Hello, Razzball Friends!
We’re past the All-Star break and in the latter half of the dog days of summer. Fun Fact: Did you know the dog days of summer are known as rötmånaden, which means “rot month”, in Swedish?
Good timing because I have some absolutely rotten news for you.
The bad news: some of the injuries we thought were temporary just turned a corner straight into Nastyville.
The good news: some of the players are back or returning soon.
Keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times as we take a gander at these here ol’ injuries.
Updates From Last Time
Brandon Woodruff (SP, MIL) – Shoulder Surgery (Season-Ending): In the last edition of Ambulance Chasers, we were talking about temporary shoulder inflammation tied to a recurring cyst turned into the worst-case scenario. Woodruff underwent surgery on his right anterior shoulder capsule and is effectively done-zo for 2026. This also threatens to follow him into the early 2027. Time to let him go.
Byron Buxton (OF, MIN) – Back in Action: The All-Star break rest worked out well for Buxton who was activated from the 10-day IL. He returned to the Twins’ lineup fairly quickly. His .274/.331/.568 line with 25 HR through 78 G should still make holders feel pretty, pretty good.
Carlos Rodón (SP, NYY) – Mid-August Return Tracking: Rodón has been working through a throwing program and receiving PRP injections. He’s tracking toward a return to the Yankees rotation in early-to-mid August.
Big Yankees update here.#FunnellVision💬 @GaryHPhillips: Giancarlo Stanton has started a running progression. Still no timetable.Carlos Rodón threw about 10 pitches in a short bullpen today.Clarke Schmidt will face live hitters and th…🐦 https://x.com/sportz_nutt51/status/2078207489795817528
— Dave Funnell (bot) (@sportz-nutt51-bot.bsky.social) 2026-07-17T20:05:18.599086+00:00
Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF, ATL) – Imminent Return: His multi-week hamstring absence is basically over. It’s expected he will be back in action on Monday (source).
Ranger Suárez (SP, BOS) – Phew: Suárez was lined up to return right out of the break from his left groin strain. He experienced some issues after pushing hard in fielding drills. However, he could be back Sunday (source).
Konnor Griffin (SS, PIT) – Shifted to 60-Day IL: That torn left ring finger tendon (that nasty sagittal band injury we covered last time) has landed Griffin on the 60-day IL. An 8-to-10 week recovery means late September is the best-case scenario for him.
The Pirates DFA’d RHP Cam Sanders after adding both infielder Jacob Gonzales and RHP Brandon Eisert to the 40-man rosterSS Konnor Griffin was also transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room
— Dominic Campbell (@domismoney.bsky.social) 2026-07-11T12:54:04.219Z
The Triage Report: Pitchers
Max Meyer (SP, MIA) — Strained Neck
Status: 15-Day | Status: Uncertain
What happened: Meyer has a strained neck that has kept him from doing his job, which is baseball.
Current outlook: Meyer was performing well before this: 2.14 ERA, 8.1 K/9 across his last 21 IP. The tricky thing about neck injuries is that they can affect mechanics which causes a cascade of issues.
Fantasy impact: High. Meyer is very rostered.
Replacement: Kyle Leahy (STL) is hitting 0.71 ERA in 25.3 IP. He has 7.1 K/9 and a 2.5 BB/9.
Jack Flaherty (SP, DET) — Flexor Inflammation
IL: 15-Day | Status: Mid-August
What happened: Flaherty goes to the IL with inflammation in his flexor tendon.
Current outlook: Flaherty has had a solid season with a 10.4 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 20.7 IP.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. Flaherty is widely started.
Replacement: It’s another week, and another time I will point out that Keider Montero (DET) is right there.
[PR]Among all American League pitchers with at least 15 starts this year, Keider Montero ranks: 2nd in WHIP (0.96)3rd in OPS against (.589)6th in BB rate (5.3%)9th in ERA (3.14)#DNMW
— Detroit Tigers (Unoffical) (@nottigers.bsky.social) 2026-07-23T02:40:09.129Z
Stephen Kolek (SP, KCR) — Strained Forearm Flexor
IL: 60-Day | Status: Gone until at least September
What happened: Kolek landed on the IL with a strained forearm flexor.
Current outlook: There goes my regular streaming recommendation!
Fantasy impact: Low to moderate. Kolek’s presence is league dependent.
Replacement: Again, beggars can’t be chooser, but if you need someone readily available, Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) has thrown 2.33 ERA in his last 27.0 IP. Good if you need innings, but his SO rate is not great (12.8% in the same time frame).
