Rehab Rundown
The latest wave of injury updates across Major League Baseball reads like a medical drama, with a mix of elite arms and everyday bats navigating the road back to competition. Teams are carefully calibrating throwing programs, and the timing of each player's activation offers clues about the depth of the upcoming roster reshuffles.
Jared Jones, still healing from an internal brace on his elbow, has posted four rehab starts that show a noticeable jump in velocity, signaling that the power‑right-hander could be ready to re‑enter the rotation sooner than expected. Across the league, Garrett Crochet is shaking off shoulder inflammation and is targeting a May activation, while Gerrit Cole, a recent Tommy John survivor, is slated to be activated this weekend after a successful progression in his throwing program.
Position players are also making headway. Francisco Lindor’s strained calf is on a trajectory for a return within the next month, and Cal Raleigh, nursing a Grade 1 oblique, should be back on the field in roughly a week. Corey Seager, dealing with back inflammation, may also be cleared before the end of May, adding depth to the middle‑infield mix.
A handful of pitchers are confronting more structural concerns. Hunter Greene is preparing to throw his first bullpen session after a bout of bone spurs, while Blake Snell is undergoing a procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow, a surgery that typically sidelines him for four to six weeks. Nick Pivetta’s flexor strain could keep him out for weeks or even months, depending on the healing response.
Meanwhile, several veterans are eyeing mid‑season comebacks. Logan Webb is scheduled for a rehab start this week as he works through knee bursitis, and Matthew Boyd could make his return in as little as four to six weeks after a torn meniscus. Trevor Story, recovering from a sports hernia, is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks, whereas Luis Robert’s herniated disc may keep him out for two to three weeks.
The injury carousel also includes relievers such as Ryan Helsley, whose elbow inflammation will require a rehab assignment before he can reclaim the closer role, and Edwin Diaz, who is aiming for a second‑half return after a similar procedure. Both players are expected to need a brief minor‑league stint to prove readiness.
Fantasy enthusiasts are watching these timelines closely, as stashing players like Roman Anthony, who remains delayed by a sprained wrist, or Wyatt Langford, whose flexor strain casts doubt on a May debut, could pay dividends later in the season. The convergence of medical updates and roster decisions underscores how health continues to shape the competitive landscape.