Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Rangers Take a Hit

Labor Day often marks the end of the summer and the shift to fall. My family takes advantage of the extra time off by heading into the wilderness on an annual camping trip. This weekend I grabbed my medical kit as I walked out the door but left the laptop sitting by my desk. The decision was a wise one as I put the kit and its contents to use multiple times nursing various cuts and scrapes that accompanied bike wrecks, hiking slips and other camping fails. But now it's back to the real world and I'm using the laptop to provide insight to the injuries facing MLB stars in the week ahead.

Nathan Eovaldi and Corey Seager

The Rangers slim playoffs hopes took a big hit last week when both Eovaldi and Seager landed on the injured list for two drastically different ailments.

Eovaldi will miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a shoulder strain. The injury has been diagnosed as a rotator cuff strain, though the exact muscle injured was not disclosed. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles, each playing an important role at various points of a pitcher's throwing mechanics. The strain is not considered severe, and surgery is not being discussed. However, ensuring Eovaldi's shoulder is fully functional is important to the overall integrity of his throwing arm. This is particularly important for a player who missed time earlier this season with elbow inflammation. Those in single season formats can begin looking elsewhere.

Seager's injury isn't season-ending but had the potential to be considered more serious. Seager underwent an appendectomy on Thursday to remove an inflamed appendix.

The appendix is a small extension of the colon known as the cecum, near the junction of the small and large intestine. It is considered a vestigial organ and has no defined current use, though recent research suggests it may be important to the gut microbiota that resides in our gastrointestinal tract. Despite its lack of a defined role, the appendix can become infected and inflamed. If deemed necessary, doctors can remove the organ in a simple procedure known as an appendectomy. For years, the impact of the procedure was substantial, as doctors removed the appendix through a large incision, cutting through the skin and the underlying musculature. Now most appendectomies are performed laparoscopically.

In this less invasive technique, a surgical scope and tools are inserted in a small incision site(s). The appendix is easily removed and any secondary infection can be addressed. Because, the muscles of the area are left intact, the rate of recovery following a laparoscopic appendectomy is much quicker. In the NFL, Ben Roethlisberger returned to action 10 days after an appendectomy, while the average time lost in the NBA is roughly three weeks. In baseball, Giants infielder Brandon Belt was back in action 14 days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. This bodes well for a possible return for Seager, though the Rangers place in the standings could influence Texas' decision to move him back to the active roster. Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran continue to see extra playing time with Marcus Semien also out with a fractured foot.

Check Swings

Xander Bogaerts: Bogaerts is likely to miss the remainder of the regular season after fouling a ball off his left foot. The impact left him with a non-displaced fracture. The bone that was broken was not revealed, but it is not believed Bogaerts will need surgery. He may be available for a postseason return if San Diego makes a playoff push, but bone often needs multiple weeks to adequately heal. Jose Iglesias will fill in at shortstop in Bogaerts' absence.

MacKenzie Gore: The Nationals placed Gore on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. Imaging on the shoulder did not reveal a significant injury and Gore has said he intends to pitch again before the conclusion of the year. Still, we have reached that point of the year were the standings influence medical decisions, and a return for Gore is not guaranteed. Remain patient for now until the team makes their intentions clearer.

Nick Kurtz: The Athletics held Kurtz out of both of their weekend contests, and he was not listed in Monday's lineup either. It is believed Kurtz is managing an oblique injury, though an MRI of the area came back clean. The persistent symptoms are indicative of some underlying issue, and the team may send him for additional testing to locate the source of his problem. Consider him day-to-day for now though he will a tough play in most formats this week.

Randy Rodriguez: The Giants reliever will opt for Tommy John, ending his 2025 season and likely his 2026 campaign as well. The 25-year-old is young enough that an injury of this magnitude isn't career-ending, but the recovery will cost him next season. Ryan Walker has resumed the closer role for San Francisco.

Luis Robert: The White Sox believe Robert could be done for the season after he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain. A Grade 2 diagnosis is also known as a partial or incomplete tear, meaning this is considered a moderate injury. Robert does have a history of lower extremities strains, having missed substantial stretches of the 2021 and 2024 seasons after suffering hip flexor strains. His average time lost in these two cases was 78 days. While the current injury is to a different muscle group, history suggests Robert simply cannot be counted on for the remainder of the year. He should have plenty of time to recuperate in time for Spring Training. 

Taylor Ward: The Angels outfielder appears to have avoided a concussion after colliding with the outfield wall on Sunday. While a TBI was not diagnosed, the impact left him with a sizeable laceration above his right eye that required 20 stitches to close. Ward was not in Monday's lineup and could require a few days off as the wound heals and any other soft tissue injuries resolves. Matthew Lugo got the start in left field for the Angels on Monday.

Stay up to date on who is in and who is out with RotoWire's MLB Injury Report!