UPDATED 5/2 @ 5:39pm ET

At this point, it likely goes without saying that the MLB injury report is quite lengthy, with many notable names for fantasy baseball purposes. While the Baltimore Orioles (Kyle Bradish, John Means) and Los Angeles Dodgers (Walker Buehler) could be welcoming key pieces of their respective starting rotations back into the mix over the next week or two, other teams like the Miami Marlins continue to send starters to the injured list, with left-hander Jesus Luzardo being the most recent. 

The Minnesota Twins should be getting star reliever Jhoan Duran back soon, and Craig Kimbrel left a recent appearance with a back issue. Could Yennier Cano be a fantasy baseball must-add? 

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 Howard Bender’s article on the top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups. Later this week, Matt Selz and I will break down some more waiver wire pickups and weekend streamers on Caught Stealing, so tune in there, too!

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Starting Pitchers

Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles - Shoulder

ADDED 5/2: Rodriguez was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The young right-hander was 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through six starts prior to going on the IL.

Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals - Calf

ADDED 5/2: Ragans was carving up the Blue Jays, but a calf cramp cut that start short. I wouldn't expect this to be a long term issue for Ragans, and hopefully, worse case scenario here is that his next start is pushed back a day or two. Ragans had nine strikeouts in 6.2 IP prior to exiting the contest.

Cristian Javier, Houston Astros - Neck

Javier threw in the bullpen over the weekend, and it’s a possibility that he can return during the team’s weekend series with the Mariners. There’s still a lot of moving parts, so it’s far from a guarantee. We should have more info early this week.

 

Kyle Bradish (Elbow) & John Means (Forearm), Baltimore Orioles

UPDATE 5/2: Bradish is back and made his season debut on Thursday. He logged 4.2 innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out five.

It’s expected that the next starts for Bradish and Means will be with the big-league club. Across three rehab appearances, Bradish posted a 3.97 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, while Means logged an 8.68 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across six starts.

Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox - Oblique

UPDATE 5/2: Well, a return this week certainly won't be happening, as Whitlock has yet to progress past playing catch. It's been reported that he's yet to even throw off a mound. It could be a bit until we see the Boston right-hander return to the mound.

The hope remains that Whitlock can return once eligible on May 1, potentially stepping in the rotation for Josh Winckowski on May 2 against the Giants. We’ll await further information for confirmation.

Justin Steele, Chicago Cubs - Hamstring

Steele emerged from an extended spring outing healthy, and after 2.1 IP, it’s expected that he’ll embark on a rehab assignment in the middle of this week.

Jordan Wicks, Chicago Cubs - Forearm

UPDATE 5/2: Wicks has hit the injured list with the forearm strain.

Uh oh. Wicks was scratched from his weekend start with what the team is calling left forearm tightness. At the very least, I’d expect him to miss his next turn in the rotation, but hopefully it’s nothing serious.

 

 

 

Jordan Hicks, San Francisco Giants - Left Side

Hicks was cruising against Pittsburgh, but he was pulled after 88 pitches with left side tightness. The team is optimistic he’ll be ready for his start later this week against Philadelphia. We’ll keep an eye on him throughout the week, ensuring he gets through his regular flat ground and bullpen work during the coming days.

Blake Snell, San Francisco Giants - Adductor

Snell has had a rough start to his 2024 season and found his way to the injured list with an adductor strain. Now, he’s saying that he’s aiming to return once eligible (May 8). We’ll see if that holds true, but regardless, no Snell this scoring week for fantasy managers. Who knows, that may actually benefit your fantasy team(s)!

Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers - Elbow

UPDATE 5/2: Buehler is expected to return to the big league rotation on Monday against the Marlins.

Buehler will make another rehab start, and then he’s officially on big league rotation watch. Is it possible that he returns over the weekend against Atlanta? Considering that it would be his first big league start in quite some time, I wouldn’t be surprised for Los Angeles to hold out until early next week and let him face Miami at home instead of the Braves.

