Ambulance Chasers: Hams Going Hog Wild

Howdy doo, Razzballeroos!

Happy Ham Week. This week, we acknowledge at least four hitters (Oneil Cruz, Munetaka Murakami, Ronald Acuña Jr., Teoscar Hernández) who were victims of hammies shredded worse than some Thanksgiving leftovers.

Ham not your thing? We also have Aaron Judge’s ribs.

Not into cannibalism? There is a vegan place conveniently located next door.

Let’s dive in to see where things can wait or where it’s best to act.

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Updates

Tarik Skubal (SP, DET) – Elbow Surgery (Loose Bodies): Skubal should be back with the Tigers today, and he’s been looking pretty good. Please enjoy the Bat Flip of Sorrow at the end of the clip below.

Two more strikeouts in 2nd inning for Tarik Skubal, who hit 99 mph a few times.

— Jason Beck (@jasonbeck.bsky.social) 2026-06-07T18:36:48.665Z

Blake Snell (LAD) is recovering from the same NanoNeedle procedure Skubal is and is already throwing again. So, I guess I owe Scott Boras an apology (not).

Also, Casey Mize is scheduled back on Sunday. This has been your 3-for-1.

Tigers rotation for this road trip:Tonight at CLE: Jack FlahertySaturday at CLE: Tarik SkubalSunday at CLE: Casey MizeMonday at HOU: Troy MeltonTuesday at HOU: Framber ValdezWednesday at HOU: TBDNo decision yet on next step for Justin Verlander.

— Jason Beck (@jasonbeck.bsky.social) 2026-06-12T21:07:32.864Z

Dylan Cease (SP, TOR) – Hamstring: Starting this article with good news? Cease missed the minimum and threw 11 K in 6 IP. Even more good news? Scherzer was also reinstated, and Bieber isn’t far behind. Toronto is a little scarier these days.

Shane Bieber set to start for Bisons today. It'll be his second AAA start. Last time he threw 2.2 innings, 59 pitches. Typical ramp-up would see him increase workload to ≈75 pitches here. Getting closer to MLB readiness. Blue Jays have been deliberate with him so far in '26.

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnsbaseball.bsky.social) 2026-06-11T12:27:58.572Z

Corey Seager (SS, TEX) – Back Spasms: Seager came back (no pun intended), and maybe he needed a little time off from his slumpy season start. Since his return, he has hit 2 HR and 4 RBIs in 18 PA. However, Seager had a collision at home plate in his fifth game back on Thursday. The collision left him with jaw and rib pain, and he is day-to-day for the time being.

Jose Altuve (HOU, 2B) – Oblique: Altuve is also back, which is kind of crazy after sustaining a grade 2 oblique strain less than a month ago. Then again, maybe 10 SO in his last 20 PA shows he isn’t truly back.

Drake Baldwin (C, ATL) – Minor Oblique: Baldwin is starting his rehab assignment today and may be back Tuesday per Grant McAuley.

Tyler Glasnow (SP, LAD) – Back Injury: Not great. Glasnow has been out since May 8 with back spasms. On June 6, the Dodgers moved him to the 60-day IL. On a positive note, it was reported just yesterday that Glasnow will start playing catch soon.

Some more injury stuff from Dave Roberts:- Tommy Edman is on track to be activated Tuesday- Blake Snell is continuing his throwing progression- Tyler Glasnow could start playing catch soon.

— @fabianardaya.bsky.social 2026-06-12T21:58:04.217Z

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The Triage Report: Pitchers

Bailey Ober (SP, MIN) – Elbow Inflammation

IL: 15-Day | Status: No timetable (definitely the rest of June though)

What happened: Ober is on the 15-Day IL with elbow inflammation. Ober shared that he strained his elbow throwing rain-slicked balls in Boston. No timetable has been designated publicly.

Current outlook: Our old friend elbow-inflammation-with-no-timetable-in-a-starting-pitcher is asking to be invited in. Ober is expected to be out the rest of June.

Fantasy impact: Ober has been a steady enough presence this season, but you don’t need to hang onto him for long if he’s taking up roster space.

Replacement: I went over Stephen Kolek (KCR) in the last edition of Ambulance Chasers, and I still stand by that pick.

