In this week’s Injury Report, the Red Sox lose Willson Contreras to a hamstring strain. The Nationals could be getting James Wood back on Tuesday. And Aaron Judge could be returning to the Yankees lineup sometime next week. All that and more as we highlight the most relevant injury news around the league this week.
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Willson Contreras (hamstring)
Contreras was pulled from Sunday’s blowout loss to the Yankees with hamstring tightness. The Red Sox then placed him on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a left hamstring strain, an issue that Contreras has reportedly been dealing with for about a month. The 34-year-old first baseman will now get at least the next week and a half to rest. The hamstring issue can explain his August struggles, as he’s hit .217 in the month. Mickey Gasper was recalled to take his place on the active roster and fill in at first base.
The Braves have won seven straight, PCA is surging toward MVP honors, and the Orioles are finally approaching .500.
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D.J. Short
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D.J. Short
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James Wood (oblique)
CJ Abrams (back)
Wood could be back in the Nationals lineup on Tuesday or Wednesday during a two-game set against the Braves. The 23-year-old star has been out since August 4 with a left oblique strain and took batting practice on Friday before playing seven innings and hitting a home run in a rehab game with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. Manager Blake Butera stated Wood would get Monday off before deciding when he’d be activated. There was some thought that Wood wouldn’t need a rehab assignment, but he wanted to see some live pitching before returning. Meanwhile, keep an eye on Abram’s status on Tuesday. He was scratched from Monday’s lineup against Miami with back tightness, though it’s thought to be precautionary.
Aaron Judge (rib)
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Judge could be ready to return to the Yankees lineup during the team’s next homestand, starting on Tuesday, September 8 against the Rockies. The 34-year-old star has been out of action since early June with a rib fracture. Despite the extended absence, it seems as though he’ll bypass a minor league rehab assignment and join New York as soon as he’s ready to return to game action.
Konnor Griffin (finger)
Griffin may be ready to return from the injured list when first eligible on Friday for the team’s series opener against the Angels. The 20-year-old shortstop started a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Sunday and went 1-for-3 while playing seven innings. He’s been out of action since early July with a torn ligament in his left ring finger.
JJ Wetherholt (wrist)
Masyn Winn (thumb)
The Cardinals lost both starting middle infielders over the last week. Winn had sat out a handful of games with a thumb issue before he was diagnosed with a fracture that landed him on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to August 22. The 24-year-old shortstop has already been swinging a bat with significant improvement and could return as soon as Tuesday when first eligible. Meanwhile, Wetherholt was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with right wrist tendinitis. There’s no word on how much time he’s expected to miss. The 23-year-old second baseman has enjoyed an excellent rookie campaign, slashing .242/.343/.370 with 17 homers, 88 runs scored, and 14 steals across 586 plate appearances.
Xavier Edwards (thumb)
Edwards was removed from Sunday’s game against the Nationals after colliding with Jorbit Vivas on a slide into second base, leaving with thumb and elbow discomfort. He was diagnosed with a left thumb sprain and placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday. There’s no timetable for a return, but the Marlins will certainly want to get him back quickly as long as they remain in the playoff hunt. The 27-year-old second baseman is having a strong season in Miami, hitting .282/.361/.376 with six homers and 20 steals over 137 games.
Emerson Hancock (groin)
A groin issue for Hancock surfaced while making a diving play at first base against the Blue Jays on Friday, though he remained in the game, allowing five runs over five innings. The team then placed him on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a left adductor strain, sidelining Hancock for at least the next two weeks. The Mariners had been operating with a six-man rotation, but could revert to a five-man while Hancock is unavailable. While he hasn’t been quite as successful in the second half, he’s still enjoyed a strong breakout season, posting a 3.57 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 126 strikeouts over 138 2/3 innings.
Byron Buxton (hip)
Buxton initially left last Tuesday’s game against the Athletics with a re-aggravation of his hip injury. After sitting out three games, the team placed him on the 10-day injured list with a right hip impingement. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll told reporters last week that the 32-year-old outfielder could be looking at offseason hip surgery, so there’s a chance Buxton could be shut down if the Twins fall out of contention. Top prospect Walker Jenkins was recalled to take Buxton’s place on the roster after hitting .308 with 12 homers and 17 steals across 69 games with Triple-A St. Paul.
Joe Ryan (glute)
Ryan is getting closer to a return to the Twins rotation. The 30-year-old right-hander is set to make a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday and is aiming to get to around 50 pitches. He’s been out of action since early August with a glute strain. Assuming he comes out of his rehab start feeling well, he could be in line to make the following start with the Twins.
Connelly Early (elbow)
Early, on the 60-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, is on track to begin a minor league rehab assignment on September 8. Out since late June with the elbow issue, there doesn’t seem to be much chance of him giving the Nationals anything but a few shorter appearances if he’s able to return at all before the end of the season.
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