MLB Injury Update Today: Aaron Boone shares positive Anthony Rizzo news; Rays' Pete Fairbanks placed on IL and more
The MLB 2024 postseason is just over a month away as postseason contenders aim for a deep run. The season has been competitive, and with none of the teams yet confirmed for a postseason spot, things can go awry with an injury or two.
On Tuesday, there were crucial updates, with the Yankees giving a positive development on Anthony Rizzo's injury, while the Rays lost Pete Fairbanks to the injured list. Let's have a look at these updates and a few others:
#1 MLB News: Anthony Rizzo to return soon; Aaron Boone opens up about his recovery
First baseman Anthony Rizzo has been missing from the Yankees lineup since mid-June. He was placed on the injured list due to a fractured right arm sustained while hustling to first base in the series finale against the Boston Red Sox.
On Tuesday, Aaron Boone shared on where Rizzo is in terms of recovering, mentioning that his arm hasn't completely healed.
“(Rizzo) feels really good,” Boone said.
“If that thing was totally healed, where he is right now, he’d be out playing. … But we’ve got to make sure that heals to a certain level,” he added via MLB.com.
On Tuesday, the first baseman took some live swings against Yankees reliever Ian Hamilton, which are encouraging signs for his return.
#2 MLB News: Rays lose their closer Pete Fairbanks to right lat strain
Although the Tampa Bay Rays don't have the best odds to reach the postseason, they'd like to finish the regular season on a high. However, they'd have to do without their closer Pete Fairbanks, who is diagnosed with right lat strain on Monday and is ruled out for the season.
Fairbanks left Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in discomfort. An MRI the next day confirmed that the strain will force him to miss the season. Manager Kevin Cash feels he may return, but the chances are slim.
Other injury updates
Orioles ace Zach Eflin is headed to the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, but it's not considered a major injury.
Meanwhile, following a four month hiatus on injured list, the Red Sox got Triston Casas back on Friday. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is hopeful of a quick return from injury after going down with a sprained left elbow.