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Eury Pérez (SP, MIA) – Strained Gracilis

IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 6/15 | Status: Expected to miss ~8 weeks

What happened: Pérez left a start and was placed on the IL with a strained gracilis, which is a really beautiful name for that skinny lil’ muscle that runs up your inner thighs. The team announced an eight-week timeline.

Current outlook: Eight weeks is not a short stint. That is late July at the earliest, and there’s a chance a leg injury will mess with mechanics. 

Fantasy impact: Pérez has been in the mid-tier for SPs. Cuttable if you don’t have the space.

Replacement: Sean Burke (CWS) is still available in some leagues, though he’s had a rough go (7 K, 5 BB) in his last few IP, but has improved overall in the last month. Though he is a righty and supposed to be on the bump against the Dodgers today. So, maybe let him warm the bench a bit.

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The Triage Report: Hitters

Aaron Judge (OF, NYY) – Rib Stress Fracture

IL: 10-Day | Status: Re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks | Earliest realistic return: August

What happened: What was initially thought to be a bone bruise was really a stress fracture in Judge’s right first rib. He went on the IL June 5.

Current outlook: This one is clearly a stinker. The Yankees shared that Judge will be back sometime this season, but that’s a nice 4-month window. To further complicate matters, Judge sustained a stress fracture (along with a partially collapsed lung) on the same side, making a diving catch in 2019. 

“I don’t know,” said Aaron Boone when asked what month he thought Aaron Judge would return.

— Peter Abraham (@peteabeglobe.bsky.social) 2026-06-05T20:16:05.979Z

Fantasy impact: Critical. Spencer Jones was recalled and will get at-bats. Hold Judge, but don’t expect him back before August.

Replacement: Jones is already seeing time and doing pretty well in a small sample size with a crazy high BABIP. 32% of you picked him up in RCL. So he has some truthers. If you’re looking to go with someone in an organization that has traditionally been more friendly to facial hair, check out Blaze Alexander in the next entry. 

Spencer Jones!443 ft112.2 mphThat’s the hardest-hit first career home run by a Yankees player under Statcast (2015) and the second-longest first career home run by a Yankee in that span behind Aaron Judge (446 ft)h/t the wizard @jasonbernard.bsky.social

— Sarah Langs (@slangsonsports.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T23:27:08.328Z

Oneil Cruz (OF/CF, PIT) – Metacarpal Fractures (Left Hand)

IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 6/18 | Status: Expected to miss at least 1 month

What happened: Cruz slid into home plate in a game against the Braves on June 6 and crunched (medical term) his left hand. Cruz tried to play through it after x-rays appeared clear, but an MRI revealed non-displaced fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpals.

Current outlook: For those who aren’t up on the latest bone trends, non-displaced is better than displaced, but it’s tough to do much with a broken hand regardless of the bone’s feng shui. The at-least-one-month timeline means late July, and with the All-Star Break in mid-July, a post-break return seems realistic. No doubt about holding him.

Fantasy impact: High. Cruz is a big loss for many categories. Jake Mangum picks up the center field spot, but he’s not a fantasy asset.

Replacement: Blaze Alexander (BAL). Laura did a nice write-up about Alexander in Rolling In The Deep: There’s No (C)Ryan In Fantasy Baseball.

Look at these succulent stats for the man named Blaze:

.367/.414/.544, 167 wRC+ in 88 PA since May 1, not including tonight.

— Dan Sanchez (@oriolesreview.bsky.social) 2026-06-11T00:14:41.335Z

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Elly De La Cruz (SS, CIN) – Strained Hamstring

IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 6/13 | Status: Estimated 2-4 weeks 

What happened: De La Cruz hobbled out of the game after a single in the fifth inning last Sunday.. He had an MRI that revealed a right hamstring strain described as “between a Grade 1 and 2.”

Current outlook: De La Cruz pushes through injury. He played through quad issues last season, and his performance suffered. The team issued a 2-4 week timeline. However, Terry Francona shared that Elly is healing quickly (source). So, it’s possible the timeline will be on the shorter end.

Fantasy impact: High. However, given the good news and his performance, it’s an obvious hold.

Replacement: Edwin Arroyo was called up in De La Cruz’s place. However, David Hamilton (MIL) would be a useful utility piece until De La Cruz returns (hopefully soon). In his last 19 PA, he has 5 H, 1 HR, 1 SB, and 2 BB. He has also had 9 SO, but have I already said beggars can’t be choosers? Nick Gonzales (PIT)  is another option. 

