MLB Injury Update: Justin Verlander and Kyle Tucker out until after All-Star Break; Bryce Harper progressing with intensity and more - July 4

Several clubs, including the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, have given some important injury updates regarding the health of some of their biggest stars. Aside from the Phillies and Astros, today's injury update involves notable setbacks on two of the most exciting young stars in baseball.

MLB Injury Updates for July 4

Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper has been making considerable progress with his recovery from a strained left hamstring. According to Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson, the 2024 All-Star starter has ramped up the intensity of his on-field drills to around 70-75%. This is the same number that he also gave to J.T. Realmuto. Harper appears on track to be activated when he is first eligible on July 9.

"Rob Thomson said Kyle Schwarber is doing drills at 90% intensity and Bryce Harper/J.T. Realmuto are at about 70-75%. Though the All-Star break looms after next week’s homestand, the Phillies won’t hold any of them back if they’re ready to go before it" - @CSeidmanNBCS

Kyle Schwarber

The other Phillies star Rob Thomson gave an injury update on is Kyle Schwarber. Much like Bryce Harper, Thomson used drill intensity percentages to describe where Schwarber currently stands on his road to recovery. According to Thomson, Schwarber is at around 90% intensity, he is also on track for a minimum IL stint.

Justin Verlander

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada gave a disappointing injury update regarding the health of future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. The veteran pitcher has been dealing with neck discomfort, and according to Espada, will be sidelined beyond the All-Star break.

Kyle Tucker

Joe Espada gave a similar injury update for star outfielder Kyle Tucker. Like Verlander, Tucker will not return to the Astros lineup before the All-Star break. The young slugger has been out of action for nearly a month and could require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated sometime after the All-Star break.

Jared Jones

Jared Jones is one half of the Pittsburgh Pirates' exciting pitching duo with Paul Skenes. Unfortunately for Jones, he will need to wait to continue racking up strikeouts with his teammate as he was placed on the 15-day IL with a right lat strain. There is currently no timeline for his return to the rotation.

"#Pirates Jared Jones discusses leaving early w lat injury" - @937theFan

Josh Jung

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung will need to continue waiting until he can return to the lineup. According to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, Jung will be shut down for the remainder of the week to rest his injured wrist. Bochy also announced that Jung would not return to the lineup until sometime after the All-Star break.