Acuña Jr. Starts Rehab Assignment; Kurtz Out with Thumb Strain

In a significant development for the Atlanta Braves, Ronald Acuña Jr. has embarked on his minor league rehab assignment, taking a step closer to his return. On Monday, he played in the Florida Complex League, where he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. This week, as all teams enjoy a break, Acuña aims to rack up some game time before potentially rejoining the Braves when they resume play against the Texas Rangers this Friday. At worst, fans can expect to see him back in action by next week after being sidelined since June 10 due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, marking the second time this season he has dealt with this injury. The 28-year-old outfielder has participated in just 53 games this season, recording a .251/.373/.421 batting line with seven home runs, 31 runs scored, 22 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.

Meanwhile, left-hander Kyle Harrison is managing his own injury concerns. After experiencing soreness on the outside of his left elbow, he was placed on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness. In his last outing on July 8, Harrison could only complete four innings, following a brief 2 2/3 innings in his previous start. However, he reassured reporters over the weekend that he is feeling much better and is “not too worried” about the situation. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season so far, boasting a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and an impressive 101 strikeouts over 83 2/3 innings.

On the injury front, Oakland Athletics slugger Nick Kurtz is facing a challenging situation as he has been sidelined with a thumb strain. Initially removed from last Wednesday’s game against the Tigers due to an illness, Kurtz appeared to jam his hand in the first inning. Despite returning to the lineup the following day, he was ultimately placed on the 10-day injured list. This setback will prevent him from participating in the All-Star game, and he could be out for multiple weeks. The 23-year-old has followed up a strong rookie campaign with a stellar first half, posting a .266/.405/.497 slash line, along with 20 home runs, 61 runs scored, 66 RBIs, and seven stolen bases across 412 plate appearances.

In other news, Zack Gelof has encountered a rough patch, having recently returned from a minimum stint on the injured list due to a lacerated hand. Unfortunately, he injured his knee after crashing into the outfield wall, leading to another 10-day injured list placement for a knee laceration. The hope is that Gelof can return when first eligible on Monday.

Additionally, the A’s Griffin has been diagnosed with a torn tendon in his left ring finger, an injury sustained while making a diving catch against the Nationals on July 5. He will require a split for six weeks, followed by an additional 2-4 weeks for recovery. This two-month absence significantly impacts his contributions for fantasy leagues. The promising 20-year-old shortstop has a .276/.332/.404 line with five homers and 20 steals over 59 games.

In a separate incident, Alexander suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand after being hit by a pitch during a game against the Royals. This injury is expected to keep him sidelined until late August. The 27-year-old infielder has been a key contributor for the Orioles, hitting .312/.368/.439 with four home runs and nine stolen bases across 246 plate appearances. The team may look to recall an infielder from Triple-A Norfolk, while Alexander’s absence could provide more opportunities for Coby Mayo and Jeremiah Jackson.

On the mound, Nick Lodolo is facing another setback as blister issues that delayed his season debut have resurfaced. He exited his last game against the Cubs after experiencing a blister on his left index finger. The team has placed him on the 15-day injured list without a clear timeline for his return, hoping to avoid further complications. Lodolo’s struggles this season, reflected in his 4.60 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 62 2/3 innings, may be linked to these ongoing blister issues.

Lastly, the Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen has been scratched from his scheduled start due to right elbow inflammation and has also been placed on the 15-day injured list. This unfortunate setback comes amid a rocky season, where Gallen has struggled with a 6.34 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 98 innings.

On a brighter note, the Tigers’ Torres has initiated a minor league rehab assignment in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he went 1-for-3 with an RBI in his first game since landing on the 10-day injured list in mid-June with a left oblique strain. He also played five innings in the field, suggesting he could soon rejoin the Tigers’ lineup shortly after the All-Star break.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.