David Hamilton is a home run hitter now. 2-0.

— Curt Hogg (@cyrthogg.bsky.social) 2026-06-07T01:36:07.991Z

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Munetaka Murakami (1B/3B, CHW) – Strained Hamstring

IL: 10-Day | Status: Expected to miss 4-6 weeks

What happened: This happened as I was due to submit Ambulance Chasers last time. So, not much was known at the time. He was placed on the IL with a grade 2 hamstring strain after running to first base.

Current outlook: At this point, Murakami will still be out another 2 to 4 weeks. He has been running but not sprinting yet.

White Sox slugger MUNETAKA MURAKAMI is running — slowly — two weeks since straining hamstring.chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20…

— Jeff Agrest (@jeffagrest.bsky.social) 2026-06-13T00:04:16.226Z

Fantasy impact: Murakami’s bat is pretty, pretty good. There have been a few young and rookie White Sox players step up in Murakami’s absence. 32% of the White Sox hits this season have come from rookies. Jacob Gonzales debuted on May 31 and caused Grey to have feelings. Read more of that Murakami Down The IL Chute But Jacob Gonzalez Came Prepared.

White Sox squeak by Braves 6-5 on a golden sunset night. Jacob Gonzalez came to play: 2 hits, 1 run, making the dugout look like legends. Crowd’s small but wild—cowbells, cheese, and someone somewhere still spelling "Go Tribe." Vibes: cheap dogs, weird hats, pure energy.

— Dumb Baseball (@dumb-baseball.bsky.social) 2026-06-10T03:04:31.074Z

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Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF, ATL) – Strained Left Hamstring (Second IL Stint)

IL: 10-Day | Status: No timetable

What happened: Acuña left a game against the White Sox with left hamstring tightness and was placed on the IL the following day. This is his second hamstring IL visit of the 2026 season. The first was in early May and lasted about two weeks.

Current outlook: The recurrence is troubling. A second trip to the same hamstring in the same season becomes a bit more risky. Luckily, this time the strain is only a grade 1. 

Fantasy impact: High. Acuña has been productive. So, wait-and-see and hold, but be prepared with a backup plan on return.

Replacement: Colton Cowser (BAL)  is 80% rostered in RCL leagues. In his last 27 PA, he has 3 HR, 4 RBIs, and 1 SB. Dominic Canzone (SEA) is another good option that is more likely to be available.

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Secondary Impact / Quick Hits

Konnor Griffin (SS, PIT) – Strained Forearm

Griffin is on the IL with a forearm strain and no timetable. 

Will Smith (C, LAD) – Neck Inflammation

Smith went to the IL with neck inflammation. Neck injuries in catchers aren’t great because of the crouching and throwing mechanics involved. No timetable. The Dodgers have Dalton Rushing, and you could tooooo.

J.P. Crawford (SS, SEA) – Hand Contusion (Right)

Right hand contusion for Crawford. No timetable, but he could be back in a week or so. Hold if ya wanna.

Jorge Soler (OF, LAA) – Strained Oblique

“Oblique, no timetable” is a phrase this column keeps writing because we can’t get enough. We have a thirst for it. A craving. 3-4 weeks likely, which means early July.

Matt Brash (RP, SEA) – Strained Lat

Brash hits the IL with a lat strain and no timetable. This recovery probably won’t be rushed. Check back in a few weeks.

Tyler Freeman (OF, COL) – Concussion

Freeman is on the 7-Day concussion IL after being binged on the bong by a 98.2 mph pitch from Jacob Misiorowski. It will probably resolve quickly, but concussions can be unpredictable.

Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, who set a Statcast Era (2008) record for fastest pitch thrown by a starter at 103.7 mph earlier in the night, hits Rockies’ Tyler Freeman in the head (helmet).Freeman stays on his feet but exits the game. The pitch, a cutter, came in at 98.2 mph.

— Patrick D. Lyons (@patrickdlyons.bsky.social) 2026-06-07T03:10:55.745Z

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It’s no coincidence hamstring injuries are popping up everywhere. The stress of the season is starting to show up in soft tissues. Elly De La Cruz, Munetaka Murakami, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Teoscar Hernández all went down with hamstrings in a close stretch. Prepare your body for more.

That’s it for this one. May we have some good news in the next edition of Ambulance Chasers!

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I’m Keelin, and I am sorry I have to bring you mostly bad news every week. 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.