​In this week’s Injury Report, Byron Buxton aggravated a lingering hip issue, putting his All-Star Game status in jeopardy. Connelly Early’s breakout rookie campaign has hit a snag with an elbow injury, while Mike Trout is expected to return this week after a three-week absence due to a hamstring strain. All of this and more as we cover the most relevant injury news around baseball. Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026, becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball and also broadcasting MLB Sunday Leadoff, Opening Day, Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more. Buxton sat out last week with a right hip impingement and only returned on Saturday. He was then pulled from Sunday’s game against the Yankees after sliding into second on a steal attempt in the first inning, seemingly aggravating the hip. With several missed games ahead of the All-Star break, he may need to land on the injured list, though more clarity is expected by Tuesday before the series opener against the Guardians in Minnesota. Buxton earned his first All-Star selection by hitting .271/.328/.304 with 25 homers, 57 runs, 45 RBI, and seven steals in 335 plate appearances. D.J. Short reports that Early left Tuesday’s start versus the Nationals after 61 pitches due to left elbow discomfort and was placed on the 15-day injured list for further evaluation, with Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy noting posterior left elbow inflammation and a specialist consultation planned for a second opinion. While Tracy downplayed the second visit, the development remains worrying, and an update on Early’s status and timeline is anticipated soon. Helsley was slated to pitch last Wednesday against the White Sox but was held out due to right elbow discomfort during warmups. Having already missed six weeks with right elbow inflammation, he appeared in five games over 10 days before the renewed discomfort led the Orioles to re-place him on the 15-day injured list, with no clear timetable. Tyler Wells has converted the first two saves in Helsley’s absence. Trout has been sidelined since June 18 with a right hamstring strain. He is expected to return this week after the three-week absence.