UPDATED 4/19 at 7:23am ET

The MLB injury report is loaded with notable players in Major League Baseball, and the starting pitching continues to be ravaged by injuries. If you have a fantasy baseball team that has yet to endure an injury to a starter on your team, at this point, you might as well play the lottery! 

 

 

 

Despite all the injury news like Bobby Miller, Carlos Correa, and Cody Bradford heading to the injured list, we could see some notable players returning to the field this week, like Justin Verlander, Jameson Taillon, Braxton Garrett, and more! 

As you get ready to set your fantasy baseball lineups for the week ahead, be sure to check out the latest MLB injuries below, as well as expert Howard Bender’s article on the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Starting Pitchers

Justin Verlander, Houston Astros - Shoulder

UPDATE: Verlander's 2024 debut will come on Friday against the Nationals.

After logging 75+ pitches in 4 IP at Double-A over the weekend, the expectation is that Verlander could return to the Houston rotation this week. There appears to be a potential opening on Friday, so it’s possible Verlander’s 2024 season debut will come in Washington.

Framber Valdez, Houston Astros - Elbow

The Astros are hoping to have Valdez back before the calendar flips to May, and Valdez has said that he hopes to avoid any rehab starts. Valdez described the issue as uncomfortable and there was no MRI on his ailing left elbow.

Bobby Miller, Los Angeles Dodgers - Shoulder

Miller was placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation, though it’s not believed to be serious. There’s a chance that after just a couple of days of rest, Miller can begin a throwing progression.

Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers - Elbow/Hand

The hope was that Buehler’s weekend start at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga would have been his last rehab appearance, as the plan was to have him work up to 90 pitches in that outing, likely setting up a return to the rotation later this week or early next. However, he took a comebacker off his pitching hand, and was pulled after 27 pitches.

Potentially, they give him one more rehab start, just to build up his workload, and then bring him up to the big-league rotation next week. More updates to come.

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves - Elbow

Strider underwent surgery on his right elbow, and while it wasn’t Tommy John surgery, his internal brace procedure will still end his 2024 season. However, the timeline for recovery is a bit shorter with the latter, so we could see Strider in the early to mid-early parts of the 2025 campaign.

Kodai Senga, New York Mets - Shoulder

Senga continues to work his way back but a couple of days ago, Carlos Mendoza said it would be a “few weeks until we see him.” Senga has worked up to throwing to 120 feet and some mound work could follow as soon as this week. So long as you have the IL spots for him, continue to stash the New York right-hander.

Cody Bradford, Texas Rangers - Back

A lower back strain will send Bradford to the injured list, halting the progress on his impressive start to the 2024 campaign. Through three starts, Bradford was 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA, 0.62 WHIP, and 17:2 K/BB ratio. Michael Lorenzen will replace Bradford in the Texas rotation for the time being.

John Means, Baltimore Orioles - Forearm

Means will make another rehab start, and the expectation is that Means’ return should be in early May, if not before then. The southpaw has logged three innings of work in each of his last two rehab starts, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, and working up to 61 pitches in his last outing.

Gavin Williams, Cleveland Guardians - Elbow

Williams tweaked his elbow in spring in an incident with a weighted ball, and he’s scheduled for a simulated game today (Monday). Williams made two starts in spring, with the last coming on March 5th, so he’ll likely need a few rehab starts to build up to a starter’s workload, likely setting up a potential return in early-ish May, if things go well.

Marco Gonzales, Pittsburgh Pirates - Forearm

Gonzalez was placed on the injured list with a forearm strain, and this comes at a not so ideal time for a Pittsburgh team that has opened the year in an impressive manner. Through three starts, Gonzalez had a 2.65 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Remember, just last year, Gonzalez went to the injured list for a left forearm strain in June, and it cost him the rest of his 2023 season.

I don’t believe it to be that extreme this time around, but this is now back-to-back years with forearm issues for the veteran lefty, and the third time in the last four years (2024, 2023, & 2021).

Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs - Back

Taillon’s two rehab starts have come without any setbacks, paving the way for a return to the team’s rotation this week. If he doesn’t appear during the three-game set with Arizona, a Thursday start against Miami could be in the cards for the righty.

Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks - Shoulder

Rodriguez was working his way back, but in a recent bullpen session, tightness popped up, so his progress has come to a halt for the time being.

Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins - Shoulder

The Marlins could use some good news with its rotation, and Garrett could be just that. The team could opt for him to make one more rehab start, but he worked up to 86 pitches over the weekend, and the velocity is on par with what he showed in 2023. If the team says he’s ready to return, he could toe the rubber on Thursday in Chicago.

Nick Pivetta, Boston Red Sox - Elbow

UPDATE 4/19: The hope is that Pivetta will be able to throw a bullpen this weekend for the first time since being placed on the injured last about a week and a half ago. 

Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox - Oblique

UPDATE 4/19: The team doesn't think Whitlock's oblique issue is serious, and the hope is that he only needs to serve the minimum time on the injured list. I'm a bit more skeptical about that, as obliques can be rather finicky to say the least.

Yu Darvish, San Diego Padres - Neck

UPDATE 4/19: Darvish was placed on the injured list in the middle of the week due to neck tightness. With the move being retroactive to April 15, he's likely out for the rest of this month, and the team hopes just a bit of rest is all the veteran righty needs.

