Here is the Fantrax Injury Report for Tuesday, March 5, 2024. In today’s edition, we get breaking news on Ronald Acuña’s meniscus diagnosis. Also, we have estimated and projected return dates for Christian Walker, Kerry Carpenter, and Matt McLain. While all of the aforementioned clarity is welcomed, we also have to wait for injury news on Sonny Gray, who remains sidelined after yesterday’s outing. Finally, Kevin Gausman’s shoulder fatigue was something that popped up yesterday and is something to monitor. All that and more, in today’s Injury Report from Fantrax.
FantraxHQ MLB Injury Report
Kevin Gausman – SP Toronto Blue Jays
News: Kevin Gausman will not throw his scheduled live bullpen today.
Gausman is dealing with “general shoulder fatigue” and didn’t fully bounce back after his last session.
An MRI showed “no structural concerns, no injury.” #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 4, 2024
This is not the news that the Jays or fantasy owners want to hear. Gausman was supposed to continue his ramp-up and throw two innings worth (approximately 40 pitches) against his own teammates. Instead, he’s been shut down and will wait for a follow-up in the next day or two to see how serious this setback is. His body has not been the same all spring, and there’s a chance that he will miss Opening Day. Stay tuned, but this has an ominous tone to it.
Christian Walker – 1B Arizona Diamondbacks
Walker has been limited to the batting cages ever since he was hit by that pitch last week. Returning this Thursday would be a big relief for the team and fantasy owners everywhere.
Ronald Acuña Jr. – OF Atlanta Braves
OF Ronald Acuña Jr. was seen by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles last night, who confirmed irritation in the meniscus of his right knee. Acuña Jr. is set to gradually increase baseball activities and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 5, 2024
The news came in early in the morning on Tuesday, and it was positive, to say the least. The biggest takeaway here is the word “gradual” in that the team will slowly bring Acuña along. The Braves need to be careful to not do too much too fast with the fear of furthering the irritation. From the sounds of things, they feel that it will be able to heal on its own without surgery, so the good news is that he should be back soon enough. Fantasy owners and Braves fans alike can breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Sonny Gray – SP St. Louis Cardinals
While we won’t know more about Gray’s injury until the MRI, it’s fair to assume that some time will be missed. Whether that be in the spring or the season remains to be seen. The Cardinals have invested a lot of money into Gray to anchor their rotation, and they want to ensure that he is fully able to help them out in the long run. For what it’s worth, he’s had difficulties with his hamstring in the past, so he is no stranger to handling this type of ailment. We will know more once the MRI is complete.
Kerry Carpenter – OF Detroit Tigers
Kerry Carpenter is on the travel list for tomorrow. First game action since hammy strain
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) March 4, 2024
This is great news for the Tigers and for Carpenter. The team needs him to be healthy this season, as he looks to build on last year’s breakout. Today’s spring debut looks to be the first step toward doing that.
Tommy Edman – 2B/SS/OF St. Louis Cardinals
The plan that’s outlined above is a lengthy one that may be too long, given the amount of time that’s left before Opening Day. The good news is that Edman has at least started to swing a bat, which is one of the first steps needed. Facing live pitching will be a big test for him, and with no timeline for that to happen, Opening Day might not happen for him. Chances are that he misses some time to begin the season, and a debut in May might be the likeliest of outcomes here.
Anthony DeSclafani – SP Minnesota Twins
Another bullpen for Anthony DeSclafani, who continues to ramp up. pic.twitter.com/ODL1Wk765g
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 4, 2024
DeSclafani has had two successful and long throwing sessions over the past three days, leading to some encouragement for his Opening Day status. There is still concern that he won’t be ready in time, but there is still enough time to defy those odds. That being said, the team would be wise to take things slowly with him as a flexor strain is no laughing matter. His progress is something to monitor as the back end of the Twins’ rotation is up for grabs.
David Bednar – RP Pittsburgh Pirates
Following up on Bednar. He and the team are playing it safe and he’s currently not throwing. Good news is he doesn’t seem all too worried about its severity.
“Hopefully will be back soon.” https://t.co/pjpEH47Flu
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) March 4, 2024
This is good news on the surface, as both Bednar himself and the team don’t seem overly worried about the tightness in his lat. That said, a lot of players will pump themselves up and downplay the severity of an injury, simply due to the desire to play. Treat this optimism lightly, as there’s still a chance that he will miss time due to this injury.
Cedric Mullins – Baltimore Orioles
#Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said it was a precautionary move for Cedric Mullins to come out of the game. No MRI. Got treatment on his right hamstring. Will see how he feels in the morning, day to day.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) March 4, 2024
This is a relief for Orioles fans everywhere. Mullins was taken out of their Spring training game yesterday with an injury, and there was concern it was major. Instead, the hamstring soreness he suffered requires nothing additional for now, and he is instead considered DTD. With no follow-up MRI, both he and the team likely believe that he’ll be back in the lineup soon enough.
Matt McLain – 2B/SS Cincinnati Reds
Matt McLain is back in team workouts today. David Bell says McLain could make his game debut this week.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 4, 2024
This was great news, as McLain was aiming to be ready for Opening Day. His build-up to this point has been a slow and meticulous one, and it looks like the hard work will pay off. That said, any setback while in games could cost him the start of the season.
Matt Brash – RP Seattle Mariners
Brash had a major injury scare last week when it was announced that he would miss significant time with an elbow injury. Days later, the team revealed that he had medial elbow inflammation, which wasn’t as serious as the first speculation. Still, he is set to miss time to start the season. And while he’s not out of the woods just yet, today looks to be an important one for the young relief pitcher. If he can escape without feeling any setbacks, then he can continue to trend in the direction of returning.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.