Mark Leiter Jr. (RP, ATH) — Hip Impingement
IL: 15-day | Eligibility: Return in early August
What happened: Leiter has been dealing with hip impingement.
Current outlook: Hip impingement can affect lower-body mechanics and power generation.
Fantasy impact: Low.
Replacement: Erik Miller (SF) 0.00 ERA threw 13 K and 3 BB in his last 9.3 IP. Jordan Hicks (CHW) threw 18 K and 2 BB in his last 10.7 IP. Both are very, very available.
Jordan Hicks hasn’t been scored upon since coming off the IL, and there are real mechanical and pitch mix changes, as well as more triple-digit heat, behind his recent successsoxmachine.com/2026/07/jord…
— James Fegan (@jrfegan.soxmachine.com) 2026-07-19T15:17:23.169Z
JoJo Romero (RP, STL) — Appendicitis
IL: Recent surgery | Status: Early August return
What happened: Romero underwent an emergency appendectomy and is recovering from surgery.
Current outlook: Dr. Google tells me the recovery time for appendicitis is 2-4 weeks. Romero should be back within a few weeks, but to what extent? Uncertain.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. Romero is a useful relief arm.
Replacement: Jacob Webb (CHC) has a 0.00 ERA with 11 K in his last 11.0 IP. The bad news is he had 7 BB in that timeframe as well.
Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN) — Blister (Left Index Finger)
IL: 15-day | Status: Timeline uncertain
What happened: Lodolo developed a blister on his left index finger that has sidelined him from recent starts.
Current outlook: Blister isn’t structural, but Lodolo has chronic blister issues.
Fantasy impact: Low to moderate.
Replacement: Zac Thornton (NYM) has a 0.47 ERA in his last 19.0 IP. He is ready and available (Grey feels differently; I will drink the Kool-Aid).
Mets rookie Zac Thornton extends scoreless streak to earn first MLB win
— Mike J. Asti (@mikeasti11.bsky.social) 2026-07-22T12:16:21.375Z
The Triage Report: Hitters
Juan Soto
This popped up right around the time I was going to publish, but Juan Soto left the game last night with calf soreness.
Juan Soto was removed from tonight's game with left calf soreness, per the Mets
— Roger Cormier (@themetsnewsletter.com) 2026-07-25T00:55:49.500Z
Nick Kurtz (1B, ATH) — Sprained Thumb Capsule
IL: 10-Day | Status: Eligible to return soon
What happened: Kurtz sprained his right thumb capsule diving for a ball, landing him on the 10-day IL. This one kind of grossed me out. Also, I am learning all the time that humans are made of many capsules.
Current outlook: While not a huge injury, it could affect bat control and grip strength. So, this injury is more of a “Will it be re-aggravated?” wait-and-see story. It has been reported that Kurtz could be back soon.
Great news here on Kurtz, who could be back this weekend.#FunnellVision💬 @MartinJGallegos: Nick Kurtz is with the A's on this road trip and has started a hitting progression. Also took ground balls today. If things progress well, there's…🐦 https://x.com/sportz_nutt51/status/2079366064522051759
— Dave Funnell (bot) (@sportz-nutt51-bot.bsky.social) 2026-07-21T00:43:57.122234+00:00
Fantasy impact: High. Kurtz is widely rostered.
Replacement: Are we back on our CES shiz? Christian Encarnación-Strand (BAL) has a teeny tiny sample size of 17 PA with 2 HR and 4 RBI. Ty France (SD) is on a hot streak and available. Either way, you won’t be down Kurtz too much longer.
Bobby Witt Jr. (SS, KCR) — Lower Back Tightness
IL: 10-day | Status: Back soon (no pun intended)?
What happened: Witt is dealing with lower back tightness. More bad news for KCR. Oddly enough, this is the first time in Witt Jr.’s career that he’s been on the IL.
Current outlook: Back tightness in position players can be manageable with rest and treatment. So, this is more of a monitor situation.
Fantasy impact: Moderate to high. Witt’s availability matters if he’s in your line-up.
Replacement: Luckily, there are some available shortstops. Jim Jarvis (ATL) is hitting a 0.300 AVG in his last 54 PA. He only has 1 HR but 7 RBIs. If you’re feeling a little more risky, Cam Cauley (TEX) debuted on June 26. In his last 38 PA he has 9 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, and 4 BB.
Jim Jarvis hits his first MLB triple, and it gives the Braves the lead
— Baseball GIFs (@baseballgifs.bsky.social) 2026-07-21T23:53:43.158Z
Samuel Basallo (C, BAL) — Shoulder Inflammation (Right)
IL: 10-day | Status: Uncertain
What happened: Basallo has inflammation in his right shoulder. Initially, this was a DTD injury, but it’s turned into a stint on the IL.
