Well, we had a good run. This will be my final Ambulance Chasers post for the 2025 MLB season as I move onto fantasy football (over here at Razzball)! Thank you to everyone who has followed along, read, and commented throughout the past few months. Every single one of you is appreciated, and I can only hope that these posts helped you win a few weeks in your leagues.
Anyway, if there were any injuries missed, feel free to yell at me in the comments or on Twitter/X @RotoSurgeon.
Injuries to Monitor
Jackson Chourio (OF, MIL) Hamstring
The Brewers’ young star will be sidelined for the next month with a hamstring strain. Sadly, there are only two months left of the baseball season, and likely five or six weeks for most fantasy leagues. Hold Chourio if you have open IL spots, but if holding him is going to cause you to drop someone returning sooner, dropping is suggested.
Max Muncy (3B, LAD) Knee
The Dodgers announced that Max Muncy is preparing for a rehab assignment early next week. Muncy avoided a much more serious injury after a collision at third base, but there is some concern as to whether he returns to his pre-injury form.
From April 30th to July 2nd, he was one of baseball’s best hitters with a 173 wRC+ and .989 OPS. Coincidentally, he was one of baseball’s worst hitters during the first month of this season! Muncy corrected an astigmatism in late April, which resulted in this stretch. However, when you are in a groove like that, it does not help to miss a month of action. My expectation for Muncy upon return is closer to a league-average hitter.
If you are in a deeper format, he is worth holding throughout the year for that upside. However, if he returns and struggles early on, that could carry over into September based on his history of ebbs and flows.
Jeremy Pena (SS, HOU) Hamstring
Pena just returned to action after a rib injury-induced IL stint this past week, but will miss time this weekend due to hamstring tightness. The Houston Astros were very active during this trade deadline after losing 3B Isaac Paredes. Carlos Correa is back, Jesus Sanchez adds a much-needed bat to the lineup, and Yordan Alvarez is expected back (eventually).
Pena will be returning to a much stronger lineup, but he needs to stay healthy. Manager Joe Espada stated that this injury is fairly minor, and more so, cramping. He wanted to “give him a day” on Saturday after missing Friday, which makes Sunday’s status very important to judge this severity.
Michael King (SP, SD) Shoulder
The Padres are preparing for Michael King to make a rehab assignment on Sunday. King’s second season in San Diego was going even better than his first, but the injury bug struck again. He will probably need multiple rehab starts to build up after missing 10 weeks of action, yet should contribute for the fantasy playoffs. Hopefully, he will return to form, but given his shoulder injury and extended absence, a slight decline from his high-end status is expected.
Jonathan Aranda (1B, TB) Wrist
The breakout 1B for Tampa Bay will miss extended time due to a broken wrist. Aranda collided with the mammoth Giancarlo Stanton on a routine play and could miss the rest of this season as a result. While this could be it for his year, we should still appreciate his production nonetheless. Aranda provided 12 HR, 53 runs, 54 RBI, and a stellar .316 batting average through 103 games. He was a staple in fantasy lineups all season and will be missed.
King hasn’t pitched, hasn’t even gone out on rehab starts
Had a rehab start yesterday
Muncy is reported to be returning this week, possibly today.
Think this was written days ago? King also pitched yesterday.
Looks that way since the weekend for Pena to miss has come and gone.
Is the ‘shin contusion’ just a backhanded way of limiting Miz’s innings? I mean the Brewers are as deep SP wise as any team in MLB and can afford to send their prized stud to camp for 15 days.
I think so.
“contusion” could be bone bruise or what you said…either way just glad to have logan henderson back