Throughout the entire 2025 Major League Baseball season, I’ll have you covered here at Fantasy Alarm with the fantasy baseball injury report. The fantasy baseball injury report this week features some notable names, including fantasy baseball aces Shota Imanaga and Corbin Burnes. Most leagues have already had their fantasy baseball waivers run, but in case your league allows for daily moves, be sure to read on to learn more about some notable MLB injuries, and the corresponding fantasy impact. Also, check back later this week for the fantasy baseball injury report update ahead of this weekend’s games!

 

Fantasy Baseball Injury Report This Week

This week’s MLB injury report contains notable starting pitchers, including hopeful fantasy aces like Shota Imanaga and Corbin Burnes.. Fantasy managers also had to watch Merrill Kelly and Tanner Bibee leave recent starts with cramps, while those who have been waiting on Brandon Woodruff and George Kirby received positive news. Additionally, fantasy managers will need to prepare for life without New York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm, for the next month plus, as it was revealed that he has multiple tears in his oblique.

As you prepare to finalize your fantasy baseball lineups for the upcoming week, don’t forget to take a look at James Grande’s best waiver wire pickups, and tune in to the Caught Stealing Podcast later this week with Howard Bender and yours truly for all things fantasy baseball!

 

MLB Injury Report: Starting Pitchers

Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs - Hamstring

UPDATE: There is in fact an IL stint in Imanaga's future, as the Cubs placed him on the injured list.

Imanaga left his last start with a hamstring injury, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an IL stint in his future. Cade Horton time?

Shota Imanaga left the game after an apparent injury following this play. pic.twitter.com/dZJXzSeEoS

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 4, 2025

Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks - Shoulder

The hope is that the inflammation in Burnes’ shoulder won’t necessitate a trip to the IL. The team will start Ryne Nelson this turn through the rotation, with the hopes of having Burnes on the rubber against the Dodgers this weekend.

Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks - Hamstring

Some cramps for Kelly cut his last start short, but wouldn’t expect this to be a serious issue at this time.

Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees - Side/Flank

Schmidt was supposed to start May 3, but he was scratched with left flank soreness. He’s now scheduled to pitch May 6 instead.

George Kirby, Seattle Mariners - Shoulder

Hard to argue with the results from Kirby’s first rehab appearance, right? Four strikeouts over 3 scoreless IP and topping out at just under 98 mph.

George Kirby tops out at 97.8 mph in his first rehab start with @RainiersLand.

Pitching for the first time since Feb. 26, the @Mariners RHP fans 4 and faces one above the minimum in 3 IP. pic.twitter.com/NSNzI6nCXp

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 4, 2025

 

Walker Buehler, Boston Red Sox - Shoulder

Not a complete surprise that Buehler is heading to the IL, as it seemed like things were heading that way. There’s no structural damage, but bursitis in his shoulder will sideline him for a bit.

Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers - Groin

While Peralta noted some groin tightness in his last start, the issue is believed to be minor, and his next start isn’t considered to be in jeopardy.

Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers - Shoulder

Woodruff is slated for two more rehab starts with a targeted return during an upcoming series against the Twins in mid-May.

Tanner Bibee, Cleveland Guardians - Legs

Bibee’s last start ended early due to cramping in not one, but both legs. Get this man some electrolytes!! I wouldn’t expect it to impact his next start, but perhaps pushing him back a day or two wouldn’t be completely out of the question.

 

MLB Injury Report: Hitters

Jazz Chisholm, New York Yankees - Oblique

There’s reportedly three high-grade tears in Chisholm’s right oblique, and the early timeline is 4-6 weeks. I’d expect it to be far closer to six weeks than four.

Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros - Hand

UPDATE: He was placed on the injured list.

We haven’t seen Alvarez for a couple of days due to some inflammation in his hand. The good news is that the team isn’t opting for imaging at this time, which lends some optimism to him returning to the lineup sooner rather than later.

Randy Arozarena, Seattle Mariners - Hamstring

Arozarena exited with a hamstring issue, but the team doesn’t believe it’s serious. Consider him day-to-day at this juncture.

Tommy Edman, Los Angeles Dodgers - Ankle

Edman hit the IL with an ankle issue, and the team promoted Hyeseong Kim to likely see some ABs at second base. Andy Pages will be the everyday center fielder while Edman is out, and Enrique Hernandez and Kim figure to get the ABs at the keystone.

Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees - Shoulder

Volpe didn’t play on Sunday after injuring his shoulder on Saturday. X-rays came back negative, so he’s likely day-to-day at the moment.

Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox - Knee

Casas’ season will end early as a left patellar tendon rupture will keep him off the field for the rest of the 2025 season. Romy Gonzalez has started the past two games at first base since Casas exited the lineup. 

Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres - Hamstring

Merrill’s return to the big league lineup shouldn’t be too far off, as there have been no reported setbacks after a couple of rehab appearances.