the ring finger and pinkie. The Pirates initially hoped the injury, which occurred while sliding into home plate against Atlanta on Saturday, would not require an IL stint, but follow-up imaging showed enough damage to sideline him. The severity of the fractures will determine his return timeline, but hand injuries can be particularly challenging for hitters due to the demands of gripping and controlling the bat.
Matt Brash - Lat
Brash has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain, marking a recurrence of the same injury that sidelined him approximately six weeks ago. Seattle will likely take a cautious approach with Brash's recovery timeline to avoid further aggravation. The Mariners have not yet provided a definitive timetable for his return.
Tuesday, June 9th
Tarik Skubal - Elbow
Skubal looked sharp in his first rehab outing since undergoing elbow surgery last month, tossing five scoreless innings for High-A West Michigan. The Tigers ace struck out six, allowed just two hits, and threw 44 of his 54 pitches for strikes while touching 98 mph with his fastball. The strong performance keeps him on track to rejoin Detroit's rotation soon, with next weekend remaining a realistic target for his return.
Jameson Taillon - Hamstring
Taillon is expected to miss significant time after suffering a strained left hamstring during Sunday's start against the Giants. The Cubs right-hander exited the game in the second inning and was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list before Tuesday's series opener against Colorado. Chicago is not expecting Taillon back until after the All-Star break,
Yoan Moncada - Knee
The Angels transferred him to the 60-day injured list with a right knee injury that may require surgery. According to manager Kurt Suzuki, the team is still determining whether the procedure will be a simple cleanup or involve repairing a more significant tear.
Chris Bassitt - Back
Bassitt was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Friday, due to low back discomfort. The veteran right-hander experienced back tightness during his most recent start against the Red Sox, where he allowed three runs over three innings. Bassitt has posted a 4-4 record with a 5.27 ERA in his first season with Baltimore, and the Orioles will now give him time to recover before determining a return timeline.
J.P. Crawford - Hand
Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hand contusion after being hit by a pitch from Tigers starter Framber Valdez on Friday. The veteran shortstop missed the final two games of the series against Detroit before Seattle made the move retroactive to Saturday. The Mariners recalled infielder Ryan Bliss from Triple-A Tacoma to fill Crawford's roster spot while he recovers.
Kodai Senga - Back
Senga's rehab process hit a minor setback Tuesday when he was scratched from a scheduled rehab start at Double-A Binghamton due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm. The Mets right-hander had been progressing toward a return from the lumbar spine inflammation that landed him on the injured list in late April. Despite the interruption, Senga downplayed the issue, describing the irritation as minor. The Mets are expected to proceed cautiously, but there is optimism that the setback will not significantly alter his return timeline.
