MLB Injury Update Today: Yankees' DJ LeMahieu suffers scary face injury; Fernando Tatis Jr. makes progress and more
Things are moving forward with the MLB regular season about to enter its 23rd week. At this point, teams cannot afford injuries, while those clubs whose star players are on the injured list are hoping to get them back as soon as possible.
On Friday, New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu faced a scary injury while San Diego Padres star slugger Fernando Tatis Jr. was recovering well. Let's take a look.
1) DJ LeMahieu suffers face injury
DJ LeMahieu was a late scratch from Friday's lineup against the Colorado Rockies. Ahead of the game, while taking reps at first base, LeMahieu was hit in the face, suffering an injury, the team said. The Yankees have now rested LeMahieu as a precautionary measure.
The third baseman is not having the kind of year he'd be hoping for. He is just hitting .189 with two homers and 24 RBIs in 62 games this season.
2) Fernando Tatis Jr. expects to return soon
Fernando Tatis Jr. has been out of action since June 22 due to a stress reaction in the femur bone in his right leg. However, ahead of Thursday's series opener against the New York Mets, the shortstop was progressing, running sprints in the outfield and playing long toss.
"He did some sprint work today, which is great -- around 70 percent," Padres manager Mike Shildt said. "Which is a clear sign of progression. I did meet with him. We have a looser timetable now, but we won't really share it. ... But he's definitely progressing to get back to play. It's good news."
On Friday, the Padres star said he will return to action in September.
"It felt really good just being outside with the boys, ramping up," Tatis said. "Every day a step closer.
"I really don't have specific dates. I feel that's more a conversation between the training staff, the manager and myself and A.J. [Preller, the general manager]. But I'm definitely playing baseball the next month. That's what it looks like."
Tatis was having a good year before he landed on the injured list. He was hitting .279 to go along with 14 homers and 36 RBI in 80 games.
Other injury updates
The New York Yankees activated Jazz Chisholm Jr. after completing his 10-day injured list stint for a sprained left elbow.
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays due to pain in his left side of the neck.