Throughout the entire 2025 Major League Baseball season, I’ll have you covered here at Fantasy Alarm with the fantasy baseball injury report. Each Friday, we’ll do a look around the league for notable updates regarding MLB injuries, and given the fallout from yesterday’s MLB trade deadline, there’s a lot to cover! The fantasy baseball injury update this week features Josh Hader, Oneil Cruz, and more. Be sure to read on to learn more about some notable MLB injuries ahead of this weekend’s games.

MLB Injury Report Update Ahead of This Weekend's Games

As quickly as Michael King and Miguel Amaya were activated off the injured list, the two players find themselves injured again, with the former already being placed back on the injured list. The Houston Astros will be without Josh Hader for the foreseeable future, while fantasy managers were heard scrambling to the waiver wire to pick up new closer Bryan Abreu. Returns for Aaron Nola, Jameson Taillon, and Shane Bieber are right around the corner, while a struggling Texas lineup will now be without Adolis Garcia for the next week plus.

As you prepare to finalize your fantasy baseball lineups for the upcoming week, don’t forget to take a look at James Grande’s best waiver wire pickups for the week.

 

 

 

MLB Week 20 Injury Report Update: Pitchers

Michael King, San Diego Padres - Knee

King has made just one start since returning from a shoulder injury before he heads back to the injured list. He’s dealing with inflammation in his knee.

Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves - Rib

Sale’s next rehab start is scheduled for Sunday. In his first rehab start, Sale allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts across 2 IP.

Josh Hader, Houston Astros - Shoulder

Hader is seeking a second opinion on his shoulder. You know what they say… You don’t get a second opinion if you like the first one! I’d expect Bryan Abreu to be the primary closer with Hader on the injured list.

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies - Rib/Ankle

Barring any last-minute setbacks, Nola is set to be activated from the IL and toe the rubber on Sunday for the first time in over two months.

Spencer Schwellenbach, Atlanta Braves - Elbow

Fantasy managers holding onto hope for a Schwellenbach return should likely lower expectations. It seems likely that his 2025 season is over.

Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays - Elbow

Bieber will make another rehab start today (Friday), and if all goes well, he should make his Toronto debut in the middle of next week.

Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs - Calf

Taillon will be activated from the IL and pitch next week for the Cubs. Roster Resource has him listed as the Monday starter against the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers.

Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays - Triceps

McClanahan opted for season-ending surgery in the hopes of addressing the lingering nerve issue in his left arm.

Bryce Miller, Seattle Mariners - Elbow

Roster Resource has Miller listed as the starter on Tuesday for Seattle. He worked up to 5.2 IP and 76 pitches in his last rehab start.

Michael Lorenzen, Kansas City Royals - Oblique

Lorenzen will be activated from the IL and start on Saturday in a divisional showdown with the White Sox. His last start with Kansas City came on July 6.
 

 


 

MLB Week 20 Injury Report Update: Hitters

Ronald Acuna, Atlanta Braves - Calf

Acuna is expected to return to the Atlanta lineup on Friday. It appears he’s fully recovered from his Grade 1 calf strain.

Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates - Concussion

Cruz was placed on the 7-day concussion injury list on Wednesday.

Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies - Rib

Through four rehab games, Bohm is slashing .176/.222/.471 with one home run and one triple. We should see a return to the big league club next week.

George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays - Concussion

Barring any setbacks, Springer should join the big league club next week. He’s been on the IL since the end of July with a concussion following a HBP.

Miguel Amaya, Chicago Cubs - Ankle

Amaya went down awkwardly on Wednesday and ended up being carted off the field. It turns out that X-rays came back negative, and he’s dealing with a sprained ankle. Consider him day to day for now.

Jackson Chourio, Milwaukee Brewers - Hamstring

Chourio continues to progress in his return from a hamstring injury, and the hope is that he can embark on a rehab assignment closer to the end of the month.

Victor Robles, Seattle Mariners - Shoulder

Robles is getting closer to returning, as he began a rehab assignment a few days ago. Considering that his dislocated shoulder happened just 10 games into the season, I’d expect his rehab assignment to be quite lengthy.

Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals - Hamstring

Caglianone is 6-for-9 through two rehab games, and a return to the big league lineup appears to be imminent.

Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers - Ankle

A sprained ankle sent Garcia to the injured list, but the team remains optimistic that his absence won’t be much longer than the minimum required stay, if at all.

 

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