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Dave Funnell's fantasy baseball injury report for Fantasy Baseball Week 8 Injury Report - Updates on Bryce Miller, Anthony Santander, George Kirby, Mike Trout, and more
Welcome, RotoBallers, to my fantasy baseball injury report for May 18. Every week, we look back at the major injury developments in baseball and look ahead at what might transpire. Today, we examine recent injuries and updates for Bryce Miller, Anthony Santander, George Kirby, Mike Trout, and more.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but how you handle them can mean the difference between a last-place finish and somewhere near the top of your league's standings.
The hope is that whatever comes your way, you can understand what the injury is, what it means for your fantasy team, and what actions you should take. Let's get right to this week's injury-related news.
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Bryce Miller - SP Seattle Mariners
These were the words from Miller himself when he described the situation regarding his elbow that landed him on the 15-day injured list. Those words, among many others, are very ominous. For one, this has lingered for months, ever since the end of last season, giving yet another example of an untreated injury that comes back to haunt the following years.
It's unfortunate, but too often, players don't share their pain, which can lead to these types of stretched-out, long-standing injuries. This makes it very difficult to objectively diagnose and evaluate projected player performance in drafts and in-season trades.
On top of all of this, his inflamed elbow could be the culminating injury to a slew of ailments over time. He's also pitched through a blister during spring training, arm soreness early in April, and a locked-up back later in that month. His peripherals are down, across the board, showing that this is nowhere near the same pitcher that we saw last year.
For now, there is hope that he can return sooner, rather than later. It remains to be seen if he will be ready when first eligible, but it's not looking good, given his recent injury history. Fantasy owners would be wise to hold and stash for now, but also be prepared for the worst-case scenario, which could mean extensive recovery time.
MLB Injury News Quick Hits
Anthony Santander has been out of action since the end of Thursday's game with an injured hip. However, Santander was able to return to the starting nine on Sunday, suggesting he is past this minor injury.
The Royals were hit with a double dose of bad news, as both Seth Lugo (finger) and Cole Ragans (groin) hit the 15-day injured list yesterday with separate injuries. Of the two injuries, the one to Ragans is the most concerning, as he re-aggravated his groin injury from a while back. Usually, teams are extra cautious concerning how they handle injuries that recur in players.
(KC): Recalled LHP Noah Cameron & LHP Evan Sisk & placed RHP Seth Lugo & LHP Cole Ragans on the 15 day IL pic.twitter.com/9SEnZEypl6
— MLB Transactions (@MLBTransacs) May 17, 2025
Given how valuable he is to their franchise now and in the future, they will undoubtedly double and triple-check his health before they allow him back on the team. Lugo, who is suffering from inflammation in his finger, isn't likely to see an extended absence, barring unforeseen circumstances. Noah Cameron figures to benefit most, as he should be slotted right into the team's rotation with some stability.
He remains a speculative add in any non-15-team leagues.
Xavier Edwards missed two straight games this weekend because of back tightness. He had some imaging done to ensure that everything was structurally sound, and the results were good. He did baseball activities later in the day, hoping to return by Sunday. However, prior to Sunday's contest, he was placed on the 10-day injured list.
Mike Trout continues to make progress. He's progressed to hitting from a machine, throwing a baseball, doing agility exercises, and running on a gravity machine at 75% of his body weight. Despite all of this, there is still no timetable for a return.
After their collision earlier in the week, Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton went on the 7-day concussion injured list this weekend. It's hard to figure out which player got it worse: Correa, who was easily diagnosed, or Buxton, who had to wait a lot longer for his symptoms to be identified. Both are scary in their own right, and both players wish to have a speedy recovery.
For those who have stashed away Jerar Encarnacion (myself included), it is because he has experienced soreness in his hand. Keep in mind that he just had wrist surgery, so this may be a remnant of that procedure. Despite this setback, he is still expected to be ready to be activated when he is first eligible.
George Kirby had a difficult rehab start on Friday, giving up 10 hits over four innings of work. The good news is that he is up to 64 pitches thrown, and he did not give up a walk, displaying that pinpoint command that has always been his trademark specialty.
George Kirby got the full PCL experience in his 3rd rehab start. Final line: 4IP, 10H, 4R, 0BB, 4K, 64-48. pic.twitter.com/KLJHWSfN5u
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) May 17, 2025
It was originally believed that he would need at least one more start before returning, but he joined the team yesterday. As such, chances are that his rehab assignment is done, and he will make his debut this upcoming week, assuming the team doctors can clear him.
Logan Gilbert continues to throw bullpens, tossing his second session yesterday. There were no velocity readings, and his pitch count remained the same, but it's good to see him continuing to throw.
The Dodgers could welcome back both Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez sooner rather than later. Edman was activated prior to Sunday's game, while Hernandez began (likely a short) rehab assignment last night, going hitless across four innings for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. It remains to be seen how Hyeseong Kim is used once Edman returns.
Aaron Nola went to the injured list immediately following his disastrous start earlier this week. He is sidelined with an ankle injury that could keep him out of action for quite a while. There's a chance that a healed ankle could change the output of what we've seen from him this season, as he has been one of baseball's worst starters.
Then again, if it's not the ankle, it could just be some regression. Either way, rookie Mick Abel will take his spot in the rotation for now, and it remains to be seen if he is worth rostering in leagues that are not as deep.
For those wondering, Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) has had himself a great week. His latest outing yesterday saw him hit a mammoth home run while playing as the designated hitter for Triple-A Gwinnett. He will likely need at least another week before making his 2025 debut for the Atlanta Braves.
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