Current outlook: Luckily, this injury is being managed conservatively (i.e. they are putting him on the IL for rest). However, monitor closely.
Fantasy impact: Moderate especially as other catchers go down. See more below.
Replacement: If you want someone very readily available, you could be a psycho and pick up James McCann or go with Luis Campusano (SD). Neither are great it’s a warm body, and it would be a little funny.
Adley Rutschman (C, BAL) — Wrist Inflammation (Left)
IL: 10-day | Status: Uncertain
What happened: Rutschman has inflammation in his left wrist that has affected his recent games.
Current outlook: As catchers rely heavily on wrist mobility and strength for framing and throwing, this ain’t good. But inflammation is better than any big structural stuff. However, Adley has been injured quite a bit this season, which isn’t good.
Fantasy impact: Moderate.
Replacement: Keibert Ruiz could very possibly be available to you.
Blaze Alexander (INF/OF, BAL) — Fractured Hand (Left)
IL: 10-Day | Status: No timetable
What happened: Alexander sustained a fractured left hand.
Current outlook: Well, there goes my permanent plan B fixture. Alexander’s value was in being a utility, and this absence removes that utility.
Fantasy impact: Low to moderate. High in my heart.
Replacement: Luis Rengifo (SD) or Tyrone Taylor (NYM).
Luis Rengifo pinch-hit go-ahead HR (2)
— MLB HR Videos (@mlbhrvideo.bsky.social) 2026-07-25T01:50:50.563Z
Secondary Impact / Quick Hits
Let’s do a quick run through of some other injuries.
Max Rajcic (RP, STL) – Tommy John Surgery: Out for the season.
Addison Barger (RP) – Elbow Surgery: Elbow surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of the season.
J.T. Ginn (SP, ATH) – Blister on Finger: Blister on right middle finger.
William Kempner (RP, MIA) – Sprained Elbow: Elbow sprain.
PJ Poulin (RP, WSN) – Strained Flexor: Flexor strain.
Justin Sterner (RP, ATH) – Knee Chondromalacia: Chondromalacia in the knee.
Trevor McDonald (SP, SFG) – Strained Elbow: Elbow strain with unclear rotation timeline.
Jeff Criswell (RP, COL) – Strained Shoulder: Shoulder strain keeping him from recent appearances.
Drey Jameson (RP, ARI) – Hip Inflammation: Hip inflammation affecting recent outings. Could resolve quickly but watch.
Patrick Corbin (RP/SP, TOR) – Teres Major Strain: Teres major strain. Low-severity shoulder injury.
Sal Frelick (OF, MIL) – Strained Shoulder: Shoulder strain.
Kyle Higashioka (C, TEX) – Strained Flexor: Flexor strain.
Brent Rooker (OF, ATH) – Arthroscopic Knee Surgery (Season-Ending): Out for 2026.
Miguel Andujar (INF/OF, SDP) – Fractured Wrist: Fractured right wrist.
Brice Matthews (OF/INF, HOU) – Sprained Knee: Sprained knee.
Kyle Teel (C, CHW) – Sprained Ankle: Ankle sprain.
Tommy Troy (OF/INF, ARI) – Sprained Shoulder (Right AC Joint): AC joint sprain.
Garrett Stubbs (C, PHI) – Wrist Inflammation: Wrist inflammation. Not great for catching!
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (OF, ARI) – Strained Groin: Groin strain. Affecting running mechanics.
The Takeaways
It’s early in the second half of the season, but we have seen some shifting of several players we’ve monitored here the past few weeks. Woodruff’s injury very quickly transitioned into a season-ending scenario. However, there was some rest allowed and with it came positive news: Buxton is back, Acuña is imminent, and Rodón is avoiding surgery.
Finally, as arm issues continue to pop up, we must consider whether it’s just natural fatigue or if the workload has become too high and a bunch of bad, bad things might follow. Maybe consider both.
That’s it for this edition of Razzball Ambulance Chasers. Remember to wear a cup.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Joshua Kuroda-Grauer "was joking" after undergoing emergency surgery for a ruptured testicle.
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports.usatoday.com) 2026-07-23T00:30:31Z
I’m Keelin, your bi-weekly reminder that the All-Star break doesn’t fix everything. Find me on Bluesky at keelin12ft.bsky.social.
This column focuses on injury situations that meaningfully affect fantasy baseball decisions. It is not a complete injury ledger or a prediction of exact timelines. Teams are often vague, information changes quickly, and this is best viewed as a snapshot of where things stand.