Cody Bradford, Texas Rangers - Back/Ribs

Bradford was placed on the IL with back tightness, but a stress fracture in his ribs will set him back about a month.

Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners - Elbow

Woo worked up to 49 pitches in most recent rehab appearance, logging six strikeouts over 3.1 IP. His two rehab outings have seen the Seattle right-hander throw 35 and 49 pitches, so he may only need another rehab appearance or two before rejoining the big-league rotation. Emerson Hancock has pitched better of late with three straight quality starts, but he figures to be the odd man out if Seattle wants Woo back in the rotation.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Relief Pitchers

Craig Kimbrel, Baltimore Orioles - Back

Kimbrel left his last appearance early with back tightness, and perhaps this ailment played a part in the veteran right-hander blowing back-to-back save opportunities over the weekend. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. Should Kimbrel have to miss time, expect Yennier Cano to see the majority of the save chances.

Matt Brash, Seattle Mariners - Elbow

Brash has been shut down from throwing “indefinitely” and there’s some significant concern with Brash’s right elbow. Listen to GM Justin Hollander talk about Brash below:

Jhoan Duran, Minnesota Twins - Oblique

UPDATE 5/2: Duran is back and is the undisputed closer in Minnesota. Run him out there in your lineups day in and day out.

Duran has a 5:0 K/BB ratio through two rehab appearances, and his return to the big-league bullpen shouldn’t be too far in the future. Upon his return, he’ll immediately step into the closer role, and dominate the save opportunities.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report: Hitters

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels - Knee

ADDED 5/2: Trout has a torn meniscus and will require surgery. His return is unknown, but fantasy managers should expect to be without Trout for an extended period of time. His current AB/HR pace would have been the second-best mark of his entire career.

Nolan Jones, Colorado Rockies - Back

ADDED 5/2: Jones was placed on the injured list with a low back strain. Could this issue have been lingering for a bit? Jones has had an abysmal start to the 2024 season, posting a .170 average, 35.9 K%, and 32 wRC+.

Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins - Knee

ADDED 5/2: Buxton was removed from Wednesday's game with knee soreness after a stolen base attempt. Consider him day-to-day.

Chas McCormick, Houston Astros - Hamstring

UPDATE 5/2: After battling with this hamstring injury for a bit, McCormick will head to the injured list to give his ailing hammy a chance to heal.

Masataka Yoshida, Boston Red Sox - Hand/Thumb

ADDED 5/2: Yoshida was placed on the injured list with a hand issue that he originally hurt last weekend. Wilyer Abreu should continue to see plenty of ABs while Yoshida tends to his injured hand.

Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers - Back

I’m going to say that there’s still no definitive timetable for Yelich, as swinging a bat is still a bit problematic for the slugger. He’s resumed running, but his progress has been “halted” for the time being.

Avisail Garcia, Miami Marlins - Hamstring

Garcia was placed on the injured list due to a hamstring strain. He last played on April 27th and was slashing just .240/.255/.635 through 50 ABs. However, to his credit, he was hitting a healthy .318 over his last seven games before suffering the injury.

Josh Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays - Hip/Oblique/Hamstring

One thing after another for Lowe. The most recent issue is a hamstring ailment that has blocked his return to the big-league club. Hopefully the MRI doesn’t show anything serious.

Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds - Hand

Stephenson didn’t play Sunday, but it was reported that he was going to get Sunday off anyways. He’s supposedly “fine,” but his availability Monday should allude to how fine he really is.

Vaughn Grissom, Boston Red Sox - Hamstring

Grissom hasn’t set the world on fire during his time in the minors while recovering from a hamstring strain, but his 2024 season debut could be coming this week. Enmanuel Valdez has handled the majority of ABs at second base but has slashed just .154/.188/.269 through 25 games.

Joey Gallo, Washington Nationals - Shoulder

Gallo was placed on the injured list with an AC sprain in his left shoulder. The team promoted Alex Call from Triple-A, and Gallo joined Lane Thomas and Victor Robles on the IL.