MLB Injury Report: Connelly Early shelved with elbow inflammation, hip injury lingers for Byron Buxton

In this week’s Injury Report, Byron Buxton aggravated a lingering hip injury, putting his status for the All-Star Game in jeopardy. Connelly Early’s breakout rookie campaign has hit a roadblock with an elbow injury. And Mike Trout is expected to return this week following a three-week absence with a hamstring strain. All that and more as we cover all of the most relevant injury news around baseball.

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Byron Buxton (hip)

Buxton was held out of the lineup all last week with a right hip impingement and didn’t return until Saturday. He was then removed from Sunday’s contest against the Yankees after sliding into second on a steal attempt in the first inning. It seems he might’ve aggravated the hip injury on the play. Given that he missed a handful of games with the issue, he may not be able to avoid the injured list this time around, especially with the All-Star break coming up, which will allow him some extra rest. Though we should get some clarity on Tuesday before the team’s series opener against the Guardians in Minnesota. Buxton was elected to his first All-Star game, hitting .271/.328/.304 with 25 homers, 57 runs, 45 RBI, and seven steals across 335 plate appearances.

Connelly Early (elbow)

Early departed 61 pitches into last Tuesday’s start against the Nationals with left elbow discomfort and was placed on the 15-day injured list as he undergoes further evaluation. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters that Early was dealing with posterior left elbow inflammation. He then mentioned on Friday that Early would be seeing a specialist for a second opinion. Tracy did downplay the second visit, but it’s still a worrisome development nonetheless. We should get an update on Early’s status and potential timeline in the coming days.

Ryan Helsley (elbow)

Helsley was supposed to make an appearance last Wednesday against the White Sox, but was held out after experiencing right elbow discomfort during his warmup. He had already missed six weeks due to right elbow inflammation and made five appearances over 10 days before the renewed discomfort. The Orioles placed Helsley back on the 15-day injured list without a clear timetable. Tyler Wells has converted the first two saves in his absence.

Mike Trout (hamstring)

Trout has been sidelined since June 18 with a right hamstring strain. He was reportedly able to run the bases with no issues prior to Sunday’s game against the Red Sox and hopes to be activated this week, likely Tuesday or Wednesday. The 34-year-old outfielder has been voted as a starter for the American League in this year’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia, and he’s trending towards participating in what would be his 11th Midsummer Classic.

Edwin Diaz (elbow)

Diaz reportedly came away feeling “way better than early in the season” following a live bullpen session before Sunday’s game against the Padres. He was particularly encouraged by the swing and miss he was able to generate on his fastball during the session. The 32-year-old right-hander seems to be on track to return shortly after the All-Star break and should step back into closing duties for the Dodgers.

Vinnie Pasquantino (hand)

Some encouraging news on Pasquantino. The 28-year-old first baseman will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday after rehabbing his broken hamate bone at the Royals’ spring training complex in Arizona. Pasquantino has been sidelined since mid-June with a hamate bone fracture in his right hand, but could make it back before next week’s All-Star break.

Brandon Woodruff (shoulder)

Woodruff was in the middle of his third start back from the injured list before departing Saturday’s game against the Diamondbacks in the fourth inning with an aggravation of his shoulder injury. His velocity was down to 87 mph as he left the contest. The Brewers placed the 33-year-old right-hander back on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Woodruff had missed nearly two months during his previous stint on the injured list. A similar timeline would put him back sometime in mid-to-late August.

Ranger Suarez (adductor)

Suarez was pulled from Sunday’s game against the Angels in the third inning with an injury after trying to field a grounder. The team stated he departed with left adductor tightness. If he’s placed on the injured list prior to Tuesday’s season opener against the White Sox, he may miss only one start in the rotation with next week’s All-Star break on the horizon.

Jeremy Pena (calf)

It looks like it may just be a minimum stint on the injured list for Pena. The 28-year-old shortstop is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday. He’s been on the injured list since June 30 with a left calf strain and will be eligible to return on Friday. As long as he can come out of a couple of rehab games with no setbacks, he should be ready to join Houston when first eligible.

Brendan Donovan (groin)

Donovan is another player starting a rehab assignment this week. The 29-year-old infielder has been cleared to begin his minor league assignment on Tuesday. He’s been out of action since mid-May with a groin strain. It’s unclear how many games Donovan will need before he’s ready to return to the Seattle lineup after missing nearly two months. His return will raise some lineup questions, with Colt Emerson now handling shortstop duties, Cole Young playing well at second, and J.P. Crawford at the hot corner. But Donovan could move all around the diamond, including some time in the outfield.

Max Fried (elbow)

Add Fried to the growing list of players on the mend. According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, the 32-year-old left-hander is close to making a minor league rehab start after another bullpen session or two. Fried has been on the injured list since May 14 with a bone bruise in his left elbow. He’d likely need a couple of rehab outings before returning to the Yankees’ rotation, but it seems like fantasy managers can expect him back shortly following the All-Star break.