Ryne Nelson, Arizona Diamondbacks - Elbow

UPDATE 4/19: Nelson left his start early after being hit by a line drive against the Giants. His day was over after just a couple of innings, and now has an elbow contusion to deal with leading up to his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies - Shoulder

UPDATE 4/19: Freeland served as a pinch-runner on Monday night, and immediately got hurt in a collision at the plate. The injury is to his non-throwing shoulder, but there don't seem to be any concerns with his Friday start.

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Relief Pitchers

Jhoan Duran, Minnesota Twins - Oblique

Duran threw a bullpen session late last week, and since there were no reported setbacks, another bullpen this week is on the horizon. There are still a few hurdles for him to jump over before he can return to hold down the ninth inning and given that he only logged 4.2 IP in spring training, he’ll likely need a rehab appearance or two, perhaps at least to show he can handle pitching every other day, or maybe even back-to-back outings.

Jordan Romano, Toronto Blue Jays - Elbow

Despite some command issues over two rehab appearances, the Blue Jays are likely to get Romano back in its bullpen early this week. The team may opt to give him an appearance or two in low leverage situations to ease him back in, but once they are comfortable with where he’s at, he’s the primary ninth inning man and will receive the vast majority of save opportunities.

Paul Sewald, Arizona Diamondbacks - Oblique

Sewald made an important step in his recovery to the mound, which was bullpen session number one. We are still a few weeks away from his return, but this is a positive step for the Arizona right-hander.

Robert Stephenson, Los Angeles Angels - Elbow

UPDATE 4/19: Stephenson's year is done. While trying to rehab his way back on the field, he felt something in his elbow, and will undergo surgery.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Hitters

Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins - Intercostal

Correa was placed on the injured list with a mild right intercostal strain. He’ll be required to miss at least 10 days, though given the trickiness of oblique/side/intercostal issues, my assumption is he’ll miss more than the minimum time required.

J.D. Martinez, New York Mets

The veteran had some back tightness pop up when trying to ramp up for the season after signing with the Mets, though he has been cleared to start swinging a bat! It’s the little things, but this is a positive step towards progressing to the next step of his rehab journey, which would be some rehab games. For those who set their lineups weekly, I wouldn’t expect to have Martinez this scoring period.

Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers - Back

Yelich and back issues have been synonymous with one another for a long time now, and the hope is that he can avoid the injury list. We should have an update on Yelich as early as today, but it’s worth noting that Yelich hasn’t played since leaving the contest with his back tightness.

Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox - Shoulder

UPDATE 4/19: Devers' shoulder appears to be fine, but now it's a bone bruise that is keeping him out of the lineup. The hope is that he can avoid the injured list.

While the team is optimistic Devers will return to the lineup today (Monday), he’s missed four straight games and hasn’t played since April 10th. If he is unable to play Monday, we could get a report about him heading to the injured list on Tuesday retroactive to the 10th. We’ll await more info from the team and Monday’s lineup card.

Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals - Groin/Hip

In the video below, you’ll see Perez came off the field rather gingerly after a play at the plate. He has yet to be placed on the injured list, so he’s considered day-to-day at this juncture.

Jake Burger, Miami Marlins - Oblique

UPDATE 4/15: Burger was placed on the injured list with the oblique injury.

An IL stint could be in Burger’s future, which would hamper an already underwhelming Miami lineup. He left the game on Sunday with oblique discomfort and is considered day-to-day. Through 57 ABs to open the 2024 campaign, Burger was slashing .228/.281/.702 with three home runs and 15 RBI.

Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies - Back

While Bryant didn’t play Sunday with back stiffness, they said he was available to pinch-hit, which provides some optimism into his availability moving forward. The Rockies have an off day on Thursday, so perhaps they play it a bit safe with Bryant early in the week, so as to not risk the stiffness turning into something more.

Seiya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs - Oblique

ADDED 4/15: Suzuki was placed on the injured list with an oblique strain. Last year, he missed about six weeks with an oblique strain, but Suzuki was quick to state that this injury isn't as serious as last season's. Through 15 games this season, Suzuki was slashing .305/.368/.525 with three home runs and 13 RBI.

Tyler O'Neill, Boston Red Sox - Head

ADDED 4/19: After a collision with teammate Rafael Devers, O'Neill needed some stitches to close up a laceration, but the Boston slugger also reported some concussion like symptoms. He heads to the injured list, putting a temporary pause to a hot start to the season.

Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves - Toe

UPDATE 4/19: Albies hit the injured list with a fractured toe when he was hit by a pitch earlier in the week. The expectation is for him to miss about a month of action.

Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers - Back

UPDATE 4/19: Another year, another stint on the IL for Yelich due to a back issue. This time, the issue is being described as stiffness, but nonetheless, Yelich's back has been a problem here and there for the majority of his career. Maybe he's getting his annual trip to the IL out of the way early this year?

DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees - Foot

UPDATE 4/19: A rehab stint is on the horizon for LeMahieu! It's also been reported that the Yankees are not considering moving Anthony Volpe out of the leadoff spot, so LeMahieu's return to the big league lineup may see him closer to the bottom third.

Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies - Back

UPDATE 4/19: A low back strain will send Bryant to the injured list. Prior to the injury, Bryant was hitting just .149 with one home run across 47 at-bats.